Meet our primary teachers

Children spend a major part of each day with the teacher who is responsible for developing the educational program for their group.

There are no bells at Kinma. Children come inside the buildings when "in-time" is called by the staff. Children work in small groups for the development of their basic skills and concepts.

Children dialogue freely with all in the community. Teachers provide feedback where appropriate. However, at Kinma we avoid evaluation that implies comparison of one child with another.

Teacher Training

The teachers at Kinma are encouraged to continue their professional development through in-service training. They also review current literature and findings in education, psychology and related fields for possible contributions to the learning program in the school.

Kate Chockman

kate

Group 3 Teacher

Kate completed her internship with us in 2013. After a couple years teaching rurally and exploring the globe, Kate now teaches children in Years 5 and 6 in Group 3 with Kimberley and Priscila, meeting each day with excitement, playfulness and enthusiasm.

If you were ever searching for Kate at Kinma, you’d find her running around on the bottom field playing a game of soccer or observing and admiring the native wildlife. Kate has a strong passion for the environment, creative arts, and science which she utilises to spark children’s creativity and interest. Kate loves to create learning experiences which allow children to naturally engage and explore.

Kimberley Read

Kimberley

Group 3 Teacher

Kimberley first joined the Kinma community as a playgroup parent and quickly realised she had found her home. She began teaching in 2016 after completing her practicum at Kinma, and is currently teaching and playing with children in Years 5 and 6 in Group 3 with Kate and Priscila.

Kimberley loves the freedom to follow children's interests, play-based learning and getting to know her students.

Priscila Kern

priscila

Group 3 Teacher/Learning Support

Priscila has always been very curious and passionate about nature so she decided to study Biological Science back in her homeland. She spent several years studying and working with microbiology, ecology and government projects working towards a better quality environment.

She is also passionate about art and culture and is always finding creative ways of incorporating and blending these into the classroom. After arriving in Australia, Priscila came to a Kinma school tour and fell in love with the School and its education philosophy. Priscila is part of Group 3 working alongside Kimberley and Kate, and loves to nurture and teach young children.

Sean Curran

sean

Group 2 Teacher

Sean completed his final teaching placement at Kinma in late 2021 and was thrilled to officially join the team the very next term. Before that, he’d worked with children since 2015 both as an English tutor and a children’s entertainer. Sean co-teaches with Vanessa and Katy in Group 2 with Year 2 and 3 students.

His goal is to continue to forge deep connections at Kinma and bring his love of drama and literature into the classroom.

Sunshine Pritchard

Sunshine

Group 2 Teacher/Learning Support

Sunshine has always had a passion for teaching others and a love for all things nature! After working in schools across Sydney, she walked into Kinma midway through 2024 and instantly knew she’d found her place!

Sunshine thrives in the great outdoors (she's even a beekeeper!) and loves connecting with the natural world. Passionate about music, creative arts, and wellbeing, she brings a fun and holistic approach to teaching, helping kids grow not just academically, but emotionally too. With mindfulness and meditation woven into the classroom, Sunshine creates a balanced, positive space where students can truly shine!

Tom Brien

Tom

Group 1 Teacher

Tom completed his practicum at Kinma and teaches our Year K and Year 1 children in Group 1.

Tom is happy to have found a home at Kinma joining kindred spirits both big and small.

A lover of the ocean and father to three little humans, Tom is excited to play, learn and create with our Group 1 friends.

Richie Cuthbert

Richie

Group 1 Teacher

Richie is excited to join the Kinma community in 2025. Having recently completed a Master of Teaching (Primary) from the University of Sydney, Richie brings a passion for fostering curiosity and creating truly student-centred, engaging, activity-based learning environments.

Outside of the classroom, Richie is a musician and songwriter who enjoys visual arts and spending time outdoors. Richie also loves football (soccer), where he is a player and a coach. Having grown up on the Northern Beaches, Richie has long admired Kinma's progressive, whole-child, and flexible approach to education and looks forward to contributing to its vibrant learning community.

Jerome

staff-jerome1

Basketball teacher

Jerome has been teaching and playing with Kinma children for as long as we can remember! He is a much loved member of our team who joins us in the colder months in Terms 2 and 3 when we play basketball.

Chrissie Cavaliere

Chrissie

Education Leader

Chrissie is excited to be back amongst the Kinma community after some time off with her new baby, Wesley. Originally from New York, Chrissie has lived and taught in the USA, Thailand and now Australia.

A veteran educator with twenty-years of classroom and leadership, she earned a Master of Childhood Education from Brooklyn College and has a strong background in literacy and maths instruction and a degree in Restorative Practices. Chrissie is very passionate about bringing joy and social justice into the learning space. When she is not teaching, she loves spending time with her family, traveling, eating and yoga.

Emily Hodgson

Emily

Education Leader

Currently on Maternity Leave, Emily joined Kinma as Education Leader in 2024 and is excited to be part of the Kinma community!

Teaching since 2017 and originally from England, Emily set off in 2022 to explore more of the world and is now settled in Australia. When not teaching, Emily loves to explore the coastal walks that Sydney has to offer as is partial to a bit of surfing (although still a beginner!). Emily is passionate about progressive and inquiry-based education and allowing children to learn through exploration of the world around them.

Kinma values a school environment that stresses cooperation rather than competition

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