Our staff for 2026

With just over two weeks left in the school year, it is a pleasure to share our 2026 teaching and support team with the SKiPPS community.

As has become something of a tradition at St Kilda Park, staffing for next year remains very stable. The great majority of our teachers and education support staff are returning in 2026, which means strong continuity for our students and a continued focus on our core priorities. At the same time, we are very pleased to welcome a small number of new faces and to celebrate some exciting changes in roles within our existing team.

Welcoming new staff for 2026

This year we have appointed three new staff who will be joining us in 2026. Each brings experience, enthusiasm and a strong alignment with our school values.

Emily Glen will be joining us as a classroom teacher in Year 3 and as our new Learning Specialist for Teaching and Learning. Emily has been teaching for ten years and is currently a Learning Specialist at Mount Pleasant Primary School in Nunawading. She also holds the role of Victorian Mathematics Ambassador, one of four teachers selected across the state to promote excellence in mathematics teaching and to support schools in building positive student attitudes and strong achievement in Maths. 

My name is Em Glen and I’m excited to be joining the St Kilda Park community in 2026 as I move into the Bayside area. I’ve been teaching for 10 years and love that everyday my work lets me learn, laugh and explore alongside my students. I’m especially passionate about Maths, reading/telling stories, and creating a classroom where everyone feels valued, included and capable.

Outside of school, I love travelling, seeing live music and musicals, reading and as of next year, taking plenty of beach walks. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to join such a vibrant and impressive school and I can’t wait to get to know everyone next year!

We are also delighted to welcome Audrey Klein as our new Performing Arts teacher. Audrey comes to SKiPPS with a rich background in music, dance, performing arts teaching, teacher training and professional performance. 

Hello everyone.

My name is Audrey Klein and I am very excited to be joining the school as the Performing Arts teacher in 2026, after time off for carer duty.

I have been a teacher and performer for over 40 years and am still as keen as ever to involve our young people in creative, group music making. In this fast-paced, highly technological world, I strongly feel that my curriculum area gives students a unique opportunity to get in touch with what it means to be an expressive human being, in a way that is fundamental to us all!

About me?

I was a founding member of Shenanigans (World Music band) and then struck out on my own with my one-person show “A Whole World of Music and Fun”. In more recent years I have created a website where I provide original resources for Performing Arts teachers and am getting back into performing by playing piano accordion in a newly-formed trio we are calling Klezmopolis and am re-sharpening my classical chops playing flute in a community orchestra, on the other side of town.

I look forward to sharing my love of multicultural folk music and dance with your children (and, perhaps, with you as well!). Feel free to drop into my classroom any time, but be prepared to join in the fun!

Completing our new team members for 2026 is Hollie Reid, who joins us as our new Physical Education teacher. Hollie has been working at Tongala Primary School and Kyabram P–12 and brings great energy and passion for sport and physical activity. 

My name is Hollie Reid, as a graduate I’m incredibly excited to be joining the school as the new PE teacher. Sport has always been a huge part of my life, and I’m passionate about helping students discover the confidence, teamwork, and joy that physical activity can bring. Netball is my favourite sport to play, and I love getting involved in anything active and fun. I’m moving from Tongala and truly looking forward to becoming part of this wonderful community. I can’t wait to meet the students, connect with families, and work alongside the staff to create a positive, energetic and supportive PE program.

A new leadership role in wellbeing

In addition to welcoming new staff, we are very pleased to share an important internal appointment that reflects a key priority for our school in 2026.

Our current Year 3 teacher, Louisa Di Pietro, has been appointed to a new leadership role as Learning Specialist with responsibilities for wellbeing and mental health. In 2026 Louisa will work primarily out of the classroom as our Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader, as part of the Department of Education’s Mental Health in Primary Schools initiative.

This is an exciting development both for Louisa and for our whole school community. While she will not have a class of her own next year, Louisa will continue to work directly with many students, as well as coaching and supporting staff across the school. 

She will lead our work to strengthen trauma informed and neuroaffirming practices, and to make sure our whole school approach to wellbeing is consistent, proactive and grounded in strong evidence. This role reflects the priority we are placing on student wellbeing in 2026, and our commitment to supporting children with additional needs, neurodiversity or experiences of trauma to access education in a safe, positive and effective way.

Farewelling staff at the end of 2025

As always, announcing a new team for the year ahead also means acknowledging those who are moving on. At the end of this year we will be saying farewell to some valued staff members.

Brooke Cairns has worked at SKiPPS for a number of years as a highly skilled integration aide, working alongside students requiring additional support in their learning. Brooke has recently qualified as a teacher and will be working at Murrum Primary School, a brand new school opening in 2026 in Weir Views.

Melanie Alma Gertler joined us during the year as our Performing Arts teacher and has brought creativity, care and a strong focus on involving all students in music and performance.

Craig Harrison stepped into our PE role during the year and has done a terrific job keeping our students active, skilful and engaged in sport and physical activity.

We thank Brooke, Melanie and Craig for the enthusiasm, flexibility and professionalism they have shown while at St Kilda Park. They have each made a strong contribution and we wish them all the very best as they move on to new challenges in 2026.

This means that our 2026 staff looks as follows;

We are very proud of the team we have in place for next year. Across our classroom, specialist and support staff we have a group of educators who are committed to explicit teaching, a knowledge rich curriculum and warm, caring relationships with students and families.

We look forward to working with you and your children in 2026 and to another year of learning, growth and connection at SKiPPS.