How We Teach & Support
It's the little things we do to support an individualised learning program that get us the big resultsHow we teach and support
Our entire teaching staff is dedicated to the detail and we want to ensure every child achieves to their own potential.
This means ensuring we have a robust system of teaching and support that not only caters to the average (or middle student) – but also the advanced student or the student that needs some extra support.
For learning to take place we need to ensure that every child feels safe, happy and confident within themselves – and so a huge emphasis is placed on a strong wellbeing and support program that achieves just that!
Kinder to Prep Transition
St Gregory the Great Primary School is unique in the way we conduct our Kindergarten to Prep Transition.
Throughout the course of the children’s final year at Kindergarten, we conduct transition sessions on a monthly basis. Each session is planned to have a different focus; for example, there are play based activities involving art, sports, reading and music. While the children are settling in and being supervised by our staff, they are given the opportunity to get to know each other and the Year 6 buddies, parents are invited to attend a short information session in the spheres of Education in Faith, Leadership and Management, Learning and Teaching, Wellbeing and Community Partnerships.
These sessions play an important and beneficial role to the children’s transition from Kindergarten to Prep at St Gregory the Great.
Better Buddies Program
Through our Better Buddies program, each class is buddied up with another class, starting with children in their first and last year of primary school and they learn the values: caring for others, friendliness, respect, valuing difference, including others and responsibility through formal and informal activities.
Respectful Relationships
“Love one another as I have loved you”- This is what Jesus teaches us through the Gospel.
We encourage our students to live this message and in order to facilitate this, we incorporate lessons based on the Victorian Government’s Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships document across all year levels. Connecting these lessons with the Catholic Social Teachings encourage all students to develop a mutual respect and care for their peers, family, teachers and community members.
Learning Support
We believe that every child has a right to the best opportunities possible. In order to assist students in achieving their personal best, we have many support programs which can aid them in their learning. We have a group of dedicated Learning Support Officers (LSOs) who work alongside students to assist them in areas of need based on teacher recommendations. Teachers construct Personalised Learning Plans (PLPs) for students in consultation with the student wellbeing leader and parents. Program Support Group (PSG) meetings are scheduled regularly to update parents in regards to their child’s needs and achievements.
Restorative Practices
St Gregory the Great is a Restorative Practices school. This is a whole school approach which fosters resilience in our students and assists in building positive relationships in our school community. Restorative Practices empowers the students to resolve problems and restore relationships after an incident.
New Students
At St Gregory the Great School we recognise that transitioning to a new school can bring with it a mixture of challenges and excitement for children.We are proactive and support the transition process by putting things in place prior to the commencement date. We work closely with the family to ensure that the child and family feels comfortable and get used to their new environment.
Inviting the student to visit the school several times before they start and asking them questions like what are you most excited about for your first day of school? What are you worried about? We believe that the way we talk about going to a new school will shape how the child views it.
Secondary Schools Transitions
Our Year 6 teachers understand that transition from primary school to secondary school can be an exciting and sometimes challenging experience for students. Due to our knowledge and understanding of this, we work very closely with the secondary schools that our students will move on to. Our Year 6 teachers meet with staff from the student’s chosen high school to inform them of student needs and support that has been provided to the students so far.
Leadership & Admin
Nick Frederiksen
Principal
It is a privilege to be Principal at this amazing school. There is a true sense of shared responsibility at St Paul’s where we work in partnership with families in order to help each child reach their full potential. Our staff truly put students and families first in everything we do.
Jo McIntosh
Administration Leader and Year 1/2 Teacher
Working at St Paul’s means being part of a close-knit community of students, parents and staff. When I started teaching Art and PE in 2019 I enjoyed the strong relationships initially developed with students and now cherish the continued connections formed with the students in my class – it’s wonderful to see their knowledge and confidence grow with real-world tasks and hands-on learning activities. Outside of school I love watching my three sons play their myriad of sports and I volunteer with many local sporting clubs and committees.
Maria Cook
Religious Education Leader, Literacy Leader, Year 1/2 Teacher
What I love the most about teaching at St Paul’s is that the students have a passion and eagerness for learning and discovering. It is so rewarding seeing them develop socially and academically throughout the year.
When I’m not at work what I enjoy doing is gardening, shopping, going on long walks with my dogs and going to the footy to watch the mighty Tigers play.
Kelly Geoghegan
Learning and Teaching Leader; Leading Teacher - Numeracy; Prep Teacher
I leave St Paul’s each day with a smile and a feeling of happiness as it is a lovely place to work.
Sarah Kleverkamp
Student Wellbeing Leader; Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader
I thoroughly enjoy working with the wonderful families at St Paul’s Primary. In my role I’m lucky to experience relationships through all levels of the school and watch those with diverse needs grow and flourish over time. We have an amazing Wellbeing team that I can rely on to support me in my role and the students within our school. It is so important for everyone to feel valued and connected to school, and I believe that we are fortunate to be able to really ‘know’ every child (and family).
Helen Hermann
Office Manager
I joined the St Paul’s team in 2006 and really enjoy the diversity of my role. My day includes anything from welcoming families and visitors, putting band aids on grazed knees or supporting our wonderful staff and students in a variety of ways. I look after many of the finance and admin tasks required to maintain the smooth running of our school on a daily basis. St Paul’s is a fabulous community to be a part of!
Teachers
Jacqui Kerr
Prep Teacher
I have a strong belief that the journey is just as important as the outcome. In the junior levels, each child’s seed, that is planted in Prep, is able to grow tiny shoots, blooming into new learning. Every day the students make you feel special and like you are a rock star! What other job makes you feel like that?
I enjoy special times with my family and friends, camping, running, cycling, baking and colouring in.
Caitlin Van Strijp
Year 1/2 Teacher
Coming Soon
Julie Dietrich
Year 1/2 Teacher
I joined St Paul’s in 2013 and during these years I have had many opportunities. I have been a classroom teacher and also supported children in maths and literacy. I love being a part of the staff, learning with others and building relationships. I also enjoy getting to know the families of the children I teach. I feel lucky to meet so many lovely people from little brothers and sisters to grandparents. We learn in such a beautiful environment and every day I look out and see the trees and mountains of the Dandenong Ranges. Outside of school I enjoy walking my dogs and taking trips away in my camper with my family.
Roxanne Levett
Year 3/4 Teacher
Coming Soon
Carolynne
Year 4/5 Teacher
Since starting at St Paul’s in 2001, I have felt I have been a part of a warm, welcoming community. It has always amazed me just how supportive and accepting the students at St Paul’s are of each other. I consider building relationships with the students and parents vital in my role as an educator and believe the social and emotional wellbeing of students is an area of focus that helps develop the whole person – mentally, academically and spiritually.
Daniel Salan
Year 5/6 Teacher
I absolutely love being a part of the St Paul’s Community and having the opportunity to play a small part in each student’s learning journey. I believe creating an environment that allows each student to be happy and enjoy coming to school each and every day is the most important thing, especially in the Senior grades. I centre my approach around aiming to make each task as engaging as possible for my students.
Emma Dinkgreve
Classroom Teacher
I’m delighted to be part of the St Paul’s community and teaching team. My passion lies in nurturing creativity, curiosity, and wonder in every student and fostering a love of lifelong learning. Witnessing students’ holistic growth and their many magical ‘Ah-Ha!’ moments along their learning journey is a highlight, as are the relationships built with students, and their families. Beyond school, I treasure sharing coffee with family and friends and outdoor adventures that connect me to the beauty of our world.
Emma-lee Curwood
Visual Arts Specialist
When I teach Art, I love seeing all of the students creativity and passion coming through their masterpieces. Through a range of mediums, students get hands-on making and creating, expressing their own ideas. I also enjoy Thursdays and Fridays when I am teaching PE.
Louisa Pontin-Raj
Physical Education Specialist
Coming Soon
Teresa Fraraccio
Music/Performing Arts Specialist Teacher
Learning music has been proven to have a huge influence on brain development in the areas of language, maths, problem solving, and social and emotional growth. Singing, movement to music and playing instruments with others also helps create a sense of belonging. It is also a LOT of fun!
St Paul’s is a great school! Our students are known and their uniqueness valued. I have the great privilege of helping them feel empowered to be creative and express themselves through music whether they are using their voice, keyboards, xylophones or drums and hopefully it awakens an appreciation for music that goes with them beyond primary school.
When I am not playing music, you will probably find me in the veggie garden playing with my grandchildren.
Isabella Lepore
Languages - Italian Teacher
I have been very privileged to be part of such an extraordinary and compassionate community of teachers, families, and students at St Paul’s. Hopefully, my love of teaching has inspired our students at St Paul’s a passion for learning any subject and enabling them to make a difference.
Learning Support
Paula
School Counsellor; Youth Worker
I am very lucky in my role to be able to build such strong relationships with our students’ school through counselling and students’ social justice groups. I feel privileged to be able to make a difference and value the opportunity to be there for students/parents, even just to be a listening ear. This may sound simple, but feeling heard and being validated can be very powerful and is important to a child’s mental health and mindset. As a Monbulk local I am also involved in MADCOW (Monbulk & District Community Opportunities Workingroup) Youth Services and being the Trainer for the Under 18s at Monbulk Footy Club).
Greg McCourt
Learning Support Officer; Casual Relief Teacher
After previously teaching English in Japan and working as a CRT in Melbourne, I am very excited to be working at St Paul’s. My main role is in Learning Support, and I also teach in classrooms on a casual basis.
Jacqui Darwall
Learning Support Officer
Coming Soon
Zoe Crabtree
Learning Support Officer
Coming Soon
Max Westwood
Learning Support Officer
Coming Soon
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