Meet Us
It’s always good to put a face to a name, especially in your school community! Use this page to virtually ‘meet’ Orange Christian School’s staff from Prep to Year 12.
Executive Team
OCS Senior Executive Team
Yooie Choi
PrincipalBADipEd, LLB, GDLP, COGE, JP
It is a privilege to be part of the staff here at Orange Chrisitan School and to lead this amazing school, establishing it as a salt and light in our community. I am passionate about the school’s vision to raise up effective leaders of godly character, as I believe that all students are leaders, as they can influence others by what they say and do. As leaders, I want to encourage them to develop their faith in God, do their best academically and be a positive influence amongst their peers, at home and in the wider community.
Previously I taught in Sydney schools (both comprehensive public and independent single sex schools) and was involved in learning support, enrichment, and lived onsite with my family as a Boarding Housemaster. I also did Cadets (Captain in Australian Army Cadets) and enjoyed facilitating the Christian fellowship group at school. We came to Orange for a tree-change where I continued my work in learning support, literacy and enrichment. During my time in Orange, I was fortunate enough to study abroad at Harvard University (“Enhancing Teacher Effectiveness” – Harvard Graduate School of Education), participate in NESLI (National Excellence in School Leadership Initiative – Monash University) and complete a law degree (University of New England) and Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (College of Law) where I was admitted to the Supreme Court roll. I have facilitated an online course called Philosophy 137 (Critical Thinking – Macquarie University) and I was a workshop presenter for GERRIC (Gifted Education Research Resource Information). I was fortunate to be appointed onto the Board of Directors for KU Children Services and visited Juvenile Detention Centres as an Officer Visitor on behalf of the NSW Government. I am currently enrolled in an Educational Doctorate (UNSW) researching student motivation and engagement.
My approach to education is to ensure that students have a safe, supportive and enjoyable learning experience. A key to this approach is to develop teacher efficacy, equipping and supporting them to foster a learning experience that is dynamic, engaging and challenging. A place where intellectual character and effort, not marks alone, are recognised and celebrated. Our teaching programs are reviewed rigorously to ensure that students obtain meaningful outcomes through a Biblical perspective.
I am married to Rebecca and we have four children. We own two dogs, and an alpaca named ‘Banjo”. I enjoy the outdoors (beach, hikes and camping) but equally staying inside and relaxing with a cup of tea and a good book. I like watching Kdramas and have been known to re-watch Star Wars, Lord of Rings and the like. We live on small acreage and like all busy families, find the time to mow and garden a constant battle. I am thankful for the support of the Board, my staffing colleagues, my local church, family and friends. I am thankful to be at Orange Christian School and I look forward to partnering with families in raising children with a desire to learn and to become more like Christ. I believe the School is well positioned to lead in this area for the glory of God.
Mrs Nicki Johnston
Deputy Principal - Staff, Curriculum and OperationsMEdPsych, BMus(MusEd)(Hons), AMusA
It is an honour to be serving alongside the dedicated team at Orange Christian School. I am encouraged by the school’s foundation of authentic Christian faith, that permeates throughout every aspect of school life.
I am married to Dean and we have three boys. We moved to Orange from Sydney at the end of 2021 and have thoroughly enjoyed the ‘tree change’, having already developed deep connections through school life, church, music, and sport. I have been teaching Music for 21 years and have experience as an HSC Music Marker. I have a deep passion for music, which began when I first picked up the flute and played it at 8 years old. I am blessed to have found such a rich music community here in Orange, where I have the privilege of being a member of the Orange Symphony Orchestra, the Orange Theatre Company, as well as being involved with various ensembles at the Orange Regional Conservatorium. In addition to playing music, I enjoy spending time at home with my family, including our dogs, cats, fish, chickens and bees, and being outside in nature.
Previously, I taught at Hornsby Girls High School, an academically selective school in Sydney, where I worked in student wellbeing as a year advisor and academics as Music Faculty Coordinator. Upon moving to Orange, I took up a position as Secondary Pastoral Care Coordinator and later Leader of Culture at Orange Anglican Grammar School. I have an honours degree in Music (Music Education) from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and a Master of Educational Psychology from the University of Sydney. I am currently studying a Master of Applied Positive Psychology through the University of Melbourne. I have a love of learning, and place great importance on understanding and applying evidence-based research to inform best practice in all areas of the school.
I have a holistic approach to education, whereby a framework of effort, character development, and extra-curricular opportunities are emphasised equally alongside academic progress and achievements. I consider it a priority in our school to enhance staff wellbeing, ensuring all staff feel supported in the critical work they do within our school community. Schools are complex ecosystems, with many moving parts. A school with flourishing teachers means a school with flourishing students.
Stephen Price
Deputy Principal - Students, Community and Christian FoundationsMEdL, MDiv, BEnvSc, GradDipEd.
I am excited to be part of the Orange Christian School community, which has a wonderful history forged over 40 years of faithful Christian education. It is fantastic to be involved in a strong Christian community where staff and students are encouraged in their Christian faith in real and authentic ways.
I am married to Amy and we have three children who attend OCS. We moved to Orange from sunny Tamworth where I worked at Calrossy Anglican School for nine years, most recently as the Head of Middle School and prior to that as the Senior Chaplain of the school. Prior to living in Tamworth, we grew up and lived in Sydney where I worked at Barker College, The King’s School and SCECGS Redlands, being involved in science teaching and chaplaincy.
While in my role as school chaplain at Calrossy Anglican School I was ordained as an Anglican Minister and supported the wider Armidale Anglican Diocese in that capacity. In terms of education, I went to Covenant Christian School in Sydney for my entire schooling, and then completed a Bachelor of Environmental Science, a Graduate Diploma of Education and then a Master of Divinity at Sydney Missionary and Bible College. More recently, I completed a Master of Educational Leadership through the National Institute for Christian Education.
I believe that working in partnership with parents is critical to the success of students at school and encourage two-way communication between school and home. Some priorities for me are helping students, parents and staff have clarity, consistency and connection in and to the school. These things help everyone know what the expectations are and help foster a sense of belonging, encouraging students to be at their best and work hard to grow and develop.
I enjoy spending time with my family, often running the weekly parkrun, going to church, drinking coffee and mountain bike riding. My family and I are thrilled to be part of the OCS family. I give thanks to God for the great work He has done in the school over many years and pray for God’s continued blessing on the school.
Catherine Buchanan
Head of Primary SchoolBA (Mathematics) GDipEd
I love that the staff at OCS are dedicated to growing every student’s God-given potential individually and as members of a community. My three children attend Orange Christian School, all starting here when they were in Prep. It is a privilege to work together with the staff, students and parents at OCS. Seeing the Prep-Year 4 children progress academically and grow in their faith, friendships, character and resilience is a very rewarding part of my day.
I commenced a Bachelor of Mathematics at the University of Wollongong. After studying this for three years, it became clear that teaching was the right path to pursue. Consequently, I changed my degree and completed a Diploma of Education the following year. Since 2001, I have worked in independent schools in the Shoalhaven and Illawarra regions, as well as in Queensland. My previous roles have included responsibilities in curriculum and instructional leadership for literacy and numeracy. In 2015 I joined the OCS staff, commencing the Junior Coordinator role in 2021. I’ve also had the opportunity to complete the Women’s Middle Leadership Program with NESLI (National Excellence in School Leadership Institute).
I love spending time at home with my family and we attend Orange Presbyterian Church. We also enjoy camping, fishing and four wheel driving together.
Mel Collins
Head of Secondary SchoolBEd/BMusic; Cert IV Assessment and Training
What a privilege it is to work alongside the wonderful staff, students, and parents at OCS. With a double degree in Music and Education, I have been a Music Teacher as well as a Year Advisor, Head of Music, Missions Facilitator, Welfare Coordinator and HSC Marker. It is with joy that I now add Head of Secondary at OCS to my roles.
I love challenging young people and seeing them grow. I enjoy the daily opportunities to encourage students to develop their strengths, push them out of their comfort zones, inspire excellence and show them how to make an impact on the world around them. I believe that building into young lives not only brings positive outcomes for the students themselves, but also has the potential to positively impact their families and their communities. Being in leadership allows me to encourage us as a team to be who God has made us to be!
Along with Music, I have a passion for travel, especially in the developing world. With a big heart for Fiji, Myanmar and Tonga, I love facilitating trips for students that combine experiential learning with practical service. The most memorable project I have been part of was assisting with the establishment and building of accommodation for remote area students in Fiji, enabling them to be able to receive an otherwise inaccessible education. Bring on our next mission to Fiji!
Adrian Lee
Head of Student Development, English/History KLA CoordinatorBA DipEd
I started teaching in 1999. I completed my Degree in English and Ancient History at the University of Western Australia, paying my way through uni flipping burgers and then working in retail before I took on the position as Youth Director of Campbelltown Presbyterian Church.
I completed a Diploma of Education in 1998 before heading to Europe to work and travel.
I have worked in government and independent schools in western Sydney, regional NSW and Bristol in the UK, including at OCS in the early 2000s. I have been a Stage 4 Coordinator and Head of Department for HSIE & English before joining OCS as Middle School Coordinator in 2017.
Experience has shown the importance of the middle years to build on the foundations of Junior School and prepare students for the rigours of Senior School and post school opportunities. It is all about giving students the skills they need to fulfil their God-given potential. That is why we talk about Middle School as the ‘booster’ rocket.
Sue & I have two children. We attend Orange Evangelical Church. I am a passionate sports nut, love good coffee and good books.
Cathryn Buckerfield
Sports CoordinatorBSpSc; DipEd (Secondary PDHPE); BEd (TAS)
I love kids! I feel truly blessed to have the opportunity to be part of their formative years and to be part of their journey towards young adults. As Nelson Mandella said “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope” – It is an honour it is for me to be part of the lives of the OCS children and their families as Sport Coordinator.
For the past 20 years I have worked in the public education system, having spent my first ever year of teaching at Katherine High in the Northern Territory and the past 17 years at Canobolas High – both amazing opportunities that shaped me to be the teacher I am today. Coming to teach at OCS has been a wonderful experience and I’ve embraced the shift in culture for myself and can really appreciate the benefits of working with Christian staff and being able to freely teach from a Biblical perspective.
My 3 daughters all attend OCS. OCS offers them a chance to be someone and not just another number; to have stable relationships from prep to Year 12, whereas all too often in other schools those ties are separated between primary and secondary schooling
Having my own family taught me about the many types of love. Travelling the world made me appreciate where I came from. Trekking Kokoda Trail taught me resilience, the meaning of mateship, and gratitude to those that serve and their sacrifices. Playing sport has taught me that sometimes in losing we really win. Growing up in the Molong Anglican church taught me I have a family for life and that God’s love for me knows no bounds and in him there is always hope.
Rosa Cunial
Director of PrepBTeach, Dip Children Services
Rosa is our Director of Prep. She has a passion for providing quality early learning environments for children. Brain research has highlighted the impact of early experiences in a child’s life and evidence has proven that the most rapid brain development occurs in the years before school. Being up to date with evidence-based research and implementing this in innovative programs that helps promote learning and development. This sets the tone for life-long learning. She has a Bachelor of Teaching (Birth to 5 years), a Diploma of Children Services (Early Childhood Education and Care) and has been teaching in Prep since its beginning in 2005.
Cindy Hales
Coordinator Learning Support and EnrichmentBed Honours (Curriculum Development, School Management and Leadership)
Bachelors in Primary Education (Year 4-9)
Diploma in Education (Remedial Education)
My career, which began in 1986, has been a wonderful journey filled with diverse and incredibly rewarding experiences. After graduating from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, I taught a wide range of subjects to students in Years 3 – 9, mainly in State schools in South Africa. Since moving to Australia in 2020, I ran the Alternative Education unit at Spinifex College in Mt Isa, QLD and taught in the Learning Support unit at Orange High School. I am now blessed to be both teaching stage 4 English and Stage 5 History as well as co-ordinating the Learning Support and Enrichment unit at Orange Christian School.
Seeing the need for student support early in my career, I completed a Further Diploma in Remedial Education. I served as the Head of English and Life Skills in the Primary sector at Fields College in Rustenburg, South Africa and then went on to become a Deputy Principal, responsible for Academics – this included the role of Chief Invigilator for the year 12 Matric examinations.
In 1998, my husband and I felt the call of God to attend Spirit Life Bible College in California. We’ve had the privilege of planting a CRC church in Windhoek, Namibia and are now enjoying being part of the Body of Christ at New Life Church here in Orange.
My husband, Neill and I have two sons, one here in Orange and the other still back in South Africa. Both are married to beautiful South African ladies. We have two Australian grandbabies; Luke has recently started attending Prep at OCS and Mia will join the OCS family when she’s older.
We love the outdoors, camping, fishing and look forward to seeing a whole lot more of this beautiful country.
OCS Full Executive Team
Teaching Staff
Chloe Bertram
Learning Support Teacher
Louise Childs
Educational Operations Coordinator
Elyse Denham
Music Teacher
Linda Filmer
Primary School Teacher
Leslie Follent
Secondary School Teacher
Helen Giger
Secondary School Teacher
Nathan Gray
Primary School Teacher
John Green
Primary School Teacher
Keren Klugt
Secondary School Teacher
Leonie McCarron
Primary School Teacher
Melissa McGowen
Secondary Stage Coordinator
David Milligan
Secondary School Teacher
Sabrina McKern
Primary School Teacher
Genevieve Pade
Junior School Teacher
Kylie Pulling
Primary School Teacher
Katie Pyle
Secondary School Teacher
Glenda Schumann
Secondary School Teacher
Emma Schmack
Primary KLA Coordinator
Amanda Sims
Primary School Teacher
Rebecca Thompson
Primary School Teacher
Stephen Toms
Secondary School Teacher
Melinda Willis
Secondary School Teacher/STAR Coordinator
Kerry Dunn
Art Teacher Michael Cunial
Primary Teacher
Allen Grant
Secondary School Teacher Elise Honeysett
Primary School Teacher Rachel Drummond
Liz Edwards
Primary Teacher Jill Brodie
Primary Teacher Noni Del Guzzo
Secondary Teacher Felicity Dobbs
Nathan Dobbs
Secondary Teacher
Dean Johnston
KLA Coordinator for Maths/Science
Sarah Milligan
Primary Teacher
Leonie Green
Secondary TeacherPrep Team
Rosa Cunial
Director of Prep
Hannah Fletcher
Prep Teacher
Mariah Harris
Prep Teacher
Vicki Martin
Prep Educator
Kate Smith
Prep Educator
Amanda Johnson
Prep Educator
Heidi Perrett
Prep Teacher Sharon Ejiofor
Prep EducatorSupport Staff
Amanda Dietiker
Music Tutor (Piano)
Alex McFadyen
Teacher's Aide/Library Assistant
Adam Osborn
Learning Support Aide/After School Care
Jann Osborn
Chaplain
Kim Reilly
Learning Support Aide Elliot Bangert
Music Tutor (Brass)
Alison Nelson
Teacher's Aide Kate St. Julian
Teacher's Aide Michelle Oh
Teacher's Aide Dylan Naveau
Teacher's AideAdministration Team
Emily Chapman-Mortimer
Front Office
Jaimie Honeysett
Office Manager/HR/Marketing
Louise Bornen
Registrar
Mark Woodley
IT Manager
Melbert Tandang
Assistant Business Manager Lisa Armstrong
Finance Officer Melanie Naveau
Executive Assistant to the Deputies Anna Sims
Executive Assistant Shannyn Geeve
Front Office Jessica Bushby
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