PEITA MAGES

Peita is a Minister’s Award for Excellence in Teaching recipient (for achieving record-breaking HSC results – but shhhh don’t tell her, she’ll get a big head). She is a teacher trainer, expert speaker and lover of literature. She’s a pusher and is renowned for her dogged determination to help her students achieve incredible results. Prior to teaching, Peita worked in the film industry for Walt Disney Pictures, Sony Pictures and Universal Pictures as a National Publicity and Promotions Manager. Hobbies include baking at inappropriate hours and lurking outside of her comfort zone. Snickerdoodle Cookies (look them up, they’re to die for) are her vice.

ROB MAGES

Rob absolutely HATED Mathematics as a child (unlike a lot of Maths teachers) and we think this is the precise reason he’s so darned good at explaining its tricky concepts to students. His background in the corporate sector means that he always links his teaching of mathematical concepts to a real-world setting, tackling the ‘when will I EVER use this in my life’ question, head on! His never give up mentality is known to rub off on his students and he is forever providing outside of hours support to Cookies stuck on particular maths problems. He is a prime target for any student selling charity chocolates and has opted for the full box more times than he will admit. He’s also a mean basketball player (his Cookies say he’s pretty nimble for an old fella!) A soft (non-crunchy) choc-chip cookie is the way to his heart.

AMY PROUDFORD-NALDER

We don’t think we’ve ever met an English teacher as beloved as Amy! She is a mum of 3 who adores animals, books and anything to do with Jane Austen. After practising as a litigation lawyer in Sydney and country NSW for over 10 years, Amy decided to become an English teacher – and boy are her students (and us) glad! Amy’s favourite aspect of teaching (apart from talking about books) is watching students make progress. Those “lightbulb moments” when students come up with their own great ideas after a class discussion are her jam! A total over-achiever, Amy is currently half way through her PhD in Law and English Literature and in her spare time enjoys reading, going to the theatre and ballet, and watching F1 motor racing. Amy’s favourite cookie is the good old Mint Slice!

RICK BOWMAN

Rick Bowman, AKA CCA’s Godfather of Maths has been teaching the subject for a staggering 50 years! A former Principal, but like all the best teachers, Rick is happiest in the classroom, and his greatest enjoyment comes from students saying “I finally get it!” He’s known for converting students who HATE Maths into finding their groove in the subject and maybe even growing to like it! Cookies lucky enough to score Rick can expect him to ask plenty of questions and continuously be checking for understanding… “Do you get it?” “Does that make sense?” “Can I explain it another way?” …and we reckon this, along with his wicked sense of humour, is his secret sauce! Maths was Rick’s third best subject at school (after Chemistry and Latin) and he has been on many quiz shows over the years. He was also an Australian spelling champion (on ABC TV) when he was in Year 9, so CCA English teachers had better watch their step! Rick’s favourite cookie is the Anzac Biscuit – Aussie, Aussie, Aussie all the way!

DENISE TAYLOR

Denise has a love of Science that is almost impossible to describe. When you talk to her about her experience teaching Biology, her eyes begin to sparkle and it’s clear to see that her fascination with Science rubs off on her students as she achieves consistent Band 6’s in what is a very tricky subject! Her passion to help students score careers in Science and her joy for teaching Biology is undeniable and Cookies who already know her absolutely corroborate this. In her spare time you might find Denise cruising in her iron man car listening to country and western music or munching on an Arnott’s Crown. Her favourite motto, ‘Feel the fear and do it anyway’ drives her to seize opportunities like working at CCA and we are so excited to have her on Team Cookie!

ROSIE BAXTER

Rosie is one of those rare teaching gems that wins kids over within minutes. Her love of English is so infectious that our Cookies can’t help getting swept up in a good old fashion love affair with texts they’re studying at school and CCA. A globetrotter before teaching, Rosie studied international and global studies, lived in London and Mexico City, had a career in Unions and volunteered in the non-for-profit sector supporting asylum seekers. She also follows our fine staff tradition of over-achieving, winning the Rural NSW Teacher Scholarship, Teachers Federation Future Teacher Scholarship and National Bell Shakespeare Teacher Mentorship. Cookies can expect a whole lot of exploration, fun and writing finesse from sessions with Rosie, AND to feel empowered as she believes there are no wrong answers as long as you can justify them! Rosie is a fan of Ben and Jerry’s Cookie Dough ice-cream and locally enjoys a Racine cookie or four!

LIV GRABHAM

You know that teacher that primary aged kiddies run at full speed towards to give a big hug? That’s our Liv! Currently kicking goals in the classroom as a full time teacher, Liv manages to find time in her busy hockey playing, musical doing, Harry Potter reading life to blow our Cookies’ minds! She’s a jokester and Cookies will love the way she inserts humour into her teaching. Cookies love learning from Liv and we are sure her sessions are going to be a hot ticket! Her favourite Cookie? Macadamia and White Chocolate Chip and we reckon if she’s a bit nutty she’s going to fit in around here just fine!

SAM PROUDFOOT

Sam Proudfoot is one helluva human and teacher. He won us over with his caring nature in interview and his absolute obsession with ‘leaving kids better than how you found them’ approach. Sam’s fascination with Chemistry pumps in his blood and he regularly comes out with comments like “the atoms you are made of are older than Earth itself! Hard not to be amazed by that!” His sessions ensure Cookies feel more confident when they leave than when they arrived as he’s always breaking tricky Chemistry concepts down in a way that prompts those ‘AHA’ moments. Sam’s a jokester and Cookies always comment that sessions disappear in a flash due to his comedic timing. For example, he’s keen for you to know that he wasthe reigning Gunnedah High Handball Champion for two years in a row. LOL. Sam’s favourite cookie turns out to be a ham and cheese toastie, but we won’t hold that against him!

HAIDEE PRIEST

They broke the ‘kindness and awesome human’ mould when they made Haidee. A career veteran of a whopping 28 years of Primary Teaching, Haidee is driven by the belief that every child can succeed when they feel supported, understood and encouraged. Ding, ding, ding…she’s CCA material! Haidee gets that seeing confidence grow is just as exciting as seeing academic results and relishes a career where she can talk dinosaurs, fractions, space and stories all before lunch! Cookies can expect a warm welcome, plenty of encouragement and learning that feels achievable. Expect laughter and someone who genuinely celebrates effort just as much as success. And with Haidee’s million-watt-smile, boy, will Cookies feel pumped to work with her! Haidee quite enjoys an Anzac biscuit (both baking and eating them) so we’ll meet you at her house at 4PM this Thursday for a cuppa and an Anzac LOL!

ADRIA HERTEL

We first met Adria when she was delivering HSC English Bootcamps at the Central West and Virtual HSC Revision Days. She knew her stuff and we knew we wanted some of what she was cookin’! And the rest is history. 

Adria has been co-marking and providing feedback at CCA since 2023 and our Cookies love the special brand of tough-love she delivers on their drafts. Adria has been a Secondary English Teacher since 2009 and has taught every Stage 6 English Course. She also has 5 years of HSC marking experience making her the perfect fit to deliver phenomenal feedback to our lucky, lucky Cookies! Adria also loves a cuppa (as you can see in this pic) and a Tim Tam, cause clearly she has impeccable taste in both employers and cookies!