About Us
Our PURPOSE:
To reveal Jesus.
Adventist Education exists because we believe in the profound love of Jesus and the hope, peace and joy that comes from knowing Him, and living with Him and for Him. We want to share this good news in our school community. We are intentional in everything we do – from our attitudes, words, and actions to reflect Jesus to our students, young children, families, and wider community.
Our VISION:
To be a thriving, Christ-centred, Learning Community.
Our desire is to build a dynamic, nurturing inclusive community so that our school will be a lighthouse in our community – shining for Jesus, serving with care and excellence. Every level of our school is committed to working in harmony to build a vibrant culture of excellence.
Our MISSION:
To enable every student to flourish.
Our belief is that students will truly flourish when their spiritual, mental,
physical, and social needs are met. We want to inspire and care holistically for each person –
equipping them with the beliefs, values, and skills to live a life of purpose, hope, joy, and peace as a global citizen for Christ.
Welcome to Hope Adventist School
A vibrant co-educational Primary School that provides a comprehensive academic, spiritual and physical program from Prep to Year 6. Families of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds are welcome.
Spread out on five acres of grassy fields next to the beautiful Botanic Gardens, Hope Adventist School is especially loved for its warm ‘family’ feel, dedicated staff, and small class sizes. With the newly renovated classrooms, Hope Adventist School provides Flexible Learning Spaces that are natural, comfortable and home-like in order to create a more effective learning environment for students to thrive in.
Hope Adventist School offers a convenient door to door private bus service for students.
The school was established in 1983 and thereby became part of the worldwide education system of the Seventh day Adventist Church. The school’s motto is “A thriving, Christ-centred, learning community.” The primary purpose of this school is to provide opportunities for each student to reach their potential and become the person God and society needs them to be.
School Bus Service
Hope Adventist School provides a personal, professional door to door school bus service. With morning and afternoon runs in the Bundaberg region, our bus service is a convenient and safe way for your child to arrive at school and home again each day.
Please contact the school administration for more information about the school bus service.
Our History
Hope Adventist School originally began as the Bundaberg Seventh Day School in 1983. The land was purchased by the Bundaberg Seventh-day Adventist Church with the aim of starting a church school.
Money was raised by dedicated church members through various projects, including growing crops of watermelon.
The builder was a local church member, Mr Geoff Smith. For the first few weeks, the school was a rather dusty place, because the newly cleared and levelled ground had not yet grown a covering of grass.
The enrolments for the first year remained at about 28 students, from grade 1-7. In the second year a second teacher was employed as the enrolment had grown to about 40.
Tanya Barbuto
Principal
Tanya has a background in HR and has been teaching at the school since the middle of 2018. She brings an energetic enthusiasm to her school and values the importance of making learning a fun experience. Tanya’s motivated to bring “Kids to the Kingdom!” She is passionate about the outdoors and enjoys gardening, bushwalking, paddle boarding, swimming in the ocean, and healthy cooking.
Dr Sharelle Simmons
Business Manager
Sharelle Simmons (BA, BEd, MCom, PhD, CPA) grew up in New Zealand and regularly shifted throughout Australia with her youth minister father (Pr. Poss). She has extensive teaching and management experience, having held positions at the Avondale University, University of Queensland, Griffith University, and Newcastle University. Her business experience includes being the Business Manager/Accountant for the Northern Australian SDA Schools, the Campus and Academic Manager at Charles Sturt University Study Centre (Brisbane) and Program Director at Leaders Institute Pty Ltd. She owns and runs two small businesses in publishing and property and is also BM at Ipswich Adventist School.
She has two adult children she is extremely proud of and who have become third generation leaders in Pathfinder ministry. Her passion is youth ministry and believes our young people should be our present leaders not only our future ones. Favourite activity is sharing God’s leading in her and her families lives. Her favourite place to be is being active in the outdoors especially Somerset Dam or the beach. Her favourite mode of transport is her motorbike.
Brianna Wills
Office Administrator
Brianna is a born and raised Adventist who completed both her primary and secondary education at Adventist schools and joined the Hope team at the end of 2023. Bri says “I was one of those people who never really knew what I wanted to do when I finished school, even as a wife and Mum of 2 I felt lost career wise but when I heard about the position at Hope I just knew that was where God wanted me. I never would’ve imagined working in this role but I absolutely love it and I’m so blessed to be working with such an amazing team!”
Zoe Fenger
Prep Teacher
Rachel Johnson
Year 1-2 Teacher
Rachel Johnson has 13+ years’ experience as a classroom teacher and in recent years worked as a specialist teacher in classroom music. While her children were young she took time out of the classroom and worked as a fitness instructor teaching aerobics. Rachel believes positive relationships and respect are the key to creating an effective learning environment and is very excited to be a part of the Hope teaching staff. Rachel enjoys bushwalking, kayaking, camping and spending time with her family.
Helen van Eyssen
Year 3-4 & AUSLAN Teacher
Helen is an experienced teacher with over 25 years of teaching across South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia. She worked at Brisbane Adventist College from 2003 to 2020 after which she moved to the Bundaberg region. Helen has a passion for making a difference in children’s lives and is deeply committed to nurturing young minds and creating positive learning experiences. Helen is a devoted Christian who strives to share Jesus’ love with her community by gently guiding others with compassion and care. Outside of teaching, Helen enjoys spending time on her property, tending to her garden, and finds relaxation in swimming. Above all, she is proud of the children she has raised and continues to be inspired by the joy they bring to her life.
Alisa Banos
Year 3-4 Teacher
Shaun Allen
Year 5-6 Teacher
Learne Faint
Music Teacher
Jody-Lea McKechnie
Teacher Aide
Jody joined the Hope team in 2023, bringing more than 10 years of experience as a Teacher Aide, along with a wealth of knowledge and genuine care to her role at Hope.
Jody is passionate about supporting children to grow, learn and develop, and enjoys helping them feel supported and confident in their learning journey.
Outside of school, Jody enjoys spending time outdoors on her property and making special memories with her family.
Amber Porter
Teacher Aide
Amber has joined Hope Adventist school at the beginning of 2024. She has 10+ years experience as a teacher aide and is continuing her journey into becoming a teacher. She brings her knowledge and positive energy to the school. Amber is family orientated and enjoys spending time with her two daughters and husband by either travelling or in the garden.
Michelle Wills
Teacher Aide
Lilly Matthews
Teacher Aide
Ariana Walz
Teacher Aide
Stephen Wills
Bus Driver
Pr Luke Robinson
Chaplain
Luke joined the team in 2023 and provides chaplaincy services for Hope Adventist School. As a local church minister with decades of experience in spiritual leadership and pastoral care, he loves promoting student and family wellbeing. Luke enjoys spending time at the beach with his family, playing sports and reading a good book.
Shannon Fenger
Chaplain & Student Wellbeing Teacher Aide
Shannon joined the team at Hope Adventist School in 2026 as a Chaplain and Student Wellbeing Teacher Aide. After graduating from Avondale University in 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in Chaplaincy, Counselling and Religious Studies, Shannon brings his knowledge and skills to supporting students in a variety of ways. This includes providing social and emotional support, as well as offering spiritual care and leadership to both students and staff.
Outside of school, Shannon enjoys playing board games, going for hikes and bike rides, and listening to audiobooks.
Michael Mulvena
Groundsman
Michael has been instrumental in keeping the grounds beautiful for over ten years. He is able to fix most things at school. Michael is a proud father who will do anything for his children.
Annual Reports
For your convenience, you will find our recent annual reports below.
2025 Annual Report - Published June 2026
Click here to download
2024 Annual Report - Published June 2025
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2023 Annual Report - Published June 2024
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2022 Annual Report - Published June 2023
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2021 Annual Report - Published June 2022
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2020 Annual Report - Published June 2021
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2019 Annual Report - Published June 2020
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Policies
Interested in our school policy documents? Download them here.
Child Safety Incident or Concern Report Form
Click here to download
Child Safe Program (Policy & Procedures)
Click here to download
Child Safe Code of Conduct
Click here to download
Procedures for Responding to and Reporting Harm or Allegations of Harm to Students (Summary)
Click here to download
Procedures for Managing Child Safety Incidents or Concerns Involving the School or its Staff Members (Summary)
Click here to download
Complaints Handling Policy and Procedures
Click here to download
Whistleblower Policy
Click here to download
Privacy Policy
Click here to download