Administration Team
As soon as you walk through the door at St John’s Primary School in Mitcham, you are welcomed by the smiles and enthusiasm of our Administration Team, Verona Gridley (Principal), Melinda Bascema (Deputy Principal), Sheree Ulrich-Field and Maria Wallis, our Receptionists and Business Administrator Super Stars.
Together we ensure that you experience a sense of belonging within our community and our dedication to providing an outstanding quality education for your child.
Prep Team
Cara Woolley joined St John's Team in 2024 as our new Prep Teacher. She is passionate about creating rich and thought provoking learning experiences both in and outside the classroom. She loves being able to engage students creativity and curiosity through the use of games and new technology.
Lipo Li is excited to be working with the Prep team. She enjoys listening to students questions, especially in Inquiry where students make wonderings about the world around them. Lipo works with all students in their learning and provides support for differentiated teaching programs.
1/2 Team
Clarinda Maio is one of our Year 1/2 teachers. She is passionate about teaching and loves helping students reach their full potential. She loves the unbelievable community feel that St John’s has and how everyone is friendly and looks out for each other.
Naomi Ryan is also working as a classroom teacher in the 1/2 area along witnge Crowe. Naomi and Ange are passionate about forming positive relationships with everyone in the school community and helping each student achieve their goals. Naomi loves working at St. John’s, enjoys playing netball and seeing the reaction of her students when they achieve their goals. Ange has a love of Literacy and enjoys sharing this passion witl of our students.
Sarah, Prue and Amina are the Learning Support Officers for the Year 1/2 team. They are passionate about helping students at our school and seeing the students achieve milestones and success in their learning.
3/4 Team
Rebecca Stuart is teaching our Year 3/4s, and is particularly interested in supporting students in their Literacy and Maths Learning. Her kind and gentle manner endears her to all of our students.
Nicole Webb is an enthusiastic member of the 3/4 team. She has worked in many different year levels across the school while working at St John's. She has a passion for STEM and literacy.
Anna Hendy is working in Year 3/4 at St John’s this year. She is passionate about Maths and loves working with students to explore different writing genres.
Ruby, Chris and Melissa are our Learning Support Officers in Year 3/4. They all have a great sense of humour and work with the students in small groups and across the classes. They are passionate about craft, sport and the environment, sharing their many skills with the students.
5/6 Team
Tracey Farrar is one of our Year 5/6 teachers. She is incredibly passionate about Wellbeing and is the school’s Student Wellbeing Leader. She loves to challenge and extend her students and enjoys working with the older students as leaders and role models of the school.
Marisa Box enjoys working with the Year 5/6s and is passionate about improving student growth and helping young children feel confident and engaged in their learning.
Allison Bayliss is a Year 5/6 class teacher and engages her students in their learning through the use of her vast technology skills. Allison is passionate about Digital Technology and is always looking for new ways to transform her students learning.
Elina Li and Amanda Hill support the Year 5/6 classes when their teachers are on their Leadership days.
Our Learning support officers in Year 5/6 are Kim, Keyla, Louise and Julie. They are all passionate about supporting the older students, setting them challenges and supporting their learning. They love to cook and share their cooking skills with the students in our school kitchen. Their warm smiles light up the classrooms, supporting all of the students with their kindness and compassion.
Our Specialist Teachers
Our 4 Specialist programs are Physical Education, with Mr van Rooy, Performing Arts, with Ms Amada Hill, Visual Arts with Mrs Deirdre Cosgrave and Chinese, with Mrs Elina Li.
They are all a great asset to our staff team and are passionate about sharing their expertise with the students.
All students participate in a one hour lesson every week with all specialist teachers.