Staff

Nicole Neave is the Principal and brain child of The Authentic Child, The Preschool drama and stage plus, The Preschool drama program Maitland and principal counsellor at Counselling for your peace of mind.

She has developed GIRL EMPOWERMENT groups and by 2022 will be launching our MAKING GOOD MEN series of groups as well as a new initiative AUTHENTIC CHILD TRAVELLERS – an around Australia service for country and outback towns

She has worked with children in many capacities for over 30 years. From working at Lake-side special school as a volunteer while at high school, being part of the implementation of Rainbow readers with the Family Action centre UON, being co-ordinator of her children’s playgroup while her children attended and running a Before and After school care for Hamilton public school for over 17 years.

On completing her training in Professional Counselling with AIPC she became a member of ACA and PCA. She opened her private practice in Hamilton in 2010.

At her counselling practice she specialises in anything Child related; families, parenting after family break downs, anxiety and bullying. Having lived through them all she has a unique gift of being able to guide her counselling clients to lead a better life.

As a keen high school drama student and university drama tragic she became aware of the wonderful vehicle that the dramatic arts are in teaching children to master some of their fears and dealing with life’s ups and downs.

She would much prefer to teach children how to deal with their anxieties or cope with bullying, or simply learn some life skills in dealing with confusing emotions through her Authentic Child workshops rather than as a counselling client if its not necessary.

We encourage them to shine and celebrate exactly who they were intended to be through the medium of drama type exercises.

Nicole is a mother of 3 adult daughters, a passionate supporter of Primary Ethics, being one of the first of two original co-ordinators in Newcastle, and now teaches weekly classes.

Nicole is the developer and/or facilitator of “counsellors in private practice”, “Newcastle zone of playgroups”, and “soul traders”.

Nicole is a reiki 2 practitioner. Nicole is proud to sponsor women and children from “Got your back Sista” and “Hope in a suitcase”.

Nicole has been double vaccinated as illustrated in the vaccinated certificate.

Matilda started The Authentic Child workshops in 2017 and enjoys working with children of all ages. She has done work experience at Cardiff Community Preschool and completed Certificate 1 in Childcare.

Her passion is performing, she has been dancing and performing on stage since the age of 5. She has excelled in musical theatre exams in singing with AMEB and has performed many times, including The Opening Ceremony of The International Children’s Games 2014, Carols By Candlelight and many more including Grease Arena and The Wizard Of Oz Arena Spectacular. In 2015 she competed in State and National Hip Hop Championships and took home first place in both. She also posts daily videos on a popular app called TikTok for which she has over 89 thousand followers and rising. She has just completed year 12 and is currently taking a gap year before furthering her studies.

Sarah is one of our junior holiday workshop staff. She has always wanted to work with children.

She is a great listener, has a bubbly personality and helpful caring nature which are important qualities to have in this field. Sarah enjoys many creative activities such as makeup, dancing, ceramics and painting. Sarah is amazing with children and is very excited to join The Authentic Child Team.

Lucinda is one of our senior tutors. She has worked with the Authentic Child from our first class! She teaches the drama side of our business and is instrumental in writing our programs. She is a valued team member to bounce ideas off and has a special love and interest in children on the spectrum – being a preschool teacher for special needs children. She started drama when she was 4, being a member of The Roxy, DAPA and Hunter Drama, and is an accomplished pianist – having been taught the piano since she was 8 years old.

Lucinda has got a Cert 2 in Community services as well as a Diploma in Early Childhood, education and care. Plus she completed a Diploma in Holistic integrated creative arts therapy.

Lucinda is a level 1 reiki practitioner and volunteers – being instrumental in the planning of Food not Bombs homeless project.

She loves animals, children and family!

Bridget is studying her Masters degree in Gender Studies. She is researching dance as a form of therapeutic intervention for women who are survivors of trauma. Bridget is also completing her yoga teacher training as well as her Diploma in Professional counselling.

Bridget is passionate about dance, theatre, singing and yoga. She dances multiple styles, training at Catapult (Newcastle) and a number of free form movement groups (Just dance Newcastle, Contact Improvisation Sydney). She is a dedicated yogi and a freelance yoga teacher. She believes these practices help children develop a way to express their internal world and thereby process their experiences.

Bridget has a gift for working with children who are especially sensitive or anxious, as she too was as a child, helping them to realise their special power in being different.

Bridget teaches yoga, mindfulness and theatre with The Authentic Child. She is our resident school tutor, who received an amazing ATAR of 99.05% and provides us with expressive movement classes.

She is enthusiastic, full of energy, caring and kind.

Ellie is one of our newest staff. She:
– Loves watching kids learn who they are and grow to their biggest potential
– Has had lots of experience with kids from spending time with her younger family members as she is from a large Greek family
– Has danced and performed most of her life, and has performed in many showcases in the past. She is looking forward to future performances when things return to normal
– Has recently gotten into skateboarding
– Loves movies, especially those made before she was born
– Loves all types of music

Caleb is wonderful with all kids but has a great understanding of kids that make bad choices and how to show them to make better choices. We asked Caleb to work with us due to his maturity way beyond his years. He:

– Loves playing basketball and is learning the guitar

– Loves meeting new people, so if you see him around, don’t be scared to say hi!

– Loves playing with younger kids as he has a younger sister so has plenty of experience

– Loves the Authentic Child because as a kid he felt safe to attend

Aurora is a big sister to 4 siblings. She is organised, creative and passionate about Children living their best lives. She plays netball and her favourite foods are dumplings and strawberries.

To describe herself in 3 words they would be outgoing, funny and strong.
She loves working with the kids because it’s never a dull moment with them.
She said: “I have found that children just connect to me well and that helps me work better with them, and to give them the best support possible”.

Here’s Ava, she loves art, drawing, cooking and reading in her spare time.
Ava is very visual and imaginative when it comes to doing activities and is passionate about visual arts – and is great at anime.
Ava is a great bonus to help the kids in our art workshops.
Ava is compassionate and funny and likes working with kids – guiding them to use their creativeness to widen their imagination.

This is Mason, he loves reading, swimming and video games.
I asked Mason to work with us as I observed him showing a great deal of care and compassion to his fellow class mates.
He uplifts and protects our children who are often more vulnerable, is patient and has first hand experience being a sibling of a special needs brother.

Cristy is a proud Worimi woman, mother of 5, ASD parent, and grandmother of 2. Cristy is our resident recycled art teacher from RE-USE & ME and presents our YARNING TIME workshop.

She has a passion for working with people who have different abilities and has an innate ability to communicate and get the very best results.

Amongst others, Cristy has a Cert IV in mental health and is also a member of the Sista Speak program who has:

– a great understanding in child mental health and disability

– much experience working with first nation families and children

Cristy is a gem to work with; funny, compassionate, innovative and the kids love her!

Edie Grace enjoys music, drama and creative arts. She is FULL of life and fun. Edie Grace enjoys helping other kids make the most of their time at the Authentic Child.
She is kind, caring and always on the look out for someone not fitting in or needing a friend – this is what I noticed when she was one of our participating kids resulting in her working for us!