Preschool Teaching Team

Preschool and Kindergarten Teaching Team

Ms Nada Zarac - Deputy Principal

Preschool - Kindergarten Executive

It is with great enthusiasm that I lead the Preschool and Kindergarten teams in 2024. I am committed to supporting teachers to design and deliver high quality, engaging teaching and learning programs that meet the diverse needs of our students. I have interests in curriculum design, inclusion and children’s literature. I have been working in the ACT Education Directorate since 1991 across all networks (Belconnen, Tuggeranong, Gungahlin, inner South and North) in teaching and leadership positions.

My additional interests are gardening, walking and talking, good coffee and coastal retreats. I also enjoy live theatre and the company of good-humoured people who love to laugh. I have two adult children who are currently contributing to valued careers in the health and Education systems and making their mum proud!

I look forward to working alongside you, your child and their teachers to create a wonderful, exciting year of achievement and reward.

Nada Zarac

Email: nada.zarac@ed.act.edu.au

Mrs Watkin

Blue group

I am Mrs Watkin. I have been teaching at Mawson for eight years. I have taught Year One and Year Two as well as Preschool. I have been here to see our school grow from very small to very big in a short time. I have two children. They have taught me a lot about being a great teacher and the amazing role parents play as the first, and life-long, educators of their children. I love to read stories and sing and dance. My favourite author is Julia Donaldson. I love her books and the stories they tell. In my classroom, you will see lots of hands-on learning and hear lots of conversations about all the fun activities we are doing.

Nicole Watkin

Email: Nicole.watkin@ed.act.edu.au

Ms Stephanie Fairall

Red and Yellow groups

I’m Ms Stephanie. I believe in the innate curiosity and spark of amazement within all children. I taught internationally for over a decade, living in Japan, the UAE, China and Saudi Arabia. I came home in 2020 and moved to Canberra and am fortunate enough to have become part of the Mawson Primary School community.  When I’m not teaching, I love to find new parts of Canberra to explore on long walks and am on a quest to find my favourite café in the ACT.  At home I like to read with my rescue cat on my lap.

Stephanie Fairall

Email: Stephanie.Fairall@ed.act.edu.au

Ms Friend

Red and Yellow groups (Wednesdays)

Hi, I am Ms Friend. I work in the Preschool on Wednesdays with the Red and Yellow groups. On other days I am a busy mum to 4 little boys. I love working at Mawson and have got to know many families in my time. I am looking forward to getting to know you. I love watching children learn through play and on Wednesdays I enjoy doing lots of art and sensory play with the Preschoolers.

Amanda Friend

Email: Amanda.friend@ed.act.edu.au

Preschool Teachers and Support Assistants