2025 Year 5

5A: Orlaith Kenny (Team Leader) and Yasmin Roder

Hello South Melbourne Primary School Community, my name is Miss Orlaith. I am a Grade 5 teacher.  

I am originally from a small country in Europe called Ireland. I grew up across from my grandparent’s farm and therefore I spent most of my childhood on their land with the farm animals. As I have grown up, I still love the outdoors.  

In my family, I have my mum, my dad and my brother. My parents live in Ireland and my brother lives in London. I moved to Australia in 2019 with some of my friends. I am now an Australian citizen. I love living in the vibrant city of Melbourne however, sometimes I do miss my family. I went back to Ireland for a holiday in 2023 to spend time with them.  

I have been teaching for 8 years. I have spent the majority of my career so far in the Grade 3-6 department.  

During my free time, I like to go running, walks along the beach, grabbing a coffee and hanging out with my friends. I cannot wait to get to know you and your families. We are going to have lots of fun learning together. I am really looking forward to another amazing year at SMPS!

Hello SMPS Students and Families! 

My name is Miss Yasmin, and I’m excited to be teaching Grade 5 in 2025! This will be my fourth year at South Melbourne Primary School. I feel incredibly lucky to be part of such a supportive and inspiring teaching team and school community. 

A little bit about me: I’m of Malaysian Chinese and Australian heritage. Before moving to Melbourne over ten years ago, I spent 18 years in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Growing up there, I had the wonderful opportunity to embrace Asian culture, travel to many Southeast Asian countries, and learn both Malay and some basic Mandarin. 

My husband, Jackson, and I are thrilled to have recently welcomed our beautiful daughter, Olivia, into our lives – she’s now 8 months old and already busy learning how to crawl, sit, and say ‘Mama’!

Next year, I’m looking forward to getting to know more of the SMPS students and their families, and I can’t wait for the year ahead!

5B: Cathy Prendergast

Hello SMPS Community! My name is Miss Cathy, and I am excited to be teaching Grade 5 again next year. It’s a privilege to be part of a school where kindness, respect, and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do!

I am from a small rural farm in Ireland, and I have been teaching in Australia since 2019.

I have taught grades from Grade Prep to Grade 6. I have always loved learning and take huge joy from seeing students succeed.

When I am not in the classroom, I enjoy the outdoors by swimming and cycling. I also love to travel, learn about other cultures and try new food!

I am looking forward to getting to know you, your family and having another amazing year at SMPS!

5C: Rebekah Antal

Hello SMPS students and families!

My name is Miss Rebekah, and I will be teaching Grade 5 in 2025. This is only my second year at South Melbourne Primary School, so I am super excited to continue to get to know all the students and their families within the SMPS community. If my first year at this amazing school is anything to go by, I know 2025 will be a wonderful year!

I grew up in Ireland with my fabulous parents and my gorgeous dog, Daisy. Before moving to Australia, I worked in my old Primary School for four and a half years. It was wonderful to return to the school I grew up in and get the opportunity to teach alongside some of my favourite teachers.

When I am not teaching, I am exploring a new place to walk or run. You might also find me watching a musical at the theatre or sampling one of the many café/restaurant options around Melbourne.

I am really looking forward to another fantastic year at SMPS!