Get to know our Sydney Adventist School principals. Read about their journeys within the world of Education and what they’re hoping to contribute to it and our students.
Wahroonga Adventist School
Julia Heise
“I love learning and was born with teaching in my blood, being a third-generation educator.
With 30 years of experience in schools and tertiary institutions, both inside and outside of the Adventist system, I continue to find joy every day in interactions with students, staff and parents.”
Having lived and worked in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Korea, I feel blessed to have had a wide variety of experience that now enables me to serve at Wahroonga Adventist School where God is at the core of what we do.”
Hurstville Adventist School
Neva Taylor
“I’ve been teaching for 41years, teaching at Tweed Valley College in North New South Wales, and in five Adventist Schools across Sydney. This is my fourteenth year as principal of Hurstville Adventist School.
“Our school has been around since 1960. It is now a thriving Pre-Kindy to Year 6 school. We have a mission field at Hurstville, and we know that the Holy Spirit is working in the lives of our students, preparing their hearts to hear how much God loves them, and we’re praying that they will ultimately make the decision to follow Jesus and be part of His kingdom.”
Sydney Adventist School Auburn
Danyel Efstratiou
“My teaching career began at Sydney Adventist School, Auburn. This is my nineth year as principal.
“The school is more than 100 years old, and so is quite special. We are a Prep to Year 6 single-stream school, with a caring and nurturing culture that strives for everyone to feel safe, accepted, valued and special.
Our approach is Christ-centred, underpinning Adventist World beliefs with an emphasis on the social and emotional learning skills of organisation, getting along, resilience, persistence and confidence.”
Macarthur Adventist College
Anna Calandra
“During my 43 years of teaching I have taught in various State schools, managed my own pre-school for 16 years, and taught at Macarthur Adventist College. I was appointed Head of Primary in 2004 and Principal in 2012.
“Our school was established in 1973. I’ve had the privilege of seeing the school grow from just a primary school to a Year 12 College, and I look forward to the amazing plans God has in store for Macarthur based on His promise of Jeremiah 29:11.
“At Macarthur our mission is to uphold Christ as the model for all to follow, to develop in our students an understanding of the importance of lifelong learning, and to embrace diversity. Each year we dedicate our school to His service and accept the huge responsibility we share with our parents in educating our students and leading them to our Saviour.”
Mountain View Adventist College
Irwin Steyn
“I was born and raised in South Africa where I completed my teacher training. When I graduated, I volunteered as a missionary teacher to South Korea to teach English and Bible. What was to be a one-year sabbatical turned into almost 10 years. In that time, I completed a bachelor’s degree at Avondale College and a Masters in Religious Education at the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS) in the Philippines.
“In 2005, I answered a call to work at Sydney Adventist College where I served as the Head of Biblical Studies and Year Coordinator. In 2011, I was called to Hills Adventist College where I served for 10 years as Head of Campus and Deputy Principal.
With the vision that education and redemption are one, I lead the community at MVACas we prepare students with skills for the future and nurture a saving relationship with Christ.”
Hills Adventist College (HAC)
Carlie Deppeler
“I began my career in 2003 in the Catholic system as a Food Technology teacher. I then undertook a Masters degree in Human Nutrition and worked in industry for a number of years.
“God led me back into teaching in 2015, and in 2016, I was asked to be Head of Technology and Applied Studies at Hills Adventist College. I’ve had various roles at the College, including Deputy Principal, then Principal in 2020.
“HAC has a proud heritage as a provider of quality Christian education for nearly 60 years. We seek to graduate students with a Christ-centred faith, the knowledge and skills for a wide range of employment pathways, and a positive sense of the satisfaction that arises from service to others. Hills is an amazing community of staff, students and parents and it is my honour to serve here.”
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