Meet The Teachers

The wonderful bunch here at St Paul’s would love to say hello!

Meet The Teachers →

Meet Our Teachers

At the top of the list when measuring the quality of a school has to be the quality of the teaching staff. St Paul’s is beyond fortunate to have a team of teachers truly dedicated to positive outcomes for all children.

Meet our teachers below!

Leadership & Administration

Michael Watt

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.

Denham Harvie

Deputy Principal; Religious Education Leader; Year 3/4 Teacher

I have been teaching for almost 25 years in a number of different schools, but am always astounded by the number of opportunities the students at St Paul’s are given. The students are encouraged to be involved in a number of school based and extracurricular activities such as choir, inter school sport, STEM, chess lessons, LOTE, art and our new kitchen garden. Not to mention the creative ways that they taught the “basics”. It’s wonderful to see students develop in all areas; academic, personal, social, emotional and spiritual.

Helen Dinkgreve

Business Manager

Joining the St Paul’s team in 2006 I firmly believe I have the best job in the school. I love the

diversity of my role which includes anything from welcoming families, keeping teeth safe for the

tooth fairy, putting band aids on grazed knees, supporting our wonderful staff and all finance and

admin tasks required to keep our school running smoothly on a daily basis.

Sarah Kleverkamp

Student Wellbeing Leader; Learning Diversity 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).

Junior School Staff

Maree

Year Prep/1 Teacher; Year 2/3 Teacher

I have worked at St Paul’s for years and wouldn’t work anywhere else! I love the children, families and community. The staff are a fantastic team who have a shared responsibilities for all our children. I work hard and always strive to do my best for the children. I have one daughter and love spending time in my garden.

Maria

Prep/1 Teacher; Languages - Italian Specialist Teacher

What I love the most about teaching Prep/One at St Paul’s is that students at this level 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.

Julie

Prep Support Teacher; Literacy Intervention Teacher

This is my 6th year at St Pauls and I love working with the families and children. My role is to support children as they learn to read and I love seeing them develop a love of books and the confidence to use this knowledge in all parts of their lives. I also enjoy supporting the staff in classrooms and my role allows me to teach in all areas of the school.

Middle School Staff

Stephenie

Director of Teaching and Learning; Literacy Leader; Year 3/4 teacher

I love finding great ways to engage students in the curriculum in fun and active ways through hands on learning. I also like the opportunity to work with students across the school finding out what they are learning.
I enjoy time in the classroom with 3/4, as the students are curious, fun and really hard workers!

Cathie

Year 2/3 Teacher

I have been a staff member at St. Paul’s for the past 18 years, taking on a variety of roles in that time.
I strive to provide a classroom environment where students become active learners, striving to achieve their personal best.
When not in the classroom, I enjoy spending time at home with family and friends.

Senior School Staff

Carolynne

Year 5/6 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. One of the most rewarding things about being a Year 5/6 teacher is watching the students develop their independence and take on leadership roles throughout the school.

Greg

Year 5/6 Teacher

After previously teaching English in Japan and working as a CRT in Melbourne, I am very excited to be working with my own class full-time.
5/6M (formerly 5/6P) been fantastic so far with having a new teacher and I’m looking forward to working with them for the rest of the year.

Specialist Staff

Emma-lee

eLearning Leader; Visual Arts Specialist; Physical Education 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. In PE, I endeavour to provide students with every sporting opportunity and be engaged in a wide variety of sports expanding their skill set and knowledge.

Paula

Music & Performing Arts Teacher

I love that my role at St Paul’s school gives me the opportunity to share my passion for music and the Performing Arts with our students. I am inspired by their enthusiasm to learn and I endeavour to foster in them a wide appreciation of the arts and to help them to recognize and develop their individual talents in this area.
I particularly love to sing with the children as I believe it has physical, psychological and social benefits. A high light for me is our weekly choir session, which is not compulsory but well supported by students from Year 2 to Year 6.
It is very rewarding to witness the growth in confidence and skills in individual students and to share their joy and excitement when presenting a whole school performance.

Learning Support Officers

Paula

School Counsellor; Youth Worker; Learning Support Officer

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).

Elizabeth

I love working one on one with students. I love seeing and celebrating their achievements over the years. I work in different classrooms and with various teachers so I get to know students and staff throughout the school.
Away from school I enjoy time with my children and grandchildren and, when I can, doing patchwork and cross stitch.

Anita

Languages Assistant (prep - 6)

I enjoy working as a Languages Assistant and working with the Italian teacher Signora Cook, to assist her with teaching Italian and sharing with the students the beauty of Italy, its language and culture.
Outside school I enjoy spending time with my family and the outdoors.

Have a Taste of Our Online Tour

UpSchool

A community resource by St Paul's Primary School

Buddha’s Belly – A brain training activity

by Digital Schools | September 18, 2018 | Fun, Just Breathe Blog, Kids Activity, Schools, Upschool | 0 Comments

Learn how to change your brain using words of power.

Kids Mindfulness Activity – Star Breathing

by Digital Schools | August 20, 2019 | Fun, Just Breathe Blog, Kids Activity, Mindfulness, Schools, Upschool, Wellbeing | 0 Comments

Mindfulness breathing is a beautiful way to relax a busy mind, calm nervous feelings and build mental clarity.
The ‘Star Breathing Chart’ is a great activity to practice when feelings and emotions get a little hairy and thinking is a bit blurry.

ADHD and Mindfulness

by Digital Schools | December 18, 2018 | ADHD, Grownups, Just Breathe Blog, Mindfulness, Schools, Science and Media, Upschool | 0 Comments

Because of mindfulness’s effectiveness in developing self-awareness, emotional self-regulation, cognition and concentration ts application in the treatment of cognitive disorders like ADHD in children has been adopted and explored by clinicians and psychologist as an alternative to medication.

Peace Giants – Lao Tzu, Tao 8

by Digital Schools | December 10, 2019 | Inspiration, Mindfulness, New Ideas, Philosophy, Upschool, Wellbeing | 0 Comments

Lao Tzu a legendary chinese philosophy and writer, credited with forming Daoism one of the two main schools of chinese philosophical thought, wrote a book – ‘The Tao Te Ching’ approximately 2500 years ago.

I’m Dying For A Hug

by Digital Schools | November 11, 2018 | Grownups, Just Breathe Blog, Mindfulness, Science and Media, Upschool, Wellbeing | 0 Comments

I’m Dying For A Hug
We live a time that has been defined by its scholars as the loneliest civilisation in human history.
With the advances in communication and the standard of living it’s highest in all recorded history, you would think this could not possibly be true, but it is.

The Tears of Shiva – Seeds from a magic tree

by Digital Schools | September 17, 2019 | Grownups, Medicine, Mindfulness, Natural Medicine, Philosophy, Upschool, Wellbeing, Yoga | 0 Comments

The name Rudrā is one of 1008 names of the Hindu deity Shiva and the word Akśa means tears in Sanskrit. After 1000 years of meditation tears began to fall from the eyes of Shiva in compassion for mankind, the tears became the Rudraksha Tree.

Breath is the Best Medicine

by Digital Schools | August 4, 2018 | Breathing Activity, Grownups, Just Breathe Blog, Mindfulness, Upschool, Wellbeing | 0 Comments

Breath is the Best Medicine We need oxygen to survive, and without enough of it, our brain and all our organs cannot function properly and our cells will begin to die. By Emily Rack Breath is the Best Medicine We need oxygen to survive, and without enough of it, our...

How To Bake A Meditation Cake

by Digital Schools | August 2, 2018 | Grownups, Just Breathe Blog, Mindfulness, Schools, Upschool, Wellbeing | 0 Comments

How To Bake A Meditation Cake Meditation practice is a little bit like baking a cake, it requires certain ingredients placed in the right order, mixed and baked for a set amount of time to get the right result. Without a recipe or the right ingredients, you are likely...

Sound Waves & Brain Waves

by Digital Schools | August 12, 2018 | Fun, Just Breathe Blog, Kids Activity, Mindfulness, Schools, Upschool, Video, Video Activity, Wellbeing | 0 Comments

You can use sound waves to change your brain waves.

Sound Meditation

by Digital Schools | August 15, 2018 | Breathing Activity, Fun, Just Breathe Blog, Kids Activity, Mindfulness, Philosophy, Schools, Wellbeing | 0 Comments

Sound waves can be used to change your brain waves

Know Me, Know You – Diaphragmatic Breathing

by Digital Schools | October 8, 2018 | Breathing Activity, Grownups, Just Breathe Blog, Kids Activity, Mindfulness, Video, Video Activity, Wellbeing | 0 Comments

Learn how to use your breath to live longer, get smarter and feel better.

Mandala Activity

by Digital Schools | August 4, 2018 | Fun, Just Breathe Blog, Kids Activity, Mindfulness, Philosophy, Schools, Upschool, Wellbeing | 0 Comments

Mandala When we were kids the creation of the perfect colouring could become something of an obsession; each time we began a new page we would always try to improve on the previous artwork, making sure to stay between the lines, pick the right colours and apply the...

Just Breathe – Video

by Digital Schools | March 14, 2019 | Upschool, Video, Video Activity | 0 Comments

Just like everything we consume – the breath can either be a medicine or a poison; depending on how you use it.

Taking Out The Trash

by Digital Schools | August 21, 2018 | Famous People, Grownups, Just Breathe Blog, Mindfulness, Philosophy, Schools, Upschool, Wellbeing | 0 Comments

One of the biggest misconceptions about meditation is that it will clear your mind of any thoughts and negative memories and you will become completely empty and pure.

You Achieve What You Believe

by Digital Schools | August 2, 2018 | Grownups, Mindfulness, Schools | 0 Comments

You Achieve What You Believe What you think can become who you are. Your beliefs underly the entire construct of your reality. When was the last time you checked into what you think and more importantly, what you believe? Unprocessed emotions and traumatic experiences...

I Am Enough

by Digital Schools | January 30, 2019 | Famous People, Mindfulness, Schools, Science and Media, Upschool, Wellbeing | 0 Comments

With the help of research into neuroscience and neuroplasticity, we can now comfortably say that reshaping your mind and changing your brain is possible and anyone can do it.

Habits – Easy To Make and Hard To Break

by Digital Schools | October 1, 2018 | Famous People, Grownups, Just Breathe Blog, Mindfulness, Science and Media, Upschool | 0 Comments

One of the greatest developments in contemporary psychiatry and behavioural psychology is the knowledge that the mind and the brain are in fact two separate things and that with the power of your awareness you can change the structure and the chemistry of your own brain.

Self-Awareness

by Digital Schools | September 9, 2018 | Grownups, Just Breathe Blog, Mindfulness, Philosophy, Upschool, Wellbeing | 0 Comments

Self- Awareness. To know and understand yourself, your emotions, needs and desires is probably the most important thing in life. It means you are more likely to live an authentic, fulfilling and happy existence alongside people and places that add meaning and energy...

Mind and Body

by Digital Schools | August 2, 2018 | Fun, Just Breathe Blog, Kids Activity, Mindfulness, Schools, Upschool, Video, Video Activity, Wellbeing, Yoga | 0 Comments

Mind and Body Watch This Cool Video. Try some yoga with your friends and family. Learn why yoga is so important in helping us to meditate. Ages 5+ Please be careful in practising these exercises. Not everyone is able to participate in this activity so we advise you...

The Finger Labyrinth – A Mindfulness Activity

by Digital Schools | August 13, 2019 | Fun, Healing, Just Breathe Blog, Kids Activity, Mindfulness, Schools, Upschool, Wellbeing | 0 Comments

Using the labyrinth mindfully enhances meditation and prayer, the labyrinth is similar to the maze and has existed throughout ancient cultures for at least the past four thousand years.

The Ocean Breath – A Pranayama Breath Technique

by Digital Schools | September 17, 2018 | Breathing Activity, Fun, Grownups, Just Breathe Blog, Kids Activity, Schools, Upschool, Video, Video Activity, Wellbeing, Yoga | 0 Comments

Learn the ancient pranayama breath practice and reduce stress and anxiety.

Peace Giants – Thich Nhat Hanh

by Digital Schools | December 6, 2019 | Daily Inspiration, Famous People, Mindfulness, New Ideas, Philosophy, Upschool, Wellbeing | 0 Comments

A global Peace Giant, Thich Nhat Hahn has revolutionised our way of seeing the world through his prayers, philosophy, activism and teachings.

In Sync

by Digital Schools | June 10, 2019 | Mindfulness, Science and Media, Upschool, Wellbeing | 0 Comments

Sharing music, making music and dancing with music makes us closer in physical proximity but it also means our brains are closer too.

Colour Me A Frog

by Digital Schools | July 25, 2019 | Fun, Just Breathe Blog, Kids Activity, Mindfulness, Nature, Schools, Upschool, Wellbeing, Wildlife | 0 Comments

Colour your poster and hang it on your wall

The Yogic Breath – Part 2

by Digital Schools | January 24, 2019 | Breathing Activity, Just Breathe Blog, Mindfulness, Upschool, Video, Video Activity, Wellbeing | 0 Comments

This pranayama breathing exercise is a fantastic tool for developing concentration and mental clarity.
Extending the length of your breath will extend the range of your life by slowing down your heart rate, increasing feel-good chemicals and reducing the symptoms of stress and anxiety.

The Intelligent Breath – 2: 1 Breathing Activity

by Digital Schools | April 10, 2019 | Just Breathe Blog, Upschool | 0 Comments

Learn how to get smarter and live longer.

Wu Wei, Your Way

by Digital Schools | August 4, 2018 | Grownups, Just Breathe Blog, Kids Activity, Mindfulness, Philosophy, Schools, Upschool, Wellbeing | 0 Comments

Time To Save Most elderly people when asked about their life regrets will always say they wished they spent their time doing what was important; and it wasn’t worrying about money and comfort items, but spending time with loved ones... The Dalai Lama was asked what he...

The Yogic Breath

by Digital Schools | November 29, 2018 | Uncategorized | 0 Comments

In this pranayama activity, we move the breath from the lowest point of the spine to the highest point in six counts. The yogic breath is a deeply relaxing activity that helps to strengthen mind-body connection and trains you to stay focused and present.

In The Now

by Digital Schools | August 4, 2018 | Breathing Activity, Fun, Grownups, Just Breathe Blog, Kids Activity, Mindfulness, Schools, Upschool, Wellbeing | 0 Comments

In The Now All of us have been told to pay more attention, to concentrate & focus; but have you ever been shown how to? Learning to concentrate is actually a skill that takes practice, just like going to the gym to build up the strength in your muscles, you need...

The Ghost Bat – An Australian Mammal

by Digital Schools | August 16, 2019 | Just Breathe Blog, Mindfulness, Nature, Schools, Science and Media, Upschool, Wellbeing, Wildlife | 0 Comments

The ghost Bat may look a little bit odd with his super-sized ears, and curios shaped nose but he is still an adorable creature to behold and definitely worth a second look.

Just Say Peace – Daily Inspiration

by Digital Schools | November 10, 2019 | Daily Inspiration, Mindfulness, Upschool, Wellbeing | 0 Comments

Peace in every language has the power to transform hearts and minds everywhere.

The Iceman

by Digital Schools | August 4, 2018 | Breathing Activity, Famous People, Grownups, Just Breathe Blog, Mindfulness, Schools, Upschool, Wellbeing | 0 Comments

Breath is the Best Medicine We need oxygen to survive, and without enough of it, our brain and all our organs cannot function properly and our cells will begin to die. By Emily Rack The Iceman Ages 12+ All over the world contemporary science and eastern introspective...

Daily Relaxation & Deep Breathing

by Digital Schools | December 22, 2018 | Breathing Activity, Just Breathe Blog, Mindfulness, Upschool, Video, Video Activity, Wellbeing | 0 Comments

Finding time to relax is so important to your health and wellbeing and yet we so often put everything else first. In just a few minutes you can totally relax your mind and body with this simple relaxation and meditation exercise.

Natural Medicine

by Digital Schools | July 15, 2019 | Just Breathe Blog, Medicine, Mindfulness, Natural Medicine, Nature, Upschool, Wellbeing | 0 Comments

The relationship medicine men and women have with the natural world has taken millennia to evolve, and it’s a relationship sustained through custom, respect, and balance.

Meditation Vs Mindfulness

by Digital Schools | August 2, 2018 | Grownups, Just Breathe Blog, Mindfulness, Schools, Uncategorized, Upschool, Wellbeing | 0 Comments

Breath is the Best Medicine We need oxygen to survive, and without enough of it, our brain and all our organs cannot function properly and our cells will begin to die. By Emily Rack Meditation v's Mindfulness The goal of meditation and mindfulness is simple - it is to...

Prana Yum

by Digital Schools | May 7, 2019 | Just Breathe Blog, Upschool | 0 Comments

Used for millennia as a gateway to self-mastery and a tool for self-healing, self-awareness and self-realisation, the breath sits at the centre of what determines real, and unreal.

You Are What You Think

by Digital Schools | August 4, 2018 | Grownups, Just Breathe Blog, Mindfulness, Schools, Upschool, Wellbeing | 0 Comments

Learning to conceentrate is actualyl a skill that takes practice, just like going to the gym to build up the strenght in yout muscles, you need to practice concentration to strengthen the mind. Developing strong concentration not only makes you more productive and...

The Simple Things

by Digital Schools | February 15, 2019 | Just Breathe Blog, Mindfulness, Upschool | 0 Comments

We have heard it time and time again that happiness comes from the inside but not too often are we told how to find it and what it feels like.

The Nature Of Sound – A Guided Meditation

by Digital Schools | September 6, 2019 | Fun, Healing, Just Breathe Blog, Medicine, Mindfulness, Natural Medicine, Nature, Upschool, Wellbeing | 0 Comments

Mother Nature in all her wisdom provides us with everything we need to grow and thrive. The sounds made by the natural world are there to help tune the body to the frequency of the earth, the planets and the stars.

The Reasons Why

by Digital Schools | February 27, 2019 | Just Breathe Blog, Mindfulness, Upschool | 0 Comments

Whatever your reasons for taking the practice of meditation – whether it be to master your mind or heal the body – the success of your practice lies with your ability to focus and concentrate.

Breaking Bad Habits – Mindfulness Changes Your Brain

by Digital Schools | October 11, 2019 | Grownups, Healing, Just Breathe Blog, Mindfulness, Schools, Science and Media, Upschool | 0 Comments

The more often you repeat a behaviour the stronger the urge to do it again becomes…

Colour Me A Collage

by Digital Schools | August 2, 2018 | Fun, Grownups, Just Breathe Blog, Kids Activity, Mindfulness, Schools, Upschool | 0 Comments

Colour Me A Collage Making a collage is so much fun to do and it is good for the mind, art stimulates your senses, emotions and your brain. Collage The art of collage began as early as 200bc around the time paper was invented in China. Collage means to glue, and most...

MANTRA Part 1 – The Philosophy Of Mind

by Digital Schools | October 19, 2018 | Just Breathe Blog, Mindfulness, Philosophy, Upschool | 0 Comments

Coming to realise that the thoughts in your head are not really your own and that they exist as a never-ending stream of consciousness means you have the potential to tune out of them at will. According to many great minds of science and philosophy, you attract the thoughts that you have based on the frequency or the energy you emit.