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Year 3 & 4 Team

Year 3A: Maggie Belbasis: What is your role at WNPS? 3A classroom teacher

I am incredibly fortunate to be teaching such a wonderful and creative group of children in 3A. It's been heart-warming to join a community that values education and nurturing young minds as much as I do. I’m in my eighth year of teaching and in my experience, I've had the privilege of working in various schools as both a classroom teacher and CRT.

Outside of the classroom, I have a passion for travel and exploring the outdoors. I love being by the beach and going for day trips along the coastline with my family and friends. Apollo Bay and Port Fairy are my favourite places to be on the holidays.

I look forward to seeing the personalities grow as we embark on a fun learning journey together in 3A.

Year 3B Dianna Lane: What is your role at WNPS? Year 3B classroom teacher and part of the 3/4 Professional Learning Community and this year the GRIN teacher.

My role involves overseeing the learning of all the students in 3B. I consider myself extremely fortunate to collaborate with such a lively, sharp, and enjoyable group of students—they never fail to brighten my day!

I consider myself very lucky to reside and work in Williamstown, which is an exceptional community! My family's association with the school goes all the way back to 1937, when my dad began his journey here. I cherish the strong bonds we create with families and our collaborative efforts as a team to ensure every child is joyful, self-assured, and thriving.

Outside of school I love cheering Port Adelaide and exploring the great outdoors.

Year 3C - Felicity Fyfe: What is your role at WNPS? 3C classroom teacher and part of the 3/4 Professional Learning Community. My role involves teaching the brilliant minds of 3C! I feel very privileged to work with this vibrant, intelligent, and fun group of students—they truly brighten my day! When I'm not at Willy North, I enjoy spending time with my family. My weekends are often spent ferrying them around to their sports and activities, which keeps me busy and entertained. In my downtime, I love cheering on the Western Bulldogs and watching tennis. I also enjoy cooking, reading, and trips to the café. I'm looking forward to another wonderful semester with 3C, filled with learning, growth, and lots of fun!

Year 3D - Andrew Papadatos: What is your role at WNPS? Year 3D Classroom Teacher

My role involves teaching the wonderful students of Grade 3D. A group of students who always “do their best” and challenge themselves with their learning. This is my first year at Williamstown North Primary School, and fourth year teaching. Previously, I taught in Shepparton.

I have been thoroughly enjoying my time at Williamstown North, getting to know the welcoming families and staff, and working with such great students in Grade 3D. It's been a fantastic experience being a part of a vibrant school community.

Outside of school, I enjoy living an active lifestyle, running, playing footy and golf. I am also an Essendon Bombers supporter, patiently waiting for us to win an overdue final.

Year 4A Melanie Kennie: What is your role at WNPS? Year 3/4 Learning Leader and 4A Classroom Teacher.

My role involves overseeing the Year 3 and 4 cohort and being a classroom teacher for 4A. My favourite part of the role involves seeing the happy faces of my students as they walk into the classroom each morning and teaching such hard-working and eager learners. I have loved getting the opportunity to teach Year 4 for the first time this year and am passionate about Numeracy and Wellbeing.

I have worked at WNPS for 16 years, however I was on Family Leave with my two gorgeous girls for 6 of those years. This year is very special as I now have both of my children attending the school. As much as I wanted it, a sibling/parent photo was not taken on photo day - maybe next year! I feel very lucky to be both a parent and a teacher in such a wonderful school community. I am an enthusiastic Bulldog’s supporter and enjoy going to the gym and connecting with friends and family over a nice meal.

Year 4B Lisa Caulfield: What is your role at WNPS? 4B classroom teacher

My role involves overseeing the learning of all the students in 4B. Our Grade 3 and 4 team is a fantastic place to be in at WNPS.

I am extremely fortunate to live and work in Williamstown. I have been a CRT at WNPS for the last 6 years and have taken on many long term contracts in this time.

Outside of school I love sailing, I used to race before I had my children. These days just socially. The only football team I support is Williamstown. My family business has always been a sponsor of The Gulls and I have a committed interest in our community.

Year 4C Zach Schmidt: What is your role at WNPS? 4C classroom teacher and part of the Year 3/4 Professional Learning Community.

After having a few years away from Willy North, I am blessed by the opportunity to be back amongst the school community to grow the minds of 27 passionate learners in 4C. My aim as a teacher is to make sure each student enters the classroom each morning with a smile, and leaves everyday with that same smile. This is my 9th year as a teacher, with experience in teaching across a variety of year levels and schools during that time. I’ve also dabbled in many other jobs that require the skill sets of a teacher including a CRT, an incursion educator, and a head counsellor at a summer camp in the US.

Year 4D Hannah Wilkinson: What is your role at WNPS? Year 4D Classroom Teacher

My role involves teaching the fabulous students in 4D. I love teaching because it enables me to make a positive difference in their lives, helping them build confidence and develop critical thinking skills. I was actually a Williamstown North student myself many years ago, making it even more special connecting with the community again.

Although this is my first year teaching at Williamstown North, I have over 16 years of teaching experience in the Western Suburbs. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family. On weekends, I am busy watching lacrosse and football games, taking our puppy Lulu for walks, and catching up with friends.

Year 4D Melissa Lindsay: What is your role at WNPS? Year 4D Classroom Teacher

I have taught at WNPS for the past couple of years, in a part time capacity. This year I'm sharing a Year 4 class with Hannah Wilkinson. Out of school i have another role, working for Swinburne University and enjoy teaching those students who one day would like to become teachers themselves. My family and I enjoy seeing new places and teaching really offers opportunities in this regard. I have been fortunate enough to teach in the UK, Japan and Western Australia. Education is forever changing and there is never a dull moment.

Once a week I coach a Willy Tigers Netball Team, of which most of the girls attend WNP, and I enjoy watching them compete on the weekend. Its a great being a part of the close knit community that is Williamstown!

Team 5 & 6 Term 2 Update

Term 2 has been packed full of adventure and learning for our Year 5 and 6 students! This term has seen us exploring Literature through our class novel, Loyal Creatures, and through our Literature Circles novels – kind of like a mini book club for our students to share their reading journeys and learning together! We have created some incredibly persuasive writing pieces all about the things we would love to see happen in our school, and our classrooms have been heating up with riveting, and often very intense, debates! In Numeracy we have explored all things Fractions, Chance, Time and Shape, culminating in our incredible 3D shape cities taking form.

We thoroughly enjoyed our ‘Parliament Process’ Incursion during our Shared Inquiry unit, which saw our students take part in a parliamentary role play, complete with costumes and props, to illustrate how bills become laws. Our students formed their own political parties and added their opinions to a parliamentary debate, which allowed their creativity to flourish while they expanded their understandings.

And who could forget our biggest event of the term – camp! Our Year 5s (and their teachers!) had an absolute ball exploring the Lake Dewar Adventure Camp earlier this term, taking part in adventure tunnelling, canoeing, geocaching, archery, riding kick bikes, flying across the canyon on the dual flying foxes and racing around the camp competing in our own amazing race! Our disco and movie nights were big hits and our students thoroughly enjoyed the adventure and independence that being away on camp provided. Our Year 6s are very excited to head off to explore Lake Dewar for themselves next week!

What a term we have had and we cannot wait to dive into all that Term 3 will bring us!

Year 5 & 6 TEAM

Year 5/6A - Patrick Kelly: What is your role at WNPS?

Year 5/6A Classroom Teacher and 5/6 PLC Leader. Originally from Ireland, I bring a passion for teaching and a love for sports, particularly soccer. Moving here has been a fantastic adventure, and I'm thrilled to be part of such a vibrant and supportive environment. This year, I'm taking on the exciting challenge of teaching a composite class, and I'm eager to work with a team of exemplar teachers. I look forward to sharing my enthusiasm for literature, numeracy, inquiry and sports with the students and contributing to their overall development and wellbeing.

What is my role? Year 6A classroom teacher.

5A - Ashleigh Paton: What is your role at WNPS? 5A Classroom Teacher.

My role is to oversee the learning of all of our gorgeous students in 5A, alongside Miss Breen. I have been teaching here at Williamstown North Primary School for the past 10 years and absolutely love our school, our community and our wonderful students – Williamstown North Primary School is a very special place to be!

When I am not here at school looking after 5A, I am caring for my children Will and Posy, alongside my husband Joel. We love travelling to new and exciting places, exploring Melbourne’s many amazing restaurants and finding rivers and waterfalls hidden throughout Victoria to explore!

5A - Laura Breen: What is your role at WNPS? 5A Classroom Teacher. I started my official teaching career in Year 5 last year, after spending the previous 6 years as an Education Support Teacher. I began working at Williamstown North Primary School in 2020 and absolutely love working here! When I am not in 5A, you will find me all over the school, going into many different classrooms to teach our wonderful Willy North students.

A little bit about me outside of school; I have two Golden Retrievers called Humphrey and Henry and spend a lot of time walking them and playing with them in my spare time. I especially enjoy binge watching shows on Netflix and spending time with my family, especially my little niece! I enjoy travelling and try to get away most school holidays to Noosa to visit family!

5B - Jamie Peters: What is your role at WNPS? - 5B Classroom Teacher

In 1999, I did my final teaching placement at Williamstown North Primary School and

I have been Teaching here now for about 25 years. Being a teacher is such a rewarding career! I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, I have two adorable Shih Tzus – Sadie and Dora which mean the world to me and I love watching my footy Team Sydney Swans play.

5C – Shannon Carroll: What is your role at WNPS? 5C Classroom Teacher.

My role facilitating the teaching and learning program for the students of 5C.

I am currently in my fourteenth year of teaching and have been fortunate to work in a range of schools in both classroom and specialist roles. I’m passionate about creating a positive, caring and nurturing environment for learning. In addition to this I am a father of two boys, avid coffee drinker and support the Sydney Swans. When I relax I enjoy being on a golf course or a beach.

6A - Judith Lawler: What is your role at WNPS? Year 6A Classroom Teacher. I am teaching in my second year at Williamstown North Primary. I am passionate about student voice and agency and to cater for all learners in an inclusive, collaborative and reflective learning environment that supports student wellbeing and growth. My favourite subjects are both Literacy and Numeracy. I enjoy continuing to improve my practice by combining evidence-based teaching with student interest and the curriculum to make learning as meaningful and engaging as possible. I have two sons in Year 1 and 5 at Willy North and thus feel very connected to and passionate about the school community, both as a teacher and a parent. In my free time, I love family time, travelling back home to Germany and surrounds, and the outdoors. If we are not down at Willy Beach, on a hike, or bike ride, you can find me at the local library, or at home with a cuppa and an Australian Outback Crime novel.

6B - Dean Pearce: What is your role at WNPS? Year 6 Classroom Teacher and Camp Coordinator.

I have been teaching since 2010, starting my career as a Performing Arts teacher, then a classroom teacher, then a longer stint as a Performing Arts teacher and then back into the classroom for the past 7 years. I started at Williamstown North in 2012 and I'm very passionate about the school and the community. My twin boys attend school here and in my spare time I'm always making something in the garage for the local musical theatre company. My awesome wife Laura also taught Performing Arts at WNPS last year. I guess we're a very musical and creative family - an interest I'm always keen to pass on to my students.

6C - Kylie Missen: What is your role at WNPS? 6C Classroom teacher. I am responsible for teaching and supporting the students in 6C.

With over a decade of teaching experience, including my 7th year at WNPS, my strong connection to the school is tied to my great nan attending during WWI and my grandpa having served as a past principal. Throughout my career, I've taught in the junior, middle, and senior school, while also taking on various additional roles. My primary passion lies in nurturing students' confidence and helping them discover their voice, ensuring they feel valued and comfortable in the classroom. I firmly believe that when students' wellbeing is prioritised, academic and personal success are likely to follow. Besides education, I enjoy travelling and have been fortunate enough to study in New York, my favourite city, and teach abroad in London. In my spare time, I cherish moments with my miniature groodle, Sage, my family, friends and attending musicals.

6D - Tess Holland: What is your role at WNPS? Year 6 Classroom Teacher

I was a journalist working for ABC Radio for a ten years in Queensland prior to teaching and I've always had a love of written word, and this has flowed into best practice in literacy education. I began teaching 2012, mostly focussed on the middle and upper years in primary. I'm passionate about news and current affairs and finding opportunities in the classroom to connect student's learning to the real world. I represent our excellent teachers as an elected member on the AEU State Council. I also have two awesome humans of my own aged 18 and 21.

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