Administration Staff

Tess Duerden (Business Manager)

Hi, I’m Tess and I’m the Business Manager here at South Melbourne Primary School. I joined the school in late 2018 and I couldn’t be happier and prouder to be part of the SMPS team. I’ve worked at a few other schools but there is definitely something special about SMPS. Outside of work I make sure there is a steady work/life balance by ensuring I connect with friends and family and also get in some time to relax with an episode or 2 of a Netflix series so please be sure to recommend any great new shows! Summer is my favourite time of the year and I always make sure that I’m out and about being active and going on little adventures. I’m looking forward to seeing all of our existing families again and meeting all of our new families. 

Kirsty Reynolds (Office Administration)

Hello South Melbourne family and friends, my name is Kirsty Reynolds. I joined the Office Administration team in Term 4 2020.  I have absolutely loved getting to know our staff, parents and especially our students and am looking forward to building on these relationships to further strengthen the already amazing community feel at South Melbourne.  

I have three children, Lachie is 18, Tommy is 17 and Olivia is 15, outside of work I love to cook (and eat!), I enjoy reading, I play netball and I sometimes have a tendency to binge on Netflix!  I also love walking with my family and friends.

I am looking forward to meeting more of our community members through the year, particularly parents who have a keen interest in building our community activities and fundraising efforts for the school. 

Colin Mountney (ICT Technician)

Colin is our ICT Technician and is always helping our students and teachers with their devices to ensure they are running really well. If you have a technical problem or question, Colin works on a Wednesday - Friday and is always happy to help our families with school devices. 

Sandra Messina (Librarian)

Sandra is our Librarian and has worked with us since 2018. Sandra works on Tuesday and Thursday ensuring our School library is filled with quality books for all our children to enjoy. All classes will use the library this year and she looks forward to welcoming the children into the library this year.

Reno Mizzi (Grounds and Maintenance)

Reno is our Grounds and Maintenance man. You will see him around school on Mondays and Tuesdays ensuring our school grounds are looking immaculate. Reno always has a big smile on his face and no job is too big for him!

Matt Woolard (Student Wellbeing)

Hello everyone, my name is Matt Woolard and I am excited to have the opportunity to carry on the good work of Beth when I start as Wellbeing Leader in January. After graduating from Deakin University in 1985, I began my career at Coleraine PS before moving back to teach at Glen Devon PS in Werribee.  At the end of 1990, the opportunity to travel to the UK presented itself and I moved there for an anticipated six months which lasted nearly 30 years!

I spent ten years teaching in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets working as an Assistant Principal and Senior Teacher. In that time I taught in every year group.  In 2001, I began as an Assistant Principal in a school in Essex and later became Principal of Hereward Primary School in the town of Loughton. 

After much consideration, myself, wife and teenage son decided to emigrate to Australia in early 2020 and begin a new phase of our lives. Who could have foreseen just how eventful this year would be!

I am very much looking forward to meeting you all and contributing to what is undoubtedly a successful school.