Meet our Year 6 teachers

Meet our wonderful Year 6 teachers, whose care, encouragement, and hard work have helped our students get ready to graduate and make a flying start at secondary school!

Miss Elara

Year 6 Team Leader, 6A Teacher

Hi everyone!

I’ve been teaching in the senior school at PMPS for the past five years, and it’s been an absolute joy. I’ve had the privilege of teaching our current Year 6 students for three years in a row, and it’s been incredible watching them grow into the wonderful young people they’re becoming. Saying goodbye in seven weeks is going to be tough, tissues at the ready!

My partner Ayden and I moved to Melbourne from country Victoria five years ago. Since then, we’ve officially become coffee snobs. If there’s a café within a 5km radius, we’ve probably been there… twice. When we’re not sipping lattes, we’re busy planning renovation updates for our home and dreaming up new travel adventures. We love exploring the world and often use the summer holidays to jet off somewhere new, even if it means trading the Aussie summer for winter on the other side of the globe!

As for footy, I proudly (and sometimes painfully) barrack for the not so mighty Blues. They’ve been testing my loyalty, and my tear ducts, but once a Blue, always a Blue!

What I'm reading right now: My Graduation Speech!
Favourite sport: AFL
My favourite subject (when I was at school): PE
How long I've taught at PMPS: 5 years

Miss Annabelle

6B Teacher

I’m currently teaching Year 6, and I have a love for languages and the performing arts — I speak three languages and really enjoy sharing that passion with others. This term, I’ve had the exciting opportunity to run two electives: Chinese and Drama Club! It’s been such a joy bringing different groups of students together to learn, create, and have fun. I’ve especially loved seeing them step out of their comfort zones, try new things, and connect in a whole new environment.

What I'm reading right now: Red Rising by Pierce Brown
Favourite sport: Swim & Dance
My favourite subject (when I was at school): English Literature
How long I've taught at PMPS: 10 months.

Mr Dennis

6C Teacher

I’m someone who loves being outdoors, whether it’s exploring in nature, playing sports, or spending time in the ocean. I also enjoy quieter moments, like reading and painting, and I really love making and eating delicious food. I am also a huge Arsenal fan.

What I'm reading right now: The Overstory by Richard Powers
Favourite sport: Soccer
My favourite subject (when I was at school): English (writing)
How long I've taught at PMPS: Almost a year.

Mr Darren (Mr C.)

6D Teacher

It has been my pleasure and honour to say that I have been part of Port Melbourne Primary School for 15 years. Starting as the Assistant Principal was a dream come true and finally seeing the end of an ongoing building program after 12 of those years was a breath of fresh air. To say I've been teaching a long time is a bit of an understatement, let's just say last meet many of my former students as university students and at work.

That's the thing about teaching - it's all the same, yet so different. The discipline has changed (no more of the strap, at my school it was called Charlie and sat on the Principal's desk and yes, I did get to meet Charlie on a few occasions); and the technologies, along with the pitfalls, continue to develop at such an enormous rate, a long way from green and black screens and dial up internet.

All through this is the one most important thing that has kept me going - the children. Whenever I have reached the limit and need to reset, it is the children that bring me back and remind me of what I am doing and why I am doing it.

Out of school, sees me playing golf and being a diehard supporter of the Swans (sorry, Sydney). I played AFL from the age of 7, having the opportunity to play on all of the VFL grounds at a time when all the clubs had a Little League (Under 11's team), and yes, I played for South Melbourne. Now days I love to travel, especially to see family in London and renovate homes.

What I'm reading right now: One Impossible Labyrinth by Matthew Reilly
Favourite sport: AFL / Golf
My favourite subject (when I was at school): Sport and Mathematics
How long I've taught at PMPS: 15 Years.