Profile
“I will continue to empower and encourage my staff to perform at their best as I have done for the last decade. I will continue to advocate for my clients, embracing new technology and being open to business and industry changes”
Ken Dixon,
Dixon Insurance Services
Therese Turner-Jones is Head of English at Wenona School in North Sydney, commencing the role in January 2023. She has held the position of Head of English previously at three schools across NSW, including Ascham and Trinity Grammar School, and she brings a wealth of knowledge to her position and her contributions to education in NSW.
The initiatives she has led this year include:
46 Pratten Street, Corinda, QLD 4074
02 9409 4400
tturnerjones@wenona.nsw.edu.au
linkedin.com/in/therese-turner-jones-b2b61a58
wenona.nsw.edu.au
Therese Turner-Jones
Head of English
Wenona School
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Milestones
“To be able to give back to the community is rewarding and fulfilling. I am honoured to be in a position where I can raise funds for those less fortunate and in need”
Ken Dixon,
Dixon Insurance Services
2006–2012
2014
2015–2016
2017–2022
Present
2006–2012: English Coordinator at St Joseph’s Catholic High School
2011: Certificate of Recognition Award, Australian College of Educators
2006–
2012
Master Teacher of English at Trinity Grammar School
Teachers’ Guild of NSW Highly Commended Research Award
2014
2015: Honourary Fellowship of the Teachers’ Guild of NSW
2015–2016: Head of English at Trinity Grammar School
2015–
2016
2017–2022: Head of English at Ascham School
2021: Excellence Awardee, Head of Department
2022: Included in The Educator’s Hot List; recognised as one of The Educator’s Most Influential Educators
2017–
2022
Head of English at Wenona School since 2022
Present
Assistant Vice President and Senior Broker at MJ Hall & Company since 2018
Present
Milestones
Aug 2022
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
These initiatives are driven by Turner-Jones’ belief and approach that “it has been a great privilege and opportunity. The challenge is sustaining approaches to excellence as a team, as individual teachers and working together in a future-focused way.”
Throughout her career, which began in 1986, a driving motivation for Turner-Jones has been her focus on literacy. This focus defines her approach to teaching. Over the past 12 months, she has shown this impact not only at Wenona School but in the wider community.
“I presented for Oxford University Press to different areas for new syllabus needs in Years 7–10 English that made a difference in resourcing and assisting schools across Sydney,” she says. “The presentations were in Chatswood, Blacktown and Bankstown, and I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to present and support my colleagues who represented their schools who attended the presentations.”
This commitment extends to Turner-Jones’ role as a senior marker at NESA since 2012 and also as a member of several advisory groups.
She says, “I have an incredible array of opportunities to make a difference and drive progress as an educator for excellence in all aspects of the teaching of English in NSW. I never take my influence for granted. It is a privilege for me to be involved in influencing the educational endeavours of NSW students both within my school and across the community.”
A list of her standout professional qualities includes:
What are his plans for the future?
On a business level, “more of the same. I will continue to empower and encourage my staff to perform at their best as I have done for the last decade. I will continue to advocate for my clients, embracing new technology and being open to business and industry changes.”
On a personal level, Dixon invests significant time, effort and funds, along with his GT3, to support many charities through his passion for motorsport. From participating in and sponsoring the Thunderbolt Run (which provides tens of thousands of dollars in support for Beyond Blue and Prostate Cancer), to organising and running the Track Knights for Amira charity night where 28 Exotic Supercars raised funds through passenger laps in wet conditions, Dixon states “this is our time to give back to the community and those in need. My friendships and association with those seeking to do the same, allows us to contribute to those less fortunate and raise funds and awareness”.
He adds: “To be able to give back to the community is rewarding and fulfilling. I am honoured to be in a position where I can raise funds for those less fortunate and in need.”
planning and implementing a new syllabus and curriculum for 2024
building a thriving team by leveraging their individual strengths
creating capacity within the department
vibrancy
a strong work ethic characterised by hard work and commitment
a creative approach to all endeavours and approaches
an ability to identify and create resources that support staff and students for excellence
an ability to speak and communicate with influence
Back in 2022, Turner-Jones was named one of Australia’s Most Influential Educators by The Educator, and she takes pride in continuing this influence through her pedagogical practices and professional relationships, consistently adapting and devising ways to encourage students to improve their knowledge and skills, including constantly building literacy skills and developing staff in their craft and practice.
Now she has been given the further honour of being included in the prestigious Hot List for 2023.
“I truly believe that I was born to teach,” Turner-Jones says. “I am passionate about teaching, and I love the connections we make and the positive and affirming relationships we build in education. Education is the ‘lighting of the fire’ that William Butler Yeats spoke of, and I attest to this approach every day.”
These initiatives are driven by Turner-Jones’ belief and approach that “it has been a great privilege and opportunity. The challenge is sustaining approaches to excellence as a team, as individual teachers and working together in a future-focused way.”
Throughout her career, which began in 1986, a driving motivation for Turner-Jones has been her focus on literacy. This focus defines her approach to teaching. Over the past 12 months, she has shown this impact not only at Wenona School but in the wider community.
“I presented for Oxford University Press to different areas for new syllabus needs in Years 7–10 English that made a difference in resourcing and assisting schools across Sydney,” she says. “The presentations were in Chatswood, Blacktown and Bankstown, and I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to present and support my colleagues who represented their schools who attended the presentations.”
This commitment extends to Turner-Jones’ role as a senior marker at NESA since 2012 and also as a member of several advisory groups.
She says, “I have an incredible array of opportunities to make a difference and drive progress as an educator for excellence in all aspects of the teaching of English in NSW. I never take my influence for granted. It is a privilege for me to be involved in influencing the educational endeavours of NSW students both within my school and across the community.”
A list of her standout professional qualities includes: