Meet the Team Behind the PDHPETA
Passionate educators driving PDHPE forward
Andree De-villiers, President
Andree has taught Primary PDHPE for over 10 years and has led departments across both PDHPE and Wellbeing. He designs engaging programs that foster movement, confidence, collaboration, and wellbeing. Committed to purposeful play and relationship-building, Andree ensures every student feels seen and supported. He has presented at multiple conferences and lectures in Curriculum and Assessment at Macquarie University and Australian Catholic University.
Danielle Simpson, Vice President – Exams
Danielle has over 30 years of experience as a PDHPE teacher, Head Teacher, academic, and textbook co-author. She has presented widely at conferences for Teacher Training Australia and PDHPETA and has supported Stage 6 curriculum development across schools and systems. Danielle is an experienced exam coordinator, writer, and marker. A long-serving PDHPETA member, she joined the Executive to continue advocating for quality teaching in PDHPE.
Timmy Bacon, Treasurer
Timmy is accredited as a Highly Accomplished Teacher with over 20 years of experience and currently serves as a PDHPE Middle Leader at Kildare Catholic College. He lectures casually at Charles Sturt University and has assisted with NESA projects in curriculum reform. He has experience in all stages, the HSC, examinations and marking and seeks to use his expertise to enhance student learning. Timmy is passionate about empowering students to become lifelong learners and active, informed citizens who enjoy physical activity.
Josh Barden, Executive Committee Member
Josh is a dedicated PDHPE teacher at Emmaville Central School, a small rural school in the New England region. As a one-person faculty, he designs and delivers curriculum for Years 7–12 PDHPE, teaches Stage 4 English, coordinates sport, and leads a local PDHPE teacher network. Josh is passionate about promoting health and reducing educational inequity in rural communities. He joined the PDHPETA Executive to ensure the unique needs of rural schools are represented and to contribute to the broader teaching community.
Erinn McMahon, Secretary
Erinn McMahon brings over 15 years of experience as a PDHPE educator. She currently serves as a PDHPE Teacher and Head of House at Loreto Normanhurst, Sydney. Erinn holds a Bachelor of Health Science (PDHPE) from the University of Western Sydney and a Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary) from the Australian Catholic University. Since 2018, she has been a member of the PDHPETA Executive Committee, where she fulfills the role of Secretary. Erinn has contributed to multiple exam writing committees and is an author for the current Stage 4 & 5 PDHPE and Stage 6 HMS textbooks published by Jacaranda Publishing.
Rebecca Kennedy - Executive Committee Member
With over 27 years of experience as a dedicated PDHPE educator, Rebecca Kennedy currently serves as a PDHPE Teacher and Head of House at Xavier Catholic College, Skennars Head. She has shared her expertise as a presenter at both PDHPETA and ACHPER conferences and has served as a HSC Marker for more than a decade. Her influence on HSC examination writing is further highlighted by her role as a Trial Examination writer for the PDHPETA. Rebecca is deeply passionate about improving literacy skills, pastoral care and fostering student wellbeing.
John Cunynghame, Administrative Assistant
John is the Head of PDHPE at Xavier Catholic College Ballina and has extensive experience both in Australia and overseas. John is also a Teaching Associate at Southern Cross University and leads the 7–12 PDHPE Collaborative Network for the Diocese of Lismore. He has presented at EDUTech, ACHPER, and PDHPETA conferences and chaired the #PDHPETA24 Conference and has been an HSC marker for 10 years. John is passionate about professional learning and fostering a love for PDHPE among students and educators.
