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A special group of educators within Catholic Education SA have achieved the National Certification of Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers.

Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher (HALT) accreditation recognises and rewards highly innovative and exemplary expert teachers.

Achieving this level of national certification is a rigorous process, requiring the teachers involved to reflect on their practice and show evidence of their impact on colleagues and students across the 7 standards and 37 descriptors of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. These descriptors include knowing their students and how they learn, the content and how to teach it, and creating and maintaining supportive and safe learning environments, amongst others.

“Nationally certified teachers are highly regarded by their colleagues and are seen as teachers who achieve great outcomes for their student's learning and wellbeing,” says John Mula OAM, Deputy Director, Catholic Education South Australia.

“They demonstrate the values of the Catholic ethos and contribute positively and respectively to their school communities and more broadly to Catholic Education South Australia.”

​​​​​​​Read more about the HALT certification on the CESA website.

Meet our Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers:
 

Kay Baker – Lead Teacher
Site Certified: Nazareth Catholic College, Findon

Kay has been a permanent teacher in Catholic Education for 19 years after starting her career at Samaritan College, Whyalla. Kay is a contemporary teacher and challenges students to become successful 21st century learners whilst having a deep understanding of the Australian Curriculum.

Mandy Curtis – Highly Accomplished Teacher

Site Certified: Thomas More College, Salisbury Downs 

Mandy has a Masters in Catholic Education and Leadership. She has over 25 years’ experience including teaching students from non-English speaking backgrounds and those who have learning disabilities and social/emotional difficulties.

Heather Docherty – Lead Teacher

Site Certified: Tenison Woods Catholic School, Richmond

Heather has worked in a range of Catholic schools in SA over the past 9 years after relocating from Tasmania. She prides herself in being a passionate and positive leader who engages staff through professional development, workshops and mentoring.  A committed educator, Heather strives to make a positive influence on the lives of all the learners she teaches.

Erin Doherty – Highly Accomplished Teacher

Site Certified: St Mary's College, Adelaide

After beginning her 12-year career at Caritas College, Port Augusta, the English, Humanities and Religion teacher now works predominantly across the Middle and Senior years and is the English Learning Area Leader at St Mary’s College, Adelaide. Her creativity, passion and enthusiasm for teaching is what Erin is most proud of.

Jenna Edwards – Lead teacher

Site Certified: Samaritan College, Whyalla

Jenna is the current Reception to Year 12 Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning at Samaritan College. Part of her role is also classroom based, where she uses her skills as a Lead Teacher to innovate and challenge students to become the best versions of themselves and deepen their understanding of the curriculum.

Rose-Marie Gentilcore – Highly Accomplished Teacher

Site Certified: St Pius X Catholic School, Windsor Gardens

A teacher since 2017, Rose-Marie’s highly accomplished teaching skills have been developed through Inclusive Education strategies for children with differentiated learning needs. Rose-Marie works with, supports, mentors, and leads colleagues to develop a culture where children love to learn.

Fiona Griffiths – Highly Accomplished Teacher

Site Certified: Loreto College, Marryatville

Fiona is a qualified English and History teacher who has taught across Years 7-12. The specialised English teacher is currently the English Learning Area Leader at Loreto College. In addition to teaching, Fiona moderates and marks for SACE. Her leadership roles inspired Fiona to undertake and complete a Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership through ACU.

Corey-Lee Lewis – Lead Teacher

Site Certified: St Catherine’s Primary School, Stirling

This Year 5 teacher and Leader of Learning is a highly skilled and passionate teacher with 15 years’ experience. Corey-Lee is an enthusiastic learner, keen to progress her own professional development and that of her colleagues to maximise learning opportunities for our students. She has a passion for embedding IT into all curriculum areas and a desire to gain an understanding of future technologies.
 

Ros Mattner – Highly Accomplished Teacher

Site Certified: St Francis de Sales College, Mount Barker

Ros started her teaching career over 25 years ago as a Secondary Music teacher. In her current role as Year 11-12 Leader and SACE Coordinator, she has been able to use the professional learning and experiences from different leadership positions to support students, families and colleagues with a genuine commitment to learning and wellbeing. Ros says it is a privilege to be a teacher.

Jarrad McCabe – Highly Accomplished Teacher

Site Certified: Cabra Dominican College, Cumberland Park

A Physical Education and Religion teacher, Jarrad is currently Deputy Principal: People, Culture and Operations at Cabra Dominican College. Jarrad works with the SACE Board as a moderator and has presented at conferences and workshops for the Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, and the International Baccalaureate Organisation. Jarrad also holds a Master of Educational Leadership from Australian Catholic University.
 

Kylie McMillan – Lead Teacher

Site Certified: St Pius X Catholic School, Windsor Gardens

A teacher since 2014, Reception teacher Kylie is a passionate, dedicated, and curious educator. Kylie has a deep moral purpose of supporting young people to achieve the best of their ability in a safe, caring, and welcoming environment. Many of her colleagues have commented that her love for teaching and learning is inspiring to them.

Amy Raymond – Lead Teacher

Site Certified: St Pius X Catholic School, Windsor Gardens

Amy has taught in seven Catholic primary schools in SA since competing her studies in 2001, including country schools. Amy feels a strong connection to Catholic schools through her own Catholic education and tertiary studies majoring in Catholic Studies. Amy has a great love and passion for teaching, particularly in working with students with special needs.

Renee Rees – Lead Teacher

Site Certified: Cardijn College, Noarlunga Downs

A Years 7-12 teacher, Renee has had many leadership roles over the past nine years at Cardijn College including Numeracy Coordinator and Curriculum Leader – Science and STEM. Renee’s work as an inspiring teacher was recognised when she was named as an ASG National Excellence in Teaching State and Territory Winner in 2018.

Kate Rowberry – Highly Accomplished Teacher

Site Certified: Cabra Dominican College, Cumberland Park

Kate has taught middle to secondary Visual Art, Design/Digital Technology, CAD and STEAM for 14 years. Kate models and supports other teachers to improve professional practice with new technologies and innovative thinking. She is passionate about meaningful education for both teachers and students that is centred on understanding individual needs and developing impactful change.

Sonia Venour – Lead Teacher

Site Certified: Our Lady of Sacred Heart College (OLSH), Enfield

Sonia commenced her teaching career at OLSH in 1995. Her passion lies in providing educational opportunities where all students can thrive and work closely with staff to challenge and reflect on their practice. Sonia approaches her work with great passion and compassion for all she interacts with and aims to develop a genuine curiosity and love of learning in all subjects.

Helen Young – Lead Teacher

Site Certified: St Martin’s Catholic Primary School, Greenacres

This now Leader of Learning has taught for 29 years. Helen is passionate about students discovering their love for learning - and her role in encouraging educators to engage in new learning that realises their strengths and raises awareness of the impact their teaching has on young people's lives. Helen has Dyslexia and an Auditory Processing Disorder, and from personal experience, she knows that all students can learn if they have a positive mind set and the right teacher who believes in them.