About The Heeled/Healed Deputy

Andrea has been in educational leadership for over 15 years, following first a career as a professional actor, singer, and dancer in Australia and on London’s West End. For the past four years, she has taken on the role of Deputy Principal—often learning the ropes the hard way and discovering just how complex, challenging, and rewarding leadership can be.

This blog was inspired by her solo pilgrimage along the Italian Camino, a journey that created space to reflect deeply on purpose, values, and the quiet challenges of imposter syndrome. Through thoughtful reflections, best-practice insights, and a generous measure of light-hearted anecdotes and memorable stories, Andrea shares lessons learned along the way, balancing the professional with the personal in a way that speaks honestly to fellow educators and leaders.

Beyond her professional life, Andrea is a proud mum to two spirited daughters, Genevieve and Madeleine, who are both in primary school, and never fail to keep life lively. She also has two cats, Sugar and Minnie that belong to her daughters, but as all parents know, are  really only her responsibility.

Andrea  has had the privilege of calling Sydney, Perth, Amsterdam, and London home—each city leaving its unique mark on her journey. These moves have instilled in her a love of adaptability, a flair for adventure, and a deep appreciation for the richness of different cultures and communities.