People of Korowa

Rowena Hannan, Head of Visual Arts

Rowena joined Korowa this year as the Head of Visual Arts teaching students from Year 8 through to Year 12 in Art, Sculpture and VCE Studio Arts. “I love working with young people. I want to be able to inspire students to engage and be passionate about the visual arts.” As a practising ceramic artist, Rowena exhibits regularly in both solo and group exhibitions around Australia and occasionally internationally. She finds that her own art practice informs her teaching and keeps her knowledge and skills current. Rowena also co-authored the VCE textbook, ‘Artisan’, which is used by our VCE Studio Arts students. “I am passionate about creating an educational environment where students feel both valued and challenged. That way they will be prepared to be brave and take risks in their engagement with the visual arts, stretching and extending their skills and knowledge. I want students to be excited about being in our Art rooms, seeing them as vibrant spaces where they want to be.” As a new staff member, Rowena is enjoying her new role. “Korowa has a strong sense of community, where everyone is keen to assist you. The students are very engaged, friendly and caring. I feel that Korowa is a place where I will be given opportunities to continue to extend myself and thrive as an educator.”

Kate Tanner, Head of Cripps

Joining Korowa in 2018, Kate commenced as the Head of Cripps (Years 7 and 8) in 2019, where she plays a key role in supporting students as they navigate the change to secondary school. It is a time of transition, making new friends and developing new skills. Passionate about education and the wellbeing of young people, “I really enjoy the daily interaction with students.” Kate also teaches Years 7 to 9 students in Dance, Drama and Media. Inspired by great music and creative ideas she really enjoys teasing out a small idea with students and turning it into a phrase of movement or a larger dance piece. “Korowa is one of very few independent schools to offer Dance as part of the curriculum. I am keen to explore future opportunities with how to integrate dance and technology further. Using Motion Lab technology for creating choreography is something that I hope we can incorporate into dance classes in the future”.