Principal's

Message

WELCOME BACK!

It has been lovely to see so many smiling faces back at South Melbourne Park this week! I know it doesn’t really feel like we’ve had a ‘summer’ yet but I hope you are all feeling refreshed and ready for another exciting year. The children have settled in beautifully, thanks in part, to the excellent preparation by our staff. We’re working hard on developing safe and orderly environments this year and it has been wonderful to see consistency spreading across the school. To our new families, we have kind, diverse and inclusive families here at SMPPS and we’re very happy to welcome you into our community.  

PREPS

A HUGE welcome to our Prep families! Our Preps have been coming in to school over the last 4 days, to have their interview and to become familiar with their teacher and learning space. On Monday, our Preps will have their official First Day. A reminder that the first day begins at the special time of 9.30am.

COMMUNICATION

All critical information, including excursion information is communicated to families via Compass. Please note that our newsletters will be published on the odd weeks (this being week 1). Families are very welcome to attend Assemblies which will be on Fridays, 2.40-3.30pm (even weeks). Please enter the school via the front gate or the gate near the sand pit. 

Our wonderful class reps will often send prompts and reminders about things that are coming up via What’s App. Please sign up to your class group if you would like to receive reminders about up-coming events, along with social information for your class. The class reps are:

SUNSMART

Safety is one of our main priorities and being SunSmart is a big part of that. Please ensure that your child has their hat at school. Hats must be worn between September and April. Sunscreen should be applied before school and can be brought to school if your child is allergic to regular creams. Sunscreen will be available in every classroom and teachers will prompt your child to apply it prior to going out into the playground. 

SAFETY & PARKING PERMITS

A reminder that children should not be dropped off or picked up via car, in the service road at the front of the school. This poses a significant safety risk to the pedestrians who are coming to school on foot, or on bikes or scooters. We have had a number of near misses which have been reported to the Department. I continue to advocate for a boom gate which would be a permanent measure toward improved safety. I’m feeling positive that we’re making some progress, after recent meetings with Parks Victoria, the Victorian Government Schools Authority and our local member of Parliament. Every family is eligible for a parking permit that allows you to park for 15 minutes in the Lakeside Carpark at the beginning and end of the school day. Permits are available for collection at the office. 

Thank you for your support with this. 

INTRODUCING OUR NEW STAFF

SAM SMREKAR THOMPSON

I am so excited to be a part of the SMPPS community!  I began my teaching journey in primary education in the US in 2001 before moving to the UK in 2007.  Having met my Australian partner, we settled in Melbourne in 2010 and we are now a family of five: my husband, my two boys, and our black labrador, Darcy.  I have a variety of experiences in education: mainstream primary, intervention work, special education (I spent 5 years with Port Phillip Specialist School), and my most recent experiences have been in the Department of Education working for the NorthEast region as a Visiting Teacher (P-12), and as an Education Improvement Leader for Diverse Learners. Most weekends and evenings you will find me chauffeuring to basketball or coaching basketball for Melbourne Tigers. However, if I steal some time for myself, you’ll catch me at the theatre in the CBD or going for a run near the beach. Please say hi and introduce yourself.

BROOKE LOADER

Hello! I am Miss Loader (1C). I am in my 8th year of teaching. I have previously taught Year 1 and Year 3. I have recently moved to Melbourne from the Mornington Peninsula after teaching in Red Hill. I have two Dachshunds. I am a footy fan and go for Collingwood. I enjoy spending my weekends walking my dogs along the beach and catching up with friends and family. I am passionate about interior design and like to decorate. I love to travel and explore new places. I am really excited to be joining the SMPPS community and working with the Year 1 team this year!

LIZ MCINTOSH

Hi, my name is Liz McIntosh and I am excited to be a part of the South Melbourne Park Primary School community. I have been teaching for over 10 years and have been lucky enough to teach at a variety of schools around the world and across all year levels. When I am not working, I love spending time with my little family, by going for walks and playing at the park with my son Hendrik who is 1 years old. This year I am teaching 5C, so please come in and say hello.

SARAH KILBORN

My name is Sarah Kilborn and I am the very lucky teacher of 2A. I am from the regional town of Echuca on the Murray River and have recently moved to Melbourne with my son Tom so he can pursue full time dance training. I am enjoying living and working in the city and will travel back to Echuca on weekends to see my family.

I have been teaching for 17 years and it is such a rewarding job. I enjoy getting to know new students and their families and supporting children to learn and grow. I am looking forward to a great year at SMPPS!

CAROLINE MACDONALD

Hello South Melbourne Park PS community, I am incredibly excited to start here in the Grade 3 team. I have moved from Auburn Primary School where I was a teacher aide whilst completing my Masters degree. Outside the classroom, you’ll find me enjoying the outdoors with my boxer dog, going for a run, cheering on Collingwood football club, cooking and baking, and immersing myself in the latest release books. As a warm and passionate individual, I am eager to support the curiosity of students in the classroom and I am looking forward to getting to know the SMPPS community.

BEN SANDISON

Hello South Melbourne Park community. My name is Ben Sandison and I have the pleasure of teaching 5B this year. I have joined South Melbourne Park from St Joseph's in Black Rock where I taught for 11 years. I have two beautiful children, Ernie (10 years old) and Hattie (8 years old) and two cavoodles, so life at home is full of energy and fun. I enjoy good music, a good laugh and watching Port Adelaide win in the footy - although only two of those things are consistent in my life.

I am looking forward to getting to know the children and parents at SMPPS and feel extremely lucky to have joined such a positive and nurturing group of educators.

SHANE CLARK

Hello everyone! I'm Shane Clark, and I'm thrilled to be teaching Class 4B in 2024. Growing up in the scenic region of Gippsland has instilled in me a deep appreciation for nature and community.

This is my second year of teaching, but my journey in education spans over 7 years. It's been an incredible experience, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact on young minds. I strive to ignite a love for learning within each and every student.

I firmly believe in the importance of student wellbeing and prioritize creating an inclusive space for all learners. I genuinely care for students' emotional and mental health, and am always willing to go the extra mile to ensure that each child feels supported and valued. Together, we discover their unique strengths and talents along the way and creating lifelong learners.

Nicole Arnold

Principal