ASSOCIATION NEWS
Welcome your 2018 STANSW Council Members
Margaret Shepherd Sydney Catholic Schools: Southern Region: Regional leader of learning science
Role: President with Portfolios including Professional Learning, Branches, Finance and Marketing.
Your role at work including the expertise you bring to STANSW: Role at work including the expertise you bring to
STANSW I continue the role of the science adviser at SCS and am based in Revesby. I have been on STANSW Council
since 2001-2011, 2014 – current and worked in a range of positions including Councillor, Secretary, Vice-President
and Treasurer and now President. My work role involves working in the field of adult learning as I work with teachers to
support professional learning in areas of Physics, Chemistry and Biology. I have spent the last year working closely with
teachers to develop programs and resources for the new Investigating Science and Earth and Environmental Science
courses. I also am the lecturer in charge of Science Curriculum and Teaching at ACU so have a wonderful role working
with pre-service science teachers. I am very passionate about using inquiry in the classroom, assessment for learning,
literacy and numeracy, ICT, feedback, PEEL and engaging students in their learning.
Interesting facts about yourself: I have been awarded a citation for Leadership in Professional Development and
Curriculum Innovation in 2001, STANSW Distinguished Service Award in 2004, Executive Director’s Award for Excellence
in Teaching in Sydney Diocese in 2004, an Outstanding Professional Service Award from PTC in 2005 (Professional
Teachers’ Council NSW) Teachers’ Award to Science at the Shine Dome in 2006. In 2017 I received the PTC Exceptional
Service Award. All of these opportunities arose from my involvement in both STANSW and PTC and through my work
so I commend to everyone to become involved in your STA. In 2017 I also upskilled myself in the use of Moodle as a
learning platform.
What do you hope to contribute to STANSW Council in 2018 (and beyond): I am passionate about STANSW and
everything that the Association can do to support teachers. I strongly believe that teachers benefit by being involved
in their Association and I want to help build a stronger Association through the involvement of more teachers in the
governance and planning of all events. We are a powerful and intelligent group of practitioners, and collaborative and
collegial dialogue and professional learning communities help all teachers to improve practice.
Deborah de Ridder Association of Independent Schools. NSW/Education Consultant
Role: Vice President/Marketing
Your role at work including the expertise you bring to STANSW: I am currently an Education Consultant with the
Association of Independent Schools based in the Sydney CBD. I work with teachers and NSW independent schools
in the area of professional learning including Science and STEM teaching and learning. I am an experienced Science
teacher having taught in Catholic and Independent Schools during my career.
Interesting facts about yourself: I am passionate about how syllabuses translate to effective teaching in the classroom.
I was fortunate to have worked for NESA during the Stage 6 syllabus development process in 2016.
What do you hope to contribute to STANSW Council in 2018 (and beyond): I believe that teachers benefit through
collaboration and the sharing of ideas and resources. The Association allows all school sectors to come together for
the benefit of all teachers and students. I ho