Our Learning Support Teachers

Luisa Di Giovine

Learning Support

I started teaching at IPS as a graduate teacher waaay back in 2003. In that time, I have worked as a Generalist Classroom teacher and more recently as a Learning Support Teacher. Whilst there have been periods of time where I was away teaching in Far North Queensland or on maternity leave, it has always been wonderful to come back to the IPS community. The school has certainly changed during my time here, but one constant has been IPS’ wonderful students and its terrific community spirit.

I enjoy travelling (when the opportunity presents itself) and hope to take my two boys on many adventures in the future. On the few occasions that I find myself with ‘free’ time you will usually find me curled up with a good book in the quietest part of the house.

Reading has been a lifelong passion of mine and I feel so fortunate to be in a position to share this interest with students. My role allows me to assist students with their literacy and numeracy skills and I love being able to witness the progress that students make and the satisfaction that they get from all of their hard work. 

I can be contacted via email at luisa.digiovine@education.vic.gov.au

Luisa Di Giovine

Jo Harford

Learning Support and Year 3 Teacher

Hi, I’m Jo Harford and I work 3 days a week at IPS. One day a week in a Support Teaching role and two days a week in 3J (team teaching with the wonderful Mrs Kittler.)

I started in a full- time role at IPS in 2008 in a Year 5 class. The students at IPS made such a wonderful first impression on me. I was struck by their fantastic work ethic and deep level of thinking.  I love building connections with my students and believe that when students feel seen, supported and cared for, they do their best learning.  While at IPS I have also worked on projects at the Victorian Curriculum & Assessment Authority.  I have worked as a Lead Marker for NAPLAN over many years and have also developed content for online assessment programs for Literacy. This project work has been great professional development and I believe has really enhanced my teaching.

IPS is filled with amazing staff and many of my colleagues have become some of my close friends. My colleagues are very supportive of each other and I feel very lucky to be part of both the Support Team and Year 3 Team. 

Outside of teaching I love spending time in my garden and also love getting away and hiking or body surfing with my family and friends. 

I work at IPS on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and can be contacted on:

Joanne.harford@edcation.vic.gov.au

Vicki Lamont 

EAL Co-ordinator and Support Teacher

I have been teaching at Ivanhoe Primary School for over 16 years now - I took on a Foundation class in 2007 - it has been so lovely to see so many students grow from tiny Foundation kids to confident grade 6s and beyond. I have had 2 daughters of my own in that time (they are now 14 and 11) and have worked in many roles across the school from a few years as the Junior Visual Art teacher to Literacy and Numeracy Support teacher and EAL Co-ordinator. The students at Ivanhoe Primary School are fabulous and make coming to work a joy!

I am passionate about education and working with young people from all backgrounds - especially those that speak languages other than English at home. In 2020 I spent a year on secondment at a Language School for newly arrived children in Preston which was a fascinating role - made all the more challenging by the covid lockdowns! 

I have an interest in the wellbeing of students and am currently studying my Masters of Counselling - I hope to eventually work as a school counsellor but I can’t imagine giving up teaching so aim to do both.

I work at IPS Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and can be contacted on Vicki.Lamont@education.vic.gov.au

Hello everyone, my name is Christine Hemsley.   

In conjunction with teaching Italian for a few classes this year, I will also be teaching Numeracy Tuition for the third year in a row. 

I loved Maths as a student when I attended Fairfield North Primary School, Thornbury High and then university. I commenced my teaching career at IPS many years ago and am lucky enough to have returned to where it all started! I have learnt so much over the years (in many different roles and grades) at lots of different schools where I have coordinated Mathematics/Numeracy across the school. 

In 2004 I was fortunate enough to be nominated for a Mathematics Teaching Award from the Victorian Education Department, due to my ability to improve student learning outcomes for all. It was very exciting going to the Melbourne Zoo for the presentation! 

I have a passion for teaching and learning anything - especially Numeracy.  However, I take into consideration the possible learning anxieties that some students may exhibit working towards developing an enhanced learning confidence. I can appreciate the challenge that it takes for some students to make their way through the mathematics learning journey. One of my daughters always found learning maths difficult and this experience has given me the personal insight to understand how ‘tricky’ numeracy can be.

We are surrounded by numeracy in our environment and integrating numeracy into our everyday lives is essential for all children. Encourage your children to look for shapes, numbers and patterns around them. You’ll be surprised what they discover and the conversations you’ll have! 

During 2023, I will work closely with classroom teachers to ensure the best learning opportunities for the students in my care.

Looking at life from all ANGLES!

Christine Hemsley

If you need to contact me, please reach out on your child’s Class Dojo or use my email address -

christine.hemsley@education.vic.gov.au

Hello, my name is Jo Anderson. 

I am very pleased to be a member of the IPS staff and part of our wonderful IPS community!

On Mondays and Tuesdays this year, I can be found in the main building running tutoring classes, as part of the Tutor Learning Initiative Program, in the area of Literacy. It’s a really enjoyable experience and a great opportunity to work with my students in a small group setting. Teaching 1R and 1G, is what I do on Wednesdays and this is proving to be a space full of lovely and engaged learners.

Originally, I came to IPS as a parent, when the first of our two sons began school here, back in 2013. As a mum, I got involved in a number of ways over the years, including as a parent classroom rep, school councillor, PFA member and was also on the Fair Committee. For me, this was a great way to interact with others and become more a part of the school fabric, which I hoped also supported my kids.

Eventually, I crossed over into teaching at IPS as well. Opportunities have been varied over the 8 years I have taught here. These have included a chance to teach many areas of the curriculum, along with junior school music and support classes. My time at IPS has been a great chance to learn, laugh and share with my colleagues, as well as the enjoyment that comes with teaching our students.

In my own time, I’m a keen reader, yogi, bike-rider and partake in some pilates too! Of course, by now I have 2 teenage sons and so, I keep on learning!

Jo 

joanne.anderson@education.vic.gov.au