Staff

We believe it is important that every child receive the best educational experience possible during their kindy year. Each Lawnton Kindergarten group is led by a university qualified teacher, who is registered with Queensland College of Teachers. Our teacher’s assistants all have minimum Certificate III qualifications. In addition to their formal qualifications, all our teachers are experienced and caring, which makes them comprehensively suited to guiding the children’s learning & development during the important kindy year.

Our minimum 1:11 staff to child ratio is strictly maintained at all times. All teaching staff hold current Senior First Aid Certificates including CPR, asthma and anaphylaxis, as well as current QLD Working with Children Check (blue cards/exemptions).

Belinda Boevink

Belinda Boevink

Director, Teacher and Educational Leader

I have been a teacher for over 30 years and am always inspired by the uniqueness of the minds and personalities of Kindy Kids! I came to Lawnton Kindy initially as a relief teacher, and am now a part of this lovely community as both Director and Teacher. It is great to be involved in a community kindergarten where parents are equally excited to provide a quality educational facility for their precious little ones. My areas of interest are music (with my purple guitar and bling ukulele), extending on children’s questions through research and projects, brainstorming what children know and want to find out, nature and gardening, craft and supporting children’s ideas and individual creativity.

Rhonda Wilson

Rhonda Wilson

Teacher

I have taught in Early Childhood settings since 1983, and have been inspired by teaching 4 to 6 year olds for nearly 40 years, and a big part of this time in our local community. I believe in the importance of play and hands on experiences in learning, with  adult support and direction when required. 

To me it is important for families and kindy staff to work together for the benefit of the children, following the old adage, “it takes a community to raise a child”. I am inspired to work as part of the Lawnton Kindy team in the children’s learning journey.  

Rachel Roberts

Rachel Roberts

Teacher

I am originally from New Zealand am lucky to call Australia home now, after just recently moving here in 2023.

I have been teaching in Early Childhood Education for over 15 years and have a strong passion for supporting children in their individual learning journey’s. I believe children learn through active exploration in a play-based environment where their strengths, interests and learning dispositions are supported and nurtured.

I love to provide hands-on experiences where children feel valued and excited to learn. I have a strong interest in nature, loose parts, art, and messy play.

I have always loved the community feel that Kindergarten provides to children and their families, and I’m excited to be a part of the team at Lawnton Kindy.

Linda Nugent

Linda Nugent

Assistant

My involvement with Lawnton Kindergarten started as a kindy parent. My three girls attended the centre and after my youngest started prep in 2018 I began working as an inclusion support assistant. From this time on I have been enjoying doing a variety of roles and now love my role as an assistant educator.

I have been involved in early childhood education since 1992 when I completed a Bachelor of Teaching in Early Childhood. After finishing my studies I worked for many years teaching in a kindy/ preschool aged room in a child care centre.

I have always enjoyed working with kindy aged children. I love the curiosity they bring to kindy every day and enjoy helping develop their love of learning. I am proud that I can assist in developing confident and independent learners.

Nicole Hayburn

Nicole Hayburn

Assistant

My passion working with children started 20 years ago where I first worked in childcare centres followed by running my own family day care service for 12 years. During this time, I completed my Advanced Diploma in Children’s Services.

I joined the Lawnton Kindy first as an inclusion support educator in 2021 which then led to being welcomed as an assistant educator the following year. I know they say never work with children or animals, but that’s a lie! working with children has brought more joy to my life than you could ever imagine. The things they say, the cuddles, the laughs – it doesn’t get any better.

My aim is to inspire every child to become the best version of themselves through fun educational play-based learning.

Nureera Brown (Yah)

Nureera Brown (Yah)

Assistant

I came to Australia from Thailand almost 30 years ago as a scholarship student (Bachelor of Business). I obtained Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood) in 2023. I began my employment at Lawnton Kindy as an inclusion support and an assistant in 2022. My three children attended Lawnton Kindy since 2008.

I have worked in the fitness industry for over a decade and truly enjoyed coaching gymnastics to preschool-aged children. Working with young children gives me abundant joy and is highly rewarding.

I strongly believe that early childhood years are extremely important for building a positive foundation and disposition towards learning and development for children. I treasure a fun, play-based learning environment and value children as unique individuals who are competent, capable and curious in their own way. My aim is to support children to reach their potential and become confident and successful learners.

In the Classroom

For many children, the kindy year is their first exposure to formal education.

The experiences children have at kindy should be interesting, engaging and positive. This allows children to learn through their own experiences that learning is fun, creating a foundation for a love of learning they will take with them to primary school, high school and beyond. An interested, caring and engaging kindy teacher who can draw on her expertise and experience in the classroom is where a lifelong love of learning begins.