Our staff

Principal 

Wendy Barwell

Our principal, Wendy Barwell has a Bachelor of Education (primary) and has taught in several schools throughout Sydney. Prior to her principalship at RPA Hospital School, Wendy was the Network Specialist Facilitator for the NSW Department of Education, Northern Sydney networks, focused on strengthening interagency partnerships to ensure young people were supported and engaged in education. Her knowledge and experiences have been pivotal to the transformation of the RPA Hospital School and its service delivery.  Wendy is married with an adult son, and is also fortunate to have a large extended, blended family. She is a keen traveller, loves to sing and walks the coastal tracks regularly.  

Assistant Principal 

Linda Brooke-Smith

Assistant Principal, Linda Brooke-Smith has a Bachelor of Education K-6 and has been teaching for 33 years in Public and Independent schools throughout NSW. She is passionate about the education of children and believes working with students every day to be an absolute privilege. Teaching at RPA Hospital School, has allowed Linda to work with students individually, connecting them to their learning, home school and community. Linda is married to Geoff (31 years) and they have 2 daughters, Molly 28 and Lucy 25. She enjoys sailing on the weekends.

Teachers 

Jamie Regoli

Jamie Regoli is a dedicated educator who has a passion for teaching in an inclusive learning environment. She studied a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth-12) and during her 8 years of teaching experience, she has taught in public and independent schools throughout Sydney and in London. Jamie feels privileged to have the opportunity to work at RPA Hospital School and believes that when education and health work collaboratively, they can provide students with incredible support, care, and learning opportunities. Jamie loves spending time with family and friends, and you’ll often find her outdoors in nature, playing sport and doing Pilates.

Claire Brickley

Claire Brickley is an enthusiastic, motivated and sociable teacher with 14 years expereinces teaching K-6 across the Catholic system. She holds a Bachelor and Masters of Education. She has also trained as an interior designer, yoga and meditation teacher. Claire chose to teach in the hospital space in order to make meaningful connections with children and their families. Originally from Ireland, Claire loves spending time immersed in nature with her little family.

Student Learning Support Officers

Sloane Nicholls

Sloane Nicholls is one of the Student Learning Support Officers at RPA Hospital School and absolutely loves her role here. She was drawn to the hospital education space through her strong passion for helping those in need and the drive to learn about how hospital schools aid in therapeutic care and wellbeing of children. She utilises her data analysis skills and knowledge acquired through her studies in clinical science and applied statistics within her role here, and soon she will be studying to be a Doctor of Medicine to begin a career in Forensic Pathology. On her days off she enjoys going on bush walks with her schipperke Raven and immersing herself in fantasy universes through board games, video games and novels.  

Hilana Alouani-Roby

Hilana is one of our part-time School Learning Support Officers at RPA Hospital School. Having recently completed a Master of Speech Language Pathology at USYD, she is a practising paediatric and adult Speech and Language Pathologist at a private clinic. Hilana also holds a Bachelor of Languages and Linguistics and a Master of Conference Interpreting and Translation from the UK. Hilana is passionate about advocating for children and their families and helping to connect students to their learning. When not at work, Hilana spends her time training as an opera singer, and going on runs with her Australian Shepherd Zarkie.

School Administrative Manager

Donna Maxfield

Donna Maxfield is the School Administrative Manager and has been employed at the RPA Hospital School since 2009. She has a very broad skillset, including graphic design, information technology and accounting. Donna has a keen passion for animals and spends her spare time crocheting and getting to know her new granddaughter, Ruby.