Our Team

Executive Management Team

Clinical Director

Jenna Ellis

Finance and Business Manager

Martin Binoj

Executive Administrator

Nadia Panetta

Clinical Director

Jenna Ellis

Jenna is the Clinical Director at Woodbury and Ruben’s Place. She is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) and a Certified Behaviour Analyst (CBA). Jenna holds a Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)/Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) double degree, Master of Rehabilitation Counselling and Master of Education and Instruction (Applied Behaviour Analysis).

Jenna found ABA by chance when she was studying at the University of Sydney in 2011. She accepted a casual position as an in-home ABA therapist advertised on the university’s website and has loved working in the field ever since. Previous to working at Woodbury, she worked for a service provider for 9 years focusing on supporting children in building skills across all developmental domains for in-home therapy, preschool and school settings, and parent training.

Jenna joined the Woodbury team as a Clinical Supervisor at Ruben’s Place in 2020, supporting students to build skills to best support them in preparation for the transition to the kindergarten setting. She quickly realized how important and functional group learning is for our students, and that the challenges faced in the home setting are different to those in the group learning setting.

Jenna stepped into the role as Woodbury and Ruben’s Place Clinical Director in 2023. She is passionate about applying Applied Behaviour Analysis in a group learning setting and how this can best support both students and staff. Jenna is proud to be a leader in the Woodbury and Ruben’s Place community because the work that the team does on a daily basis is incredibly inspiring.

Finance and Business Manager

Martin Binoj

Martin has brought his extensive experience in management and financial accounting to our Woodbury School Team since joining in September, 2019. Coming with extensive finance experience, he is keen to use his skills and knowledge within Woodbury. Martin is keen to ensure excellent financial performance, and meeting all financial compliances. When Martin is not assuming his role as a professional bean counter you can find him completely engrossed in a cricket match or singing just about any song on the radio.

Executive Administrator

Nadia Panetta

Nadia has worked in operational management roles for over 20 years. It has been Nadia’s passion to work in industries where she can apply her experiences to make a difference. As a people person, Nadia has the ability to listen and offer support where needed and Nadia is always looking for ways to better processes to improve outcomes for staff and families. Nadia is excited to be part of the amazing team at Woodbury and Ruben’s Place and looks forward to continuing to promote best practice within our environments. When not at work, Nadia enjoys cooking and entertaining family and friends.

Woodbury School Clinical Team

Clinical Supervisor

Merryll-Anne Morris

Assistant Clinical Supervisor

Joseph Hickman

Assistant Clinical Supervisor

Jessica Perlov

Clinical Supervisor

Merryll-Anne Morris

Merryll-Anne has recently joined Woodbury as a Clinical Supervisor. She is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) with a special interest in the application of ABA in the school setting, and teaching students essential functional skills.

Merryll-Anne started working in ABA in 2011 while studying her Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Linguistics). Merryll-Anne then worked for various ABA providers in Sydney as a Senior Therapist while studying her Masters in Special Education.

After completing her education and relevant experience hours, Merryll-Anne spent time in London supervising at a “Special Free School” where she fostered her passion for teaching essential functional and toleration skills, as the foundation to building more complex skills. Returning to Sydney she worked with a service provider over the last 3 years as a supervisor, trainer, and clinical subject matter expert.

Merryll-Anne’s experience at the school in London was career altering and she was thrilled to return to this setting as part of the Woodbury family.

Assistant Clinical Supervisor

Joseph Hickman

Joe began his ABA journey in 2019 working as a home therapist and a registered behavioural technician. He then started at Woodbury in 2021 as a level 2 therapist and began his new role as an assistant clinical supervisor in January 2023.

Joe has completed a Bachelor of Psychology with first class honours (GPA of 6.5 out of 7) in 2020 at Western Sydney University. Joe currently is studying a Master of Applied Behaviour Analysis through Monash University (current GPA is 6.75 out of 7) and is completing his supervision requirements through Woodbury. Joe aims to sit his BCBA exam and become a BCBA, once he is eligible.

Joe finds his job fulfilling because it allows him to do meaningful work that helps children to increase their independence, build their skills and enjoy coming to school.

Assistant Clinical Supervisor

Jessica Perlov

Jess began her ABA journey in 2016 as a behaviour technician supporting children in the home, school and preschool environments. In 2021, she worked as a Senior Therapist in the clinic-based realm until she joined Woodbury in September 2023.

Jess completed a Bachelors of Speech, Hearing and Language Sciences at Macquarie University while working in the ABA field to support her practical clinical skills. With the support of Woodbury, Jess is completing her supervision requirements to go alongside her studies at Griffith University in the Masters of Applied Behaviour Analysis.

The most fulfilling and rewarding part of the job for Jess is supporting learners develop lifelong leisure and play-skills to ensure joyful and meaningful ways to engage beyond the learning environments.

Woodbury School Teaching Team

Appointed Senior Teacher

Bec Freakley

Teacher

Lori-Anne (Annie) Brennan

Teacher

Tammie Chui

Teacher

Ethan Munday

Teacher

Sarah Stewart

Appointed Senior Teacher

Bec Freakley

Bec came to Woodbury as a teacher in 2010. After gaining experience in Applied Behaviour Analysis; her first experience and ABA training were through service providers and in-home therapy. Bec has a B. A (majoring in Psychology), and an M.Ed. Recently having completed her BCBA qualification she moved to the role of Clinical Supervisor. Bec brings extensive knowledge into the role not only in the classroom, but of Woodbury.

Her particular interests are helping children develop their self-help skills with regard to daily living tasks, communication, helping students manage and identify their own behaviours (where possible) and making the transition to other schools as smooth as possible for both the children and their families. Bec is also passionate about training others in ABA, including staff and other stakeholders, so more people can see the benefits of this powerful tool.

Teacher

Lori-Anne (Annie) Brennan

Lori-Anne (Annie), started at Woodbury in 2018.

Annie’s initial encounter of Woodbury was after an in class observation when they first opened in 2006. It was this experience which ignited Annie’s passion for teaching. Now, after completing her studies ( and a short break to start a family) she has come back to Woodbury and is excited to be part of this amazing team.

She first began her career in the Early Childhood Sector, completing a Diploma in Children’s Services. She then went on to complete a BEd (birth to 12 year) gaining valuable experience working with children in both the classroom and outside school settings. While on maternity leave she completed post graduate studies in behaviour support teaching.

What she enjoys most about working at Woodbury are the relationships and bonds that are built with your students and their families. Annie says “The students at Woodbury have taught me so much already and I can’t wait to see what my future at Woodbury holds”.

Teacher

Tammie Chui

Tammie graduated from Sydney University with a Masters of Teaching in primary school and went on to teach for a number of years at various schools throughout Sydney before moving to Canberra. At the end of last year, she returned with her family and has become a valuable member of the Woodbury team. She is a passionate teacher and loves watching students grow academically as well as socially and the excitement and energy that it brings.

Teacher

Ethan Munday

After graduating with a BA and B.Ed (primary) Ethan moved to the UK to explore different teaching opportunities. During this time he worked in a range of roles including teaching at a behavioural school, special ed needs and disability schools including children with Autism, as well as working on a one to one basis with students who had been excluded from school and looking to return.

Through these schools he witnessed the improvements students could achieve academically, socially and emotionally when the appropriate learning environment and support was provided. These experiences fostered a strong passion for teaching children with additional needs and developed my educational philosophy of inclusion wholism and independence which he brings with him to Woodbury.

Teacher

Sarah Stewart

After graduating with a Bachelors of Primary Education (Majoring in Inclusive Education), Sarah taught in a primary school before becoming a full-time carer of a close family member who had a profound intellectual and physical disability. During this time, she commenced a Master of Education (Special Education) where she developed an interest in teaching with the principles of ABA and a passion for supporting students with high support needs.

Sarah has high expectations of her students achieving this by providing engaging and fun learning experiences, through encouragement and positivity developing communication and functional skills. Her wholistic approach to teaching, ensures Saran builds independence and self-determination for her students.

Ruben’s Place Team

Clinical Supervisor

Deblina Das

Assistant Clinical Supervisor

Amira Bazouni

Room Leader

Andrea Berimballi

Room Leader

Trishia Barlahan

Room Leader

Natasha Jassal

Room Leader

Vanessa Phan

Clinical Supervisor

Deblina Das

Deblina is a Board Certified Assistant Behaviour Analyst (BCaBA), Certified Behaviour Analyst (CBA) and an NDIS registered Behaviour Support Practitioner. She is dedicated towards supporting young children with their foundational skills of communication, play, self-care and socialization to help them become independent in a safe and trusted environment of learning. She also has extensive experience in parent coaching and helping families and caregivers build capacities to support their children. She believes collaboration to be a key factor in the dissemination of Behaviour Analysis and behaviour support practice in Australia.

She is enthusiastic about working in a group learning environment, bringing the joy with children and fostering a sense of belongingness and teamwork amongst the teachers and clinicians who are inspirational in so many ways.

Assistant Clinical Supervisor

Amira Bazouni

Room Leader

Andrea Berimballi

After completing a diploma in early childhood education, Andrea went on to study a Bachelor of Teaching to further her career. After 6 years of educating young children within a Montessori learning environment, Andrea joined Woodbury as a Junior Therapist. She was eager to learn all about ABA and how best to support children with additional needs. At the start of 2021, Andrea began working with our young children in Rubens Place, and shortly thereafter, was appointed room leader gaining her RBT certification.  Andrea’s passion is supporting our younger children in their growth and education before their move to primary school. “I believe education is about teaching a child in the way they learn and adapting the learning environment to suit their abilities and needs”.

Room Leader

Trishia Barlahan

Trishia found ABA whilst studying Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) in 2020. She started as a junior ABA therapist with a service provider, she diligently supported children in enhancing their skills across developmental domains through in-home, one-on-one therapy. In 2022, Trishia joined Woodbury as a casual therapist to explore the group-based application of ABA. Progressing swiftly, she became a permanent behaviour therapist at Rubens Place. In 2023, Trishia embraced a leadership role as a room leader. Her dedication to growth is evident through her plans of pursuing a Masters in ABA in 2024.

Trishia’s genuine passion for supporting children and fostering strong connections with families shines through every aspect of her work.

Room Leader

Natasha Jassal

Natasha, a dedicated professional, has been shaping young lives since 2018. Her journey in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) began at Ruben’s Place in Term 2, 2022, where she quickly stepped into the role of Room Leader in 2023. Natasha’s commitment to making a meaningful impact shines through her pursuit of the RBT certification. She has completed an Honours degree in Psychology, and aspires to pursue a master’s degree in psychology, specialising in child psychology. She has found working with the children and their families incredibly fulfilling and rewarding.

Room Leader

Vanessa Phan

After graduating from a Bachelor’s and Honour’s degree in Psychological Science, Vanessa found ABA through the recommendation of her Honours supervisor. Vanessa joined us in 2020 as a junior therapist at Woodbury where she quickly grew to love the work and team. She saw the value of implementing the principles of ABA in the classroom and found fulfilment in seeing the students thrive and progress in a safe and nurturing environment. Vanessa was then appointed the Room Leader role at Ruben’s Place after wanting to further her experience working with a younger age group. Her passion is to provide her students with a voice to advocate for themselves and to provide them with fun and engaging learning experiences based around their special interests. Vanessa strongly believes in the power of ‘yet’ in her students and encourages them to enjoy every little step they take towards learning.

Therapy Team

Meet the Woodbury Therapy Team.

Woodbury is proud to have a dedicated team of highly trained ABA therapists who work in our school providing vital support within the classroom.

The team here at Woodbury undergo specialist training in ABA, and are drawn from a variety of backgrounds, including education, speech pathology, childcare and psychology.

Our Board of Directors

Woodbury was started in 2006 after a group of parents and a dedicated speech therapist saw how ABA therapy could improve the lives of children with Autism. As the first school of its kind and based in NSW, Woodbury has made ABA therapy accessible to parents and families offering their children acceptance and achievement.

Those parents and Speech therapist, now form our Board of Directors along with a parent representative. The board of directors work closely with our Clinical Director and Finance Manager to ensure Woodbury’s continued development and growth.