Teaching Quality

Our Director of Netball, Shelley O’Donnell, OAM, brings exceptional elite-sport experience to Korowa’s netball program. A former Australian Diamond and one of the country’s most accomplished mid-court players, Shelley represented Australia across the international stage, earning 84 Test caps, serving as Vice Captain of the Australian Diamonds, winning three Netball World Championships, and Commonwealth Games gold. Her outstanding contribution to the sport has been recognised through her induction into the Netball Australia Hall of Fame and the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to netball.

Following her professional playing career, Shelley has remained deeply involved in the development of young athletes through coaching, mentoring and leadership roles in school and representative netball programs. Her understanding of high-performance sport, teamwork and resilience shapes a program that supports both aspiring elite athletes and students who simply love the game.

At Korowa, Shelley leads a netball program that emphasises skill development, sportsmanship and confidence. Students benefit from learning with a coach who understands what it takes to compete at the highest level, while also fostering a positive and inclusive environment where every player can grow, contribute and enjoy being part of a team.

Before moving into senior educational leadership, our Deputy Principal Dr Jennifer Bailey Smith built a distinguished academic career centred on literature, language and women’s voices in history. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) specialising in the poetry of the trobairitz, medieval female poets whose work represents some of the earliest recorded women’s artistic expression in Europe. Her research reflects both scholarly rigour and a deep interest in how creativity, identity and voice shape human experience.

Alongside her academic work, Jennifer has long been interested in the intersection of creativity, communication and education, including experience beyond schools that informs her thinking about how young people learn, create and express themselves in the modern world.

At Korowa, Jennifer brings this intellectual depth and creative perspective into the life of the school. Students benefit from learning in an environment shaped by educators who understand scholarship not just as something studied, but as something lived, where curiosity, courage and independent thinking are part of everyday learning.

Our Head of Visual Arts, Sally Walk, is an internationally recognised ceramic artist whose creative practice spans more than two decades. Her work has been exhibited extensively across Australia, Europe, Asia and the United States, and is held in major public and private collections including the Yingge Ceramics Museum in Taiwan, the Jingdezhen International Studio Collection in China, and the Seto Cultural Glass and Ceramics Museum in Japan. Sally is also a member of the UNESCO-affiliated International Academy of Ceramics, placing her among a global community of leading practitioners in the field.

Her artistic achievements include winning the Lorenzo il Magnifico Award for Ceramics at the Florence Biennale and the North Queensland Ceramics Award, alongside international residencies in France, Japan and Taiwan. Through exhibitions, collaborations and international ceramic exchange programs, Sally continues to engage deeply with contemporary ceramics practice and global artistic dialogue.

At Korowa, Sally brings this professional artistic experience directly into the classroom. Students learn from a practising artist who understands both the technical discipline and creative risk-taking involved in making art. Her teaching encourages curiosity, experimentation and confidence, helping students develop strong creative voices while gaining insight into how art connects to the wider world.

Korowa's Director of Rowing, Jane Robinson, brings extraordinary international sporting experience to Korowa’s rowing program. A three-time Olympian and triple World Champion, Jane represented Australia at the Olympic Games in Atlanta, Sydney and Athens, and competed at multiple World Rowing Championships across a distinguished international career. She achieved world titles in both sweep-oared and sculling boats, including rowing in the historic Australian women’s eight that won the country’s first World Championship title in that event.

Jane’s career in elite rowing also included success at Henley Royal Regatta, national championships and Australian Institute of Sport scholarship programs. Known for her versatility, leadership and technical excellence, she competed across multiple boat classes and played a key role in some of Australia’s most successful women’s crews.

At Korowa, Jane leads a rowing program grounded in discipline, teamwork and resilience. Students benefit from learning with a coach who understands both high-performance sport and the importance of building confidence through challenge. Under her guidance, rowing at Korowa offers students the opportunity to develop strong technical skills, personal determination and a lifelong appreciation for teamwork on and off the water.

Before bringing his expertise into the classroom, instrumental tutor Taylor Douglas built a strong reputation as a working musician in Melbourne’s live music scene. A drummer and percussionist, he has performed with a wide range of original and cover acts including The Soulenikoes, Flynn Effect, Brooklyn’s Finest, Uptown Funk and Caution: Thieves, while also working as backline support for artists such as Emily Williams and Catholic Guilt. His performance experience has taken him to major stages, including appearances at the Cricket World Cup at the MCG and the NRL Finals at AAMI Park as part of the D2 Drumline.

Taylor’s musicianship is grounded in deep study and ongoing professional development. He holds a Bachelor of Music from Monash University and a Graduate Diploma in Music Education from ACU, and has trained with leading drummers in Australia, the United States and Cuba. This combination of performance experience and global musical learning gives students insight into the discipline, creativity and collaboration required of professional musicians.

At Korowa, Taylor brings this real-world experience into every rehearsal and lesson, helping students develop technical skill, confidence and a genuine love of performance. His students benefit from learning with a teacher who understands music not only as a subject, but as a lifelong craft.

Before entering education, Jim Kalfas spent more than two decades working as a qualified dentist in private practice. After completing a Bachelor of Science at Monash University and a Bachelor of Dental Science at the University of Melbourne, he built a long professional career grounded in analytical thinking, precision, and clear communication, skills that now shape his approach to teaching mathematics and science at Korowa.

Alongside his clinical work, Jim developed a passion for mentoring young people through sport, coaching junior basketball for many years and completing Basketball Australia Level One coaching accreditation. This experience ultimately inspired a career change, leading him to complete a Graduate Certificate in Teaching at the University of Melbourne in 2015 and transition into the classroom.

Jim brings to Korowa a rare combination of scientific expertise, real-world professional experience and a deep commitment to student growth. His background in healthcare, coaching and lifelong learning allows him to connect academic concepts to practical application, helping students build confidence, curiosity and clarity in their understanding of science and mathematics.

Learning Support Officer Tiffany Healy built a career as a lawyer specialising in workplace mediation, conflict resolution and investigations before joining Korowa. Working in environments where communication, fairness and careful listening were essential, she developed deep expertise in helping people navigate complex situations, resolve disputes and rebuild professional relationships.

This background now informs Tiffany’s work in Learning Support at our School, where understanding individual needs, perspectives and challenges is central to helping students succeed. Her experience in mediation and investigation brings a calm, structured and compassionate approach to supporting students, families and colleagues.

Tiffany’s journey from education to legal practice to education once again reflects her commitment to people as much as process. At Korowa, students benefit from an educator who understands how strong communication, empathy and problem-solving skills can empower individuals to move forward with confidence.