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 Buscema (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.

Rebecca Stuart is an experienced teacher who has worked at St John's for 3 years. In 2026 she joined the Prep team, sharing her love of literacy and music. Her gentle manner endears her to all students and she is excited to work alongside Cara this year.

Julie, Louise, Keyla and Mel are the Learning Support officers in the Prep team this year. They enjoy working in the prep rooms, listening to students questions, especially in Inquiry where students share their wonderings about the world around them. They support all students in their learning and provide 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. Amanda Hill will be teaching in 1/2 every second Monday. As a performing arts teacher she is excited to help our students shine this year.

Thomas Preston is a new teacher to our Team this year and is also working as a classroom teacher in the 1/2 area. Thomas is passionate about forming positive relationships with his students and across the school community. He is focussed on helping each student to achieve their best. 

Sarah, Prue and Amina are the Learning Support Officers for the Year 1/2 classes. They are passionate about helping all of the students at our school and seeing them reach their full potential as they engage in their learning.

3/4 Team

Sebastian Vandenberg is teaching our Year 3/4s this year, and is particularly interested in supporting students in their Literacy and Maths Learning. His energetic and creative manner engages his students to help them achieve their best.

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. She is passionate about Maths and loves working with students to explore different writing genres. Her energy and excitement for teaching is contagious.

Ruby and Lipo 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 in each class. They are passionate about craft, sport and the environment, sharing their many skills with the students.

5/6 Team

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.

Tracey Farrar supports 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.

Our Learning support officers in Year 5/6 are Kim and Melissa. They are all passionate about supporting the older students, setting them challenges and supporting their learning. They love to 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.