FEATURED WINNER
Cook School
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WINNER:
Education Perfect Australian School
of the Year
WINNER:
Education Perfect Australian School
of the Year
www.mfac.edu.au
linkedin.com/school/matthew-flinders-anglican-college
Cook-s.School@det.nsw.edu.au
8539 7155
1 Pitt street, Loftus
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WINNER:
Education Perfect Australian School of the Year
Cook School
David Hobson
Principal
Dave Hobson leads Cook School with a deep-rooted commitment to equity. He possesses extensive leadership experience in diverse special education contexts, most notably, since 2015, as Cook School’s Principal. Having dedicated his career to special and inclusive education within the NSW Department of Education since his initial teacher training, Dave has a passion for fostering the success of students who haven’t thrived in conventional schooling. His journey began with an honours degree in special education, his thesis exploring building teachers’ capacity for effective inclusive education – a theme that has remained central throughout his career and now defines Cook School’s mission.
Under his guidance, the school’s enrolment capacity has more than doubled, enabling support for an even broader range of student needs. The school also partnered with the University of Technology, Sydney, and a community of schools to author two significant research papers on transdisciplinary approaches to allied health support in schools, recognised by an award from the Australian College of Educators.
Cook School now stands at the forefront of trauma-informed education, evidenced by its inclusion as the case study in NSW Department of Education Trauma Informed Practice training modules, delivered to thousands of participants.
Dave additionally serves as the Sydney Region representative for the NSW Primary Principals’ Association SSP Reference Group, which underscores his broader impact on educational leadership.
Principal
David Hobson
facebook.com/mfac.edu.au
@trinitycollegesouthaustralia
David Hobson
Principal
Leadership
Having dedicated over 25 years to education, Tracey Gocher is the Deputy Principal at Cook School, an SSP supporting students with high and complex social-emotional and behavioural needs. Tracey has worked with students right across the intellectual, emotional and behavioural spectrum. Building on her postgraduate studies in Education Law, she is passionate about establishing educational policy and practice that leads to high-quality public education and equitable resourcing for students with disability. In recent years, Tracey has turned her skills towards the next generation of educators and middle leaders, developing in situ mentoring programs to support staff on the frontline and tutoring in behaviour management and inclusive education within both undergraduate and postgraduate courses at the University of Technology, Sydney.
Deputy Principal
Tracey Gocher
Tracey Gocher
Deputy Principal
Deputy Principal
Tracey Gocher
Tracey Gocher
Deputy Principal
1188 Whakue St, Rotorua Central, Rotorua
Tracey Gocher
Deputy Principal
Leadership
Having dedicated over 25 years to education, Tracey Gocher is the Deputy Principal at Cook School, an SSP supporting students with high and complex social-emotional and behavioural needs. Tracey has worked with students right across the intellectual, emotional and behavioural spectrum. Building on her postgraduate studies in Education Law, she is passionate about establishing educational policy and practice that leads to high-quality public education and equitable resourcing for students with disability. In recent years, Tracey has turned her skills towards the next generation of educators and middle leaders, developing in situ mentoring programs to support staff on the frontline and tutoring in behaviour management and inclusive education within both undergraduate and postgraduate courses at the University of Technology, Sydney.
Deputy Principal
Tracey Gocher
Martine Winn began her journey at Cook School in 2010 as a passionate classroom teacher. Promoted to Assistant Principal in 2019, she oversees programs for High School Behavioural Disorders, Primary School Emotional Disturbance and Autism Support. Martine appreciates collaborating with an exceptional team that innovates while embracing evolving curriculum and inclusive education reforms. Beyond student support, she contributes to a whole-school culture by working collaboratively with students, parents/carers, staff, allied health professionals and the wider education community. Guided by evidence-based research and psychology, she prioritises regulation and relationship-building, restoring wellbeing and nurturing growth. Martine’s multifaceted role leaves a profound impact on students, educators and the inclusive educational landscape.
Assistant Principal
Martine Winn
Dave Hobson leads Cook School with a deep-rooted commitment to equity. He possesses extensive leadership experience in diverse special education contexts, most notably, since 2015, as Cook School’s Principal. Having dedicated his career to special and inclusive education within the NSW Department of Education since his initial teacher training, Dave has a passion for fostering the success of students who haven’t thrived in conventional schooling. His journey began with an honours degree in special education, his thesis exploring building teachers’ capacity for effective inclusive education – a theme that has remained central throughout his career and now defines Cook School’s mission.
Under his guidance, the school’s enrolment capacity has more than doubled, enabling support for an even broader range of student needs. The school also partnered with the University of Technology, Sydney, and a community of schools to author two significant research papers on transdisciplinary approaches to allied health support in schools, recognised by an award from the Australian College of Educators.
Cook School now stands at the forefront of trauma-informed education, evidenced by its inclusion as the case study in NSW Department of Education Trauma Informed Practice training modules, delivered to thousands of participants.
Dave additionally serves as the Sydney Region representative for the NSW Primary Principals’ Association SSP Reference Group, which underscores his broader impact on educational leadership.
Principal
David Hobson
Dave Hobson leads Cook School with a deep-rooted commitment to equity. He possesses extensive leadership experience in diverse special education contexts, most notably, since 2015, as Cook School’s Principal. Having dedicated his career to special and inclusive education within the NSW Department of Education since his initial teacher training, Dave has a passion for fostering the success of students who haven’t thrived in conventional schooling. His journey began with an honours degree in special education, his thesis exploring building teachers’ capacity for effective inclusive education – a theme that has remained central throughout his career and now defines Cook School’s mission.
Under his guidance, the school’s enrolment capacity has more than doubled, enabling support for an even broader range of student needs. The school also partnered with the University of Technology, Sydney, and a community of schools to author two significant research papers on transdisciplinary approaches to allied health support in schools, recognised by an award from the Australian College of Educators.
Cook School now stands at the forefront of trauma-informed education, evidenced by its inclusion as the case study in NSW Department of Education Trauma Informed Practice training modules, delivered to thousands of participants.
Dave additionally serves as the Sydney Region representative for the NSW Primary Principals’ Association SSP Reference Group, which underscores his broader impact on educational leadership.
Principal
David Hobson
@TDSLaw
Cook School is a proud NSW Department of Education specialist school, dedicated to improving educational and post-school outcomes for students who have not experienced success in traditional schooling environments.
Our approaches steeped in educational research, positive psychology and neuroscience prioritise regulation and relating, which in turn strengthens our students’ learning success and schooling and post-school experiences. We are achieving these breakthroughs while also staying on the front foot of curriculum and inclusive education reforms, as active leaders of and contributors to the new curriculum implementation and designing departmental resources for whole-of-state.
Cook School has considerably increased its enrolment capacity in the past year, while remaining responsive to the after-effects of the pandemic. We consist of three K-6 classes for students with a diagnosed mental health support need, two K-6 Autism Support classes, and three classes for students in Years 7–10 who demonstrate challenging behaviours. We recently opened an adjacent, separate site, Acacia Secondary Campus, supporting Years 7–12 students with predominantly internalising mental health support needs.
Cook School is central to the lives, safety, stability and trust of the children and youth in our care – students for whom our school bridges effective psychosocial supports with contemporary quality teaching, all of which is underpinned by a strong research base. We are a highly skilled team who operate exceptionally well on our shared values and underpinning research, to improve children’s lives and strengthen futures – and we are.
David Hobson
Principal
Having dedicated over 25 years to education, Tracey Gocher is the Deputy Principal at Cook School, an SSP supporting students with high and complex social-emotional and behavioural needs. Tracey has worked with students right across the intellectual, emotional and behavioural spectrum. Building on her postgraduate studies in Education Law, she is passionate about establishing educational policy and practice that leads to high-quality public education and equitable resourcing for students with disability. In recent years, Tracey has turned her skills towards the next generation of educators and middle leaders, developing in situ mentoring programs to support staff on the frontline and tutoring in behaviour management and inclusive education within both undergraduate and postgraduate courses at the University of Technology, Sydney.
Tracey Read
Assistant Principal Curriculum Instruction
Martine Winn
Assistant Principal
Martine Winn began her journey at Cook School in 2010 as a passionate classroom teacher. Promoted to Assistant Principal in 2019, she oversees programs for High School Behavioural Disorders, Primary School Emotional Disturbance and Autism Support. Martine appreciates collaborating with an exceptional team that innovates while embracing evolving curriculum and inclusive education reforms. Beyond student support, she contributes to a whole-school culture by working collaboratively with students, parents/carers, staff, allied health professionals and the wider education community. Guided by evidence-based research and psychology, she prioritises regulation and relationship-building, restoring wellbeing and nurturing growth. Martine’s multifaceted role leaves a profound impact on students, educators and the inclusive educational landscape.
Assistant Principal
Martine Winn
Having worked in public education since 2008, Tracey Read shifted to specialise in special education after her master’s degree in 2012. She led the 2022 Accelerated Adopter Program successfully across diverse multistage classes, showcasing strategic thinking. Collaborating with her DoE peers, she co-created aligned curricula for the K-2 syllabus, which spotlighted her curriculum design skills. Tracey’s extensive experience, specialised training and leadership underscore her advocacy for inclusive education, persistently fostering an equitable learning environment.
Assistant Principal Curriculum Instruction
Tracey Read
Martine Winn
Assistant Principal
Adrian Moodley
Assistant Principal
Claudia Vera
Assistant Principal
Martine Winn began her journey at Cook School in 2010 as a passionate classroom teacher. Promoted to Assistant Principal in 2019, she oversees programs for High School Behavioural Disorders, Primary School Emotional Disturbance and Autism Support. Martine appreciates collaborating with an exceptional team that innovates while embracing evolving curriculum and inclusive education reforms. Beyond student support, she contributes to a whole-school culture by working collaboratively with students, parents/carers, staff, allied health professionals and the wider education community. Guided by evidence-based research and psychology, she prioritises regulation and relationship-building, restoring wellbeing and nurturing growth. Martine’s multifaceted role leaves a profound impact on students, educators and the inclusive educational landscape.
Assistant Principal
Martine Winn
Having worked in public education since 2008, Tracey Read shifted to specialise in special education after her master’s degree in 2012. She led the 2022 Accelerated Adopter Program successfully across diverse multistage classes, showcasing strategic thinking. Collaborating with her DoE peers, she co-created aligned curricula for the K-2 syllabus, which spotlighted her curriculum design skills. Tracey’s extensive experience, specialised training and leadership underscore her advocacy for inclusive education, persistently fostering an equitable learning environment.
Assistant Principal Curriculum Instruction
Tracey Read
Tracey Read
Assistant Principal Curriculum Instruction
Martine Winn
Assistant Principal
Having worked in public education since 2008, Tracey Read shifted to specialise in special education after her master’s degree in 2012. She led the 2022 Accelerated Adopter Program successfully across diverse multistage classes, showcasing strategic thinking. Collaborating with her DoE peers, she co-created aligned curricula for the K-2 syllabus, which spotlighted her curriculum design skills. Tracey’s extensive experience, specialised training and leadership underscore her advocacy for inclusive education, persistently fostering an equitable learning environment.
Assistant Principal Curriculum Instruction
Tracey Read
Adrian Moodley
Assistant Principal
Claudia Vera
Assistant Principal
Lisa Grech
Assistant Principal
Heidi Jarvis
Assistant Principal
Adrian Moodley is an educator with an unwavering dedication to the field of special education. With two decades of experience, he has consistently demonstrated a commitment to fostering inclusive learning environments that empower students of diverse abilities to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. Adrian holds two master’s degrees (Education and Inclusive Education); this, along with his extensive experience across both primary and secondary education, has equipped him with an understanding of the multifaceted nature of special education. Adrian’s dedication to special education aims to ensure that every student receives an education that honours their unique potential.
Assistant Principal
Adrian Moodley
Claudia Vera has been a teacher, researcher, leader and activist, committed to equity and excellence for all children for the past two decades. As a lifelong learner, Claudia has been thrilled to be mentored at Cook School. She complements the outstanding team with her qualifications, lived experience and extensive work in special education, community organising, disability and education policy, as well as her ongoing and emerging work in family collaboration and the public dimensions of neurodivergence. Claudia has held positions at the University of Technology Sydney, the University of Western Sydney, the NSW Department of Education and the NSW Teachers Federation.
Assistant Principal
Claudia Vera
Lisa Grech’s Master’s in Special and Inclusive Education in Emotional Disturbance and Behaviour Difficulties allows her to practise her passion of working with children who have a range of disabilities, additional complex needs and behaviour difficulties. She has done this for over 10 years in a variety of K-12 settings. Lisa has always loved working with children and young people, striving to make a difference. She believes that all children have the right to a high-quality public education regardless of their background or disadvantage. As an integral member of the executive team, she has led Cook School High School with her calm, strong, knowledgeable approach through 2023.
Assistant Principal
Lisa Grech
As part of the executive team over the last six years in the Instructional Leader – Wellbeing role, Heidi Jarvis has collaborated with the school executive to implement policy and processes aimed at improving student engagement and wellbeing. This has been achieved by the creation and implementation of a whole-school Wellbeing Policy in line with the DoE Wellbeing Framework. Heidi has held carriage for the implementation and delivery of the Big Picture education program in the newly established Acacia Campus at Cook School, allowing 21 additional students to be afforded alternative educational pathways and a chance at re-engaging with school and opening university pathways.
Assistant Principal
Heidi Jarvis
Lisa Grech
Assistant Principal
Heidi Jarvis
Assistant Principal
Tracey Read
Assistant Principal Curriculum Instruction
Adrian Moodley is an educator with an unwavering dedication to the field of special education. With two decades of experience, he has consistently demonstrated a commitment to fostering inclusive learning environments that empower students of diverse abilities to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. Adrian holds two master’s degrees (Education and Inclusive Education); this, along with his extensive experience across both primary and secondary education, has equipped him with an understanding of the multifaceted nature of special education. Adrian’s dedication to special education aims to ensure that every student receives an education that honours their unique potential.
Assistant Principal
Adrian Moodley
Claudia Vera has been a teacher, researcher, leader and activist, committed to equity and excellence for all children for the past two decades. As a lifelong learner, Claudia has been thrilled to be mentored at Cook School. She complements the outstanding team with her qualifications, lived experience and extensive work in special education, community organising, disability and education policy, as well as her ongoing and emerging work in family collaboration and the public dimensions of neurodivergence. Claudia has held positions at the University of Technology Sydney, the University of Western Sydney, the NSW Department of Education and the NSW Teachers Federation.
Assistant Principal
Claudia Vera
Lisa Grech’s Master’s in Special and Inclusive Education in Emotional Disturbance and Behaviour Difficulties allows her to practise her passion of working with children who have a range of disabilities, additional complex needs and behaviour difficulties. She has done this for over 10 years in a variety of K-12 settings. Lisa has always loved working with children and young people, striving to make a difference. She believes that all children have the right to a high-quality public education regardless of their background or disadvantage. As an integral member of the executive team, she has led Cook School High School with her calm, strong, knowledgeable approach through 2023.
Assistant Principal
Lisa Grech
As part of the executive team over the last six years in the Instructional Leader – Wellbeing role, Heidi Jarvis has collaborated with the school executive to implement policy and processes aimed at improving student engagement and wellbeing. This has been achieved by the creation and implementation of a whole-school Wellbeing Policy in line with the DoE Wellbeing Framework. Heidi has held carriage for the implementation and delivery of the Big Picture education program in the newly established Acacia Campus at Cook School, allowing 21 additional students to be afforded alternative educational pathways and a chance at re-engaging with school and opening university pathways.
Assistant Principal
Heidi Jarvis
Adrian Moodley
Assistant Principal
Claudia Vera
Assistant Principal
Lisa Grech
Assistant Principal
Heidi Jarvis
Assistant Principal
Adrian Moodley is an educator with an unwavering dedication to the field of special education. With two decades of experience, he has consistently demonstrated a commitment to fostering inclusive learning environments that empower students of diverse abilities to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. Adrian holds two master’s degrees (Education and Inclusive Education); this, along with his extensive experience across both primary and secondary education, has equipped him with an understanding of the multifaceted nature of special education. Adrian’s dedication to special education aims to ensure that every student receives an education that honours their unique potential.
Assistant Principal
Adrian Moodley
Claudia Vera has been a teacher, researcher, leader and activist, committed to equity and excellence for all children for the past two decades. As a lifelong learner, Claudia has been thrilled to be mentored at Cook School. She complements the outstanding team with her qualifications, lived experience and extensive work in special education, community organising, disability and education policy, as well as her ongoing and emerging work in family collaboration and the public dimensions of neurodivergence. Claudia has held positions at the University of Technology Sydney, the University of Western Sydney, the NSW Department of Education and the NSW Teachers Federation.
Assistant Principal
Claudia Vera
Lisa Grech’s Master’s in Special and Inclusive Education in Emotional Disturbance and Behaviour Difficulties allows her to practise her passion of working with children who have a range of disabilities, additional complex needs and behaviour difficulties. She has done this for over 10 years in a variety of K-12 settings. Lisa has always loved working with children and young people, striving to make a difference. She believes that all children have the right to a high-quality public education regardless of their background or disadvantage. As an integral member of the executive team, she has led Cook School High School with her calm, strong, knowledgeable approach through 2023.
Assistant Principal
Lisa Grech
As part of the executive team over the last six years in the Instructional Leader – Wellbeing role, Heidi Jarvis has collaborated with the school executive to implement policy and processes aimed at improving student engagement and wellbeing. This has been achieved by the creation and implementation of a whole-school Wellbeing Policy in line with the DoE Wellbeing Framework. Heidi has held carriage for the implementation and delivery of the Big Picture education program in the newly established Acacia Campus at Cook School, allowing 21 additional students to be afforded alternative educational pathways and a chance at re-engaging with school and opening university pathways.
Assistant Principal
Heidi Jarvis