In every school community there are individuals who quietly, yet powerfully, shape lives both in and beyond the classroom. Rebecca Hartman is one such individual – a dynamic deputy principal at Jolimont Primary School, a passionate educator and trauma-informed leader, and now the National Coach of the 2025 Australian Commonwealth Lifesaving Team.

Rebecca’s contributions to education are nothing short of inspiring. As a dedicated WAPPA member, she brings heart and insight to her leadership, earning high praise from colleagues for her expertise in trauma-informed practice and her ability to build safe, connected learning environments. Her work is anchored in compassion and guided by a belief in the potential of every student, qualities that shine just as brightly outside school walls.

Beyond her educational leadership, Rebecca is making waves on the national and international stage – quite literally – through her role as National Coach for the Australian Lifesaving Team at both the 2025 Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships and the 2025 World Games.

Appointed by Royal Life Saving Australia, Rebecca will lead the team to the Commonwealth Championships held from 10–13 July in Swansea, Wales. She will then take on the world again in August, travelling to Chengdu, China as the Head Coach of the Australian Life Saving Team for the 2025 World Games – a prestigious multi-sport event that brings together elite lifesaving athletes from around the globe.

These dual appointments reflect not only Rebecca’s elite coaching credentials but also her deep capacity to inspire excellence in others. Whether on pool deck or in the school yard, she brings the same passion, purpose, and poise – nurturing talent, building belief, and leading with unwavering integrity.

Those who know Rebecca – including her husband Dahmen from elastik, her colleagues at Jolimont, and her fellow WAPPA members know that these are not just titles. They are the product of years of soul-filling work, lived values, and a life dedicated to community service and personal excellence.