Staffing 2019
Principal: Natalie Rose
Assistant Principal: Jess Grey
Business Manager: Natalie Galati
Administration Officer: Sarah Corron
School Leadership Team: Natalie Rose, Jess Grey, Vicki Smith, Braden Leech, Alicia Oliver-Cook, Rebecca Skinner and Kate Ashforth.
Mathematics Leader: Braden Leech
English Leaders: Alicia Oliver-Cook & Vicki Smith
Literacy Intervention Specialist: Tania Watts-Hall
Student Engagement & Wellbeing: Kate Ashforth & Rebecca Skinner
School Wide Positive Behaviour Team: Rebecca Skinner, Tania Watts-Hall, Natalie Rose & Dominique Wimpole
WELCOME TO OUR NEW STAFF
A warm welcome to our new staff and here is our opportunity to get to know them a little better!
Claire Brooks
I was born in England but am proud to call Australia home. Teaching is my second career, having started as a computer programmer and working for a large insurance company. I lasted three years. Luckily, teaching is what fills me with joy and I love seeing students exceed their own expectations. So far it has been 18 fabulous years of learning, laughter and love. I live in a house with too many boys (one husband, four sons, one old dog and one overweight rescue cat). I do have a girl cat but to be quite frank, she is not very friendly. I am really excited to be part of the Ripponlea family and look forward to building our learning community.
Luca Dickinson
Hi Rippers! Thank you for my warm welcome to the Ripponlea Primary School community, I’m very excited to be a part of the team. Over the year you’ll discover many things about me - here’s a few to start. On the weekends you’ll find me trawling the aisles at Kmart or cosied up reading one of my many books that I constantly have on the go. Being an aunty to my two gorgeous gems, Paddy and Lulu, brightens each of my days. I love teaching, being silly, dancing, running and chocolate. Travelling and taking snaps of all the places I visit is my favourite past time, which I hope to continue throughout my life. London was my home for 2 years while I taught and took trips throughout both Europe and Africa. I was born in Warrnambool, at the end of the Great Ocean Road and enjoy living by the beach and visiting different beaches throughout the world. I’m looking forward to being involved with the Ripponlea Community and getting to know my lovely students.
Julie Nield
Hello! I’m originally from the UK but my family have been proud to call Australia our home for 12 years now and we are official Aussie citizens. I have two sons at university in Melbourne and we have always lived in the Bayside and Port Phillip area.
I started teaching in a secondary school in the UK. Prior to that I had a career in marketing. I love travelling and my husband and I backpacked around the world for two years in the early ‘90s, visiting parts of the former Soviet Union, Pakistan, India and China as well as Mexico, Central and South America. Then came children and I became a teacher. I can honestly say teaching is the hardest thing I’ve ever done but easily the most rewarding. I am proud to be a teacher.
I am passionate about distance running and I’m the registrar for Glenhuntly Athletic Club. Sadly my knees no longer last the distance and I ran my last race 3 years ago. Between teaching and this role I am an active member of the Bayside community. Before teaching at Ripponlea, I taught at Ormond Primary School, Wattle Park PS in Burwood and I was a casual relief teacher at Elwood PS. I am thrilled to join the Ripper community and look forward to supporting your children and meeting you all in the forthcoming months.
Abi Wright
Hi everyone, I’m delighted to introduce myself at Ripponlea as Drama and Music teacher. My background is community theatre and I believe that Drama and Music is for everyone. I have taught Drama to high school students in London, students in Vietnam, Malaysia and Italy to help with language and refugees from all over the world. I feel Music and Drama is such a powerful tool to share stories. I can’t wait to share my skills and knowledge and see what talent there is at Ripponlea. I’m originally from the UK and am loving being in Melbourne- what a great city. Delicious coffee and lovely people. Out of the classroom I love cycling, camping, hiking, singing, ukulele, my lovely choir, my cat Frankie and board games.