Mary MacDonald
Donvale,VIC
Summary
Focus on building strong relationships to enhance learning environments. Prioritize unconditional regard for students and colleagues to support pedagogical growth. Foster collaboration and curiosity to develop confident learners who value both the journey and the outcome.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Visual Arts Junior School
Korowa Anglican Girls’ School
Melbourne, VIC
01.2018 - Current
- Lead the Visual Arts program in alignment with the School’s vision and strategic goals, delivering a rich and inspiring Arts education from ELC3 to Year 7
- Design and implement a curriculum that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and authentic, real-world learning opportunities
- Actively collaborate with Visual Arts colleagues and the Heads of Department team to strengthen whole-school initiatives and embed the Arts across the curriculum
- Place student engagement and wellbeing at the centre of practice, supported by ongoing professional learning in Child Safety and Child First principles
- Create dynamic and inclusive learning environments through the design and oversight of stimulating spaces and the curation of artworks across the School
- Draw on current research and best practice in Arts education to ensure innovative, high-quality learning experiences for all students
- Manage a $10,000 annual budget responsibly, ensuring effective resourcing and program delivery that maximises student opportunities and outcomes
- Inspire creativity, confidence, and a lifelong appreciation of the Arts within the School community
- Communicating effectively with a range of stakeholders, including Executive team, teachers, Curriculum Coordinator
- Establishment of a scope and sequence for the Visual Arts program aligned with the School Strategic Plan
- Student lead exhibitions, ‘Art and other Sensory tales’
- Being part of the STEAM Entrepreneurship projects
- STEAM and Technology innovator and initiator
- After school Art Club to extend and support student learning
- Year 6 Student’s Artwork as the chosen winner of the Kelly O’Dwyer Christmas Card Competition
- Organising and attending three Year 6 Camps to Canberra, to visit the NGV Gallery (2019, 2020, 2021)
- 2020 Online Art Exhibitions
- Working with Artist in Residence Lisa Roet and Maryanne Moodie
- Organising Indigenous Artist Glen Loughery incursion
- In charge of Make-up for School Productions (Wizard of Oz 2021, High School Musical 2021, Beauty and the Beast 2022, Annie 2023, Matilda 2024, The Addams Family 2025, Frozen 2025) Led the end-to-end coordination of props, costumes, and makeup across multiple large-scale productions.
- Developed and managed production schedules, ensuring timely delivery of all stage requirements.
- Oversaw budgets, sourcing, and resource allocation to support cost-effective and efficient outcomes.
- Directed and supervised teams of staff, students, and volunteers to achieve smooth backstage operations.
- Established systems for inventory management, organisation, and safe storage of props and costumes.
- Provided logistical support during rehearsals and live performances, ensuring seamless execution.
Visual Arts Teacher
Huntingtower Co-Educational Day and Boarding School
01.2017 - 12.2017
- Working with teachers and leaders to deliver a stimulating and vibrant Arts program to the Junior School
- Using current documentation processes to record and assess student progression
- Assist and collaborate with Heads of Departments to curate the annual Art Exhibition.
Visual Arts Coordinator and Specialist Team Leader
Box Hill North Primary School
01.2005 - 12.2017
- Curriculum Design and Development- Scope and Sequence Review, in alignment with the School Strategic Plan
- School council Staff Representative, presenting to the parent body on High Impact Teaching Strategies
- Consultative committee member, working on new school initiatives in the sustainability areas.
- Leader of Professional Learning Team
- Live Life Coordinator- Mentor and Supervisor
- Arts Festival Coordinator
- Student welfare and program management
- Implementation of new values program
- Resilience Project initiator
- Facilities Development and Management – Liaising with School Council
- Managing and recording the Visual Arts budget successfully
Education
Bachelor of Art / Education -
Deakin University
Burwood, VIC01.2003
Bachelor Public Relations / Marketing -
RMIT
Melbourne, VIC01.1999
Skills
- Visual art practitioner
- Student relationship building
- Strategic thinking
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Opportunity identification
- Budget management
- Active listening
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Digital tools proficiency
- Assessment writing
Vit Registration Number
319346
Group Exhibitions
- 2025, Little Masterpieces, Gallery Ranfurlie, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA
- 2024, Big Ideas, Small Hands, Gallery Ranfurlie, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA
- 2023, Imagine That!, Gallery Ranfurlie, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA
- 2022, Colour My World, Gallery Ranfurlie, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA
- 2021, Young Creators’, Gallery Ranfurlie, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA
- 2020, Shapes & Stories, Gallery Ranfurlie, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA
- 2019, Dream. Draw. Discover., Gallery Ranfurlie, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA
- 2018, The Joy of Art, Gallery Ranfurlie, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA
View Samples
#artsatkorowa
#korowa
School Productions
- Wizard of Oz, 2021
- High School Musical, 2021
- Beauty and the Beast, 2022
- Annie, 2023
- Matilda, 2024
- The Addams Family, 2025
- Frozen, 2025
Other PD
- Digital Literacies scope and sequence Dr Adrian Bertollini
- Managing Classroom Interactions – Maria LaSelva
- Integrating ICT and Multimedia in 21st Century Schools
- Several Domestika courses, Watercolour painting, Gouache painting, Paper Mache, Printmaking
- Skill Share, Subscription
Teaching Philosophy
Creating a space where relationships are paramount is vital to a productive and dynamic learning environment. An authentic emphasis on fostering unconditional regard for students and colleagues alike, creates the base line on which pedagogical philosophy, learning, growth and opportunity can flourish. By encouraging a collaborative and curious approach to learning and a growth mindset in ourselves, we as educators, can model and promote confident learners who embrace authentic experiences and embrace the journey along with the destination.
Professional Development
- Curriculum & pedagogy
- Driving Deep and surface Learning – Ryan Dunn
- Critical Thinking – Maria Ruberto
- Design Thinking – Intuyu Consulting
- UMNOS writing & Higher Order Thinking Skills
- Tracey Ezzard – Where Are We Heading? - School Vision
- Student wellbeing & First Aid
- Anaphylaxis and Asthma 2021
- AEV Transitions 7-10 Symposium
- VIT Non Government Schools- Protecting Children Mandatory Reporting
- HLTAID009 - Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Anaphylaxis and Asthma 2025
- Victorian Indigenous Education Workshop VIEN - Visual Art Curriculum co-development project
- Resilience in Adolescents – Maria Ruberto
- STEAM training – PD – incorporating STEAM into the classroom - GROWTH mindset – Jessica Riley PD based on the research of Carol Dweck
- Child Protection and Respectful Relationships – Maria Ruberto
- 55 Model - Understanding Self and Others – Christine Collins
- Kids matter
- Ignite, Innovate and Integrate
- Positive School Conference – Melbourne Convention Centre
- Leadership
- Educator Impact: Setting Objectives: Liana Gooch
- Educator Impact: Feedback and Summary: Liana Gooch
- Julie Chandler - Creating a High Performance Learning Culture
- School Improvement Team member (SIT) Representing the specialist team
- Leaders in the Making Program – Geoff Barclay – 1 year leadership program
References
- Mrs Francis Booth, Principal, Korowa Anglican Girls School, fbooth@korowa.vic.edu.au, +61 3 8808 8888
- Ms Kerry Irvine, Head of Junior School, Korowa Anglican Girls’ School, kirvine@korowa.vic.edu.au, +61 3 8808 8888
- Ms Sally Walk, Head of Visual Arts Department- Senior School, Korowa Anglican Girls School, swalk@korowa.vic.edu.au
- Ms Jo Lombardo, Visual Communication & Design Teacher, Korowa Anglican Girls School, jlombardo@korowa.vic.edu.au, 0401 418 355
- Mr Steve Donohue, Assistant Principal, Wattle Park Primary School, +61 3 9808 2165, 0438 591 798
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Head of Visual Arts Junior School
Korowa Anglican Girls’ School
01.2018 - Current
Visual Arts Teacher
Huntingtower Co-Educational Day and Boarding School
01.2017 - 12.2017
Visual Arts Coordinator and Specialist Team Leader
Box Hill North Primary School
01.2005 - 12.2017
Bachelor of Art / Education -
Deakin University
Bachelor Public Relations / Marketing -
RMIT