TOONGABBIE
Physical Culture Club
OUR TEACHERS
ALICIA HIGHFIELD
Alicia, our head associate for Toongabbie Physie Club, is an experienced physie teacher, taking classes of all ages from Tiny Tots to Ladies over the last 10 years. Personally she has had many successes in the top level for Teams and Champion Girl competitions and utilises these experiences in her teaching at Toongabbie.
As a high school teacher for 8+ years, Alicia is up to date with all current practices to support a growth mindset and empower the young minds of our club. She values the qualities that each person brings to the class work and teamwork.
Alicia is excited to support every girl and women to do their personal best and is always proud of every member.
Classes: 13-1st years & Seniors
CLOVER JONES
Starting at the age of 3, physie is an integral part of Clover’s life and her passion runs deep sharing the sport with many family members over generations. Clover loves that physie enables her to express herself, challenges her and motivates her to strive for continual improvement - something that has extended to all areas of her life. Competitions are always a highlight as she loves any opportunity to perform!
Clover loves the positive and supportive environment of the Toonie Physie community and feels privellaged to be teaching such lovely ladies each week. Together the ladies class have had great successes individually and in teams, most notably our Over 40s team winning their section!
Clover works in marketing in the IT industry and when she is not working or doing physie she loves taking reformer pilates classes and spending time at the beach.
Classes: Ladies
KAYLA WALSH
Kayla has been doing physie with Toongabbie since she was 2 years old. Her love of physie stems from the desire to express herself through dance, as well as the lifelong friends formed in class and at competition. Her passion for teaching is all about empowering her students, boosting their self-esteem, fostering a welcoming environment, and most importantly having fun. As a teacher, Kayla’s key strengths are dedication, technique and the ability to motivate and inspire. Outside of physie she is completing her Certificate III in Animal Care at TAFE and is eager to pursue a career in animal welfare, with a particular focus on becoming a veterinary nurse.
Classes: Head Junior Teacher
SHANNON REINHARD
Shannon is a seasoned physie teacher renowned for her comprehensive understanding of technique and diverse repertoire of dance styles. With years of experience in the field, Shannon brings a wealth of knowledge to her classes, adeptly blending traditional physie techniques with contemporary dance elements. Her expertise spans a wide range of styles, including ballet, jazz, lyrical, and contemporary, allowing her to infuse creativity and versatility into her teaching. Shannon's keen eye for detail and dedication to excellence ensure that her students receive thorough instruction tailored to their individual abilities and aspirations. She has accomplished individual and team wins at the highest level, notably winning Grand champion in 2014.
Classes: Casual Teacher
ALIYAH SALDANHA
Aliyah started physie when she was 5 years old and it has been her favourite part of the week ever since. She loves trying to replicate that same attitude and environment for her students.
Aliyah strives to make strong and important connections with her students to help promote social growth and encourage skill improvement. She loves focusing on technique, ballet-like skills and flexibility.
Outside of physie Aliyah loves listening to lots of music, reading as many books as she can and making anything creative. She currently works at a bookshop and is preparing to study a Diploma of Science.
Classes: 5-8s & 9-12s
OUR HELPERS
SARAH BURRIDGE
Starting physie at 5 years old, Sarah has loved every minute since! Particularly coming to class each week and seeing her friends as well as watching others perform and competing herself.
Sarah loves being a teacher helper, seeing the girls excited to come to class each week, supporting the girls to be the best physie girls they can be, as well as being able to inspire the younger girls to strive and have fun.
When she’s not at physie she’s at high school, she enjoy hanging out with her friends and also dedicates a lot of her spare time stretching and practising physie!
Classes: Preschoolers & 5-8s