Rising Stars at Lauriston – Mr James Ince and Ms Kellie Presnell shine!
The Educator celebrates the best young teachers across the nation, distinguishing themselves with their commitment and passion. The Educator’s Rising Stars 2025 are a collection of exceptional teachers under 35 who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation, and achievement in their professional journeys so far.
Discussing what being a Rising Star entails, Chris Duncan, Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA) CEO, says, “It’s the presence and confidence in the classroom, the capacity to think on their feet, strong subject knowledge acquired from a sound undergraduate degree and a passion for wanting students to learn and keep learning.”
Lauriston is incredibly proud to have two dedicated teachers amongst this prestigious group of educators – read more about their professional journeys and some wonderful testimonials from students they’ve impacted directly.
Ms Kellie Presnell – Maths and Physical Education Teacher, Year 12 Tutor
As a dedicated educator across multiple disciplines from Prep to Year 12, Kellie is committed to the individualised care of her students, recently completing her Master of Education, specialising in student wellbeing. Her ability to welcome, connect and get student buy-in is underpinned by groundedness and authenticity.
Her enthusiasm for teaching and her passion for individual success are evident in every lesson. In Year 7 Mathematics, and she employs a variety of learning strategies that engage diverse learning styles and levels. By seeking connection and small wins, she builds motivation with even those students for whom success might not look like an “A” but instead focussing on the best version of their ability and ensuring that they feel a sense of belonging throughout their journey.
Her recent participation on Lauriston’s Nepal trip at the end of 2024 allowed her to build richer relationships with those students outside of the classroom. This was exemplified by conversations with many students nervous about the release of their results, while they’re overseas. Kellie’s approach meant students’ emotions were validated with warmth and empathy.
Kellie thrives as a House Tutor, and her recent degree has born particular relevance to her ability to build meaningful connection in the little moments, the ‘off-the-cuff’ conversations and the growing attendance to the timetabled Wellbeing sessions. Recently, the value of these sessions has waned, and she worked exceptionally hard in 2024 to shift attitudes towards these from ‘have to attend’ to ‘want to attend’.
Student impact
Mr James Ince – Science and Maths Teacher, House Tutor – Howqua
In his dual role as a Science and Maths teacher since 2023, James led the implementation of new curriculums and shifted teaching practices towards integrating ICT. He has made learning more accessible by providing recorded lessons and digital note-taking options, empowering students to revisit materials at their point of need. His advocacy for students with dyscalculia has fostered a deeper understanding among staff regarding necessary adjustments in teaching methods and assessment modifications. Additionally, his role as a Maths Help teacher has seen a significant increase in student participation and engagement in after-school sessions.
As a House Tutor for two years, James has played a vital role in scaffolding students’ academic and personal development. His efforts have led to noticeable changes in student self-perception and participation in various activities, fostering a sense of community and leadership across the campus.
During his tenure as Acting Director of Operations (Term 2, 2024), James excelled in managing staffing needs and creating modified timetables, demonstrating approachability and responsiveness to staff requests, which significantly reduced stress levels.
Looking ahead, James aims to become a coordinator of teaching and learning at a whole-school level. He is currently enrolled in a Master’s program focused on leadership and learning and plans to further his studies in Mathematics curriculum design.
Student impact
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