Find out the latest resources and information so that you can provide every child with the education and care best suited to them, their families, and communities.

ACECQA Newsletter Issue 9 2023 | ACECQA

PACFA E-news: In this edition of E-news you have the chance to meet another new member of staff: Nghi Robinson. Nghi joined us earlier this year as Head of Education bringing more than a decade of experience in course accreditation gained at the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council and Australian Dental Council. Her remit is to drive quality improvement in our accreditation systems and standards for the benefit of the profession.

Click to read the latest PACFA E-news.

Tell us a little about Kimmi, who is Kimmi?
Life before Ikon  

I grew up on the streets of London and had an affinity for social change early on. As a teenager, I worked in the music industry and with local councils creating projects to help young black men in gangs into work through music. Travelling became a way to explore the world and myself, I created a charity and cycled from London to Melbourne over 2.5 years, funding projects across the globe from Kosovo to Iran, India to Cambodia, and beyond. Education has always been a passion, I often created and delivered projects and programmes but never actually experienced higher education myself, something I craved but didn’t have the resources to achieve. Running Permaculture Design Courses and living in the beautiful leafy regional Victoria was the first time I ever felt the feeling of home. I trained as a group facilitator and am passionate about rituals and rites of passage. When I became a citizen in Australia, I found Ikon and realised my dream to study as a mature age student, and it is the best decision I have ever made. Ikon blends my passion for applied philosophy, helping, spirituality, science and art into one dynamic package.

What is your favorite thing about being a student representative?
Insights into the inner workings of Ikon and helping others to have as transformative an experience as I have.

What keeps you motivated in life?
The capacity for creation, whether with others or alone, it amazes me what is possible, especially in the face of adversity.

What is your favorite book?
Before Ikon, The Minds of Billy Milligan, Daniel Keyes, a true story about what was then called Multiple Personality Disorder and my first introduction to the mind’s capacity when I read this at 12 years old.

After Ikon, The Wild Edge of Sorrow, Francis Weller, I have recommended this book to so many people since studying the Grief subject, everyone should read it.

What is your favorite food?
Depends on the day but my slow-cooked beef short rib is a special treat once in a while, yum.

What do you do to unwind from a busy day?
Good, ethical, nutritious food is so important to me, and sitting in front of my fire with a good book or honestly just staring out the window at my bird bath.

If you could choose 3 famous personalities to invite around your dinner table, who would they be? Explain why.
For me, a good dinner party is full of fast-paced topical banter, good food, and playfulness, and so:

Food: Gordon Ramsey, so we get the good food, of course, and I reckon he’d be up for some good/bad British banter. He can eat and play with us as long as he cooks.

Comedy: Tim Minchin, we need laughter around the table; anyone who knows me knows I love to laugh. He also might play us a song. Oooh, or Trevor Noah. He does accents so well-  I’d give him a run for his money. He also kept me sane during covid.

Music: Aretha Franklin – sassy, creative genius, and she may collaborate with Tim. It will be entertaining, and I will definitely join in (badly) with a sing-song. Also, who doesn’t want to hang out with Aretha? Look, I know that’s four people, but you have to give me a pass, Aretha just turned up at the dining table. You turn Aretha away.

What advice would you give to our students?
Immerse, find a study buddy and take everything you experience as part of the holistic learning experience. Conflict, ruptures, and discomfort all allow us to get curious about our reactivity and relationality

And finally, is there a quote that you often refer to and would like to share with us?
“The only thing that is constant is change” -Heraclitus

This quote has been a pillar of the way I approach life and has held me through many difficult times in my life.

Tell us a little about Cereal, who is Cereal?
Life before Ikon  

Cereal is Siu Yau, as my name sounds like Cereal, some children called me like that when I went for my first placement years ago.

I am originally from Hong Kong and I was an applied theatre practitioner in my hometown, I did community theatre and I also taught in schools. I have got ‘students’ from 2-65 years old!

I relocated to Australia in 2016, and the rest is history =) 

 What is your favorite thing about teaching? 
I love education. I love the feeling of learning from the students and enlightening them (if I can) at the same time. 

 What keeps you motivated in life? 
Good food, good people, and good arts 

What is your favorite book? 
Haruki Murakam <Hear the wind sing>

What is your favorite food? 
Anything that contains carbs

What do you do to unwind from a busy day?
Schedule another busy day

If you could choose 3 famous personalities to invite around your dinner table, who would they be? Explain why. 
Francios Truffaut – His movies dragged me into the movie world and enlightened me in so many ways, I’d love to talk to him in person.

Jesus- So many questions to ask, I can’t even explain why.

Sheldon from Big Bang Theory- Seeing him at a table with Jesus will be extremely funny. 

What advice would you give to our students? 
Be random, Be creative, Be loving.

And finally, is there a quote that you often refer to and would like to share with us? 

“Where there’s an entrance, there’s got to be an exit. Most things work that way.”  ― Haruki Murakami, Pinball, 1973