Leadership Team

Principal: Noel Creece

Dear SMPS Community:

My name is Noel Creece and I am the proud principal of this wonderful school. I have been involved in the school since before its construction. I started when there were no enrolments and spent part of my first year visiting over 40 Kindergartens door-knocking to find enrolments. 

I am in my 39th year of teaching and my 24th year of being a principal. I have taught in primary schools, secondary schools, middle schools, in the city, in the country, internationally, in small and super-large schools. I have worked across many socio-economic areas and have an unending passion for this profession.

I have two adult children (Adrian and Alexandra) who have completed university and are working in their chosen field. They are the love of my life and I couldn't be prouder of them.  

I want the best for every human associated with SMPS, especially the students and staff who are just fantastic. I am grateful for finding teaching and the gifts it has given me over many years. I look forward to helping make our school its best.

Assistant Principal: Callum Freel

Hi SMPS Families,

My name is Callum and I have been at SMPS since its foundation year in 2018!

I used to teach Maths in High School back home in the UK but SMPS convinced me to teach in a Primary School. SMPS is largely the reason I continued to stay living in Australia.  I am now an Australian Citizen!

In my time at SMPS I have had first-hand experience in a number of different roles. From being a Learning Support Officer in classes, teaching Years 4-6 in the classroom, being a PE teacher and the Specialist Team Leader. For the last 2 and a half years, I have been in the role of 'Leading Teacher: Whole School Organisation' and have thoroughly enjoyed it. I will now be Assistant Principal and am excited to continue at the best school in the universe!

In my spare time I love watching/playing sport (basketball and soccer are my favourites), playing board games and visiting new places. My team back home is West Ham United.

I look forward to getting to know more of our wonderful community throughout 2025.

Learning Specialist: Maddy Morrison (Curriculum and Learning)

Hi SMPS Community,

My name is Maddy. I have been at SMPS since 2019, first as a classroom teacher and now as a Learning Specialist. I have been leading some of our whole-school work including curriculum development, student learning programs, assessment, reporting and more.

In 2025, I will be continuing to focus on our curriculum. I will be designing units of work for Prep – Year 6 with a particular focus on Years 3 and 4 English. I am really excited to introduce our students to new and exciting worlds through literature.

I grew up in Melbourne, in a suburb across the bay called Williamstown. When I’m not at school, I like riding my bike and listening to music. I have a beautiful cat called Shepherd who is my pride and joy. He is very clever (I think he is gifted!) so I teach him tricks like how to high-5. I am also a volunteer puppy carer for Seeing Eye Dogs. This means you will often see a little labrador walking by my side around the school. The pups are learning how to be confident in different environments so that one day they can help someone who is blind or has low vision. I am passionate about SMPS promoting all our values, so I hope that our kids can see this volunteer work as an example of Community.

I can’t wait to get to know even more of our SMPS families in 2025. It is going to be a great year!

Leading Teacher: Jo May (Wellbeing, Disabilities and Inclusion)

Hello.  

My name is Miss Jo and I am the Wellbeing, Disabilities and Inclusion Leader at SMPS. I love my role as I help all students feel safe, happy and connected so that they can achieve their full potential.

I have been working at SMPS since 2019 and I have taught different year groups in my career, from Prep to Year 6.

Before I worked at SMPS, I taught in East Ham which is in East London. For those of you who are soccer fans, it was the original home of West Ham United.

I love working in inner city schools. So much can be learnt from being surrounded by people of all different cultural backgrounds. We are so lucky to be part of such a vibrant, multi-cultural community at South Melbourne Primary School.

I moved to Australia from the UK in October 2018. I love travelling, exploring new places and learning new things. In my spare time, I like to go to the beach or read. This year I have been learning to surf, and have found myself relating to many of our students through this process - learning new skills is incredibly hard! My surf lessons are reminding me of the importance of repeated practice to commit new skills to long-term memory.

If you are in our existing school community, I am excited to continue working closely with you next year. For our new school community, welcome! I am looking forward to getting to know yourselves and your wonderful children next year. Have a great summer holiday.

Learning Specialist: Jen Davies (Coaching and Development)

Hello Families and Friends of SMPS, 

My name is Miss Jenny. I’ve worked at SMPS since we opened in 2018. I taught Prep for 2 years before changing levels to Year 3/4, and most recently Year 5. I am now out of the classroom in a non-teaching position supporting staff to reach their potential.  I have a daughter called Addy and have just given birth to a son called Percy. They will keep me busy until I return part time to the school in September, 2025 (if all things go to plan).

I am originally from the UK and I am half Welsh. I enjoy running and exercise because it helps me to feel energised. I also like to try out new recipes and try tasty things. Finally, I love the theatre/any kind of show. 

Learning Specialist: Orlaith Kenny

Hello! You met me on the Grade 5 page but I will also be part of the Leadership Team in 2025 undertaking tasks in mentoring all staff with routines and procedures and classroom management. I am excited to join the leadership team to help improve our already wonderful school.