Meet our Teachers
Please click on the photos below for a brief introduction from each teacher.
Tim Shields
Principal
Tim grew up in Sydney and began teaching there after a number of years working in the property industry. He has taught in a wide variety of contexts including a remote aboriginal community, England, Thailand and in the Hunter Valley. Tim completed his undergraduate degree at Macquarie University and is currently completing postgraduate study. Prior to taking on the principal role at ACC Singleton, Tim was the inaugural Head of Senior School at St Philip's Christian College in Cessnock, a role he held for 8 years. During this time, he successfully added Years 9 to 12, including overseeing the first graduating HSC students and was instrumental in securing the establishment of the Trade Training Facility onsite. Tim is passionate about building strong teams who bring about significant growth and change in communities where people can thrive. Tim and his wife have 3 active boys who enjoy playing sports and travelling.
Allan Perry
Allan has been teaching at the school since 2007 and has a Bachelor of Education (Honours) from Newcastle University. He also holds an electrician’s licence having worked in the electrical industry for over 25 years prior to becoming a teacher. Allan is married with three children and five grandchildren. Allan teaches Design & Technology, Electronics and Timber Technology. When he is not making or fixing something, Allan is surfing at his local beach in Newcastle.
Amelia Billingham
Amelia completed a Bachelor of Health & Physical Education at the University of Newcastle in 2018. On weekends, she enjoys playing soccer & oztag; and stand up paddle boarding with her husband. Amelia attends Gospel Church in Branxton where she serves in several ministries including youth group and on the music team. At ACC, Amelia loves to grow and develop young people in all aspects of life but especially through sport and creative arts.
Belinda Solomons
Belinda completed a Bachelor of Education (Primary) at Avondale College. She appreciates being part of a community where all students and families are valued, supported and shown the love of Christ. Belinda takes great delight in seeing a student’s face light up when they grasp a concept for the first time. In Belinda’s spare time, she enjoys scrapbooking, photography, playing soccer with the church team and spending time with my 2 dogs and my husband.
Beth Griffiths
Beth is a mum of two, wife, daughter, friend, reader and creator. She loves to make things, most anything she will have a go at creating. Beth’s a believer in the famous quote “to practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow”. She is also a believer in Jesus, that lifelong learning is both a joy and priceless, and that coffee makes the world go round.
"I love teaching because kids have such a great sense of wonder about the world and it is a joy to assist them in exploring their curiosity."
Kadi Hackett
Cheree Thurlow
Cheree always wanted to be a teacher but God led her down the path of banking, finance, business administration and management until a few years ago when she completed her Bachelor of Education (Primary). She worked at several schools around Newcastle and Lake Macquarie and also as an educator in a tutoring business, before moving to the New South Wales mid north coast where she taught Year 3 for two years.
Claire Lightfoot
Claire completed her tertiary education in Sydney before moving to the Hunter Valley. She is passionate about giving every child in her care the opportunity to reach their potential. Claire wants her students to know that they are valued, and that God has a plan and a purpose for their lives. She loves spending time reading, being creative and enjoying my garden. Claire attends a small church with her husband and enjoys connecting with others.
Eliza Kelly
Eliza loves to learn, which is why she is so passionate about education. Eliza is constantly looking to learn new things. When she is not reading, Eliza loves to be active. She plays between 3-5 sports competitively. Eliza also loves spending time with friends and eating good food. One of her favourite reminders from the gospel is that Jesus loved a good dinner party. These times were invaluable for encouragement, personal reflection and teaching.
Elizabeth Little
Born in Scotland, Elizabeth has a Bachelor of Education and has taught in Christian Education both in Queensland and in NSW. Elizabeth has been married for 23 years and is a mother of 2 teenage boys who constantly keep her busy with their sport. Elizabeth counts it an honour to be a part of such a committed staff team. She has lead worship at her church for a number of years and has also run children’s church.
Janine Knight
Janine began teaching in Sydney and later moved to a small town in Victoria. Here she met her husband Daniel and taught for 6 years in a one teacher school. They now live in the Hunter valley with two teenage sons. Janine is an enthusiastic teacher who aims to actively engage her students in their learning and provide multiple opportunities for them to experience success. Janine enjoys time spent with family, renovating and drinking coffee.
"I love being part of little peoples’ lives and helping them to strive and achieve great things."
Belinda Solomons
Kadi Hackett
Kadi completed her Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Arts (Hons) integrated double degree and her Masters of Educational Studies (Distinction) at the University of Newcastle. She has spent time working with a school in Uganda on developing curriculum and professional development. Kadi is passionate about making the curriculum accessible for all students so that everyone can experience success in learning. When not teaching, Kadi loves spending time with her family, playing board games, bush walking and baking.
Kara Williams
Kara has always had a passion for working with young people. Right out of school she completed her Bachelor of Education (Primary) degree at Avondale College and went straight into full time work. Kara is grateful for the opportunity to invest into the lives of young people. Relationships are one of the most important things to Kara and outside the classroom you will usually find her connecting with church friends, family and other young mothers.
Katie Higgins
Katie completed a Bachelor of Music (Honours), Bachelor of Arts and Grad Dip Ed at the University of Melbourne. Having moved with her husband and four boys to the Newcastle region, she is thrilled to share her passions of Music and Language with the students. She has taught in many settings and most enjoys getting to know students and their families and seeing students grow. Her spare time is spent playing music and cheering at her childrens' sporting events.
Katie Kelly
Katie wanted to be a teacher from her earliest memories, although she started her career in agriculture, before completing a teaching degree at the University of New England in the early 2000s. She loves helping others learn and grow. When Katie’s not teaching, she enjoys spending time with her four children or working with her husband in the garden and admiring their liquid ambers. Katie also loves taking their two dogs Apollo and Gus for walks.
Kimarie Buettel
Kimarie has a Master's in Educational Leadership and holds Special Ed qualifications. She has been the Head of Learning Support in a large K-12 school, and is primary trained. Kimarie has lived in the Hunter Valley for 18 years and has three children, the eldest is studying at university and the younger two actively involved in sport. She enjoys travelling overseas and on the weekends, loves catching up with friends for coffee and reading a good book.
Lynda Armstrong
Lynda is the Year 2 class teacher, Literacy and Numeracy Leader and Instructional Leader at ACC Singleton. She has been part of the ACC community for over 10 years. Lynda first became part of ACC when she home educated her four daughters and help to lead the ACC Distance Education Camps. She has pastored with her husband for some 25 years and has loved sharing her love of Jesus Christ. Lynda loves helping students thrive.
Marney Meredith
Marney began teaching in 1987 and remains just as fervent about education and young people today. English is her passion and she strives to create an environment where students are challenged, love to learn and confidently take academic risks. She thinks there is nothing better than journeying with students as they collaborate, innovate and create. Marney values ACC’s learning community where relationships are paramount and where Jesus is at the heart of all we do.
Michael Ey
Michael grew up on a sugar cane farm in North Queensland. On completing his secondary education, he attended university and accepted a teaching position at a small school in Innisfail. He has since taught in Mackay, Brisbane, Port Stephens, Cessnock, Chinchilla and now Singleton. Regardless of where Michael is teaching, his passion for children is evident. Whilst Michael genuinely loves teaching Chemistry and Physics, the subject he is most passionate about teaching is Mathematics.
“To me it's all about the students, from something as simple to imparting a new skill, to being a mentor to enrich a life!”
Allan Perry
Shaun Kelly
When Shaun isn’t at school or doing lesson preparation, you'll find him doing one of five things - pottering in the garden, working on improvements to their home, watching a Netflix mini-series, reflecting on my relationship with God or finally - following sport. While he was once an Australian rules football player these days he’s content to be a supporter. He no longer lives in Perth, but he still cheers for the mighty West Coast Eagles.
iPad
Any one of the following iPad models is suitable:
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation)
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2nd generation)
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (1st generation)
- 11.0 -inch iPad Pro
- 10.5-inch iPad Pro
- 9.7-inch iPad Pro
- iPad Air 2
- IPad Air (3rd generation)
- iPad (5th generation)
- iPad (6th generation)
- iPad (7th generation)
All iPads should have the latest iPadOS (Device software) installed ( Version 13.1.3, released October 15, 2019) available via the software update process.
For those students completing ACER or NAPLAN testing, headphones are required in addition to the device. It is advised that a suitable iPad case or cover (No larger than 23CM in total width, for classroom management) should be purchased to protect the device.
Please note: iPad Mini, iPad Mini 2, 3, 4 or 5th Generation devices are not accepted by NAPLAN due to the compatibility of the lockdown browser.
iPad
Any one of the following iPad models is suitable:
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation)
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2nd generation)
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (1st generation)
- 11.0 -inch iPad Pro
- 10.5-inch iPad Pro
- 9.7-inch iPad Pro
- iPad Air 2
- IPad Air (3rd generation)
- iPad (5th generation)
- iPad (6th generation)
- iPad (7th generation)
All iPads should have the latest iPadOS (Device software) installed ( Version 13.1.3, released October 15, 2019) available via the software update process.
For those students completing ACER or NAPLAN testing, headphones are required in addition to the device. It is advised that a suitable iPad case or cover (No larger than 23CM in total width, for classroom management) should be purchased to protect the device.
Please note: iPad Mini, iPad Mini 2, 3, 4 or 5th Generation devices are not accepted by NAPLAN due to the compatibility of the lockdown browser.
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch - Mid 2012 or newer models
Minimum specification:
- 1.8GHz Processor or higher
- 128GB Storage or higher
- 4GB RAM or higher
All Macbooks should have the latest Mac OS (Device software) installed (Mojave 10.14.6 released September 2019) via the software update process.
For those students completing ACER or NAPLAN testing, headphones are required in addition to the device. It is advised that a suitable case or cover should also be purchased to protect the device. If purchasing a MacBook Air 2018 with USB-C, its recommended a USB-C to USB adapter be purchased to ensure compatibility with USB device usage, if required.
Click option for device specifications.
ACC partners with two resellers to assist our families with competitive Apple pricing. Both resellers offer secure portals from which parents are able to purchase their children’s devices.


