Dromana Pre-School is a collaborative and skilled teaching team that is dedicated to providing a nurturing and stimulating learning environment for all children. Our team has a range of skills, experience, and backgrounds, which we draw upon to create a rich and diverse learning experience for our students. We are passionate about working in partnership with parents to support each child’s individual learning journey.
Kate Ferguson is the teacher for the Seahorse Group.
Kate holds a Master of Teaching and has a love for learning, something she hopes to pass on to all children. Originally from Warrnambool, Kate loves travelling down from her home in Melbourne and working on the coast in a small close-knit community.
As a recent member of the team, Kate believes she brings a fresh and progressive perspective on education to Dromana Pre-school. Kate believes that positive learning experiences in Early Childhood build the foundations for lifelong learning and aims to give all children the best start to their education.
Marianne Marks is the teacher for the Turtle Group, and the acting teacher for the Dolphin Group.
Marianne is a mum of three wonderful, independent, unique and inspiring children. She completed her Certificate III in Early Childhood in 2011, progressed to the completion of a Diploma in Early Childhood in 2014. Marianne attained her Bachelor of Early Childhood Education in 2018, and believes her children were her strength, support and inspiration in achieving her goal to become an Early Childhood Teacher. Marianne is a lifelong learner and continues to explore ways in which she can extend her knowledge to support the children she teaches to the best of her ability.
Marianne has lived on the Mornington Peninsula since 2004, and has had experience in pre-schools and schools as both a parent and a teacher. When not teaching, Marianne enjoys spending time with her family exploring the outdoors, reading, baking and singing and dancing in the kitchen!
Sarah Brooker is an educator for the Dolphin Group.
Originally from the English township of Torquay, Sarah’s family moved to Australia 12 years ago and settled in Mount Martha. Her two boys are now all grown, and she and her husband are enjoying a bit more freedom – they enjoy seeing concerts and shows in Melbourne and having weekends away.
Sarah has taught in Early Years Education for 14 years, the last 11 of these have been here at Dromana Pre-School. Sarah feels honoured to be part of children’s early education and also part of the Dromana community. She currently holds a Diploma in Children’s Services.
Erin Stelling is an educator for the Seahorse Group.
She holds a Diploma in Children’s Services. Erin has lived in Dromana her whole life and even attended the kinder herself! She has three amazing teenagers, a son, stepson and stepdaughter and has worked at the Dromana Community house for over eight years in the Take-A-Break occasional care program.
Erin loves being a part of the local community and is very involved in the local football and netball club. She enjoys working with young people as she enjoys the satisfaction of helping the next generation became amazing people and reaching their full potential.
Claddgha Nicholls is an educator for the Turtle Group.
Claddgha holds a Diploma in Children’s Services and has lived on the Mornington Peninsula her whole life. She is a Dromana Pre-School alumni having attended the pre-school back in the very early 1970’s! Claddgha is passionate about early childhood development and previously ran the Dromana Community House Take a Break service for 20 years, before venturing out to explore new challenges and experiences within early childhood education. Cladggha believes supporting children become confident learners, who feel comfortable to participate in everything kinder has to offer is the most rewarding part of being an educator.
Claddgha is married and has two grown children, as well as two divine granddaughters that she is a hands-on ‘Mimi’ too, and has a beautiful dog called Henry. Claddgha enjoys reading, gardening and fancies herself as a bit of a handyman if the need arises!
Amelia Fithall is an educator for the Turtle Group.
Amelia is studying a Certificate III Traineeship in Early Childhood Education and Care. In her spare time, she enjoys playing netball, going to the gym, going on camping trips and spending time with her family and friends.
Amelia is looking forward to getting to know the children and working along side the Dromana Pre-school teachers and educators.