For Harriette, Ambrose has been more than a workplace. It has been a place where her potential has been recognised, her skills have grown, and her career aspirations have been supported.

Currently the Assistant Coordinator and Educational Leader at Mary Immaculate, Harriette joined Ambrose three years ago because she felt the organisation’s values aligned with her own. She began her journey as a permanent part-time educator at St Anthony’s, and it didn’t take long for her leadership potential to be noticed.

Within a month, she was encouraged to apply for an Assistant Coordinator position at St Andrews. She took on the role and was mentored by experienced leaders who helped her build confidence, strengthen her leadership skills and develop her understanding of service operations.

Her career continued to progress when she moved to Mary Immaculate as Assistant Coordinator and Educational Leader. Soon after, she stepped into the Acting Coordinator role while the service recruited a permanent Coordinator. Balancing both leadership responsibilities became one of her proudest career achievements.

“Taking on the Acting Coordinator role while continuing my Educational Leader role was a significant milestone and a great opportunity to further develop my leadership skills,” Harriette said.

Professional learning has played an important role in Harriette’s growth. Throughout her time with Ambrose, she has completed a range of training programs, including Responsible Person training, Diversity and Inclusion workshops, behaviour management, conflict resolution and SAT workshops.

“I’ve had countless opportunities to learn and grow,” she said. “The professional development available has helped me become a more well-rounded educator.”

These opportunities have helped Harriette develop confidence in behaviour management, leading and supporting teams, and guiding educational practice.

One of the things she values most about working at Ambrose is the supportive culture.

“I enjoy building positive relationships with the team and having access to professional development opportunities,” she said. “I’ve gained confidence in handling challenging situations and always feel supported in my development.”

The flexibility offered at Ambrose has also helped her balance work and personal commitments, with a combination of split and block shifts providing greater flexibility throughout the week.

What motivates Harriette most is knowing she is making a positive impact on the children in her care each day.

Looking to the future, she hopes to continue progressing into leadership roles and ultimately become a Coordinator or Nominated Supervisor.

For anyone considering a career with Ambrose, Harriette’s advice is simple: “Show up with a positive attitude and embrace every learning opportunity.”

She believes Ambrose stands out because of its commitment to supporting its people.

“Ambrose is an incredibly inclusive workplace where every employee is valued. The organisation recognises individual strengths and helps educators become the best they can be.”

Harriette’s journey highlights the many opportunities for career growth at Ambrose, demonstrating how support, training and leadership pathways can help employees achieve their professional goals while making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families.