Our experienced team welcomes and supports each child’s ideas, experiences, and understandings in a learning environment that values play. We work together with each child and their family unit to encourage a child’s disposition to learn and create.
We are fortunate to have a highly qualified and experienced team. All team members hold current first aid certificates and participate in various professional development activities such as workshops and conferences.
Sharon Kemp
Director of the Kindergarten, Nominated Supervisor, Early Childhood Teacher/ Educational Leader of the Bees Class (Mon – Tues) and Butterflies Class (Thu-Fri)
M.Ed Education B. Ed/Early Childhood (Hons), Blue Card, First Aid and CPR, Anaphylaxis and Asthma Training
Sharon is a passionate early childhood teacher with extensive international training in Reggio inspired learning environments, Danish and UK forest schools. She has over 20 years experience in Early Childhood (16 years with C&K) and over 10 years as a qualified teacher. Since joining Banks Street Kindy, she has also been juggling a Master in Education, which she is close to completing, and has started working with ACU as a tertiary placement supervisor.
Sharon has the ability to facilitate an inclusive, calm, and vibrant learning space for children and families. Her teaching practice has strong connections to building a sense of community and nature education. Sharon believes family and friends are a strong foundation for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. In her spare time, Sharon enjoys gardening, crochet, art, and volunteering.
“I am inspired by the knowledge and diversity each of us bring to our community kindergarten. I believe in education for a sustainable future by learning and teaching in, with and about nature, to nurture connections to the world we live in.” – Sharon Kemp
Beatriz Medina Porto
Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, Blue Card, First Aid and CPR, Anaphylaxis and Asthma Training Early Childhood Teacher Bees Class (Wed).
Beatriz is a passionate early childhood teacher with over seven years of experience in different education settings, from early childhood to primary school. Working with children in their early years has always been one of her passions. She has always loved studying child development, observing and understanding their social, emotional, and physical development, and discovering each child’s unique way of learning, which motivated her to explore and develop strategies to help their learning journey. She believes that children learn through social interactions and role modeling from adults. Therefore, we as adults must provide the best of ourselves as examples for the little ones, respect their voice, and advocate for a sense of agency and well-being. Beatriz is fascinated by children’s development and uniqueness, so she explores and loves studying different pedagogies, theories, and methods to support the inclusion of all.
Beatriz is passionate about inclusion, cultural awareness, and teaching children’s values. She has recently completed the Hanen Program, well-known in Canada by speech therapists, which trains ECTs to support children in developing language, communication, and interaction skills. As well, 2018 she completed an Introduction to AUSLAN (Australian Sign Language), which helped her embed inclusion practices in her educational setting.
Beatriz’s teaching practices focus on exploring respectful relationships, kindness, and social interactions with different lenses and perspectives. She also loves embedding nature play and environmental awareness through conversations and literacy. Finally, she loves exploring and embedding different languages and children’s cultures into the program. On her own time, Beatriz loves gardening, crafting, painting, and exploring her Brazilian culture, music, dance, and food!
Recruiting soon
Assistant Educator for the Bees Class and Inclusion Support Educator for the Butterflies Class
Kath Reilly
Artist-in-Residence / “Kath the Artist Lady”
B. Fine Arts, EN and Blue Card
Our multi-talented Kath holds a Bachelor of Fine Art majoring in Illustration QCA 2000, as well as having a background in nursing and childcare. Kath began working at Banks Street Kindy in 2007 facilitating group artworks for the Annual Art Show. She is an incredible Artist and communicates so well with the children, enlightening them to the wonders that surround us, and teaching them how to describe their ideas verbally and through art.
“Why I love working here? At Banks Street Kindy I am always overjoyed to see how much the children (and their families) are supported – as a community, as individuals and in a creative capacity. I love seeing the children share ideas and explore problems together. It’s a home away from home and a pleasure to work with such a positive and knowledgable team.” – Kath Reilly
Elizabeth Oliver
Administrative Assistant, Tuesday and Friday mornings, 8.30am, – 1.00pm
B. Business, MA Professional Accounting, Blue Card
Elizabeth is our exceptionally qualified Admin Assistant and the go-to girl for almost any question. She is inspired by everyone she comes into contact with and enjoys a chat.
Elizabeth started at Banks Street Kindy in 2010 and holds a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Hospitality Management, and a Master of Professional Accounting.
Elizabeth brightens every room she is in and is an all-round good chook, and an incredible asset to the Kindy.
Banks Street Newmarket Community Kindy 