This year we warmly welcome Mrs Nicola Dunn to AV学院 as our new Head of Science.听 With a teaching career spanning 27 years, Nicola brings a wealth of diverse experience and is excited to share her love of science with students and staff alike.

Graduating with First-Class Honours in Chemistry from the University of Western Australia, Nicola started in scientific research at the University of Geneva in Switzerland, soon realising the isolated laboratory life was not for her.

鈥淭eaching was my childhood dream. I love people and I love science so I thought teaching would be the perfect combination of the two,鈥� said Nicola.

Returning home to complete her Diploma of Education, Nicola secured a teaching role at Perth College for four years before moving to Christ Church Grammar School.

鈥淚 went from an all-girl environment to all boys!鈥� laughs Nicola, who enjoyed taking on an additional pastoral care role at Christ Church, as well as Head of House.

In 2009, Nicola started at St Hilda鈥檚 Anglican School for Girls, and it was here she developed as a teaching mentor, working with staff to support their professional development, facilitating inductions and performance reviews/management from K-12.

听Nicola says she finds teaching to be a rewarding career in so many ways.

鈥淚 just really love to see any student achieve their learning goals and learn more about themselves in the process,鈥� she said.

As a local community member, living in Dianella, Nicola has always had AV学院 on her radar and is very happy to join the teaching staff this year.

鈥淚 was aware of Carmel鈥檚 reputation for academic excellence, and I鈥檝e always looked to work in schools with motivated students who have a commitment to learning.鈥�

鈥淭he staff and students have been very kind and generous as we settle in. There is a wonderful, vibrant energy about the kids here,鈥� said Nicola.

鈥淚鈥檝e noticed a strong sense of family connection. Students will often talk about their brothers and sisters - whole families are coming through this school.鈥�

Nicola also highlights the smaller class numbers at Carmel as a real bonus.

鈥淭o be able to provide such personalised learning is very refreshing,鈥� she said.

鈥淚 am looking forward to supporting our science staff in their programming and development and most of all I can鈥檛 wait to provide Carmel students with lots of opportunities to get involved with science!鈥�