Meet The Team – Figtree Croydon
Teresa Petrone – Manager, Early Learning Services
Teresa has been part of the St Anthony’s Family Care team for over 15 years working in the field of early childhood education and care.
During her time with the organisation Teresa has held a number of positions including Team Leader, Early Learning Centre Director and in 2013 took on her current role of Manager – Early Learning Services.
Teresa’s passion for supporting children of all abilities to be part of a quality Early Childhood Education and Care program is a constant source of motivation, as is helping families to access programs that are able to meet their range of needs.
Now as part of the senior management team, Teresa provides input into the overall strategic direction of the organisation to ensure children and families receive the highest quality services and appropriate care.
Teresa’s qualifications include a Diploma of Community Services (Children’s Services) and Bachelor of Teaching (Birth to 5 Years). She is a member of both Community Early Learning Australia and Early Childhood Intervention Coordination Program.
We asked Teresa to tell us a little bit more about herself.
Role at Figtree: Manager, Early Learning Services
Favourite quote: “worry is interest paid in advance for a debt you may never owe”
What do you do at St Anthony’s Family Care? I am the Manager of Early Learning Services at St Anthony’s and help to ensure Figtree Early Learning Centre is a positive place for our children, families and the wider community.
What do you like about working at Figtree Early Learning Centre? Watching children grow and develop is the best part of my job, but I also really enjoy getting to know our families and working in collaboration with the team to improve and develop our programs.
What’s your background and where did you grow up? My family is originally from Italy but I’ve always lived in the Inner West and couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.
What are the values that drive you? Working at St Anthony’s gives me lots of opportunities to be part of the community. This is a great source of motivation for me.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? I love to travel. Experiencing different cultures and meeting new people.
Sara Swann – Educational Leader Early Learning Services
My name is Sara Swann and I am delighted to introduce myself as the Educational Leader at Figtree Early Learning Centre.
The opportunity to work in partnership with families, our team of educators and the wider community to develop educational programs for our children is a source of great motivation for me. At Figtree Early Learning Centre we strive to create and maintain positive relationships and I look forward to the welcoming more children and their families to our wonderful community based service.
We asked Sara to tell us a little bit more about herself.
Role at Figtree: Educational Leader, Early Learning Services
Favourite book: My favourite book is ‘The Power of Now’ by Eckhart Tolle
What do you do at Figtree Early Learning Centre? Collaborate with and support fellow educators and provide curriculum direction and guidance
What do you like about working at Figtree Early Learning Centre? I like being part of an organisation with such an inspiring and positive mindset
What’s your background and where did you grow up? My parents are British. I grew up in Bellingen, NSW
What are the values that drive you? The values that drive me are kindness, compassion, honesty, and creativity
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? Yoga, beach and bushwalks
Rachel Yeung – Preschool Team Leader
My name is Rachel and I am the Preschool Team Leader at Figtree Early Learning Centre.
My role here at Figtree enables me to create valuable and meaningful programs for our preschool aged children which is something that I am really passionate about!
We asked Rachel to tell us a little bit more about herself.
Role at Figtree: Preschool Team Leader
Favourite book: How do you live? Genzaburo Yoshino
Favourite Podcast: Cortex
Favourite Album: The Platters Golden Hits
Favourite Quote: “Audentis Fortuna invat.” – Virgil
What do you do at Figtree Early Learning Centre? I plan and create stimulating and meaningful programs for the preschool children and support positive and warm relationships with families and children.
What do you like about working at Figtree Early Learning Centre? Working at Figtree Croydon has given me the opportunity to work alongside an amazing and supportive team as well as really lovely families.
What’s your background and where did you grow up? Cantonese background and I grew up in the Inner West!
What are the values that drive you? The values that drive me are compassion, patience and love.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? Knitting and gardening.
Eva Tombek – Early Childhood Educator
My name is Eva, and I am an educator in the Bambini (0-2’s) room at Figtree Early Learning Centre.
I love being able to nurture, care for and support the babies each day. Watching them grow, develop, and achieve various milestones gives me so much joy!
We asked Eva to tell us a little bit more about herself.
Role at Figtree: Bambini Educator (0-2’s room)
Favourite Music: I absolutely love South Sudanese Music; these songs are a favourite:
- Rima ti yesu
- Jerusalema (Church Song)
- Hot African Praise Uche Favour (Church Song)
What do you do at Figtree Early Learning Centre? I look after children, in the Bambini 0-2’s room. My day includes talking and singing with the children, developing routines for them, helping them learn to crawl, then walk, and helping them grow socially with our daily group play time with the other children.
What do you like about working at Figtree Early Learning Centre? Looking after children is my passion, and I love the values and great atmosphere at Figtree.
What’s your background and where did you grow up? My background is South Sudanese, and I grew up in North Sudan.
What are the values that drive you? The values that drive me are compassion, kindness, loyalty and being respectful.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? I absolutely enjoy hanging out with my friends when I am not working.
Carmela Iongi – Casual Early Childhood Educator
My name is Carmela, and I am a Casual Educator at Figtree Early Learning Centre. I’ve worked with children for 23 years, and I’ve been with Figtree for 1 year.
I have a Diploma in Children Services; a Current First Aid and I have taken part in various training sessions throughout my childcare career. I’m happy to be a part of the Figtree Team/Community as my goal is to give the children a loving and safe environment which we can provide at Figtree.
My name is Carmela, and I am a Casual Educator at Figtree Early Learning Centre. I’ve worked with children for 23 years, and I’ve been with Figtree for 6 months. I have a Diploma in Children Services; a Current First Aid and I have taken part in various training sessions throughout my childcare career. I’m happy to be a part of the Figtree Team/Community as my goal is to give the children a loving and safe environment which we can provide at Figtree.
We asked Carmela to tell us a little bit more about her.
Role at Figtree: Casual Educator
Favourite Music: I grew up listening to all types of music, so I love them all.
Favourite Book: Any cooking book
What do you do at Figtree Early Learning Centre? As a casual educator, I interact with the children and help with wherever I am needed on that day at Figtree.
What do you like about working at Figtree Early Learning Centre? Looking after children is my passion, and I love the values and great atmosphere at Figtree. Reading books, helping with mealtimes, playing games with the children are all part of my day.
What’s your background and where did you grow up? I grew up in the Inner West in a very large Italian family and I have 4 children with my Husband.
What are the values that drive you? The values that drive me are kindness, caring, patience and delivering quality care.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? Usually, you can find me cooking, cleaning, hanging out with friends and family and my 4 children keep me very busy with all their sports activities as well.
Karen Stoodley – Early Childhood Educator
My name is Karen and I’m a Diploma trained educator at Figtree Early Learning Centre.
I have been lucky enough to be part of the St Anthony’s Family Care team for more than 30 years and working in early childhood education and care continues to be my passion. The ability to help all children be included is of great motivation to me as is working alongside the Figtree team of educators.
I have a wealth of experience supporting children with disabilities and developmental delays and I believe that working in partnership with parents is the best way to get positive outcomes for all children attending Figtree Early Learning Centre.
We asked Karen to tell us a little bit more about her.
Role at Figtree: Educator
Favourite Music: Abba – Greatest Hits
Favourite Book: Pride & Prejudice – Jane Austen
What do you do at Figtree Early Learning Centre? I help to nurture the curiosity and provide care and support for the children.
What do you like about working at Figtree Early Learning Centre? Being part of a supportive team and having the pleasure and honour to work (and play) with the children.
What’s your background and where did you grow up? I have always lived in the area and we originally started in France & England.
What are the values that drive you? The values that drive me are compassion, integrity, tolerance and empathy.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? Baking simple cakes and biscuits as well as Pilates.
Mary Geli – Early Childhood Educator
My name is Mary! I’m an Early Childhood Educator at Figtree Early Learning Centre and I work as the Lead Educator in the Dzieci’s Room.
My passion for providing children with a nurturing, safe, and loving environment while planning fun and engaging experiences, drives me as an educator here at Figtree.
We asked Mary to tell us a little more about her.
Role at Figtree: Dzieci Educator (2-3’s Room)
Favourite Music: Any music by Coldplay
Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
What do you do at Figtree Learning Centre? I care for and educate children through planned or spontaneous play-based experiences, working in collaboration with other educators, families and other professionals, while supporting their holistic development.
What do you like about working at Figtree Learning Centre? Figtree has a loving and nurturing atmosphere. There is also a collaboration of the educators, families and community in caring for and educating the children. It’s a wonderful extension of their home!
What’s your background and where did you grow up? I was born and raised in the Phillipines.
What are the values that drive you? The values that drive me are kindness, humility, honesty, love, patience and respectfulness.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? I love hanging out with my family, either at home or trying out new cafes or restaurants.
