Teacher Profiles

Getting to know the HPS teachers is an important part of building strong connections within our school community. By learning more about the people who work closely with your children each day, families can feel more confident and engaged in their child’s learning journey. Strong relationships between teachers, students and families support communication, trust and a positive learning environment for all.

In each newsletter, we will share a little bit about some of our teachers through a Staff Profile. We have asked teachers a range of questions and they have provided their responses. Please enjoy reading about Mr Salamouras & Mr Thompson (two of our Year Six teachers and Miss Morris and Miss Stokes (two of our Year Five teachers).

Mr Dean Salamouras	History of employment I previously worked at Mount Waverley Primary School for 8 years as well as working at 4 regional schools in Japan in 2020-2021!	If I wasn’t a teacher I would like to… Be rich enough to stay home and chill out all day!	When I'm not at school I like to.. Play guitar, listen to music, cook, play soccer and spend time with family and friends.	What do you like about Highvale Primary School? All the students at HPS are kind, supportive and unique which makes coming to school each day so enjoyable!
Mr Dylan Thompson	What do you like about Highvale Primary School? As a new teacher at Highvale Primary School, it has been an extremely welcoming environment with amazing kids, staff, and parents. Moreover, the culture here pushes not only the students, but also the staff to do their best.	Who was your favourite teacher at school and why? My year 12 English teacher pushed me and believed in me when I didn’t, allowing me to excel in English and grow a passion for how teaching can positively impact a students’ life, resulting in me choosing a path as an educator.	My family I live with my big family, being one of four siblings. Of my siblings, I have one older brother and two younger sisters. I also have a 13 year old dog named Charlie who is a kelpie cross border collie. My parents have been a rock throughout my learning journey and continue to support me as I venture in teaching!	When I'm not at school I like to……. Go fishing with my friends on weekends, enjoying a relaxing day on the beach. I also enjoy watching and playing sports, and play basketball every Monday night with my team.

Miss Emily Stokes	What do you like about Highvale Primary School? I love teaching at Highvale Primary because of the strong sense of community and teamwork. Staff are incredibly supportive and collaborative, and there is a shared focus on knowing students well and helping them grow both academically and socially. It’s a positive, welcoming environment where everyone is encouraged to do their best.	What are your career highlights to date? I spent 4 years working as an Education Support staff member, where I was able to build strong relationships with students and make a positive difference in their learning and wellbeing. I spent last year as a Physical Education teacher, supporting students to develop new sporting skills, confidence and a love of being active!	If I wasn’t a teacher I would like to… If I wasn’t a teacher, I would love to own my own cake decorating studio. I’ve been making birthday and wedding cakes for the past seven years for a range of events. I love being creative and designing cakes that help make special moments even more memorable.	When I'm not at school I like to.. When I’m not at school, I love all things sport! I’ve played soccer for over 15 years and enjoy staying active through running and partaking in half marathons. I also love travelling, spending time at the beach, and making the most of being outdoors whenever I can with family and friends.
Miss Lucy Morris	History of employment Last year I worked as an ES at Kilsyth Primary School. It was great learning opportunity and I worked with the Foundations (preps) and Middles (Grades 3 and 4). Outside of school I have nannied for many families and I even worked as a camp counsellor at a Summer camp in Florida, USA.	What do you like about Highvale Primary School? I love the positive culture at Highvale Primary School. The students here genuinely want to engage with their education and do their best at school, which is a pleasure to teach. The staff are also very friendly and have made me feel very welcomed and supported. I love that it is such a multicultural school because I am learning so much about new cultures which is exciting	Who was your favourite teacher at school and why? My favourite teacher was my Year 8 English Teacher Mr Thomas. Year 8 was a difficult year in my personal life but I loved coming to school on days where I had English lessons because I loved Mr Thomas so much. We studied The Hunger Games that year and it is still my favourite series now. Did you know there is another movie coming out in 2026? I can’t wait!	When I'm not at school I like to……. I start and end every day taking my red heeler Wally for a walk. It is fun and peaceful and a good time to relax because Wally is old and doesn’t walk very fast, he also likes to sniff EVERYTHING! Aside from Wally time I like art, cooking, going to pilates, and playing social mixed netball.

Mr Dean Salamouras

History of employment

I previously worked at Mount Waverley Primary School for 8 years as well as working at 4 regional schools in Japan in 2020-2021!

If I wasn’t a teacher I would like to…

Be rich enough to stay home and chill out all day!

When I'm not at school I like to..

Play guitar, listen to music, cook, play soccer and spend time with family and friends.

What do you like about Highvale Primary School?

All the students at HPS are kind, supportive and unique which makes coming to school each day so enjoyable!

Mr Dylan Thompson

What do you like about Highvale Primary School?

As a new teacher at Highvale Primary School, it has been an extremely welcoming environment with amazing kids, staff, and parents. Moreover, the culture here pushes not only the students, but also the staff to do their best.

Who was your favourite teacher at school and why?

My year 12 English teacher pushed me and believed in me when I didn’t, allowing me to excel in English and grow a passion for how teaching can positively impact a students’ life, resulting in me choosing a path as an educator.

My family

I live with my big family, being one of four siblings. Of my siblings, I have one older brother and two younger sisters. I also have a 13 year old dog named Charlie who is a kelpie cross border collie. My parents have been a rock throughout my learning journey and continue to support me as I venture in teaching!

When I'm not at school I like to…….

Go fishing with my friends on weekends, enjoying a relaxing day on the beach. I also enjoy watching and playing sports, and play basketball every Monday night with my team.

Miss Emily Stokes

What do you like about Highvale Primary School?

I love teaching at Highvale Primary because of the strong sense of community and teamwork. Staff are incredibly supportive and collaborative, and there is a shared focus on knowing students well and helping them grow both academically and socially. It’s a positive, welcoming environment where everyone is encouraged to do their best.

What are your career highlights to date?

I spent 4 years working as an Education Support staff member, where I was able to build strong relationships with students and make a positive difference in their learning and wellbeing. I spent last year as a Physical Education teacher, supporting students to develop new sporting skills, confidence and a love of being active!

If I wasn’t a teacher I would like to…

If I wasn’t a teacher, I would love to own my own cake decorating studio. I’ve been making birthday and wedding cakes for the past seven years for a range of events. I love being creative and designing cakes that help make special moments even more memorable.

When I'm not at school I like to..

When I’m not at school, I love all things sport! I’ve played soccer for over 15 years and enjoy staying active through running and partaking in half marathons. I also love travelling, spending time at the beach, and making the most of being outdoors whenever I can with family and friends.

Miss Lucy Morris

History of employment

Last year I worked as an ES at Kilsyth Primary School. It was great learning opportunity and I worked with the Foundations (preps) and Middles (Grades 3 and 4). Outside of school I have nannied for many families and I even worked as a camp counsellor at a Summer camp in Florida, USA.

What do you like about Highvale Primary School?

I love the positive culture at Highvale Primary School. The students here genuinely want to engage with their education and do their best at school, which is a pleasure to teach. The staff are also very friendly and have made me feel very welcomed and supported. I love that it is such a multicultural school because I am learning so much about new cultures which is exciting

Who was your favourite teacher at school and why?

My favourite teacher was my Year 8 English Teacher Mr Thomas. Year 8 was a difficult year in my personal life but I loved coming to school on days where I had English lessons because I loved Mr Thomas so much. We studied The Hunger Games that year and it is still my favourite series now. Did you know there is another movie coming out in 2026? I can’t wait!

When I'm not at school I like to…….

I start and end every day taking my red heeler Wally for a walk. It is fun and peaceful and a good time to relax because Wally is old and doesn’t walk very fast, he also likes to sniff EVERYTHING! Aside from Wally time I like art, cooking, going to pilates, and playing social mixed netball.

Here are photos of our wonderful teaching team on their first day!

Our Prep Teachers

Our Year 1 & 2 Teachers

Our Year 3 Teachers

Our Year 4 Teachers

Our Year 5 Teachers

Our Year 6 Teachers