
The Secret Garden Preschool
Welcome all children and their families
Now Enrolling for 2025
https://www.owna.com.au/waitlist.aspx?c=thesecretgardenpreschool
Our Educators
Alisha De Groot
Diploma Educator

A little about me
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I grew up in Cronulla in the Sutherland Shire but have lived now in the Illawarra for 6 years. I live with my partner Aaron and our three beautiful children. My daughter's name is Indiana and I am also a twin mum to Corbin and Tatum. ​
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My Qualifications
Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care,
First Aid, CPR, Asthma and Anaphylaxis, Child protection and Mandatory Reporting, WWCC, Red Nose Safe Sleep Training, Safe Food Handling Certificate
My Interests
Spending time with my family, travelling, renovating, enjoying a walk and coffee with my girlfriends and eating out at restaurants and trying delicious cuisines. ​
I Love being a teacher because
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​I love that I can make a positive difference to a child's life at a young age. There is truly nothing more rewarding than seeing the trust, care, and love reflected in a child’s feelings toward me, knowing that what I did really did matter to them.
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Trinity Cheesewright
Working Towards Diploma

A little about me
I live locally and have done for my whole life, I have an amazing and supportive partner named Kush and I love traveling and trying new foods.
My Qualifications
Certificate 3 in Early Education and Care and currently working towards my Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care. First Aid, CPR, Asthma and Anaphylaxis, Child protection and Mandatory Reporting, WWCC, Red Nose Safe Sleep Training, Safe Food Handling Certificate
My Interests
Swimming, cooking and baking, spending time with my family and watching funny tv shows.
I Love being a teacher because
I really enjoyed studying EEC and CAFS in high school and I have completed my certificate 3 and have since learned that what we do makes a difference. I hope to one day do my bachelors of Early Childhood Education and Care.
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Donna Varney
Certificate 3 Educator

A little about me
I live in the local area with my partner Tony who I first met when I was 16. I have two adult children and two precious grandaughters. I am a volunteer firefighter in Albion Park RFS. ​
My Qualifications
Certificate 3 in Early Education and Care
First Aid, CPR, Asthma and Anaphylaxis, Child protection and Mandatory Reporting, WWCC, Red Nose Safe Sleep Training, Safe Food Handling Certificate.
My Interests
Outside of work I enjoy caravanning with Tony to rural parts of NSW and taking photos of rural landscapes and nature. I also enjoy travelling overseas, learning about different cultures and their cuisines.​
I Love being a teacher because
Being a teacher is a very rewarding role , teaching young children the foundations of learning at a young age , hoping this will be beneficial to them in their future endeavors.​
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Gypsie Gardner-Mason
Trainee

A little about me​
I grew up in Manly, on Northern Beaches, but I've since moved down to the Illawarra to live with my amazing partner Liam. I love all things creative and have a massive, sweet tooth. I used to volunteer at my grandma's vacation care in the school holidays during high school
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My Qualifications
Working towards certificate 3 in Early Education and Care, WWCC, Safe Food Handling certificate.
My Interests
Outside of work I love to sew, paint, draw, go for walks, spend time with my partner Liam and I like to cosplay at comic conventions.​
I Love being a teacher because
I love the of coming home feeling like I've made a difference in a child's life. I love to see them smile, learn and grow the foundations of the people they will become one day. It's extremely rewarding!
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