Meet Our Specialist Teachers
Amy Veerman - STEM Teacher (Grade 2 and 4)
I began teaching at CHPS in 2019 and have taught Grades 4 and 5. In 2021 I began the year as part of the Tutor Learning Initiative before going on Maternity Leave. Our daughter Rosetta was born in May 2021 and am so pleased to be returning to CHPS in 2022 after 9 months of leave.
I will be teaching the Grade 2 and 4 classes and look forward introducing the Grade 2s to our fantastic STEM lab for the first time and extending the Science knowledge and skills the Grade 4s already have.
amy.veerman@education.vic.gov.edu
Natasha Taylor - STEM Teacher (Grade 3, 5 & 6)
In 2022 I am thrilled to be returning to a Science Specialist role, after spending the last two years as a Classroom Teacher at CHPS. Whilst I gained a lot from learning more about other areas of the curriculum, Science is one of my deep passions and I absolutely love being a Scientist and a Science Teacher!
I believe in a vibrant and exciting STEM Laboratory that allows students to participate and engage with learning, hands-on (often with some music and humour thrown in). My background is in Pathology, with majors in Haematology, Microbiology and Cytology, so any excuse for microscopy really.
I look forward to sending some action shots through Seesaw to show you what we are getting up to. They may provide a springboard into conversation about learning with your child. This year I will be teaching on Monday – Wednesday and I will be taking the Year 3, 5 and 6 students.
natasha.taylor@education.vic.gov.au
Monique Boggia - Music Teacher (Grade 1 - 3)
I’m Monique Boggia, Music Teacher for Grades 1 – 3. This year, students in all three levels will continue to develop their singing voices and music literacy.
Grade 1 will apply these aural and literacy skills and concepts to tuned percussion, Grade 2 will develop their keyboard skills, and Grade 3 will finally get to play their ocarinas.
We have concerts planned for mid-late term 2 and hopefully we will be able to invite families to be in the live audiences.
For families who wish to stay up to date with the junior music activities and curriculum, I will regularly post resources on the Junior Music page of the school website.
monique.boggia@education.vic.gov.au
Roz Girvan - Music Teacher (Grade 4 - 6)
Hello! I’m Roz Girvan and I teach Classroom Music to Grades 4, 5 and 6. I have been teaching at CHPS for 16 years.
If you walk into my classroom you are likely to hear a class rehearsing a pop song as a class band with students on guitars, pianos, marimbas, drums, ukuleles and percussion. You may also find students in small groups composing music to a story, or bouncing balls to a rhythm, or working on a chop stick and chair routine. Singing (COVID safe), body percussion, movement and music games also feature. Students gain in music skills through making music.
My approach to classroom music is that it is about the group working out how to play together, to listen to each other and to bring their varied level of skill to the class. There is an emphasis on community building through making music.
In 2022, we are hoping to put on a Production for Grades 4, 5 and 6 and have optimistically booked the Clock Tower Theatre for the 31st of August and the 1st of September. We are hoping to develop a theatre piece in collaboration with the students. We are also hoping to incorporate Woiwurrung language. Our creative plans remain in their infancy, and we will reveal all when much more work is completed.
A reminder that we have an extra-curricular instrumental and ensemble program. You can find out more about how to be involved on the school website.
If you would like to contribute to the musical life of the school or have any question, please don’t hesitate to email me: Roslyn.Girvan@education.vic.gov.au.
Clare Mathieson - Art Teacher (Foundation, Grade 1 & 2)
My name is Clare Mathieson and I am the Art teacher for our Foundation, Grade 1 and Grade 2 classes. I have taught at CHPS for ten years. I love being an Art teacher and I am really looking forward to working with the children this year on some wonderful creative projects using a variety of mediums such as drawing, painting, modelling, textiles, construction and printmaking. I can’t wait to get to know our new students and spend more time with the children I have already had the pleasure of teaching. If you would like to get in touch, please send me an email: clare.mathieson@education.vic.gov.au.
Rosy Green - Art Teacher (Grades 3 - 6)
My name is Rosy Green and this year I will be teaching Art to grades 3, 4, 5 and 6. I am looking forward to working with the students to explore a range of techniques and mediums.
Please contact me if you have any queries throughout the year. My office is in the Art room in the main building and my email address is Rosemary.Green@education.vic.gov.au.
Michael Masters - P.E. Teacher (Grades 1 - 6)
Hi, my name is Michael Masters and I teach P.E. to all students in Grades 1-6.
I am passionate about helping students develop their confidence in performing fundamental motor skills and then applying them effectively them in sports and games. When students are engaged in fun and challenging physical activities they develop an appreciation for the benefits to their physical, mental and emotional health, which supports healthy and happy lifestyles in the future.
Email address: michael.masters@education.vic.gov.au
Sally Harrison – Foundation Specialist Teacher: P.E. and Performing Arts
Hello! My name is Sally Harrison. I have been a specialist teacher at CHPS as well as a classroom teacher in other schools that I have taught at. I’ve been lucky enough to teach students in Australia and the United Kingdom. I really enjoy playing and watching Sport with my second degree being Exercise Science. I also enjoyed the performing arts when I was growing up. In 2022 I will be teaching the Foundation students P.E. and Performing Arts three days a week. I look forward to meeting your child/ren and assisting them in their learning journey. Thank you! sally.harrison@education.vic.gov.au.
Catherine Teng - Mandarin Teacher
Nihao! 你好
I am Catherine Teng and students call me Mrs Teng. I am a Chinese native speaker and I am good at Chinese folk dance as well.
I will teach Grade 4 this term.
I am looking forward to teaching you this year.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns throughout the year.
catherine.teng@education.vic.gov.au
Summer Chen - Mandarin Teacher
Nihao! 你好
I am Summer Chen and students call me Chen Laoshi. I speak both Mandarin and Cantonese.
I will teach Foundation, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 5 and Grade 6.
I am looking forward to teach you this year.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns throughout the year.
Hanxun.Chen@education.vic.gov.au
Sophie Robson - French Teacher
Bonjour tout le monde! I’m Sophie Robson (students know me as Madame Robson) and I’ll be taking your students for French this year. Lessons are once a week for all year levels. Please contact me through Compass or by email at sophie.robson@education.vic.gov.au if you have any questions about the program.
Sophie Gammon - French Teacher
Bonjour !! Je m’appelle Sophie Gammon.
The students call me Madame Gammon.
I’ll be teaching the following grades this year: Foundation, Grade 1, Grade 5 and 6KS.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns throughout the year.
I will be in touch with each year level over the first few weeks of the year with some information about our classes and online resources.
sophie.gammon@education.vic.gov.au
Sylvia Gammon - French Assistant
Sylvia Gammon will be joining us this semester as an assistant in French classes. She will be working with French classes on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Give her a “Bonjour” when you see her in the yard. Here is a message from Sylvia to the school community:
Bonjour! Je m’appelle Sylvia et je suis la nouvelle assistante de français. Je suis née à Melbourne, et j’ai commencé mes études de français ici à Clifton Hill Primary School ! J’ai adoré cette expérience donc j’ai continué à apprendre le français à Melbourne Girls’ College. En seconde, j’ai eu la chance de passer trois mois en France. Je suis restée dans un petit village qui s’appelle Valbonne (proche de Nice). J’ai habité avec une famille d’accueil et je suis allée au lycée. C’était une expérience géniale… j’ai découvert une belle culture et j’ai rencontré beaucoup de personnes incroyables, dont certains sont encore mes amis aujourd’hui. L’année suivante, j’ai eu la chance de retourner en France avec ma famille, et, si covid le permet, j’ai l’intention d’y retourner cette année. Mon amour de la culture et la langue française a commencé ici à CHPS, et je suis tellement reconnaissante d’avoir cette opportunité de revenir et de pouvoir aider les élèves à profiter de leurs cours de français. J’ai trop hâte de tous les rencontrer!
Hi! My name’s Sylvia and I’m the new French assistant. I was born in Melbourne, and I started learning French here at Clifton Hill Primary School! I really liked it and so I continued doing French throughout my time at Melbourne Girls’ College and in VCE. When I was in year ten, I was so lucky to spend three months in France on exchange, living with a host family in a little town called Valbonne (close to Nice) and going to school there. It was such an awesome experience… I got to discover a beautiful new culture and meet so many amazing people. I’m still friends with some of them today! The next year, I was lucky enough to return to France for a holiday with my family, and, Covid permitting, I’m hoping to go back this year as well. My love for France all started here at CHPS, so I’m so excited about this opportunity to return and help students get the most out of learning French. I can’t wait to meet them all!