Jacqueline Harvey
Diploma of Teaching (Distinction) 1989
Bachelor of Education (Primary) 1991

Since graduating from the University of Wollongong, Jacqueline Harvey (nee Earnell) has combined successful careers as an educator and author. Jacqueline, who graduated from UOW’s Faculty of Education in 1991, is Deputy Head at the exclusive Abbotsleigh Junior School in the Sydney suburb of Wahroonga.

She is also a successful author, having had four children’s books published by Lothian since 2003: Code Name Mr Right, Code Name Unwanted, Code Name Rescue and The Sound of the Sea. Jacqueline harboured a desire to write from a young age, and encouragement from her UOW Children’s Literature Lecturer, Pat Farrar, provided early inspiration.

“I remember writing a story for an assignment and Pat said that I should think about writing some books,” she remembers. “It was great when my first book was launched in 2003 that Pat and his wife were able to come along to the celebrations.”

A “work scholarship” at UOW where she worked as a research assistant for Faculty of Education academics Brian Cambourne and Jan Turbill also influenced her career in education. After graduating from UOW she taught at Gib Gate, an independent junior school at Mittagong, before moving to Byron Bay where she combined casual teaching with giving writing a “proper go”.

In 2001 she won the Frustrated Writers’ Competition run by the NSW Branch of the Children’s Book Council, which gave her the opportunity to work with a mentor, illustrator and author Donna Rawlins, who gave her invaluable advice on writing and publishing.

Her first book, Code Name Mr Right, about a young girl growing up in a coastal town, was published in August 2003. It has been followed by two more in the series and a picture book, The Sound of the Sea, about a young boy who loses his mother and how his family deals with heir grief.

In 2001 Jacqueline took up a six-month position at Abbotsleigh, and has been there ever since, being appointed Deputy Head in 2003. But this demanding role has not quenched her enthusiasm for writing.

“I have several projects underway including a novel for teenagers set in the outback which is due for publication in early 2007 as well as a more sinister novel for older teenagers and a really fun story for primary school kids. I always have lots of ideas - it’s just difficult finding the time to write,” she said, crediting her husband, Ian, with being “incredibly supportive”.

Jacqueline also finds time for conference presentations and literary festivals, and this year has been working with Gilgandra Public School on their Read Aloud Birth to Kindergarten Program.

“Reading aloud is one of my passions and I’m looking to work further in this area, particularly with students who come from less fortunate backgrounds where reading and writing are not highly valued,” she said.