Nicole Gorring - Director
Nicole has a Graduate Diploma in Education (Senior Years; Dance and Drama) as well as being a qualified Ballet teacher.
She founded Arcadia ALC after searching desperately for an alternative learning option for her son.
Nicole has ten years experience teaching all ages, she also runs a blog and is part of the admin team for a huge parenting facebook group.
Nicole became interested in alternative education as part of a greater shift in mindset towards gentle parenting and respecting children's rights soon after the birth of her first child.
Nicole welcomed a new baby in December 2019 who joins her at work each day.
She founded Arcadia ALC after searching desperately for an alternative learning option for her son.
Nicole has ten years experience teaching all ages, she also runs a blog and is part of the admin team for a huge parenting facebook group.
Nicole became interested in alternative education as part of a greater shift in mindset towards gentle parenting and respecting children's rights soon after the birth of her first child.
Nicole welcomed a new baby in December 2019 who joins her at work each day.
Drew Hellings - Director
Being a proud and devoted father of three children (currently a newborn, a seven-year-old and a twelve-year-old) has taught Drew more about "life, the universe and everything" than he ever expected. As with Nicole, he is also a firm believer in gentle parenting and respecting children's rights. His early parenting experiences left him disenchanted with the older mainstream authoritarian parenting styles that never really felt right (initially not being aware of the kinder alternatives).
"Since embracing gentle parenting my connection to kids has never been stronger and I can see the positive change it has made in them."
In addition to the wisdom bore from fatherhood, he has completed a Bachelor of Information Technology, majoring in games technology. During his studies he followed his passion for game development by diving into studying play, games theory and behavioural psychology.
When Drew's first child was born, he pivoted to the more stable IT sector, providing IT support for a range of schools and small businesses over the last decade. In addition to maintaining their IT infrastructure, Drew worked closely with faculty in rolling out one-to-one laptop/iPad programs, deploying software teaching tools and researching educational apps. What he enjoyed most during this period was interacting with the children, passing on programming and computer skills.
Drew has taken up wood working as a hobby in recent years and enjoys tapping into this to provide resources and new experiences for the children. He aims to build Montessori, Steiner and Reggio Emillia inspired educational toys and activities for our home-school co-op programs.
"Since embracing gentle parenting my connection to kids has never been stronger and I can see the positive change it has made in them."
In addition to the wisdom bore from fatherhood, he has completed a Bachelor of Information Technology, majoring in games technology. During his studies he followed his passion for game development by diving into studying play, games theory and behavioural psychology.
When Drew's first child was born, he pivoted to the more stable IT sector, providing IT support for a range of schools and small businesses over the last decade. In addition to maintaining their IT infrastructure, Drew worked closely with faculty in rolling out one-to-one laptop/iPad programs, deploying software teaching tools and researching educational apps. What he enjoyed most during this period was interacting with the children, passing on programming and computer skills.
Drew has taken up wood working as a hobby in recent years and enjoys tapping into this to provide resources and new experiences for the children. He aims to build Montessori, Steiner and Reggio Emillia inspired educational toys and activities for our home-school co-op programs.
Frankie Jaiyeola - ALC Lead Facillitator
Frankie is am a mum of two girls, primary school teacher, playback theatre actor, dancer, and someone who believes that peaceful parenting and Self Directed Education (SDE) has the potential to change the world, one generation at a time.
It was the combination of becoming a parent and having taught in the public system that led Frankie down the path of self directed education. Her experience as a primary school teacher deepened her curiosity for alternative education approaches. As a parent, she was drawn to theories like heart-to-heart/peaceful parenting. Self Directed Education allowed her parenting approach and approach to education to align. Ideas such as trusting children to follow their curiosity, enabling learning through connection between people, valuing emotional intelligence and honouring play.
After reading about Agile Learning Centres in the States, Frankie was excited to be a part of Arcadia. Providing a space where children are encouraged to learn through play, empathy and connection, at their own pace and in their own style and where joy and learning are intertwined. I believe this type of education offers the potential to create lifelong, self motivated learners and empathetic, resilient people.
It was the combination of becoming a parent and having taught in the public system that led Frankie down the path of self directed education. Her experience as a primary school teacher deepened her curiosity for alternative education approaches. As a parent, she was drawn to theories like heart-to-heart/peaceful parenting. Self Directed Education allowed her parenting approach and approach to education to align. Ideas such as trusting children to follow their curiosity, enabling learning through connection between people, valuing emotional intelligence and honouring play.
After reading about Agile Learning Centres in the States, Frankie was excited to be a part of Arcadia. Providing a space where children are encouraged to learn through play, empathy and connection, at their own pace and in their own style and where joy and learning are intertwined. I believe this type of education offers the potential to create lifelong, self motivated learners and empathetic, resilient people.
Jen Woods - Assistant Facilitator
A graduate of the Qld Teacher's College, Jen was part of one of the earliest cohorts of preschool teachers in queensland. At that time Pre School was truly play based, meaning Jen is well trained and expereinced in developing an emergent curriculum, where the childrens interest's inform the learning opportunies.
After teaching in Western Queensland and Brisbane, Jen stepped back to have kids. Since then she has completed her bachelor's degree, volunteered as a scout leader, and managed a business.
Jen is also one of the driving forces behind the development of Orienteering in Qld. Over the last 3 decades she has held many roles with Orienteering including running dozens of children's creches at state and national events, training a junior squad, been Treasurer and Secretary for Toohey Forest Club, and written a book of Orienteering games and activities for school teachers.
A keen sewer Jen made all of the fabulous dress ups in our collection. Jen is enjoying re-discovering teaching, and creating activities and resources.
After teaching in Western Queensland and Brisbane, Jen stepped back to have kids. Since then she has completed her bachelor's degree, volunteered as a scout leader, and managed a business.
Jen is also one of the driving forces behind the development of Orienteering in Qld. Over the last 3 decades she has held many roles with Orienteering including running dozens of children's creches at state and national events, training a junior squad, been Treasurer and Secretary for Toohey Forest Club, and written a book of Orienteering games and activities for school teachers.
A keen sewer Jen made all of the fabulous dress ups in our collection. Jen is enjoying re-discovering teaching, and creating activities and resources.