Staff

Louise Swanson is the Owner and Director of The Harbour School Sydney, focused on environmental education and fieldwork in and around our harbour; a casual academic at the University of Sydney teaching 3rd year Geography Education students; and Professional Learning Coordinator of the Northern Sydney Education Community - a network of 8 Department of Education schools with a focus on Early Career Teachers and Aspiring Leaders. She has demonstrated educational leadership throughout her career as a Relieving Principal, Deputy Principal, Head Teacher, Senior Education Officer and teacher across a range of schools and settings since 2001.
She is an experienced Geography teacher of 25 years, co-ordinating author of the Geoactive 7-10 textbook series and one of the co-ordinating authors of the Powerful Geography 11-12 textbook series. She is a Vice President of the GTA NSW & ACT, an editor/author of the Powerful Geography blog, HSIE teachers blog and is editor of the GTA NSW and ACT journal The Bulletin. Louise has won a range of awards including the PTC "Innovation Excellence Award" and GTA NSW & ACT "Geoff Connolly Memorial Award" in 2025.

Mark Standen has 17 years teaching experience in both the Australian (NSW) and UK school systems. He has demonstrated educational leadership throughout his career in roles such as Head of Stage 3 Science (Middle Years 7-9 Science), Head of Year, 6 into 7 Transition co-ordinator, Science Literacy co-ordinator, teacher of Biology and Chemistry. He was a Learning Volunteer at the Natural History Museum London for an extended period as part of the Learning Engagement Team for visitor experiences. He is also proficient in German.

Resource Development and Professional Learning

James Heafey has undertaken a range of leadership roles including R/ Head Teacher HSIE & TAS, Boys Advisor and Careers Advisor. He is an experienced Science (Chemistry, Earth & Environmental Science & Biology), Mathematics and HSIE (Geography, Legal Studies & History) teacher. He was a recipient of the 2023 NSW Principals "Excellence in Teaching" award. James is a certified snorkelling instructor, and served 8 years service with Royal Australian Navy in warlike and peacetime operations including 6 as Navigators Yeoman.