A Commitment to Excellence in Education
Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher (HALT) accreditation is a voluntary accreditation process for teachers in Australia, which recognises and rewards high-level teaching expertise, commitment to excellence in teaching, and leadership capabilities. HALT accreditation allows exceptional teachers to progress professionally and gain valuable recognition for their skills, while allowing them to continue teaching, rather than following a more traditional career progression, which would take them out of the classroom.
HALT certification is a reflective process that encourages teachers to critically evaluate their methods and seek continual improvement through professional development. The impact of a HALT-certified teacher is measurable, with accreditation requiring evidence of enhanced student learning outcomes. Moreover, it emphasizes leadership within the educational community, expecting certified teachers to contribute positively to their peers' growth and instructional strategies.
While HALT accreditation is currently held by a small percentage of teachers nationwide (0.6%), Westminster School is leading the charge with a significantly higher proportion of HALT-certified educators, which is continually growing. This trend reflects a growing recognition of the value that HALT teachers bring to the educational landscape.
HALT certification at Westminster School
At Westminster, our School is a place for staff to learn and grow. HALT certification represents a commitment to excellence in teaching and an ongoing journey of professional development. It signifies that our educators are not just disseminating knowledge, but are actively engaging in the process of learning and self-improvement. HALT certification is a testament to our teachers' dedication to critically evaluating their impact on both students and peers, ensuring that they contribute positively to the learning environment. It also underscores our belief in the power of education to transform lives, with our teachers leading by example as they pursue their passions and dreams within our supportive and dynamic school community. In essence, HALT certification at Westminster School is more than a credential; it's a reflection of our ethos of continuous growth and leadership in innovative educational practices.
At Westminster, we're proud to host one of the largest number of HALT teachers in South Australia with an unwavering commitment to excellence in education.
Meet our HALT Educators
Ali Barr
Preparatory School Deputy Principal
Ali Barr is the Deputy Principal of Westminster's Preparatory School and is a specialist STEM teacher. She has taught all year levels from R - 7 in her 20+ years as an educator. Ali was accredited as Highly Accomplished in 2018, reaccredited in 2023 and is an active assessor, mentor for aspiring HALTs and member of the SA HALT Network committee. Ali has a keen interest in education research and recently received her Master of Research (Education) from UniSA. She is an academic tutor for pre-service teachers at Flinders University and hopes to commence a doctoral candidacy in the near future. Ali directs her professional learning towards leadership, instructional coaching, innovative curriculum design and emerging technologies in education.
Angela Cash
Curriculum Leader: English and Literacy
Curriculum Leader of English and Literacy at Westminster School, Angela Cash brings a wealth of local and global experience as an accomplished educator of more than 20 years. As the Covid-19 Pandemic gave rise to a critical need for digital pedagogy and an online curriculum delivery, Angela was inspired to enhance student interaction with texts across various media platforms, and transitioned from a pastoral care focus to curriculum development. Culminating in the creation of a revolutionised English course for Westminster's Digital Delivery program, Angela's redirection paved the way for her Highly Accomplished Teacher accreditation in 2022. Angela draws passion from nurturing an appreciation for both classical and contemporary literature in students, and is committed to incorporating and exploring diverse and inclusive texts in the curriculum. In addition, Angela is enthusiastic about the future of education, and harnesses technology to modernise, enhance and bolster literacy education, coupled with generative AI to complement, rather than supplement, students' abilities to produce original and engaging work.
Angela Phillips
Director of Teaching: Pedagogy and Digital Delivery
Director of Pedagogy (Teaching) & Digital Delivery at Westminster School, Angela Phillips is a member of Westminster's Senior Leadership Team, and is a Lead Teacher specialising in Mathematics. An educator of 23 years with international experience, Angela joined Westminster's Senior School in 2013 teaching students in Years 7 through 12 across Stage 1 & 2 General Maths and Support/Essential Maths. Angela embeds a love for life-long learning in her pedagogy; a practice she adopted as a core focus of her accreditation. Angela is passionate about the future of education and playing an active role in it's evolution; specifically, the way students learn in alignment with technological advances in local and global curricular frameworks. Angela's embodies a personal commitment to continuous professional development, an ethos she strives to instill within her students.
Anna Partridge
Head of Wellbeing
Head of Wellbeing (ELC - Year 12) at Westminster School, Anna Partridge is a Highly Accomplished Teacher. Anna received her accreditation in 2018 having taught across a range of disciplines in both Primary and Secondary schools in Canberra and Adelaide. Throughout her career, Anna has held a number of leadership positions following her expertise and experience in wellbeing, including a Year Coordinator and Assistant Principal - Wellbeing. Anna was recently acknowledged in the area of Wellbeing by Educators SA with a SA State Award for Outstanding Contribution to Learners Development and Wellbeing. In addition, Anna is active in coaching and mentoring preservice, early career and aspiring HALT teachers, and in 2020 trained as a National HALT Assessor having completed many assessments of Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers in SA and ACT. Recently, Anan completed her Master of Educational Leadership and a Certificate in School Management and Leadership through Harvard School of Education and Business.
Belinda Daniel
Preparatory School Teacher
Belinda Daniel is a Highly Accomplished Teacher at Westminster School, with more than 25 years of preparatory teaching experience from Reception through Year 7. Having joined Westminster in 1997, Belinda undertook her HALT accreditation with a focus on critical and creative thinking to maximise her impact in the classroom, and drive curriculum through relevant and purposeful activities. Belinda appreciates that all students learn differently, and is passionate about a multimodal approach with an emphasis on digital technologies to ensure students make connections throughout the learning experience.
Cassie Schreuder
Preparatory School Teacher
A member of Westminster School since 2009, Cassie Schreuder is a Highly Accomplished Teacher and Year 4 educator within Westminster's Preparatory School. Cassie has a wealth of experience in both public and independent school settings over a 20-year period, and has taught a variety of year levels ranging from Reception through Year 4. As Head of Crown House in Westminster's Preparatory School, Cassie supports students in the areas of pastoral care and leadership development. She is a member of the Leaders of Learning program, where her knowledge of generative strategies for the classroom has been showcased. Cassie is passionate about integrating subject areas, with a particular focus on First Nations Cultures. Cassie directs her professional learning towards enhancing the wellbeing of younger students, and embraces every opportunity to embed wellbeing in the classroom.
Jacinta Wild
Preparatory School Teacher
Jacinta Wild is a Highly Accomplished Teacher at Westminster School, specialising in Junior Primary and Disability Education. With five years of teaching experience, she has worked with a variety of learners, including prep students both internationally and in Adelaide. Jacinta is passionate about fostering inclusive learning environments and supporting the diverse needs of her students to enhance learning outcomes. Her commitment to developing innovative teaching strategies ensures that each child feels supported in their academic, social, and emotional growth.
Kaela Penley
Preparatory School Teacher
An educator of ten years, Kaela Penley is a Preparatory School teacher and Head of House at Westminster School. Specialising in Transition through Year 2, Kaela is passionate about educating and supporting preparatory students in becoming creative problem solvers, critical thinkers, active citizens and positive collaborators. Kaela received her Highly Accomplished Teacher certification in 2017, with a central focus surrounding planning for differentiation, developing learning goals, and inclusive pedagogies and assessments in the areas of Literacy and Mathematics. Kaela worked alongside UniSA researchers and Carclew artists to collaboratively design, develop and implement a Mathematics unit plan with a significant impact on dispositional, cognitive and behavioural engagement. Following her certification, Kaela created the Southern Adelaide Professional Learning Community for teachers who were applying for certification, and has successfully completed her training to become a nationally trained assessor. Kaela's passion lies within the belief that students' engagement in their learning through the elements of cognitive, behavioural, dispositional and social earning experiences are vital to their comprehensive understanding of the curriculum.
Kate Inglis
Deputy Head of Senior School
Kate Inglis graduated as a student from Westminster in 2001, before studying degrees in Biotechnology and then Education with Honours. She returned to Westminster School, having been in educational leadership for nine years in 2017 as a Science teacher, with a passion for Biology. Kate is the Deputy Head of Westminster's Senior School and was accredited as a Highly Accomplished teacher in 2020. In addition to this, Kate is also trained as a HALT assessor and has presented at HALT conferences both locally, and interstate.
Kate Johns
Senior School Teacher
Kate Johns is a Lead Teacher at Westminster School, completing her accreditation in 2023 with a focus on pastoral care and wellbeing through her role as the Head of Year 8 for five years. During this time, Kate was instrumental in developing a comprehensive pastoral program to support the holistic development of students with engaging cross-curricular learning opportunities. Kate specialises in Mathematics and her ability to provide opportunities for students to demonstrate their understanding in a variety of ways was highlighted within her accreditation, including presentations at conferences for Stage 1 and 2 Mathematics. She is passionate about the potential of Mathematics to nurture critical and creative thinking and support students to build their resilience and confidence as problem solvers both within and beyond the classroom. Kate is a highly collaborative and reflective educator, who is easily inspired by her colleagues and committed to lifelong learning. She is looking forward to taking on the role of Curriculum Leader for Mathematics in 2025 as a job-share position while she spends time raising her young family.
Nicole Salamon
Head of Year 8 & Senior School History Teacher
Nicole Salamon has been a part of Westminster School since 2006, beginning as a Personal Assistant to the Director of Learning. This role sparked her interest in education, leading her to pursue a Bachelor of Education while working and raising a family. She began teaching English and History at Westminster in 2016 and has since developed a strong passion for History and Curriculum Development. Nicole was appointed Head of Year 8 in 2022, a role that has deepened her involvement with the pastoral and wellbeing teams. Nicole is dedicated to creating a learning environment where students feel confident and valued. By focusing on student agency, she empowers her students to take charge of their learning, fostering independence and engagement with the curriculum.
Rachel Abercrombie
Senior School Teacher
Rachel has been a part of the Westminster Community for 15 years. She is an accredited Highly Accomplished Teacher specialising in Year 7-12 English and English Literary Studies. Her aim as a teacher facilitator is to encourage students to be actively involved in their own learning and collaborate with their peers in learning together. Having students work together to critique, critically reflect, evaluate, and elaborate on their own and one another’s ideas, empowers them as learners, increases their intellectual rigour, and sets a path for lifelong learning.
Sara Mori
Preparatory School Teacher
An experienced educator of 28 years, Sara Mori specialises in upper primary education within Westminster's Preparatory School, having taught Years 5 through 7 and assisting students in STRETCH. Prior to commencing at Westminster in 2003, Sara adopted a global lens, educating students in England, Japan, and regional South Australia. These experiences solidified her passion for Literacy and HASS, which she adopted as her key focus for her accreditation as a Highly Accomplished Teacher. Sara's unwavering desire to provide authentic learning experiences is key to her teaching philosophy, with an appreciation for people's connection to their stories and the ways by which personal stories inform each student's learning experience. Sara strives to guide students through their education with a respect for their journey, whilst simultaneously understanding their path to discovery as global citizens of the world.
Su-Sim Lynch
Senior School Teacher
Su-Sim Lynch is a Highly Accomplished Teacher at Westminster School, specialising in Senior School Mathematics and Science. An experienced Teacher of ten years, Su-Sim joined Westminster in 2017 following two years in Port Pirie. Su-Sim is passionate about creating an engaging learning environment, and discovering innovative ways to make maths hands-on for students.
Early Learning Centre
Our Early Learning Centre (ELC) is the first step in an exciting educational journey for your child.