Specialists

Mixed Specialist: Sam McGee (Team Leader)

Hi SMPS students and families, 

My name is Miss Sam M. I will be the Specialist Team Leader and a Mixed Specialist teacher next year, which means I get to teach many students across the school. There’s a big chance I will be teaching you at some point throughout the year!  

I have always lived in Melbourne but slowly moved towards the inner city as I got older. Now, I live near SMPS so you might see me catching the tram or walking to school. When I’m not at school, I might be watching live music, socialising with family or friends or getting stuck into a great book. I love to go on day trips with my friends and venture overseas when I get the chance to. 

I am still relatively new to SMPS as I joined the school halfway through 2024. I am looking forward to getting to know you all even more and seeing you work hard to get smarter.

See you in 2025! 

Physical Education: Ryder Smith

Hello SMPS Families,

My name is Ryder Smith, and I have just been appointed the PE Teacher role at SMPS for next year. I have been teaching for six years - starting in the UK for five of those years before moving to Melbourne in January 2024. I was a Class Teacher at St Francis of Assisi Primary School, Tarneit before moving to SMPS. I love to teach PE, having previously worked as a PE 'coach' in Primary Schools before training to become a classroom teacher at University. 

As a PE Teacher there is no surprise that I am completely mad about Sport! I love watching and participating in all different types of sports including: soccer, cricket, rugby league and many more. My favourite team is Liverpool F.C. and you can usually hear me cheering them on from somewhere in Melbourne! My other interests include travelling, spending time with my friends and finding the best restaurants in Melbourne.

I cannot wait to start this new job role at our school and I am looking forward to being part of the school community. I hope you have an amazing break and I am looking forward to seeing you all next year.

Music: Paul Creasey (Monday, Tuesday and Friday)

Hello awesome SMPS families, I am Mr. Paul. I am the South Melbourne Primary School Music Teacher. This will be my eighth year at SMPS. I started teaching at our school when it first opened at the beginning of 2018. It has been an amazing journey being part of the SMPS team. The staff, students and families at our magnificent school are what make it so great!

I am very much looking forward to continuing to work in the Music Room and to futher develop our Music Program in 2025.

Performing Arts: Daniella Hastas (Wednesday-Friday)

Hello wonderful SMPS community, I’m the incredible Miss D, and I’ll be teaching Performing Arts in 2025. This is my fourth year at SMPS and my second-year leading dance and drama. From a young age, I knew I was destined to be a performing arts teacher—my passion for acting and dancing runs deep.

I’m proudly Italian and Greek, so there’s never a dull moment at home. I love experimenting with new cuisines and cooking up a storm.

Traveling the world, shopping at the markets and spending time with my family and friends are some of my favourite things.

I hope you had a fantastic holiday break, and I’m excited for another year at the most incredible school on the planet!

Visual Arts: Phoebe Katos

Hello South Melbourne Primary School community! 

I could not be more excited to continue being the Visual Arts teacher at our fantastic school next year! I grew up in Geelong but have always wanted to move up to the big city and now live in Fitzroy. I love to cook, travel and paint. Painting is my favourite style of visual art because even when it doesn’t turn out how you thought, it can end up even better!

I am lucky to have always known I’ve wanted to be a teacher and always had a passion for art. I can’t wait to help inspire the students of SMPS to be creative, imaginative and innovative, and we will all learn and grow together.   

Environmental Education: Bec Newman

Hello SMPS students and families,

My name is Miss Bec and I am so excited to be teaching Environmental Education this year. This will be my second time teaching Environmental Ed as I previously taught it in 2022, before teaching Year 4 for two years.

I am originally from NSW, and I started my teaching career there before moving to London for a few years and teaching there too. I really like to travel and see new places, and when I lived in London I was lucky enough to visit lots of different countries. In 2020 I moved to Melbourne, and I love it here! I’ve been very lucky to travel around Australia lots while living in Melbourne, including to Cairns these Christmas holidays! 

I like to spend my free time being outside, having picnics in the park and going running or swimming. In 2025 I will be training for the Melbourne Marathon, which I’m very excited for! I have lots of plants at my house which I love to look after, including a veggie garden. 

I am passionate about looking after the environment and sustainability. I’m so excited to teach about these topics in 2025.

Mixed Role: Lorna Murray

Hello SMPS students and families,

My name is Miss Lorna, and I will be teaching a few different classes in 2024. This will be my 5th year in teaching but my first in SMPS. I am really looking forward to getting to know all the students and their families.

I grew up in County Kildare in Ireland. As a child I spent most of my time in my local GAA club playing Camogie and Ladies Gaelic Football. I also completed exams in Speech & Drama, Dancing and Piano as a child.

I made the move to Australia in January and began CRT teaching in February in many different schools around Melbourne. This will be my first year at South Melbourne Primary School and from the moment I came to the school it has been such a lovely place to be.

I am really looking forward to being part of the fantastic team of staff, students and families at SMPS.