Our Principal

Mrs Nicole Smith

Mrs Nicole Smith began working at Green Point Christian College as the Head of Primary School in January 2019. In addition to her current role, Nicole took on the role of Principal for Yattalunga Valley Christian School as of January 2022.

Nicole currently holds a Bachelor of Teaching – ECE (Macquarie University), Graduate Diploma of Theology (Morling College) and a Masters of Education (Leadership) through the Western Sydney University. 

Over the last 25 years, Nicole has held a variety of roles in schools, both in Australia and overseas.  These roles have included classroom teacher, Assistant Head K - 2, Head of K - 2, Deputy Principal Primary and Head of Primary School.  Nicole is a current Member of the Independent Primary School Heads of Australia (IPSHA).

Nicole and her husband Glenn have three young adult and teenage children. 

Teacher (Special Needs) 

Mrs Renee Harvey

Mrs Renee Harvey began working at Yattalunga Valley Christian School as a Special Needs Teacher in January 2022.

Having worked in this field across Australia and internationally for over 28 years, Renee has a wealth of knowledge and experience working with children (and adults) who have special needs such as disabilities, mental illness, or being on the autism spectrum. She also has over 10 years’ teaching experience with ASPECT (Autism Spectrum Australia).

Renee holds many Special Education qualifications, including NAATI Certified Provisional Interpreter AUSLAN and English, Diploma of Interpreting AUSLAN (NSW Deaf Society), Diploma of AUSLAN (NAATI Para-Professional), and she holds both a Bachelor of Education (Special Needs/Early Childhood) and a Bachelor of Teaching.

Renee loves spending time with her family and using sign language to communicate with her friends who are deaf.

Teacher (Special Needs)

Mrs Louise Elliot-Watson

Mrs Louise Elliot-Watson started in her role as a Special needs Teacher in January 2022.

She has 12 years’ experience teaching in a Christian, K-12 school, and is passionate about providing education to students with additional learning needs.

Louise has worked collaboratively with speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and psychologists to deliver additional support and specific adjustments to students, giving her a wide range of skills useful for teaching children on the autism spectrum.

She is currently completing her Masters in Inclusive Education and has a wealth of experience teaching students with additional learning needs, including Autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, and Dyslexia.

Throughout her many years of work in this area, Louise has been heavily involved in emotional coaching, sensory regulation strategies, and communication strategies, all of which she uses to help children reach their full potential.

Teachers' Aide

Mrs Penny Egan

Mrs Penny Egan began working at Yattalunga Valley Christian School in January 2022 as a Teachers' Aide.

Penny recently moved to Australia from the UK and brings with her over 20 years’ teaching experience across early children and primary education.

In her most recent role as Phonics Coordinator and Childcare Practitioner in a preschool, she worked closely with a number of children on the autism spectrum and as a result became very skilled at creating designated sensory areas suitable for children with autism.

At YVCS, Penny will be using her gifts and skills to provide a purposeful learning environment where students can feel secure, confident and happy.

Penny currently holds a Bachelor in Arts Primary Education, which she graduated from with Honours.

Teachers' Aide

Mrs Lyndal Hansford

Mrs Lyndal Hansford started in her role as a Teachers' Aide at Yattalunga Valley Christian School in January 2022.

She has a wealth of experience in Early Childhood education and has worked in a variety of preschools, long day care centres and schools for over 30 years, including 13 years at Footprints Early Learning centre as a teacher and Room leader. In her role there, Lyndal worked closely with children who had additional learning needs, including autism, which has given her great knowledge and skills in this area.

Lyndal particularly enjoys working with children in small group settings and is passionate about helping children gain a strong sense of identity, belonging and purpose.