Eloquent Kids was ‘born’ in 2014 after farewelling my ‘baby’, Florence, to Kindergarten! My eldest, Gilbert, is in year 2. This was the year to re-invent myself and go back to doing what I love.

I’ve been involved in Speech & Drama for many years. My mother has taught (and is still teaching) Speech & Drama in the family home in Sydney since my sister and I were little.  She is also a well-respected AMEB examiner and an adjudicator. I was put on a stage at an Eisteddfod when I was 4 years old – and cried! Just like I tell all my students: “It does take time to develop poise and confidence when speaking – but it will happen“, and it certainly did for me!

Entertaining family and friends, singing at home (karaoke) and wearing wigs and dress ups are now some of my favourite things to do on weekends! Clearly there is now not a shy bone in my body!

I gained my AMEB Speech & Drama diploma when I was 19 and have been teaching ever since. I had a home studio in Sydney and also taught at Loreto Normanhurst and Santa Sabina (Private Girls schools) and Del Monte (the Junior School for Santa Sabina).

Four years ago my husband and I left Sydney to move to Newcastle to give our children a better way of living, by the beach and to live amongst a beautiful community – we haven’t been disappointed!

For the past 2 years I have been working at Newcastle Grammar (Junior) School. This is where my renewed enthusiasm for teaching began, after taking a few years off raising my own children.

I am very enthusiastic and passionate about being able to help children develop their everyday communicative skills and public speaking skills. It is wonderful to see how confidence enriches a child’s personality and contributes to his or her social and intellectual growth. Over my 23 years of teaching I have had many amazing success stories from students I have taught.

- Jo Jones  A.S.D.A, C.S.C.A