Mandy Kent-Shaw is a proud Wiradjuri woman, born and raised on Darkinung Country, where she has lived most of her life. She is a member of Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council, the Darkinyung Language Centre and the co-founder of The Central Coast Pelicans Aboriginal Netball Club, now in its 21st year. She has a double degree, Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Arts (honours) and a triple major – Sociology, Aboriginal Education and Special Education K-12 and has also completed a Masters of Indigenous Language at Sydney University.
She has worked for over two decades in Education, in numerous positions across all grades and stages, from England to Darwin to the Central Coast, from classroom teacher to Assistant Principal, Principal to Director of Aboriginal Campuses NSW, leading two campuses. She is passionate about improving student outcomes through a strong foundation in literacy and numeracy and through a curriculum entwined with culture, instilling pride and self-belief along the way.
Mandy is a passionate advocate for Darkinyung language revival, dedicated to preserving and sharing its richness and works tirelessly to teach, promote, and celebrate the power of language.
Mandy is the Manager at Barang Regional Alliance of Connected Beginnings, the yagunda baranggu program – a first of its kind initiative in the region focusing on the critical first 2,000 days of a child’s development—laying the foundation for lifelong learning, health, and well-being – for kids to be strong, deadly, and ready to thrive at school.