A dedicated team of experienced educators

We are committed to continuous learning for our staff

The Farmhouse Montessori School is incredibly proud of its dedicated and experienced teaching staff. Our teachers are not only committed to providing the best environment for your children but are also involved in various Montessori and early childhood organisations. They support Montessori schools and centres throughout the world, as well as workshops and institutions of early childhood.

Each Director/ess has a teaching degree as well as Montessori post graduate training. Other educators have or are training for a Child Care Certificate, Diploma or further. All staff work closely together to ensure children and young people are provided with the highest standards of Montessori education. On our primary campus, we have made a commitment to higher staff-child ratios and have two qualified teachers in each of our primary classes.

As a school, we have an ethos of supporting the sustainability of authentic Montessori teaching. All teaching staff regularly participate in workshops and training to continue to upgrade their understanding of child development and best Montessori practises. We are also currently funding the next generation of Montessori teachers to complete their Montessori training in both pre-primary and primary.

The Executive Team

The executive team at Farmhouse Montessori School is composed of employees who play a strategic role in the running of the school. From the accounts department to curriculum implementation, executive staff are required to attend regular meetings where important structural and procedural decisions are made. These meetings allow the team to speak for the staff who work alongside them, thus making recommendations for the whole school. The executive team represents the entire staff as we move forward with initiatives and developments to improve the running and efficiency of the school.

Bruce Rixon | Principal

Bruce has been appointed as Interim Principal of our School. Bruce has 45 years’ education experience from Kindergarten to Year 12, holding the role of Principal in a number of diverse independent schools. He has either led or held leadership roles in Riverview, Shore, Catholic, Anglican and Islamic Schools in NSW and WA. He recently completed a Doctorate of Education at the Australian Catholic University and has developed his career from a background in music and the arts stemming from his formal education at St. Andrew’s Cathedral School.

Bruce has a passion for education and child-centric learning where every child matters as we focus our education on the whole child.

Bruce holds a Bachelor and Masters of Education, B.Ed, M.Ed; a Fellow of Trinity College London (voice); Licentiate of Music (L.Mus.A; L.T.C.T) in both voice, piano; and is a Graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Jenny Bensted | Coordinator Preschool

Jenny has worked in early childhood within a number of Montessori and mainstream schools since 1986. She started her teaching career at Forestville Montessori School as an assistant in the 3-6 class. Jenny holds an Associate Diploma in Social Sciences (Early Childhood), a Diploma in Montessori Education through MWEI, a Bachelor of Teaching through the University of New England and a Graduate Diploma in Education (Montessori). She opened the new early childhood centre for SCECGS Redlands on their North Harbour campus, which was a Montessori school at the time.

Jenny joined Farmhouse Montessori in 2012 and was appointed to Head of School in 2015. During her time as Head, she led a dedicated team of educators to build a sustainable, financially secure future for the school.  In 2018, Jenny stepped down from this position to return to her passion – teaching a 3-6 classroom as Coordinator of the early childhood campus at North Balgowlah. Jenny is a Northern Beaches local, married with one daughter, and two granddaughters who now both attend the Farmhouse Montessori School.

Corinne Dawson | Directress Infant Community

Corinne is a Northern Beaches local who has always had an interest in the education of children. While still at school, Corinne worked in after school care and as a swimming coach. After completing her HSC, Corinne traveled to America to take part in their Summer Camp program where she spent six months working as a camp counselor with 6-8 year olds. It was during that time Corinne realised she wanted to work in the education of young children.

Corinne has been with Farmhouse Montessori for the past seven years, beginning as an outdoor educator in the Infant Community before being offered the position of leading the infant classroom. Corinne is passionate about early childhood education and how crucial those first few years are for the child. Corinne is currently completing a degree in Early Childhood and is looking forward to continuing her learning in this field.

Jill Robertson | Financial Administrator

Jill is a long-standing member of the Farmhouse community, holding positions as a teaching assistant, financial administrator as well as parent. Jill joined Farmhouse Montessori in 2001 as a classroom assistant in the 3-6 class but changed positions after 12 months to do reception and accounts. In 2003 – 2004, Jill moved into the role of Financial Administrator.

Jill has worked as bookkeeper for a wide variety of clients covering lots of different industries, including working as an assistant accountant on two feature films. Prior to working as a bookkeeper, Jill owned and managed a number of restaurants and a catering business.

Jill has a daughter that attended the Farmhouse for the 3-6 program and is now doing a degree in digital design.