Teachers shape a school of thought, growth and heart

We have a strong connection to community through programs like kitchen garden and playgroup.

It also allows you to get to know the kids better than you would in a larger school.

You can cater to their individual needs and be flexible, which helps you pick up on things that you might not in a classroom with, say, 22 students.

Cheryl Morrow – business manager

Working as a business manager in a little country primary school is pretty special.

Public education really matters out here, giving every child the chance to learn and grow.

One of the best parts of my job is seeing the kids start in Prep and then watching them grow into confident learners.

By the time they leave, they’ve found their own strengths and carry a real love of learning.

What makes our school stand out is how connected the students are to the local community.

Whether it’s helping out at events, joining in with local groups or just being part of the everyday life of the town, our kids learn what it means to belong and contribute.

That sense of pride stays with them well beyond school.

Jennifer Attard – Nourishing Dookie (kitchen)

I’m a casual relief teacher and also work in the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen garden program, which I love.

At Dookie Primary School, we have a caring team, and I appreciate how country schools allow kids to learn in their local environment.

The students are so engaged, and it’s really lovely to see them from Foundation to Year 6 play together during recess and learn their co-curricular activities like Taekwondo together.

The smaller setting allows you to really get to know each student personally and understand how they learn.

I’m secondary trained, so this is my first time in a decade working in a primary sector. You can be so creative with the curriculum, blending the students’ passions with skills like reading and maths.

Melissa Beer – Foundation to Year 2 teacher

I began teaching at Dookie Primary School in 2018 as a casual relief teacher.

In 2024, I was appointed to a permanent role as the Foundation to Year 2 classroom teacher and literacy specialist.

It’s incredibly rewarding to work alongside a team that offers our students such a rich and diverse range of learning opportunities.

At Dookie Primary School, our strong sense of community is at the heart of everything we do.

It’s the way students, staff, families and volunteers all come together and support each other that helps create such a positive and welcoming environment.

Holly O’Dea – Nourishing Dookie (garden) and science teacher

I teach the kitchen garden program and science at Dookie Primary School.

Over two years ago, the students and our wonderful volunteers resurrected the Stephanie Alexander program.

The students are involved in everything in the garden, from sprouting seeds and planting to keeping our tool shed tidy.

In the kitchen, we use as much produce grown from our garden as possible to create healthy meals from scratch, with our volunteers supporting the students to follow recipes, learn new cooking skills, and enjoy trying new foods.

Dookie is like a ray of sunshine. Our school is like a family.

I feel privileged to teach here. We are able to offer many opportunities for students to thrive and experience wonderful extracurricular activities, making every day a memorable one.