School Board

Principal
Shelley Collins – currently on leave

Annette Hopkinson
Acting Principal

I started my teaching career with 3 years at a mainstream school in a small wheatbelt town, and then I applied for a job at the NEMLDC! I started here in 2002 and am passionate about working with children with DLD and their families to help them achieve to their full potential. I have worked across many different NEMLDC sites and all year levels. I have worked with the Outreach team delivering professional learning to staff from mainstream schools, both in the metro area and the wheatbelt. I have been the ICT coordinator, Technologies coordinator and STEM coach and I love to spark children’s curiosity and to encourage them to use their oral language to explore the world around them in interesting ways. In more recent years I have been an Associate Principal based at the North Balga Campus.

This year I am privileged to be given the opportunity be the Principal, to support staff to make our school exceptional, and to be able to be there for students and families in their educational journey.

Chair of the Board
Jessica Paterni – Community Representative

My name is Jessica, and I am a community representative and current Chair of the School Board. I first became involved with the school in 2023 as a parent when my son commenced Pre-Primary. From the beginning, our family experienced exceptional kindness, support, and care from staff and the wider school community, and the progress made during this time was significant.

I joined the School Board in 2024 to give back to the school that supported our family so positively. Serving on the Board has provided valuable insight into the school’s operations, strategic goals, and achievements. I am now entering my second year as Chair and value working alongside dedicated school leaders who are deeply committed to supporting students with DLD through strong governance and ongoing professional learning.

Professionally, I am a Registered Nurse with 15 years’ experience and also lecture nursing students at TAFE. These roles have reinforced the importance of advocacy, education, and empowerment. I value the opportunity to continue supporting the school community and contributing to its ongoing success.

Karolina Berson
Parent Representative

As a mum of a daughter who has progressed so quickly and happily at NEMLDC, I am honoured to be a parent representative.

I have experience working in a range of small businesses including my own and have worked in Federal Government investigative and project management roles for the past 9 years.

I’m thrilled to be part of a school and board that works tirelessly to give children with DLD the best education and support possible.

I look forward to aligning my interests and strengths of building engagement, supporting learning differences and making things happen to contribute to this beautiful school and its families.

Kelly Wheeler
Parent/Carer Representative

As a proud grandparent carer of a child with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), I’ve seen first-hand how important it is for school and home to work together. Every step of our journey has been about understanding, patience, and celebrating progress — big and small. With the support of dedicated teachers, speech therapists, and the wider school community, my grandchild is growing in confidence and finding their voice. Together, we’re building a learning pathway that values communication, inclusion, and the unique strengths every child brings.

Racheal Moeke

Parent Representative

Leah Clarke

Parent Representative

Katelin Neil 
Teacher

I feel very fortunate to be a teacher at the North East Metropolitan Language Development Centre. Prior to NEMLDC, I taught Kindergarten and Pre-primary in a mainstream school for 4 years. I believe all students have the potential to succeed and enjoy creating an inclusive and engaging learning environment. I aspire to create a classroom environment whereby families and the wider community can connect and share their knowledge. I am passionate about ensuring all children with Development Language Disorder are provided with quality learning experiences. I am dedicated towards advocating for awareness about Development Language Disorder and sharing greater knowledge of how we can ensure all students with Development Language Disorder can thrive. I look forward to representing NEMLDC staff on the school board to continue to support our students, families and community.

Sarah Brown
Teacher

 I have been teaching at NEMLDC since 2021 and hold a Master’s degree in Special Education Needs. Prior to this, I worked in community services across a range of roles, including advocacy and supporting people with disabilities. These experiences deepened my understanding of diverse needs and the importance of equity and access. I believe quality education is both a fundamental human right and a matter of social justice, ensuring every person has the opportunity to overcome barriers and reach their potential. I was motivated to transition into primary teaching to have a greater impact by supporting children from the earliest stages of their learning and development.

At NEMLDC, I value working alongside passionate colleagues, speech pathologists as well as an occupational therapist, where evidence-based, data-informed practices are central to teaching and learning. I am dedicated to ensuring students with Developmental Language Disorder have a strong start to their schooling and receive the support they need to successfully transition back into mainstream education. As a School Board member, I look forward to bringing a teacher’s perspective and supporting the school in building on students’ language and communication skills for lifelong success.

Tori Fowler

Teacher

Justine Stewart

Speech Pathologist

Melanie Prentice

Parent of Past Student

Hi, I’m Melanie Prentice, parent to a son who has DLD and attended the NEMLDC at the North Balga campus from 2021 (Kindy) thru to 2023 (Yr 1).  I joined the school board as a parent representative in Feb 2023 and then remained on the board since Feb 2024 as a community member to present day (once my son left at the end of 2023) to move into his mainstream school.

I am invested in helping to shape the next generation of children that have DLD and assist and support the school in doing so.  To be a voice for the parents and now the community and ex parent of the school and also to understand the behind the scenes running of the school and decisions that are made for our children to thrive and to be a contributing member of society and our community now and in their futures.  I hope to continue supporting and advocating and growing my knowledge in regards to DLD and how that in turn can assist our children with also a keen interest re the transition of students to mainstream once they leave the LDC and our we can continue to support them in their education journey.