I have two loves, my family and teaching!

I am lucky to have 4 amazing children who I enjoy spending time with especially on the holidays. At home I have 3 gorgeous rabbits named Archie, Snow and Groot. My family and school keep me very busy. In what little spare time I have, I enjoy shopping especially browsing through book shops and going on long walks. My favourite thing to do is reading a good book while enjoying a hot cup of tea.

I have a passion for literacy, and this carries over into my classroom. I love reading to my students and have a huge collection of much-loved picture story books.

I have been teaching for 30 years with most of those years being in prep and junior grades. Each year it is rewarding to watch my student’s abilities and confidence grow. In my classroom I strive to create an inviting and engaging space where students feel safe, listened to, valued and happy. I teach them to be respectful and the importance of having a growth mindset.

I feel extremely blessed to be a part of the Newport Gardens Primary School community where we have amazing teachers, supportive parents and wonderful students. I hope to be teaching here for many years to come.

Hi! My name is Batool and I am really exciting to be apart of the amazing team at Newport Gardens Primary School.

I am originally from Wollongong, NSW where I spent a lot of time enjoying sunrise walks, coffee and the beautiful beaches. In my spare time I enjoy baking, reading and binge watching Netflix.

I am very passionate about teaching and learning, and have always enjoyed working with children. In my classroom I hope to inspire children to be kind and caring of themselves and others, and to create a positive environment for learning.

I always knew I was going to be a teacher. As an eight-year-old, I would practise teaching using my mini blackboard and chalk. I was thrilled when I became a teacher in 2012 after completing a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Teaching at The University of Melbourne. Teaching is my passion and I am particularly passionate about wellbeing, inclusion and inquiry learning. I have been a part of the Newport Gardens family since 2013 and have enjoyed watching my students grow into compassionate, lifelong learners. I am grateful for the support and appreciation the Newport Gardens community has shown me over this time.
When I am not teaching, lesson planning, preparing resources, laminating or thinking about teaching, you can find me spending time with my husband and young son, playing tennis, reading a book, cheering on the Western Bulldogs, singing Christmas songs, eating too much food and petting dogs. I have a big Labrador named Tyson, who loves to eat peanut butter, jump in the waves and sleep. I love travelling and exploring different countries; Japan, Finland and the Czech Republic are my favourite places so far.

My name is Steph and I have been teaching in the education system for over 11 years. I have taught both junior and senior school students and I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching each year level.

In my personal life as well as my professional life, I value individuality, kindness and contributions and I model these values within my classroom. I believe that all students learn in different ways and my role is to foster this and support each and every student to achieve their goals. Additionally I believe, working in partnership with families to best support student’s academic, personal and social growth is an integral part of a student’s journey at school.

In my time outside of school, I love spending time with family and friends and checking out new places for breakfast, lunch or dinner. I enjoy spending time in my garden and reading, in particular biographies, when I get some downtime.

My name is Candice Marty, I was born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand, where I taught and trained as a teacher with a Pasifika Specialty, achieved a Postgraduate Certificate in 21st Century Learning and then completed my Master of Educational Leadership.
Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my family, going to the beach, trying new restaurants, and travelling as much as possible.
I am a passionate educator and pride myself on creating a positive environment which caters to social, emotional and academic needs of all members of my class. I am really excited to be a part of the wonderful school community here at Newport Gardens. This year I will be co-leading the Grade 3 and 4 Team and look forward to connecting with the children and their families.

Hi! My name is Katherine Klepkas and I am really excited to be apart of this amazing team at Newport Gardens Primary School. I am looking forward to creating a fun, inspiring and welcoming classroom that supports students to achieve their full potential as learners.

I come from a Greek background, which would explain my love for food and my loud voice. I am fortunate enough to be able to read, write and speak Greek due to going to Greek School for 12 years, even though as a child, I dreaded going to school on a Saturday. Outside of school, I enjoy going to the beach, travelling, listening to music and watching the tv show friends over and over.

I am feeling extremely grateful to be amongst this amazing and kind community here at Newport Gardens Primary School.

Hello my name is Chloe Lawson.

I started teaching at Newport Gardens in 2021.

I graduated from Monash University where I gained a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in linguistics) and a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary Education).

I am very passionate about teaching and have wanted to teach since I attended primary school. In my classroom I create a supportive and positive environment so my students will always feel welcomed and accepted.

While I’m not at school I love to read, binge watch a good Netflix drama, watch a good movie and walk my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – “Harley”.

Hi, my name is Caroline Watts. I started teaching at Newport Gardens Primary in 2017 and I have loved being part of such a wonderful community.
I come from a long line of teachers (my dad was even the Principal of my primary school) and I love my job!
I grew up in Geelong but moved to Melbourne to study a Bachelor of Arts at The University of Melbourne. Apart from a few years living in Ireland, I’ve never left!
I value a fun, creative, inclusive and nurturing classroom where students are challenged to achieve their best.
In my spare time I love to read, travel and spend time with my two sons.

I strive for students to succeed and reach their full potential in all areas of the curriculum while providing learners with a safe, respectful, inclusive and energetic classroom environment. I absolutely love being part of the NGPS community and look forward to working with my colleagues every day.

On a personal note, I value uniqueness and individuality. As Oscar Wilde once said: “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”

I began my teaching journey in 2011 and have taught students from Foundation to Grade Four. I feel very privileged to work with such an incredible group of children and to be a part of the NGPS community.

As a teacher, I value the positive relationships that I form with my students and the ability to see them grow as both learners and individuals. My classroom environment is calm and inclusive where all students feel safe, happy and valued.

In my spare time, I enjoy going to Pilates/yoga, seeing a movie at the Sun Theatre, visiting the NGV and exploring new cafes and restaurants.

Hi, I’m Chloe McLaren.

I have two fur-babies, a cat named Oakland (Oaky) and a greyhound named Beanie. I love to travel and have visited 17 countries in the past five years, after the April school holidays that number will be 18.

It is very important to me that my students feel safe a supported in the classroom and I believe establishing relationships with students is vital. I am a strong believer in taking a break and getting our bodies moving.

You will normally find my class outside having a play on the playground or running around the oval in between sessions during the day.

Hello NGPS Community,

My name is Nicole Welsh, and this year I am excited to be the 3/4A classroom teacher and the Professional Learning Community Leader for Year 3.

I have a BEd in primary and secondary education and a specialisation in psychology and student wellbeing. I bring nine years of teaching experience to Newport Gardens Primary School and pride myself on creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment, where students feel engaged and confident to learn.

Outside of school, I enjoy reading, watching films, checking out Melbourne's best restaurants, and traveling as often as I can!

Each and every day is a new adventure, one that I am excited for. I believe it is important to embrace every opportunity that arises. Growing up in a big family, I have always enjoyed spending time and working with others. My family has taught me that even the smallest things can brighten someone’s day. This drives my teaching as I believe students cannot learn and feel safe until they know how much you care.
When I’m not in the classroom, you can find me out on the tennis court with my sister and cousins or working at my husband’s gym. If I’m not out and about, I love spending time with my 2 cheeky dogs, Willie and Pumba. Watching movies on the couch, baking a range of treats and reading a good book helps me wind down after a busy day.
You can find me exploring, creating and challenging the wonderful students of Prep C to achieve their best.

Hi! My name is Ms Nobrega. I am a super passionate teacher that strongly believes in a positive learning environment, which engages student’s interest.

My husband, daughter and I migrated to Australia in 2008 from the United Kingdom. We have lived happily in Melbourne since. I have taught across several year levels.

In my spare time, I enjoy travelling, reading, bike riding, hiking, camping and generally any outdoor activities, including spending time with my newly arrived Grandson.

A few favourites of Ms Nobrega’s:
Colour: Green
Food: Avocado
Place to visit: Patagonia

My name is Kasia Dunlevy. I have been teaching for many years in Australia, the UK and Poland, where I am from.

I feel very fortunate to be able share my passion for teaching and learning with the wonderful NGPS community. In my daily practice, I strive to embed in my students that respect, responsibility, excellence, and inclusion can help them embrace their futures as optimistic, contributing members of their local and global communities. I am committed to develop the academic, social, and personal potential of my students, supporting them to be lifelong learners.

When I can, I enjoy working in my garden, designing, knitting, and camping with my family.

Hi my name is Danijela and I joined Newport Gardens in 2021.

I am super excited for the journey ahead. After high school I completed my Bachelor of Health Sciences, soon after that I packed my bags and moved to London for what was the best year of my life. I worked in London as an Integration Aide and travelled any chance I got.

Some of my favourite places in the world are Switzerland, Italy and basically anywhere with an ocean and some sand. Upon returning from London, I began my Masters of Primary Teaching and 3 years later here I am teaching at Newport Gardens.

Along with travel, I love spending time with my loved ones and exploring new hikes and adventures. I am very passionate about teaching and feel very blessed to be apart of this lovely community here at Newport.

Who is Mr McMahon?

I come from a country town situated on the Murray River in Victoria called Swan Hill. I started teaching at Newport Gardens Primary School in 2015 after completing a Bachelor of Education at Victoria University. I have a real passion for teaching and go out of my way to build respectful relationships with both the students and the school community.

When I am not teaching or planning lessons, one of my favourite things to do is to travel or go on an adventure. I have recently arrived back from travelling around Australia. My favourite places I visited were Uluru and The Great Barrier Reef. I also lived in the UK in 2019 for 7 months. My favourite countries I visited were Portugal, Croatia and Turkey. Other things I enjoy doing in my spare time are watching Netflix, catching up with family and friends and going to the footy to watch the mighty Tigers!

In 2023, I am lucky enough to be a part of the 3/4 Learning Community where I’ll be the teacher of 4B. I am looking forward to supporting all students in any way possible, making sure they feel safe and watching them grow as learners and individuals.

Hello, my name is Eve Hartley and have been at Newport Gardens since its transformation and construction from Hobsons Bay Primary School in 2011 to the present day.

I have taught in various schools across the Hobsons Bay area over the many years I have been teaching and enjoy living and working within my local community. I have taught across all year levels, and even specialist areas such as PE, Art and Numeracy Intervention, I am very passionate about Numeracy and problem solving!

The two values that I feel describe me best are caring and commitment. I care deeply about the emotional and social wellbeing of my students and colleagues at Newport Gardens and always strive to build a friendly and approachable rapport with others. I am committed to being the best possible teacher I can be. Even though I have been in education for many years, I am committed to expanding my knowledge and learning through professional development, and to implement new ideas to create an engaging classroom.

I enjoy a challenge and like to instill the same positive mindset within my students. I am committed to the continuous growth of myself as a teacher and to the educational growth of students at Newport Gardens.

Hello there, my name is Tanya Nguyen.

My journey to Newport has been quite a ride, and I’m not just talking about the commute up and back, but I have thoroughly enjoyed my years here and I look forward to coming to school every day. It makes me really happy when I hear that the students feel the same way, as I always aim to promote an environment of fun, acceptance and striving to do one’s best in my classroom.

I love reading books and could spend all day buried in one (or many). If you were to judge me by my “cover”, you’d see a quiet, soft-spoken, short Asian who’s heavily dependent on her glasses, but we all know how the old saying goes… you can’t judge a book by its cover. As you get to know me, you’ll find that I am always willing to listen and learn, I’m passionate and dedicated to my job and I love to bring creativity into absolutely everything I do.

Each day brings a new experience, and I enjoy being challenged while I learn and grow alongside my students. I understand that every student is different and that they all need to be accommodated for. That’s why it’s so important to me that I build a good relationship of trust and understanding with my students to make them feel valued and heard. I hope that I can provide each and every student of mine a safe space where they can grow up to be proud of themselves and have fond memories of.

Hello, my name is Mark and I’m here to help.

I’m a grade 5 teacher at Newport Gardens this year. I started teaching in my 30s and have been working at this school since 2002.

I have had the opportunity to teach at every year level and really enjoy playing my part in helping your children to grow and develop their ability to think for themselves and question everything.

I believe learning should be fun, where possible and you can often hear me singing and whistling around the place.

Hello, my name is Sophie Bouikidis.

As a child, I spent a lot of my time with my loving, loud and crazy Greek grandparents who took care of my two brothers and I.

I grew up trying many different sports but now enjoy playing soccer for a local women’s team. After high school I went on to study a Bachelor of Arts at Monash University, majoring in Criminology and Journalism and then spent some time working in magazine editorial before moving to complete a Masters of Education.

I love to travel and have visited 15 countries so far but am always dreaming of the next destination! I have been at Newport Gardens since 2017. The two values I believe best describe me in both my personal and professional life are trust and loyalty. As a teacher I believe it is important to build a sense of trust with my students and support them to become the best versions of themselves!

I am a passionate primary teacher dedicated to creating inclusive and engaging learning environments. With a Bachelor's Degree in Games Graphics Design, a Master of Education and years of experience, i bring creativity and empathy to his classroom.

I believe in personalised learning, fostering a growth mindset, and integrating technology to enhance student engagement and digital literacy.

In my classroom, learning is collaborative and interactive. I utilise diverse instructional strategies to meet individual student needs and encourages a supportive atmosphere where mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth.

Outside of school, i enjoy videogames, science fiction films, woodworking and furniture restoration, and buying new houseplants to replace the ones that have inexplicably died. I enjoy dad jokes but have no children of my own. Perhaps a bit of a faux pas.

“I am not young enough to know everything.”
- Oscar Wilde

Hi!

My name is Mr Holt and I teach at Newport Gardens PS.

I am from the small country of Wales but already, Australia feels like my second home!

I studied International Business and worked for a company in the UK before making the move to teaching and it was the best decision I have ever had! Since then I have worked in multiple schools before moving to Australia and becoming a CRT before being welcomed into the Newport Gardens community!

I love sport and will talk all day long about Cardiff City and my Welsh hero Gareth Bale! I also love animals and travelling, and I hope I can inspire children to become citizens of the world and use their classroom experiences to travel and see the world, leaving a positive impact wherever they go.

My name is Daniel Jerabek and I have been the Japanese teacher at Newport Gardens Primary School since 2015.

At this school and in my life I hold these two values to heart – Honesty and Humour. Honesty challenges you to be the best person you can be. Humour fosters the environment to be open and honest even in difficult situations.

This is my dream job, and I am absolutely honoured to be sharing my passion of Japanese with your children and the Newport Gardens community.

My name is Wes Coles and I am the Pe Coordinator here at the school.

I am really enthusiastic about all sports, and I enjoy introducing students (and parents) to sports and games that are undiscovered!

My background is English and although you may have trouble understanding me you will know that I am a fun, smiling teacher who has the boundless energy needed to keep up with the kids!

Outside of school I play professional soccer, am a proud father of 3 large dogs (all girls) and am currently learning how to make a quiche.

Hi my name is Natalie.

I have taught PE for many years at a variety of schools across Melbourne and am really looking forward to my new position at Newport Gardens.

I love teaching PE. I particularly enjoy seeing my students having lots of fun while being active, being outside, learning new skills and developing a lifelong appreciation of sport and recreation.

Outside of school I keep busy by walking my energetic Kelpie 'Annie'. We go for long walks before and after school. I also enjoy playing tennis and watching my favourite footy team North Melbourne.

My name is Mr Max and I am super excited to have the opportunity to teach Science here at Newport Gardens Primary School.

This is my second-year teaching at NGPS and can’t wait to share enthusiasm for all things nerdy and science related.

Combing my experiences in science communication and entertainment, I strive to inspire all students to be able see and apply science in their everyday lives.

When I’m not playing the mad scientist in the classroom, you can usually find me buried under a pile of board games and trading cards while giving students the opportunity to engage with a number of these nerdy hobbies through the lunch time clubs I love to run.

I am looking forward to meeting the next generation of brilliant minds and future scientists in my time here at Newport Gardens Primary School.

My name is Leyna and I feel very lucky to be part of such a lovely community here at Newport Gardens PS as the Visual Arts Specialist.

I have taught Visual Arts since 2011 and love my job. My aim is to help create confident and empowered artists, and provide tools with the tools to help them express an idea that they might not have the words for.

Outside of school, when I am not running around after my 2 children (Evie and Owen), I love weaving and punch needling, eating yummy food, and watching a good Netflix show.

Hi there! My name is Haylee Antonello and I am so honoured and excited to be apart of the Newport Gardens Primary School team to teach Performing Arts.

I have 20 years of professional experiance in the Arts industry, studying Music Theatre at National Theatre and Jazz at VCA. I have performed in professional productions, short films and a number of corporate and cover bands over the years. In 2015 I began teaching classes for Mini Maestros. This spurred my passion for teaching music to children and led me back to univeristy to complete my Batchelor of Arts (Education P-12).

I love nothing more than guiding and teaching students whilst sharing my passion for the Arts with them. In my spare time I perform in bands around Victoria, I love baking, hiking, going to the movies, seeing live bands, and hanging out with my husband and two kids.

Hi, my name is Deidre and I have been the Business Manager at Newport Gardens Primary School previously (Hobsons Bay Primary School and Newport West Primary School) for 25 years and absolutely love working in a school environment.

I have two children – my son Benjamin and my daughter Kelly – I also have three grandchildren, Kiana, Charli and Marley.

I love spending time and shopping with my grandchildren, just lazing around at home watching TV and also I absolutely love buying a new pair of SHOES!!

Hello, I’m Kelly.

I work in the front office and have worked at Newport Gardens Primary School for the past 7 years. Although I enjoyed working in the corporate world, since working here I have not looked back and thoroughly love working with my mum, the staff and having fun with the kids when they come to the office and sickbay.

The kids at school probably go home and say that I am a little crazy but that is just the way I am – I feel it is important to have a friendly environment so they feel comfortable when they come up to see me – I just love to have fun.

When at home I enjoy dancing, playing with my daughter Marley and relaxing with some good tunes.

Hi, my name is Vera Trezise l am a mother of four and a grandmother to three beautiful children; family is very important to me and in my personal time I enjoy spending every minute I can with them.

I began working in Education Support 17 years ago at Eastona Park PS. We then merged with Hobsons Bay PS to become Newport Gardens Primary School.

Throughout my years of experience, my role has changed. l began supporting students and teachers in the classroom and, over time, my role extended further to running our school library, becoming First Aid Officer, joining the wellbeing team and helping out at the front office. You will always find me across the school helping and caring for students and staff.

My name is George and I have been an Education Support at NGPS for a bit over two years.

I am interested in a vast number of subjects, ranging from mathematics to history, computer science, languages, etc. My primary purpose is to pass on some of this knowledge accumulated over the years, but also to spark in our students an interest in subjects they may not have considered otherwise, and give them a taste for learning.

As such, I am grateful for the opportunity to come to work at NGPS every day, where I believe I can fulfil my role in the best conditions.

Looking for me? You will find me in the classroom, among the kids, where I am the happiest.

Hi I’m Anna Basile,

I have been working with Children for the past 30 years. 24 years as an Early Childhood Educator for Victoria University and 1 year at the Newport Gardens Early Childhood Centre. I began my new journey of Education Support at Newport Gardens Primary School in 2015.

Since starting at this school, Learning is one of my key values. I believe that each day is a new learning for me. Because of this, I have been able to extend my skills to learn new intervention programs such as Levelled Literacy Intervention, The Zones of Regulation, Social Detective, Superflex and Braille. These programs have allowed me to work closely with students and run some amazing group sessions, where I feel I have been able to have a positive impact.

I’m also grateful to be given the opportunity to work with some wonderful teachers and students here at Newport Gardens Primary school.

Hey!

My name is Jo and my main role at Newport Gardens PS is to support students in accessing education in the best way that meets needs of the individual child. This means I work alongside teachers to determine together the most effective way to teach and support students with additional needs.

My personal and professional belief is that each of us, as people, have an equal opportunity to access every aspect of life and what it can offer. No matter what gender, culture, language, religion or ability I will always, in my position here at Newport Gardens PS and beyond, do my best to ensure that we all have the same opportunities for success.

It has been an absolute pleasure to have been in this role for over 17 years, more than 9 of those has been at Newport Gardens! Wow that's flown! My position is one of the most rewarding ones and I feel thankful that I get to do this almost every day.

I am a parent of two grown children, Holiday and Zach. In my spare time I love a good sleep in, a good read and some retail therapy! 😉

Hello there!
My name is Christine.

I joined NGPS in 2023 and have had the privilege of getting to know the students, educators and community. I absolutely love supporting our students in a way that is accessible and inclusive. My passion lies in ensuring every student feels not just accepted, but are celebrated for who they are, and are equipped with the tools they need to succeed.

During my free time, I enjoy spending quality time with my family. Whether we're embarking on outdoor adventures like camping or simply unwinding with a hot latte.