Jill Allison - Director 

Early Childhood Teacher, Higher Dip. Ed. (Pre-Primary & Junior Primary)

“I have been involved in Early Childhood teaching for the past 20 odd years, having taught in South Africa, London and mostly here at Mount Sinai College. After emigrating from South Africa, I taught here at Mount Sinai College from 2001, working most of the time in the Prep class. I left in 2006 to have my wonderful twin daughters, Kasey and Zoe. They attended Mount Sinai College and are currently in Year 11 at South Sydney High School. Since 2009, I returned to teaching on a casual basis, worked for an early learning programme and then took up the position of an Early Childhood Teacher in the Joey’s Room in 2012. 

I am now the Director of both our Kingsford Campus and Maroubra Campus ELC’s and am very fortunate to be working alongside such a talented group of educators, who on a daily basis show me what education of young children needs to be all about and this brings me nothing but joy and immense pride in knowing the children are receiving the highest quality of teaching from highly qualified educators.

Although my time on class is less than before, I still find it immensely rewarding to be able to encourage the children to think independently, work creatively, and help them to become aware of themselves as well as the environment around them. I look forward each year to getting to know every family and assisting in developing happy, sociable and confident children - each with positive self-esteem, a love for school and being able to enjoy engaging in new learning experiences”.

“Education is the most powerful weapon, which you can use to change the world” (Nelson Mandela)

Kingsford Campus ELC

Stacey Pizzol, Centre Manager: Advanced Child Care Worker Certificate 3 in Children's Services

“In my younger years, I didn’t think teaching was for me until a wise Aunt lead me down the path of childcare. To this day, I thank her for the little nudge into a world I haven’t looked back from. For 15 over years I have lived and breathed Early Childhood, working with incredible Educators and children who have helped me become the person and Educator I am today. My career has spanned multiple service types where I have grown from being an assistant to the lead Educator of a busy transition to school group. This vast experience has provided me with a holistic understanding of child development and the Early Childhood sector that I hope to draw on here at Mount Sinai.

Over the years, I, like the children, have been excited by learning, laughed at the fun times, smiled in appreciation of the small wins and cried when I have had to say goodbye. Above all, I have grown into an educator who advocates for children, constantly striving to achieve the best possible outcomes so that the youngest members of our community have everything they need to thrive. I value the importance of relationships and connections and the significant impact that these have on a child's development. Over time, I have come to realise that a strong sense of connection, optimism, resilience and engagement enable children to develop a growth mindset and a positive attitude to learning. I am excited by the endless opportunities and possibilities for learning that are available for children in early childhood. I get up every morning with the hope and anticipation of collaborating with children to build on their pre-existing knowledge and to support the development of new schemas of learning. Play-based learning is a key philosophy of mine and I use this strategy to capitalise on children’s natural inquisitiveness and ultimately support their learning by having fun! It is a privilege to be responsible for your children’s wellbeing, to ensure that they have a safe and secure place to grow and learn. 

Jenny: Advanced Child Care Worker (Diploma qualified), Diploma (Children's Services).

“Since I was young, I've always had the passion to spend time with children. However, I never thought I would be a Childcare Educator as a graduate of Mechanical Engineering in China. After emigrating from China, I stopped working when I had my two wonderful children. Watching them grow from an infant to a teenager and now adults, I've enjoyed every precious moment with them and learnt a lot about children's development from them. Also, the more familiar I became with the Australian education system, the more interested I became in educating children.

This is my thirteenth year working with children aged 0 to 5 since I completed my Diploma in Children's Services at Randwick TAFE. As a mother of two adults, I really love this challenging, enjoyable and rewarding career as an Assistant Educator at the Mount Sinai College ELC. I’ve been given a marvellous opportunity for both my professional and personal growth, inspired by my friendly, professional, supportive peers and the wonderful children. Also, I find it greatly rewarding to provide children with opportunities to maximise their potential and develop a foundation for future success in learning”. 

"When you keep planting plants, you become a gardener” (Olivia) 

Colleen: Advanced Child Care Worker (Diploma qualified), Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care.

"I am Colleen; I have been working in Early Childhood education for just over 20 years now. I first went into the industry because I enjoyed spending time with children of family and friends around me.

Over the years, it has become so much more than just spending time with children; I love to see the children grow and develop new skills. I value being able to be part of their journeys in life, even if they won’t remember me later in life - I will remember them.

I have a passion for sports - going to watch a game live with friends, is a great way to spend my time away from work. You might also find me at any number of coffee shops, as coffee is one of the best things in life."

Lucero: Advanced Child Care Worker (Diploma qualified), Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.

“Hi! My name is Lucero, but you can call me Lulu! I am originally from Peru, and my mother tongue is Spanish.

When I arrived in Australia in 2018, I never imagined that I would become an Early Childhood Educator. However, life guided me along this beautiful path, and I decided to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC). In 2022, I successfully completed my Diploma in ECEC, marking an important milestone in my professional development.

While I have always had a natural affinity for being around children, being present and playful with them, my experiences in nurturing their growth have also allowed me to nurture my own inner child. This journey has become a mutual exchange — I teach and support the children, and in return, they teach me valuable lessons about joy, wonder, and human connection.

Working at Mount Sinai has been an incredibly fulfilling experience. The relationships I have built with the children, their families, and my colleagues have created a warm and enjoyable environment. I am truly grateful for the path I’ve chosen and for the profound insights I continue to gain about the early stages of human development. It is both humbling and inspiring to recognise the similarities in how we interact with children and adults, as we all carry our inner child within us, continually shaping our experiences and connections with others”.

Lauren: Actively working towards Advanced Child Care Worker Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care

“Hi my name is Lauren, and I’m so excited to be part of the Mount Sinai ELC team!. While I may be new to Mount Sinai, I have always wanted to be a teacher and have had lots of experience working with preschool and school age kids. During my time in Education, I realised my calling is with pre-schoolers so much so, that I have recently gone from studying Primary Education to Early Childhood Education, which is where my heart lies.I am passionate about providing children with quality education, specifically Jewish Education and I’m looking forward to passing on my love of learning and Judaism to the next generation.”

Anna: Early Childhood Teacher (Master of Teaching: Birth to Five)

"Hi, my name is Anna. I hold a Master of Teaching in Early Childhood, and have approximately 10 years of experience working in a variety of Early Learning Services. I also have experience as a Higher Education Academic Teacher, teaching and guiding adults completing their Bachelor of Early Childhood at TAFE NSW. However, my favourite role would have to be working directly with children. 

I originally studied design at university, but soon realised that teaching was my true calling. Around the time I made the transition to education, I interestingly learned that there were a few teachers on my mother’s side of the family.

I believe that relationships are fundamental to collaborative teaching and learning with families. I am passionate about encouraging and nurturing children’s creativity, especially through music and the visual arts. I like to foster this creativity by focusing on child-led exploration and providing ample time and space, encouraging children’s deeper engagement with materials, relationships and ideas."

Emma: Advanced Child Care Worker (Diploma qualified) Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care.

“I am an artist and Diploma-trained Early Childhood educator, and have recently joined the Mount Sinai Early Learning community. I initially studied at the National Art School to achieve a Diploma of Arts (Fine Arts) and worked in an arts-related industry for many years, as well as having my own art practice and exhibiting widely.

I discovered an interest in early childhood development after having my own children and decided to study Early Childhood Education at Randwick TAFE. I believe that studying as a mature-aged person was very positive, and I love working with young children. In addition, I feel that I can bring much practical knowledge to my role derived from caring for my two beautiful children (the eldest in their second year of Uni and the youngest in high school).

This year marks the 11th year that I have been working in early childhood settings, the majority of which have been at Owl’s House (UNSW) and SDN Randwick (UNSW). I really enjoy sharing my love of art with the children, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, and also my love of music and science."

Maroubra Campus ELC

Esther: Early Childhood Teacher Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), H.E.D. (Post Grad, Pre-Primary), Grad. Dip (E. Ch). 

"I love teaching at Mount Sinai, this heimische school where everyone seems to know each other. It is very rewarding for me to experience our parents' wonderful interest and involvement in their children's learning experiences and development. Our partnerships are so fundamental to the children's wellbeing and education. Education has always been a passion of mine. I have enjoyed discovering and learning new things since I was a little child and have always hungered for more. I love to teach Preschool children. They have such inquiring minds and receptive hearts. I love their innate curiosity, the freshness of their thinking, their excitement when they problem-solve and construct new understandings either on their own or collaboratively and their engagement as they practise new skills.  Their delight as they start to master skills and discover new talents are just awesome - "I did it!", "I'm sooo good at this!", beaming smiles, excited High Fives and the most heartfelt hugs ... Yiddishkeit and Israel have a very special place in my heart, and I hope to pass on my love of these to everyone.

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire "(W.B. Yeats).

In a world that is constantly changing, one of our most important challenges as educators is to support the children in developing positive attitudes and dispositions that the children will carry through their life: viewing themselves as resourceful and capable, enjoying the process of exploration and learning, questioning, attempting new approaches, viewing so-called "failure" as part of the process leading to discovery or mastery, genuine and respectful listening, negotiation, co-operation, using one's talents and pooling resources to help one another. 

"Of the many things children learn, perhaps the most important is the picture that they develop of who they are and how they fit in the world" (J.D. Novak, 1995)."

Kelli: Early Childhood Teacher, B.Ed Early Childhood

“On a daily basis, as I walk into Mount Sinai College to begin my teaching day, I continue to realise and believe that this is way more than just a school. It is a family and community as well and has the feeling of warmth that just permeates throughout the school, from teachers to parents, grandparents and children. My teaching career has spanned almost 17 years and it still amazes me how much I learn from the children in my class each and every day. I am in constant awe of how children learn, interact and understand their world and I feel privileged that I get to do something I love at a school that nurtures and develops my teaching practice.

I have always loved children, from a young age, and would always 'pretend' to be a teacher in my childhood play, so it was only fitting that I became one in real life! From my very first class at university, I knew I was in the right place. I have always believed that children are the catalysts for their own learning and require scaffolding, attention, a listening ear and motivation to become capable and competent members of society as well as being able to have fun while learning in a preschool environment. I love watching them develop throughout the school year and always look back to the beginning of the year with a sense of pride as I realize just how much they have grown, learnt and developed and it is with this sense of pride that I send them into Year K with the knowledge that they will prosper and flourish as they embark on their next school chapter".

Marika: Advanced Child Care Worker (Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care), Bachelor of Applied Science in Information Studies (Hons)

“I discovered my passion for working with children much later in my working career, having spent many years in the financial services “rat race” and feeling unfulfilled career-wise. An opportunity arose almost ten years ago to work as a nanny, and I have not looked back since! After several years of working as a nanny to children of various ages, I felt the next natural step was to get involved with teaching and nurturing young children. I started off in a large day care centre, then was overjoyed to receive the opportunity to join the beautiful Mount Sinai family, and realise my dream of working in a warm and loving Jewish environment.

My teaching philosophy is child focused, based on the principles of nurturing, listening, kindness, respect, and compassionate guidance. The driving force behind my personal philosophy is bringing out the best in children through intuition, leading by example, positive encouragement, and embracing the simple joy of teachable moments. What I particularly love about Mount Sinai is the Jewish context in which these values are taught, and that the kids are not only taught beautiful Jewish rituals and traditions, such as blessings before meals and welcoming Shabbat on Fridays, but every day values which teach the children to live in and from their hearts, embracing Tikkun Olam.

My favourite aspects of working with Preparatory year children is watching them gain independence, seeing them flourish with their developing gross and fine motor skills, joining them in their literacy and numeracy journeys by reading them books and playing counting games, observing and scaffolding their problem solving skills through games and puzzles, and most of all, the way they use their imaginations to play with toys and equipment in the most unconventional ways! Children in that age group are also so entertaining and insightful, the way they articulate their observations with almost-too-forthright comments.I look forward to many happy years continuing my journey with the Mount Sinai Mishpacha!”.

Caryn: Advanced Childcare Worker (Diploma Qualified), Diploma of Children's Services.

"My name is Caryn Hakim, and I have dedicated the past 20 years of my life to working in childcare. Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with a diverse range of age groups, gaining valuable experience and knowledge along the way.

One aspect that sets me apart is my strong involvement in programming and planning. I thrive on finding new and exciting ways to foster learning and development through play and interactive activities. It brings me immense joy to witness children grow and thrive in an environment that encourages their curiosity and imagination.

Aside from my professional endeavours, I am a proud parent of three wonderful teenagers and a beloved dog named Bella. Being part of a family has taught me the importance of nurturing connections and creating a supportive atmosphere. It is something I strive to bring to my work as well.Living locally, I am fortunate to have access to beautiful beaches, charming cafes, and the great outdoors. In my leisure time, I find solace in music and the joy of getting lost in a good book. However, my greatest happiness stems from spending quality time with my loved ones."

Maya: Advanced Child Care Worker (Diploma qualified), Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care.

"Deep in my heart and soul, I have been certain that working with young children is my career. Since a young age, I often found opportunities to be part of raising my little cousins and my neighbourhood children. The memory is still fresh, how I felt when I helped them to reach each step of their milestones, supported them in their learning and celebrated their achievement in each moment of their life. Since moving to Australia, I always searched for educational courses that involved working with young children to accomplish my dream career.At the end of 2013, I graduated with a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care from Randwick TAFE, while already working as a permanent casual in early childhood education and care to gain experience in working with young children from age 6 months – 6 years old.

In 2016, my Diploma qualification was completed and I became a permanent Educator in 2017, then a room leader in 2019, working for the same company for almost 9 years with an absolutely incredible team and learning how to apply my knowledge and ability to support the children in my care to reach their full potential. Looking back on how the children in my care have been successful makes me so proud and feel so privileged that I have been a part of their learning ventures. Every cuddle they give, the smile on their face when we meet and knowing how well they are doing in school are the greatest rewards in my career.I see myself as a caring, kind and responsive Educator who likes to allow children enough space and time to develop, explore and learn on their own terms. My biggest accomplishment is seeing a child reach a developmental milestone and gain knowledge and new abilities."

Talia: Actively working towards Advanced Child Care Worker Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education and Care

"Hi, my name is Talia and I have joined Mount Sinai College ELC as a Year 10 student from South Sydney High School. I look forward to completing my Apprenticeship Certificate Three in Early Childhood Education and Care over the next few years. Working with children has always been my dream and I am extremely passionate about it. I want to become a teacher because I want to try and make an impact on young children. These age groups are fun and I want to get to know all the children better.My family has been part of the Mount Sinai family for around eleven years, my older brother and I have both been through the ELC and the Primary School. I feel like I have come home. I made so many memories throughout my time at Mount Sinai College and when thinking about where to come and do my training, Mount Sinai was the first place I thought to go to.When I am not at school I enjoy going to drama class, going to the arcade, being with my friends, building Lego, going bowling, playing with my dog and spending time with my family.I am really looking forward to my journey of becoming an educator by forming strong connections with the children and families and learning from the amazing educators. I am also excited to be working with all of them, considering that some of them taught me when I was little!"

Fionna: Advanced Childcare Worker (Diploma Qualified)

"Hi everyone, I’m Fionna! I started my journey in education back home in Malaysia where I worked alongside my mother helping educate young children with additional needs. My curiosity in the sector grew, and I wanted to learn more about play-based learning, so I decided to study for a Diploma in early childhood education. I started as a casual and built my skills over the last twelve years learning various roles in the sector. I am passionate about curriculum planning and documentation and believe we learn alongside children.My best role in life is being a mom to my 12-year-old daughter. In our spare time, we like to visit art museums and food trucks for mother-daughter time,I also have a passion for cooking and spend my free time creating dinner parties for my friends and family, where I get to share Malaysian food with everyone."

Michele: Advanced Childcare Worker (Diploma Qualified), Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.

“I never expected to find myself in education. My career initially focused on financial business appraisal, where I served as a senior appraiser in Indonesia. But after relocating to Australia to be closer to family, I found myself on an unexpected journey into teaching.At first, the role was tough and demanding, both physically and mentally. However, over time, I realised how fulfilling it was to make a positive impact on the children’s lives. That’s when my perspective shifted. I started as a casual educator, then progressed to part-time and full-time roles. Over the last five years in the industry, I’ve taken on responsibilities as a room leader and the person in charge.

Through this experience, I’ve developed a deep passion for teaching, and now I’m dedicated to nurturing children’s growth in every area—physical, social-emotional, cognitive, and creative”.

Kara: Advanced Childcare Worker (Diploma Qualified), Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. 

“Hi, my name is Kara. I began my career in Early Childhood Education 10 years ago, driven by a lifelong desire to work with children. I am passionate about supporting children’s learning and development in meaningful, hands-on ways.

I have a strong interest in teaching children about their natural environment, with a particular focus on native Australian plants and animals. I love creating opportunities for children to connect with nature, build curiosity, and develop a sense of respect and care for the world around them”.

Laura: Advanced Child Care Worker (Diploma qualified), Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care. 

“Hi, my name is Laura and I have been working in the childcare industry for over 12 years now, since I was 16 I knew that I wanted to work with children after my year 10 work experience in which I then went and got my Certificate III and IV and then my Diploma in Children’s Services through a traineeship with a centre at 18 years old. I have worked with all ages from 2 weeks to 12 years old, and I am currently mostly working in the 4-5 year old rooms.

What I love most about working with children is that no day is ever the same, and it is such a rewarding job. Being able to guide and nurture young minds is so important, and it’s a major stepping stone for how they will be later in life. Children can teach us just as much as we can teach them. Being able to help a child grow and blossom into the person they are meant to be is so important."

Ko Ting: Advanced Child Care Worker (Diploma qualified), Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care. 

“Hello! My name is Ko-Ting, and I’ve been working in early childhood education for over five years. I hold an Advanced Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, and I currently work with preschool-age children (4-5 years old), though I have experience across all age groups from 0 to 5. What I love most about working with children is their natural curiosity and the joy they express when they master something they’ve been working so hard to achieve.

It's incredibly rewarding to witness those lightbulb moments and to support each child’s growth and development on their unique journey. I grew up in the beautiful island nation of Palau after moving from Taiwan, and I’ve always had a nurturing role, starting from caring for my younger brother and sisters. That early experience shaped my deep commitment to creating a warm, supportive environment where children feel safe, seen, and confident."