Gippsland Grammar recently welcomed its new director of early learning, Isla Gillespie, bringing more than 16 years of international early childhood leadership to the school’s Early Learning Centres (ELC) at its Bairnsdale and Sale campuses.
Having recently relocated from Prague in the Czech Republic, where she served as Head of Early Years, Ms Gillespie has spent her opening weeks meeting staff, families and students across both local sites.
Her career spans extensive teaching and leadership roles across the United Kingdom, Switzerland, China, Slovenia and the Czech Republic before making the move to East Gippsland.
Gippsland Grammar principal Dr Paul Walton expressed his delight in securing Ms Gillespie for the dual-campus leadership role.
“Ms Gillespie brings a wealth of experience, passion for education and dedication to delivering the best learning experiences for all students,” Dr Walton said.
“We look forward to an exciting time ahead.”
Reflecting on her first weeks on campus, Ms Gillespie praised the inclusive environment established across both the St Anne’s Campus in Sale and the Bairnsdale ELC.
“It has been a pleasure to see the Early Learning Centres in action,” Ms Gillespie said.
“The warm and welcoming environments, with child-centred learning at their core, are evident from the moment one steps into the classrooms.
“I have been warmly welcomed into Gippsland Grammar and have immediately felt a genuine sense of belonging within the school community.”
She said that seeing the seamless progression from ELC through to VCE was a standout feature of the school’s structure.
“It has been wonderful to witness the rich and diverse experiences offered to students, from our youngest learners through to our senior students,” she said.
“It is an honour to join Gippsland Grammar and to lead the Early Learning teams. I look forward to working collaboratively to ensure every child is supported to thrive.”
As director, Ms Gillespie now oversees early education delivery across both regional centres, guiding staff in building purposeful learning spaces for young learners.
OPEN MORNINGS & 2027 ENROLMENTS:
– Bairnsdale Campus (9am – 10am): Wednesday, September 9; Tuesday, October 20.
– St Anne’s Campus, Sale (9am – 10am): Friday, August 21; Wednesday, October 21.
Bookings: Registrations are essential and can be made online via the Gippsland Grammar website
