Commitment and connection
Meet the team
A team of internationally respected and highly qualified educators, including members of the Centre for Learning and Children’s Rights and in-country professionals, provide guidance and governance, ensuring Heartland Academy Palpa is on track to create a bright future for all current and potential students.
Anne Hastings
HAP Project Leader
With over 40 years as a teacher and in leadership in schools, I’m passionate about providing children with the best possible start in life. My experience trekking in Nepal showed me how much children in remote schools lack resources and facilities. As the Scholarship Co-ordinator for CLCR I value their experience in enhancing Nepali education in Kathmandu over 15 years…
An opportunity arose along with some funding, so through CLCR we purchased Heartland Academy Palpa, with the aim to build the quality and efficacy of education in Palpa.
After 12 months and our recent visit to HAP I am so impressed by the progress the school has made. It is certainly living up to its name as the HAPpy school! The children love going there and the staff are working so very hard to bring more engaging lessons to the children.
My hope is that the new building cements HAP’s reputation as a wonderful place to learn and work, and that it becomes a beacon for other schools in the area, thus stimulating them to enhance their own quality and effectiveness.
An opportunity arose along with some funding, so through CLCR we purchased Heartland Academy Palpa, with the aim to build the quality and efficacy of education in Palpa.
After 12 months and our recent visit to HAP I am so impressed by the progress the school has made. It is certainly living up to its name as the HAPpy school! The children love going there and the staff are working so very hard to bring more engaging lessons to the children.
My hope is that the new building cements HAP’s reputation as a wonderful place to learn and work, and that it becomes a beacon for other schools in the area, thus stimulating them to enhance their own quality and effectiveness.
Pat Price
CEO and founder of CLCR Australia
As CEO and founder of CLCR Australia I have the pleasure of working alongside and supporting the leadership of the committee, using my experience of working in education and Nepal to help guide the team in operations with Anne in line with our core philosophy, in an effort to maximise the project outcomes and achievement of the school community…
I have 20+ years as an educator for the NSW Department of Education, Sydney, Australia, and the New Zealand Government sector. Holding positions across Learning, Wellbeing and Educational Leadership at the regional Directorate level as well as Deputy Principal and Specialist Learning Support Coordinator. I have led CLCR as CEO and as founder of Heartland Academy for over 17 years, worked and lived in country supporting CLCR’s educational projects throughout this period.
I am involved because I have seen the significant impact that a quality, violence free, student-centred education can provide. In Nepal, this is very critical and I am passionate about supporting this through the development of HAP within its rural community.
My hope is that it continues to thrive and create opportunity for the students of the region and the community in which it is located. I hope that it becomes the pinnacle of educational quality and outreach for Palpa and continues to provide scholarship and the highest levels of education in the region, mirroring CLCR’s other projects as part of holistic support for the children of Nepal.
Brad Hastings
Finance Manager
When I first went to Nepal at the age to 15, I was blown away by the kindness and happiness of the locals. At the same time, I was also shocked by how the kids would rush up to us westerners with their hands held out saying “Pen, pen, pen”. It took a while to understand that such a basic educational necessity, a means to write, was in short supply…
Since then, Nepalese education has come a long way, however it still lags western education considerably. I joined this committee to help close the gap for these lovely kids, my hope is that we can help them forge brighter futures. I hope that we can expand the career choices for the next generational of youngsters. I also hope that we can create a community focussed on learning, spanning all generations within the Palpa community.
I work in leadership development and I cherish the moments when people come together and learn new ways of working and being.
Christine Price
CLCR Secretary
At Heartland Academy, Kathmandu, we have always educated young people from the remotest corners of Nepal from the poorest & most marginalised in society. Now we have a chance to expand this reach. By negotiating the sale of the School’s License to CLCR Australia, we were able to take over its governance and management. We have also purchased land to build a new school…
An opportunity arose along with some funding, so through CLCR we purchased Heartland Academy Palpa, with the aim to build the quality and efficacy of education in Palpa.
After 12 months and our recent visit to HAP I am so impressed by the progress the school has made. It is certainly living up to its name as the HAPpy school! The children love going there and the staff are working so very hard to bring more engaging lessons to the children.
My hope is that the new building cements HAP’s reputation as a wonderful place to learn and work, and that it becomes a beacon for other schools in the area, thus stimulating them to enhance their own quality and effectiveness.
Recently in July 2024 I visited again & what a transformation! We saw a renovated building that is well resourced. We observed teachers who are being properly trained with better capacities to teach using play-based ideas & practices that include children’s ideas in their learning. As always there is more to do! The most important part is of course, very happy, engaged children. I have no doubt, and this is my hope, that we will be able to expand and reach other children in the area to give them the best possible education we can provide.
For me my interests are to continue to work, as long as my old body allows, in the educational space in our Nepali projects.
Robert Phillip
Committee member
I am a graduate in engineering and economics. I volunteered my experience for the education project in Nepal when it began in 2005 and I have been on the Committee ever since. My particular interest is to contribute to project management, financial management and agriculture. It is my joy to help to “create opportunities through education” [see more] with this simple phrase being the guiding motto of our whole committee.
Helen Carmody
Committee member
Education changes lives. I ‘m bringing my experience in education and as a leader of Australian schools to support Heartland Academy Palpa (HAP) in delivering real positive outcomes for children in Nepal. I hope Heartland Academy will become the heart of the local community in Palpa; a place where children, teachers and families can thrive.
Karan Singh Goyala
Principal Heartland Academy Kathmandu
I share in the decision-making, providing a Nepali perspective to discussion. I help with developing, co-ordinating and monitoring systems, policies, procedures and productivity standards. I have been the principal of Heartland Academy Kathmandu since 2008. As well, I am working with newly extended other projects in Nepal like …
An opportunity arose along with some funding, so through CLCR we purchased Heartland Academy Palpa, with the aim to build the quality and efficacy of education in Palpa.
After 12 months and our recent visit to HAP I am so impressed by the progress the school has made. It is certainly living up to its name as the HAPpy school! The children love going there and the staff are working so very hard to bring more engaging lessons to the children.
My hope is that the new building cements HAP’s reputation as a wonderful place to learn and work, and that it becomes a beacon for other schools in the area, thus stimulating them to enhance their own quality and effectiveness.
Heartland Centre for Women, Heartland Academy Palpa and Karuna Health Awareness Society as a leadership mentor, helping with staff induction and monitoring systems and policies.
I have had several visits to HAP since the beginning. I am highly optimistic with this project because it is the right selection of area and scope in supporting quality education to the needy community. There is a big migration towards cities for their child education for the local people and they now see the opportunities in their local area. So, our school will definitely stop further migration and help bring back the migrated families in the future.
I like to dream, plan & take action and enjoy being with honest people, working for needy people and observing their happiness.
Lyn Alder
Committee Member, Education
After 44 years in education, it has been a privilege to collaborate with the Centre for Learning and Children's Rights, an Australian international charity dedicated to delivering educational programs in Nepal. Sharing my expertise to enhance teaching practices within the Nepalese community has been incredibly rewarding …
By fostering an environment where every child has access to high-quality education and empowering teachers to reach every student, we not only improve their world but also enrich our own.
“By learning, one understands the teachings; by understanding, one realises the truth; by realising the truth, one attains freedom and discovers how to participate in the transformation of their world.”
Pablo Freire
Michelle Favero
Marketing & Fundraising
I work as the Head of Marketing at a private school in Sydney where students benefit from cutting-edge technology and an abundance of opportunities. The contrast between their experience and the limited resources available to students at the Heartland Academy Palpa is striking. What drives me …
is the desire to help bridge this gap, by supporting the development of the school, enhancing the opportunities available to students, and contributing to the professional growth of the teachers.
My hope for the new school is that it becomes a source of pride for the entire community, offering students opportunities beyond what they ever dreamed possible. With the introduction of a well-equipped science lab, students will have amazing opportunities to engage in hands-on learning and scientific discovery. The new kitchen will ensure that they can enjoy healthy, homemade meals, while enhanced technology and computers will allow them to explore the world in ways they’ve never experienced before. The gardens and outdoor spaces will provide areas for exploration and discovery, further enriching their educational journey. I hope that the new school inspires students and teachers alike, fostering a deep sense of pride and ownership within the community.
Pre-Primary teachers
Purnima, Narayani, Sapana, Ramauti
CLCR Australia has given an ocean of knowledge to build our holistic development. We learn discipline, norms & values in our school. We cannot express our words how much you have given us and are changing our way of life.
Krishna, Tul Kumari, Manju and Khusbu
"Our community and parents are also excited about your huge development and are giving positive feedback. CLCR gives us much help and encourages us to develop the best child protection education in the local area of the Palpa District." -Tul Kumari
Padam, Bipina, Kalpana and Hemraj
“We have learnt child protection policy which is the new and best way of teaching method. We have more supportive holistic development and improvement of teaching strategies in this remote area. ‘People are incomplete without education’.” -Bipina
Krishna, Padam and Hemraj
“Thanks so much HAP for giving me a golden opportunity to be part of your project. We appreciate to take a huge step in our remote area. We like the teaching way and practical method, also your facilities, training, materials, guidance, feedback and use of technology. ‘Learning has no end as we are all learners." -Padam
Manju, Bipina, Khusbu
“Not only on the basis of the book related education but recommending the practical way in our local area.” -Manju
Anne, Khusbu and John
“This kind of learning process is more effective in the future in time and on whole life. We would like to thank the whole CLCR Australia and community.” - Khusbu
All the staff at Heartland Academy Palpa – July 2024
Integrative technology:
Leveraging modern technology to enhance learning experiences and access to global resources.
Bilingual education:
Developing proficiency in both English and Nepali to ensure students can engage locally and globally.
Skill development:
Focusing on building students’ skills and confidence through practical, interactive learning experiences.
Supportive atmosphere:
Maintaining an interactive, caring, and safe classroom environment that promotes well-being and academic excellence.
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