Our people
Executive team
Professor Robert Parkes
Head of School
School of Education
- T: (02) 4985 4080
- E: robert.parkes@newcastle.edu.au
Molly O'Shea
School Executive Officer
School of Education
- T: (02) 4921 7896
- E: molly.oshea@newcastle.edu.au
Associate Professor Nick Riley
Acting Deputy Head of School, Teaching & Learning
School of Education
- T: +61 2 4985 4254
- E: nicholas.riley@newcastle.edu.au
Associate Professor Rachel Burke
Deputy Head of School, Research
School of Education
- T: (02) 4921 6707
- E: rachel.burke@newcastle.edu.au
Program convenors
A Program Convenor is the academic staff member with responsibility for the management and quality of a program or degree, and the courses offered within that program. Program Convenors review and endorse amendments to a student’s program of study, consider applications for credit, and provide recommendations on matters pertaining to progress, in consultation with the relevant Course Coordinator/s.
Undergraduate Programs
Associate Professor I-Fang Lee
Associate Professor
School of Education
Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood & Primary) Convenor
- i-fang.lee@newcastle.edu.au
- 0243484128
Dr Kate Ferguson-Patrick
Senior Lecturer
School of Education
Bachelor of Education (Primary) Convenor
- kate.fergusonpatrick@newcastle.edu.au
- 0249217764
Dr Robertson Burgess
Lecturer
School of Education
Bachelor of Education (Secondary) Convenor
- robertson.burgess@newcastle.edu.au
- 0240550737
Dr Jordan Smith
Senior Lecturer
School of Education
Education Honours Pathway Convenor
- jordan.smith@newcastle.edu.au
- educationhonours@newcastle.edu.au
Postgraduate Programs
Dr Amy McPherson
Senior Lecturer
School of Education
Master of Education, Professional Learning Convenor
Graduate Certificate in Education Convenor
- amy.mcpherson@newcastle.edu.au
- 0240550294
Associate Professor Jess Harris
Associate Professor
School of Education
Master of Leadership and Management in Education Convenor
- jess.harris@newcastle.edu.au
- 0249854548
Dr Carl Leonard
Senior Lecturer
School of Education
Master of Special and Inclusive Education Convenor
Graduate Certificate in Special and Inclusive Support Convenor
Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Disability Support Convenor
Graduate Certificate in Emotional and Behavioural Support in Education Convenor
Graduate Certificate in High Potential and Gifted Education Convenor
- carl.leonard@newcastle.edu.au
- 0249217795
Dr Katie Robinson
Lecturer
School of Education
Master of Teaching (Secondary) Convenor
- katie.robinson@newcastle.edu.au
- 0249215275
Professor Heather Sharp
Professor
School of Education
Graduate Certificate in Higher Education
- heather.sharp@newcastle.edu.au
- 0249218700
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.