Our people
Executive team
Professor Robert Parkes
Dean of Education and Head of School
School of Education
- T: (02) 4985 4080
- E: robert.parkes@newcastle.edu.au
Brie Valentisch
School Executive Officer
School of Education
- T: (02) 4921 7946
- E: brie.valentisch@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
Professor Scott Imig
Acting Deputy Head of School, Research and Research Training
School of Education
- T: (02) 4921 7956
- E: scott.imig@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
Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood & Primary) Convenor
School of Education
- i-fang.lee@newcastle.edu.au
- 0243484128
Dr Kate Ferguson-Patrick
Bachelor of Education (Primary) Convenor
School of Education
- kate.fergusonpatrick@newcastle.edu.au
- 0249217764
Dr Robertson Burgess
Bachelor of Education (Secondary) Convenor
School of Education
- robertson.burgess@newcastle.edu.au
- 0240550737
Dr Jordan Smith
Education Honours Pathway Convenor
School of Education
- jordan.smith@newcastle.edu.au
- educationhonours@newcastle.edu.au
Dr Tess Rendoth
Special & Inclusive Education Pathway Convenor
School of Education
- tess.rendoth@newcastle.edu.au
- 49215707
Postgraduate Programs
Dr Amy McPherson
Master of Education, Professional Learning Convenor
Graduate Certificate in Education Convenor
School of Education
- amy.mcpherson@newcastle.edu.au
- 0240550294
Associate Professor Jess Harris
Master of Leadership and Management in Education Convenor
School of Education
- jess.harris@newcastle.edu.au
- 0249854548
Dr Carl Leonard
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
School of Education
- carl.leonard@newcastle.edu.au
- 0249217795
Dr Katie Robinson
Master of Teaching (Secondary) Convenor
School of Education
- katie.robinson@newcastle.edu.au
- 0249215275
Professor Heather Sharp
Graduate Certificate in Higher Education
School of 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.