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The Nature School Team

A world where nature and learning create a sustainable future.

- TNS Vision

The Executive Team

Our Executive team ensure the smooth daily operation of The Nature School. With combined experience across the education and finance sectors, they work together and report directly to the Board.   

The Nature School Port Macquarie

Catherine Shaw - Head of School

Catherine Shaw (previously Oehlman) is the founding Head of The Nature School. She was a finalist in the 2021 and 2023 Australian Education Awards (Primary Principal of the Year). Catherine has received a National Award for Services to Outdoor Education Australia, and was recently announced as the most Outstanding Business Leader in the Port Macquarie Region.

 Catherine is an accomplished educator, writer, poet, and self-confessed bird nerd. During the last twenty years, she has taught across almost all grades and contributed to English Syllabus development in NSW. Catherine also writes for a range of publications online and off, and presents regularly at conferences. She advocates for the use of quality Australian literature and has an enormous collection of nature-related books. She is passionate about Australian wildlife and habitats, and believes education about our unique endemic species is key to their protection and survival. 

When she isn't writing about teaching or teaching about writing, Catherine is probably bushwalking with her two teenagers or chasing endangered Swift parrots with her camera and photographer husband.

The Nature School Port Macquarie

Karen Marlin - Business Manager

Karen Marlin joined the Executive Team in 2019 as our inaugural Business Manager – and we’d be lost without her! Karen holds a Bachelor of Commerce and is an experienced CPA in the education sector. For the past 18 years she has worked in Independent Schools in NSW. In addition to roles such as Head of Finance of a large school, Karen was instrumental in starting two new schools for Indigenous students on the Central Coast. This involved funding, registration, community engagement, land acquisition and Council DAs. 

She has served as a member of the Association of School Business Administrators (ASBA) National Conference Committee, and is currently the ASBA Regional Chair for the Mid North Coast. She has vast experience in strategic planning, financial management, government funding, risk and compliance, grant applications, IT system implementation, recruitment and HR, and financial modelling for multimillion dollar educational buildings. Karen’s skills and experience are invaluable as we grow The Nature School. 

A country girl at heart, the move to Port Macquarie has allowed Karen and her family to return to a more relaxed lifestyle out of the city.

The Teaching Team

Teachers at The Nature School are vibrant educators passionate about both learning and the environment. They are creative in their approach to curriculum, experts at integration across subjects, and are reflective practitioners at every level. Several contribute to curriculum work beyond TNS. Their diverse interests enhance our school community and benefit students. We have staff skilled in species identification, permaculture, fermentation, bush tucker, marine biology, ornithology, basket weaving, floristry and more. In their spare time they are surfers, bushwalkers, birdwatchers, gardeners, artists, musicians and eco-warriors. Our teachers are assisted by dynamic support staff who also love learning and the great outdoors.

The Nature School Port Macquarie

Kellie Hall - Assistant Head of School

The Nature School Port Macquarie

Shannon Kelly

Teacher / Curriculum

The Nature School Port Macquarie

Amanda Fraser

Teacher / Learning Support
The Nature School Port Macquarie

Jessica Foulkes

Teacher
The Nature School Port Macquarie

Tahnee Rayward

Teacher

The Nature School Port Macquarie

Susan Crowle

Teacher
The Nature School Port Macquarie

Chloe Baker

Teacher
The Nature School Port Macquarie

Jake Wadsworth

Teacher

The Nature School Port Macquarie

Jane Levitzke

Teacher
The Nature School Port Macquarie

Fiona Beckinsale

Teacher
The Nature School Port Macquarie

Lloyd Godson

Teacher

The Nature School Port Macquarie

Jess Agnello

Teacher
The Nature School Port Macquarie

Eirwyn Davidson

Teacher
The Nature School Port Macquarie

Rob Lund

Teacher

The Nature School Port Macquarie

Danielle Power

Teacher
The Nature School Port Macquarie

Abby Clarke

Teacher

The Nature School Port Macquarie

Natalie Frisch

Specialist Teacher (art) 
The Nature School Port Macquarie

Julie McNally

Teacher

The Nature School Port Macquarie

Andrew Lavers

Specialist Teacher (music)

The Nature School Port Macquarie

Jono Rennes

Specialist Teacher (PDHPE)

The Nature School Port Macquarie

Leanne Oates

Teacher

The Nature School Port Macquarie

Mandy Palin

Teacher
The Nature School Port Macquarie

Britt Ball

Teacher Aide

The Nature School Port Macquarie

Kiah Fleming

Teacher Aide / Aboriginal Education Officer
The Nature School Port Macquarie

Kieran Keane

Teacher Aide

The Nature School Port Macquarie

Amanda Gray

Teacher Aide
The Nature School Port Macquarie

Rachel Somers

Teacher Aide

The Nature School Port Macquarie

Katie Curry

Teacher Aide
The Nature School Port Macquarie

Claire Busby

School Counsellor

The Nature School Port Macquarie

Caitlin Black

Wellbeing Officer

Administration Team

Our friendly and approachable admin team provide support to staff, students and families across all of our programs.

The Nature School Port Macquarie

Jo Morgan

Executive Administrator

The Nature School Port Macquarie

Deanne Dawson

Office Administrator

The Nature School Port Macquarie

Kate Mackereth

Receptionist

The Nature School Port Macquarie

Michelle Curtis

Assistant Accountant

The Board

The Board of The Nature School Incorporation consists of passionate members of the community with various professional backgrounds. The Board is responsible for governance of the organisation, while day to day operations are managed by the Executive Team. Each Board member signs a confidentiality agreement with all matters within the Board and concerning their workplaces. We are grateful for the voluntary service of our wonderful Board members.

​
For urgent concerns, please email chair@tns.nsw.edu.au
TNS Constitution
The Nature School Port Macquarie

Nigel Tang

Current Chair

The Nature School Port Macquarie

LEARN MORE

- Early Years
- Primary School
- Secondary School
- Little Explorers Playgroup

 ABOUT

- About The School
- The Team
- Policies and Reports
- FAQS
- Media

 GET INVOLVED

- Donate
- Board Members
- Careers
- Contact

CONTACT

  166 The Ruins Way, Port Macquarie NSW 2444
02 6581 5392
 admin@tns.nsw.edu.au

   

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