Our preschool team
We are so excited to introduce the warm, experienced and passionate team who will be learning and growing alongside your children every day.
We look forward to welcoming your family into our community.
Back Row: Cammie Ewen, Rachelle Warburton, Kate Jackson, Laura Day, Tracie Webb.
Front Row: Katherine Hurst, Justine Melide, Lucy Wong
Qualifications
Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) • Master of Education (Information Communication Technology in Education) • Diploma of Asian Studies in Education
Experience
Katherine brings over 20 years of experience in education, spanning roles as Teacher, Educational Leader, Assistant Principal, Deputy Principal and Principal across early childhood and primary school settings. She joined Moss Vale Public School as Principal in 2021 and is currently leading the exciting expansion of the school community, including the opening of the new Public Preschool.
About Katherine
Katherine relocated to the Southern Highlands when she took on the role at Moss Vale Public School and has made it home ever since, living locally with her husband, two children and beloved Dachshunds. Outside of school, you’ll find her in the kitchen or the garden, or exploring the local parks the region has to offer. In her leadership, Katherine is known for her inclusive, visionary and collaborative approach. She is deeply committed to ensuring every child is known, valued and cared for, and that strong partnerships with families sit at the heart of everything the school does. She is passionate about fostering a culture of high expectations and lifelong learning for both students and staff alike.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Early Childhood and Primary Education • Bachelor of Social Work • Diploma of Social Science
Experience
Justine has 10 years of experience as an Early Childhood Teacher and Intensive Support Staff member, followed by a further 10 years in primary education across mainstream and specialist settings, including 3 years in Special Education, working with multi-categorical, dual diagnosis and Autism Spectrum Australia (ASPECT) classes. Her diverse background means she brings both depth and breadth to everything she does.
About Justine
Justine believes childhood should feel a little bit magical every day, and that’s exactly the kind of space she loves to create. A local mum to a 5-year-old son, she has called the Southern Highlands home since 2015. Life at her place is a wonderful mix of laughter, noise and organised chaos, courtesy of two Labradors and two birds who most definitely think they’re in charge. Justine loves all things creative: stories, paint, imaginative play and those endless “why?” questions that so often lead to the most delightful little adventures. Whether she’s building, exploring outdoors, or just being wonderfully silly, her aim is always the same: to create a space where every child feels safe, happy and completely themselves.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Teaching (0–8 Years)
Experience
Laura has extensive experience across a variety of early childhood settings, having worked as a Teacher, Educational Leader and Nominated Supervisor. She has also worked in the Early Intervention Unit at Moss Vale Public School and in both mainstream and support classes, giving her a well-rounded, empathetic understanding of children’s diverse learning needs.
About Laura
A true local, Laura grew up in the Southern Highlands and still calls it home, living on a small property with her two children, dogs and horses. She loves gardening and spending time outdoors in nature, and these values naturally flow into her approach to early childhood education. Laura is passionate about inclusive education and deeply committed to supporting children with additional needs. She thrives in early childhood settings because of their beautifully child-focused philosophy — a place where every child is truly at the centre.
Qualifications: Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, Master of Teaching (Early Childhood and Primary)
Experience: Kate has over 10 years of experience working with children in a variety of settings as both an Occupational Therapist, Early Childhood Educator and Teacher (prior to school and Primary school). Within these roles, she has acted as an Anti-Racism Contact Officer and Inclusive Practices liaison, supporting students, staff and families to identify and incorporate inclusive practices across environments to support students' individual cultural and learning needs.
About Kate: With a genuine love for early childhood education, Kate is passionate about creating inclusive environments that embrace diversity and inclusion; believing that understanding and celebrating our differences helps us all grow. She finds the early childhood learning years endlessly rewarding and believes there’s never a dull moment in this vibrant stage of development. Outside the classroom, Kate enjoys reading, listening to music, gardening and learning and pondering as many interesting facts as possible with her own daughter. Kate is excited to be part of the Moss Vale Preschool team and looks forward to contributing to its supportive and dynamic community.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
Experience
Cammie brings an exceptional wealth of experience to the preschool team. She has more than 10 years in early childhood settings, across preschool and long day care, as both a teacher and nominated supervisor, plus over 20 years at Moss Vale Public School in the roles of SLSO and Early Intervention Teacher. Her long-standing connection to this school community makes her an invaluable part of the team.
About Cammie
Cammie grew up on a local farm and has deep roots in the Moss Vale community, where she now lives with her husband and her dog, Alfie. She has two adult children, one local and one living in Queensland. When she’s not at school, Cammie enjoys outdoor life: bike riding, walking, beach days and staying involved in local sports at MVFC. She is deeply passionate about early childhood education, believing that the early years provide the very foundation for all that follows. Cammie strongly believes that a play-based approach fosters a lifelong love of learning and positive wellbeing in children and she brings that belief to life every single day.
Qualifications
Certificate IV in School Based Education Support (TAFE NSW) • Currently working towards Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Experience
Lucy has valuable experience as a Learning Support Officer in a primary school setting, supporting students across both mainstream and support classes. Her hands-on, caring approach to working with children shines through in everything she does.
About Lucy
Lucy relocated from Sydney to the Southern Highlands with her husband and two children in 2023 and has quickly made the region feel like home. In her spare time, you’ll find her creating handcrafts, baking or spending time out in nature. She is captivated by the sense of magic and wonder that preschool-aged children carry with them — and considers it a true privilege to be part of nurturing that special curiosity every day.
Qualifications
Currently working towards Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (TAFE NSW)
Experience
Rachelle has spent the past two years as a Student Learning Support Officer at Moss Vale Public School, building a strong foundation in understanding children’s individual needs and creating supportive, nurturing learning environments.
About Rachelle
Originally from South Australia, where she grew up right by the beach, Rachelle has now made the Southern Highlands home for over 20 years, living with her husband, three children and three dogs. She has a love for all things colourful and crafty, and her spare time is filled with sporting activities and spontaneous family adventures in the caravan. Rachelle’s warmth, creativity and community spirit make her a wonderful addition to the preschool team.
Have a question for our principal, teachers or educators?
Our preschool team is supported by the friendly office and administrative staff at Moss Vale Public School, who are happy to help you get in touch.
Learning
Find out about our approach to learning and supporting students to progress.
Travel to school
Learn about local transport options and how to get here safely.