Working at Ravenswood

The Ravenswood staff are a professional, experienced and talented team with a real commitment to task, who create an exciting learning environment for the optimum development and motivation of each student.

Our Senior Executive Staff consists of :

Principal - Ms Vicki Steer, BA (Hons), MA, DipEd, Grad Dip Admin, MACE, MACEL

Deputy Principal and Head of Teaching and Learning Education - Mrs  Jane Curran, MA, Dip Ed,

Deputy Principal and Head of Senior School-  Mr David Garner, BSc, DipEd, MEd, MACEL

Head of Middle School - Mrs Robyn Robertson, BA Dip Ed

Head of Junior School- Mr Andrew Coote, MEd Admin, BEd, DipT, CertSchlMgt, CertTESOL


Some staff profiles

Andy Draper - Scientist extraodinaire

When Andy Draper was a child he wanted to be a rock star, not a scientist. Today he is both!

Senior Science teacher Andy is a well respected character around Ravenswood. Hailing from England, Andy holds an Honors Degree in Civil Engineering and a Certificate in Education with Majors in Physics, Science & PE. Originally on contract to fill a three month maternity leave position back in 2001, he stayed for 18 months teaching science to primary school students. The world beckoned, and Andy traveled to America where he taught for a further 15 months. Andy returned to Ravenswood in a full time capacity in 2004.

Currently teaching Years 7-10 Science and Year 12 Physics, Andy has his hands full, but says he will never tire of teaching. He thrives on the student interaction, and enjoys supporting students and helping them to develop their love of science. He has a genuine style of teaching, whereby his students respect him as the teacher, without being a rigidly authoritarian figure. Having worked in different industries, Andy has the ability to draw on real life science based situations to assist his students in learning.

Being a qualified gym and aerobics instructor and an interest in fitness, Andy is keen to be involved in the newly built Strength and Conditioning Centre. His love of the outdoors has also seen him as a familiar face on Years 7-10 camps. When not teaching, Andy plays the guitar and is a part of a band that plays regular gigs on the Northern Beaches.

Andy is a true believer in the values instilled at Ravenswood. He is sure that the young women who graduate from Ravenswood are inspired, motivated and well equipped to handle anything that may come their way. The girls genuinely develop practical ways of thinking and this coupled with the quality and dedication of the staff at Ravenswood sets it aside. 

Paola Tamberlin - from corporate to teacher

Year 4 teacher, Paola Tamberlin has an open and creative style of teaching. This enables her to access the individual learning styles of her students by helping them tap into what really makes them want to learn and grow. Being an “Old Girl” (1988), Paola never imagined that she would return to Ravenswood. After completing a Bachelor of Arts, Paola worked in the corporate arena, but soon realised that teaching children was her passion. She returned to University completing a Diploma in Education and a Masters in Drama and Linguistics.

With a keen interest in languages, Paola is also a trained French teacher. Paola’s thrives on teaching Years K-4, as she believes that primary teachers are able to nurture the child, rather than focusing solely on a single subject, and thinks good fun and creative interest are vital to the classroom from an early stage. Paola strongly believes in bringing philosophy into daily teaching, allowing for open discussions and encouraging problem solving and the ability to think outside the square. At present, with the assistance of her Year 4 class, Paola is redesigning her classroom. With the view to making it even more inspirational and conducive to learning and growing, some ideas put to the Principal by her class included the use of different colours and surfaces, the addition of class pets and plants and stimulating spaces in the classroom to allow for creative thinking and learning.

With her way of teaching and thinking, Paola also sees Ravenswood as a great place for her to learn and grow. Her ideas are listened to and this acceptance of her concepts, coupled with the schools balance of discipline and openness with the students makes it a truly rewarding place for her to work. Paola has been formally recognised externally for her effort and commitment to teaching through her award for The NSW Young Teacher of the Year.