Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Hobbies and Interests
Timeline
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SALLY HUNT

Ashtonfield,NSW

Summary

Over the past year, experience as a Student Learning Support Officer in a primary school has provided valuable insight into supporting students with diverse learning, behavioural, and medical needs, including ADHD, hearing impairment, and diabetes management. This role has strengthened expertise in implementing individual learning plans, assisting classroom programs, and fostering inclusive, engaging environments that enable all students to thrive.

More than two decades managing a busy household and raising five children have developed exceptional organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills. Extensive experience in child development and education, supported by years of foster care, has cultivated patience, empathy, and resilience—essential qualities for supporting student wellbeing and growth.

Holds a current Working With Children Check, First Aid Certificate, and is completing a Certificate IV in Educational Support. Maintains a long-standing connection with Hunter Valley Grammar School and a deep appreciation for its values and community.

A strong musical background, including accompanying students for AMEB examinations and choir performances, complements a creative approach to learning and student engagement. Demonstrates dedication to fostering positive relationships, promoting inclusion, and supporting students to achieve their full potential.

Overview

2026
2026
years of professional experience

Work History

Student Learning Support Officer

Vicki Sellens
01.2025 - Current
  • Supported classroom activities by preparing instructional materials and resources.
  • Assisted in maintaining a positive learning environment through student engagement strategies.
  • Collaborated with teachers to implement individualized support plans for diverse learners.
  • Monitored student behavior and provided guidance to ensure adherence to classroom rules.
  • Facilitated small group instruction to reinforce key concepts and skills effectively.
  • Participated in professional development workshops to enhance teaching methodologies.
  • Established routines and procedures that maximized time spent on instruction while minimizing classroom disruptions.
  • Delivered personalized educational, behavioral, and emotional support to individual students to enable positive learning outcomes.
  • Documented student behaviors, interventions, and outcomes to enable lead teacher to address pertinent issues.
  • Set up visual aids, equipment, and classroom displays to support teacher's lesson delivery.
  • Prepared instructional materials for group and one-on-one use to comply with established curriculum.
  • Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on educational trends and best practices, incorporating new ideas into the curriculum accordingly.
  • Promoted a positive learning environment by consistently enforcing classroom rules and expectations while fostering mutual respect among students.
  • Supported classroom maintenance and upkeep, organizing books, and materials.

Home Duties

Family Members
01.2001 - Current

Energetic professional with a wealth of highly transferable skills. Demonstrated ability to navigate a wide range of challenges while ensuring the streamlined, timely execution of critical tasks. Strong project management, problem-solving, and administrative talents with a keen talent for maintaining a positive environment while managing multiple competing priorities and needs.

  • Raised 5 children for the past 23 years
  • Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
  • Boosted children's confidence in their abilities through consistent positive reinforcement and encouragement whilst helping them with their home studies.
  • Supported children in their music instrument journey's through consistent encouragement and practise in order to achieve learning goals.
  • Accompanied on piano, children right up to and including 8th grade Violin AMEB exams as well as eisteddfods.
  • Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
  • Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
  • Managing family finances.
  • Cleaning and keeping the home tidy and organised.
  • Helping children with their homework.
  • Taxiing the children around from place to place.
  • Organising, planning and managing co-curricular activities for 5 children.
  • Planning, sourcing and preparing daily meals for a large family.

Joint Cattle Farm Owner

Own Business
01.2000 - 04.2024
  • Assisted in monitoring of livestock health and administered medication and vaccinations at established intervals.
  • Assisted in management of operational records, administrative needs and marketing plans to promote business and strengthen revenue streams.
  • Partook in the conducting of farm maintenance ensuring all structures/equipment were kept in good working order to prevent delaysdowntime.
  • Assisted in maintaining accurate financial records for budgeting purposes, enabling informed decision-making regarding operational investments.
  • Assisted in role out of farm safety protocols to minimize accidents and maintain a safe working environment.
  • Partook in farm operations for optimal efficiency, streamlining processes and reducing labor costs.
  • Cultivated strong relationships with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and other essential inputs at competitive prices.
  • Oversaw farm maintenance ensuring all structures/equipment were kept in good working order to prevent delaysdowntime.

Foster Carer

02.2015 - Current

Short term and long term carer. Court appointed guardian of 2 foster children who have been nurtured and cared for since their birth, over 9 years. Requiring a high level of care since birth. Children have high needs diagnosis such as global developmental delay, autism, ADHD and ODD.

  • Not only providing day-to-day care for the boys, have advocated on their behalf, supported their educational, health and social wellbeing, managed challenging behaviour.
  • Kept detailed records, attended meetings with agencies and caseworkers, a host of clinical specialists and educational support agencies. I have also facilitated the development of the boys own life skills.

Have highly developed qualities as a foster carer such as:

  • Strong communication skills - placing high priority on active listening not only to the children but to communicate regularly and effectively with different people in my children's support network. This includes social workers, doctors, teachers, therapists and the birth family.
  • Conflict resolution - staying calm in stressful situations is one of the key skills I have developed over my years as a carer as well as mother of 5 boys.
  • Empathy - Have a strong sense of empathy as a carer and as a mother.
  • Resilience - Have a thick skin when dealing with all the challenges faced with raising kids in out of home care.
  • Patience - Fostering children requires a lot of patience, as you need to work at their pace while still encouraging positive change.
  • Compassion - above all, am a highly compassionate person. Being kind and caring is pretty much the bread and butter when talking about skills and being a foster carer. Being placed into a new environment can cause all sorts of emotions to come out, having compassion is vital and a big part of who I am.
  • Maintained open communication with caseworkers and support teams to ensure that the needs of each child were being met effectively.

Choir Director

Self-employeed
08.2023 - 10.2025
  • Enhanced choir performance by implementing innovative rehearsal techniques and strategies.
  • Increased community engagement with regular public concerts and events showcasing the choir's talent.
  • Worked with adults and shaped approaches to align with participant experience level and musical knowledge.
  • Mentored individual choir members, providing personalized guidance on vocal technique, stage presence, and musicianship for improved performance quality.
  • Composed, arranged and led performances for both vocal and instrumental music.
  • Cultivated a positive rehearsal environment by fostering collaboration, mutual respect, and camaraderie among choir members.

Music Duo

Self Employed
01.2009 - Current

Member of Twist of Blue, a music duo comprising of myself as pianist, vocalist, cornet player, music arranger and music writer and Megan Edwards as vocalist, music arranger and functions coordinator.


Parent Volunteer

Gresford Public School
02.2012 - 12.2012
  • As a member of the parents committee, catered for a large annual fundraising function. Prepared a buffet style menu, sourcing local ingredients. Coordinated and catered for 120 people. This required excellent food preparation skills as well as the ability to plan and organize such an event.
  • Promoted a positive school culture by volunteering at various campus events, including dances, sporting events, and open houses.
  • Member of the Parent School Committee. Supported fundraising initiatives to raise funds for essential school resources and extracurricular programs.
  • Volunteered as a school canteen worker.

Volunteer

Gresford Public School
01.2011 - 12.2012
  • Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
  • Inspired students to explore their own personal spirituality by incorporating diverse religious perspectives into lessons.
  • Implemented engaging activities that encouraged students to apply religious concepts to real-life situations.
  • Engaged students by encouraging participation in class and sharing thoughts on subjects under discussion.

Volunteer

Lara Aged Care
01.2009 - Current
  • Music Duo 'Twist of Blue' provided musical entertainment for the residence of Lara Nursing home. Have performed at Lara several times over the past 5 years with a view to continuing. Each performance, Twist of Blue have the pleasure of joining the residence for lunch and a friendly chat.
  • Twist of Blue is a music group consisting of myself on keyboard, cornet and vocals and my colleague on Vocals.
  • Twist of Blue have provided music for Anzac day Services, Australia Day Services, Walk for Cancer fundraisers as well as charity street performances.
  • Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
  • Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
  • Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.

Volunteer

St Mary's Catholic Church
01.2003 - 12.2014
  • Enhanced congregation experience by selecting and performing appropriate organ music for weekly services.
  • Established relationships with guest musicians and organized special performances to further enrich the worship experience.
  • Assisted in planning special services such as weddings, funerals, and holiday events to meet specific musical needs.
  • Participated in regular staff meetings to ensure clear communication between church leadership and music ministry team members.
  • Prepared arrangements of hymns or anthems as needed, tailoring them for congregational singing or choir performances.
  • Rewrote original scores to adapt to different musical genres and styles.
  • Selected and led congregation in different hymns and praise songs.
  • Performed pieces on piano and keyboard for special occasions.

Volunteer Choir Director

St Josephs Catholic School
02.2009 - 12.2010
  • Inspired a love of choral music in students, leading to an increase in choir participation and student retention.
  • Prepared and arranged music for school choir, providing personalized guidance on vocal technique, stage presence, and musicianship for improved performance quality.
  • Conducted weekly rehearsals to keep performers prepared for performances.

Coffee Shop Allrounder

Twin Rivers Cafe
  • Prepared beverages such as coffee drinks, smoothies, juices and teas according to recipes
  • Managed closing duties such as counting cash drawers at end of shift
  • Followed all safety guidelines including proper food handling techniques
  • Demonstrated ability to work quickly and accurately in high-pressure environments
  • Prepared large quantities of food items according to recipes or specific customer orders
  • Baked cakes and slices to a high standard

Assistant Cook

Treetops Restaurant
02.2000 - 09.2001
  • Coordinated with other staff members to ensure efficient service operations
  • Collaborated with team members to develop cost-effective strategies for menu planning
  • Assisted Head Cook in creating new recipes and menus
  • Ensured all food products were stored correctly according to health regulations
  • Operated ovens, grills, deep-fryers and other kitchen equipment safely and effectively
  • Displayed excellent multitasking abilities while managing a variety of tasks simultaneously
  • Monitored quality control of ingredients used in all dishes prepared
  • Demonstrated exceptional customer service skills by greeting customers, taking orders and answering questions in a timely manner
  • Cleaned work area including countertops, tables and floors after each shift

Education

Certificate III - Medical Administration in Business Administration

TAFE NSW
07.2024

Undergraduate Certificate - Introduction to Nursing

Charles Darwin University
04.2022

Diploma - Associate Music Australia - Piano Practical

Australian Music Examinations Board
05.1994

Skills

    • Time Management

    • Dependable and Responsible

    • Excellent verbal and written communication skills

    • Problem-Solving abilities

    • Compassionate and respectful

    • Strong Ethics

    • Supportive Companionship

    • Teamwork and Collaboration

    • Active Listening

    • Self Motivation

    • Conflict Resolution

    • Professionalism

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Hobbies and Interests

  • Love being a mum.
  • Volunteer Work
  • Getting involved in local advocacy groups to promote positive change in the community.
  • Passionate musician. Highly skilled classical pianist and cornet player with a love of singing and playing the guitar.
  • Enjoy performing with music duo at fundraising events, community events and nursing homes.
  • Passionate about balancing physical health with mental and emotional wellness.
  • Growing herbs, vegetables, or fruits in home gardens.
  • I enjoy cooking for friends and family gatherings.

Timeline

Student Learning Support Officer

Vicki Sellens
01.2025 - Current

Choir Director

Self-employeed
08.2023 - 10.2025

Foster Carer

02.2015 - Current

Parent Volunteer

Gresford Public School
02.2012 - 12.2012

Volunteer

Gresford Public School
01.2011 - 12.2012

Volunteer Choir Director

St Josephs Catholic School
02.2009 - 12.2010

Music Duo

Self Employed
01.2009 - Current

Volunteer

Lara Aged Care
01.2009 - Current

Volunteer

St Mary's Catholic Church
01.2003 - 12.2014

Home Duties

Family Members
01.2001 - Current

Assistant Cook

Treetops Restaurant
02.2000 - 09.2001

Joint Cattle Farm Owner

Own Business
01.2000 - 04.2024

Certificate III - Medical Administration in Business Administration

TAFE NSW

Undergraduate Certificate - Introduction to Nursing

Charles Darwin University

Diploma - Associate Music Australia - Piano Practical

Australian Music Examinations Board

Coffee Shop Allrounder

Twin Rivers Cafe
SALLY HUNT