NEW STAFF
REBEKAH POOLE
SEAMUS RODDEN
RENEE DE ROSSI
ACTING HEAD OF HISTORY
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SPORT
GIFTED AND TALENTED COORDINATOR
I am an experienced teacher of Modern, Ancient and Extension History. I have previously taught at Northern Beaches Secondary College and Knox Grammar, and have undertaken roles including Year Coordinator and Professional Learning Coach. I am excited to join Wenona. I believe firmly in the importance of professional learning and subject-specific passion. I am dedicated to the study of history myself and to encouraging a curiosity for the past, as it informs the present.
I am a dedicated and forward-thinking educator and sports coach. I have taught Personal Development, Health & Physical Education for more than six years in schools in NSW and Queensland, including teaching students with complex and special needs. I have held leadership roles in a variety of settings and am experienced in designing and leading innovative programs that improve schools’ overall sporting performance and enhance student engagement and achievement.
After completing a Bachelor of Education degree, I taught in primary schools in Sydney and London. It was in London that I discovered a passion for teaching young girls, helping them to grow and thrive as bright, informed, confident and caring individuals.
Among the areas in which I have extensive experience are as a Modern History marker and as a digital textbook author with the online resource provider Alpha History. I have been a recipient of the Gandel Philanthropy Scholarship to study the Holocaust at Yad Vasheem in Israel, and was the winner of the 2015 NSW Premier’s History Teacher Scholarship award, investigating the manner in which Irish history can be better resourced in order to provide a depth of understanding as to the nature of sectarian conflict.
I hold a Bachelor of Education (Human Movement and Health Education) from the University of Sydney, have other tertiary qualifications in health and fitness, and am currently studying for a Master’s of Educational Leadership at the University of NSW. I am passionate about creating positive experiences that encourage students to embrace physical activity and I believe sport can play a vital role in helping young people develop the skills they need to become the leaders of tomorrow.
I have published extensively with the Teaching History journal as well as the academic journal of the Australasian Irish Studies Association. I am currently undertaking a PhD on the transformation of themes and iconography within Northern Irish Conflict Murals following the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, presenting on my research at the Australasian Irish Studies Conference, the History Teacher’s Association National Conference and the Irish Consulate, Sydney.
In my most recent teaching role, at Kambala, I had the opportunity to work with students in Stages 1 to 3, and enjoyed contributing to fundraising and Service Learning initiatives. In 2013 I received Professional Accomplishment/Excellence accreditation from the Board of Studies Teaching & Educational Standards (BOSTES)/ Independent Schools Teacher Accreditation Authority (ISTAA). This provided me with many interesting opportunities, including helping to establish teacher accreditation guides, assessing teacher accreditation applications and serving on the ISTAA council. Two years later I received a Highly Accomplished Accreditation Award and Medal. I have since supported teachers aiming towards higher levels of accreditation. My interest in curriculum development led me to my most recent role as Senior Education Manager for an educational company, where I developed programs and resources. I am currently completing a Master’s of Education in Gifted Education and enjoy contributing to this very exciting and rewarding field. I am delighted to be joining the Wenona community and look forward to working with teachers, students and parents alike.
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