For more than 27 years, Sunita Hungerford has dedicated her life to nurturing children, supporting families and empowering educators across the early childhood and outside school hours care (OSHC) sectors.
Today, as Coordinator of Sydney Catholic Early Childhood Services (SCECS) OSHC at Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School, Carnes Hill in Sydney’s west, Sunita brings together decades of professional experience and a deep Catholic faith that continues to shape her leadership and service.
Her journey into Catholic education began with a moving spiritual experience that would ultimately lead her to convert to Catholicism.
“My journey into OSHC within Catholic education began with a profound encounter with the Virgin Mary, an experience that quietly transformed the direction of my life and awakened a calling I didn’t yet understand,” Sunita said.
At Notre Dame du Pacifique, the Virgin Mary Lookout in New Caledonia, Sunita recalls lighting a single candle and offering a simple prayer for guidance.
“I walked away unaware that this small act of faith would become the moment grace took root in my heart.”
What followed was a series of opportunities within Catholic education that she believes were guided by the Holy Spirit, leading her through several Catholic OSHC services before arriving at Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School in Carnes Hill.
“That first encounter with Mary continues to shape the way I lead, serve, and care for children, families, and educators,” she said.
Sunita’s extensive career has included roles as educator, assistant director, coordinator and director, alongside 15 years mentoring TAFE Children’s Services students. Holding a Diploma in Children’s Services and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, she has helped countless aspiring educators build confidence and develop their professional skills.
“Supporting children has always been at the heart of my mission, but my calling has also been to uplift and empower the educators who walk beside me each day,” she said.
Since joining SCECS, Sunita has focused on creating a culture where educators feel valued, supported and empowered to grow.
“With a spirit grounded in faith, I made it my purpose to create a culture where every educator felt valued, encouraged, and seen.”
Through mentoring, reflective practice and collaborative leadership, she has helped educators recognise their strengths and build confidence in supporting children with diverse emotional and behavioural needs.
“I believe that when educators are strengthened in their God-given potential, they offer their very best to the children entrusted to us,” she said.
For Sunita, some of the most meaningful moments in her career have come through the children whose lives she has helped shape.
She recalls supporting a young boy from a disadvantaged background, ensuring he arrived each day feeling safe, cared for and valued. Another child, who struggled significantly with emotional regulation and challenging behaviours, became a defining example of the impact of patience, compassion and faith-guided care.
“By taking the time to understand his needs, offering patient guidance, and celebrating even the smallest steps forward, I watched him slowly transform,” she said.
Years later, the young person continues to return to the service to visit.
“On the last day I cared for him, his last words were ‘you changed me, thank you’.”
“These experiences strengthened my conviction that every child deserves someone who sees beyond the behaviour and recognises the potential God has placed within them.”
Another significant milestone came when Sunita was confirmed into the Catholic Church, a moment she describes as transformative for both her personal faith and professional life.
“One of the most transformative moments in my journey with SCECS was the day of my Confirmation,” she said.
“My Confirmation strengthened my sense of purpose and grounded my work in compassion, humility, and spiritual intention.”
The experience deepened connections across the OSHC community, with families, children and educators embracing and supporting her faith journey. One parent even volunteered to become her Confirmation sponsor.
“Children grew curious about Catholic traditions, inviting me to Thursday Mass to watch them read verses from the Bible and opening opportunities for gentle conversations about kindness, gratitude, and belonging,” she said.
Today, Sunita sees her work in Catholic OSHC as far more than a profession.
“The greatest reward of working in a Catholic OSHC setting is the privilege of serving God through my daily work,” she said.
“Every day, I am reminded that this is more than a job, it is a ministry, a calling, and a chance to live my faith with intention and love.”
She believes Catholic education provides a unique foundation for high-quality outside school hours care by nurturing the whole child.
“I believe Catholic education plays a sacred and essential role in shaping high-quality OSHC experiences by nurturing the whole child; spiritually, emotionally, socially, and academically,” she said.
“This holistic, faith-centred approach transforms OSHC into far more than a service; it becomes a place where children grow in character, confidence, and faith, surrounded by a community that truly cares for their whole development.”
For Sunita, the opportunity to unite professional expertise with spiritual purpose remains the greatest blessing of all.
“For me, it is a profound privilege to serve God through the work I do each day.”