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
Clover’s lifelong dedication to physie shines through in her passionate and engaging teaching style. With a deep understanding of the sport, developed over years of personal practice and competition, she excels at fostering a positive and supportive learning environment where students of all levels can thrive.
Her classes emphasise technique, expression, strength and continuous improvement, drawing on her own competitive experience and successes. Her students have had great success individual and in teams, most notable our Over 40s team winning their section in 2024!
Clover loves the positive and supportive environment of the Toonie Physie community and welcomes all.
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
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
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
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