Meet our Staff

Mrs Fernando

Hi, my name is Iwona Fernando and I’ve had the privilege of being part of the Park Orchards Primary School community since 2020. For the past six years I’ve been in Education Support role supporting teachers and students from Foundation to Grade 3.

Watching our students grow and develop their skills and knowledge is extremely rewarding. It is a privilege to support them on their learning journey. The biggest sense of achievement comes from watching them overcome challenges, achieve milestones and various goals, develop confidence to have a go even when things seem hard, persevere and succeed, with even the smallest of tasks or challenges that come from social interactions.

I have two children of my own, both attending high school. I have a son in year 9 and a daughter in year 12, currently doing her VCE and learning how to drive. I’m so grateful to be their mum and I’m also proud of all their achievements.

In my spare time I enjoy being outdoors and going for walks or hiking. Over the holidays I’m planning to go hiking and explore the Blue Mountains in NSW. I like to travel and visit new places. During summer, my kids and I love to go to the beach. We particularly enjoy boogie boarding together.

My regular indoor activity includes Ballroom and Latin dancing, which I attend twice a week. I’ve been learning how to dance for the past couple of years. I enjoy the challenge of learning new routines and techniques for various styles. My favourite style is Latin and Street Latin. I have found Modern and New Vogue styles far more challenging to learn but I love their graceful movement.

Mrs Psihogios

Hi, my name is Helen Psihogios, and I am a proud mum of three wonderful children. I have been working at Park Orchards Primary School for the past five years and genuinely love being part of such a caring and welcoming community. The staff, students, and families make it a very special place to work.

Outside of school, I love spending quality time with my children. We enjoy going to the beach, swimming, and exploring new places whenever we can. I also love travelling and experiencing different cultures and traditions.

I am very proud of my Greek heritage, and one of my favourite things to do is cook for family and friends. Food has always been an important part of bringing people together, and I enjoy sharing that with those around me.

I am also a passionate AFL fan and a very proud Collingwood supporter! You'll often find me cheering on the Magpies whenever they are playing.

What I enjoy most about my role at Park Orchards Primary School is building connections with students and supporting them as they learn, grow, and develop confidence. I feel incredibly grateful to be part of such a wonderful school community and to have the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of our children every day.

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