Teachers

Our teachers are a dedicated and talented team. They work hand-in-hand with parents to ensure the best learning outcomes for all children.

They continue to remain at the forefront of developments in education, delivering innovative and relevant learning programs tailored to the individual needs of each child. This enables us to plan for future learning, growth and active participation in the Arthurs Creek community.

There is nothing more important to us than seeing children improve in all areas of their development and feeling included as valued members of our school community.
Our teachers are always available after school for any concerns and actively welcome parent participation in the classroom and on excursions.

 

Robyn Watson–Turner

PRINCIPAL

Robyn Watson-Turner has been ACPS Principal since 2012.

Robyn has a passion for teaching, leading and managing schools. She strives to support every student by proactively building strong collaborative teams who focus on the students as the core business of schools. Her skills and expertise include 34 years as a teacher and leader at both small and large schools in rural areas and Melbourne suburbs.

Her experience includes leading and managing in DET schools, a Steiner School and Special Needs School. She has taught in all grade levels and has a passion for student welfare, curriculum and promoting effective teaching and learning to cater for every individual. She was a keen driver of the Write to Read Program, which stressed the importance of tracking individualised progress as the key to improvement.

Robyn has completed three years Quality in Schools training, the Write to Read Program training, First Aide Level 2, teacher coaching courses and has a wealth of experience building strong home/school relationships. She is dedicated to providing leadership from the ground level as she actively teaches in grades on a weekly basis.

At ACPS she works with enthusiasm to build and maintain a collaborative, inclusive approach that maintains whole school values and the promotion of high expectations and a strong student voice.

Jenni Collins

GRADE PREP/1/2

Jenni is a dedicated teacher with over 25 years of experience in Early Learning and composite classrooms. Her passion for Maths, PE and Music are evident with a good deal of training and wide experience in these areas, including managing our annual concert. Jenni has past experience with running additional assistance and intervention programs in Numeracy and Literacy. She is currently our Maths co-ordinator with strong links to Nillumbik Numeracy Network and provision of professional development at ACPS and beyond. Jenni is a supporter of small school communities and their many benefits to students and families.

Helen Bashford

GRADE 5/6

Helen has completed Classical Studies and Philosophy at Melbourne University prior to completing a Bachelor of Social Work at Latrobe University. She worked as a social worker prior to retraining as a primary school teacher. Helen commenced work at ACPS in 2009 with a particular passion for Literacy, Humanities and Student Welfare. She has taught in all grade levels and provided whole school Physical Education. Having come from a rural and small school background Helen values and promotes everything a small school has to offer.

Gabrielle Holton

GRADE 3/4

Gabrielle completed her teaching degree at Australian Catholic University in 2014 and began teaching in Melbourne primary schools. Recently locating to Arthurs Creek, she is enthusiastic about being a part of the local school community. Her strengths are in supporting student wellbeing and literacy. In the past year, Gabrielle has implemented engaging and motivating Writer’s Workshop classes to support and encourage budding writers. She particularly enjoys exploring various ways of integrating ICT (Information and Communication Technology) within classroom activities to ensure the needs and interests of the 21st century learners are met. 

INTEGRATION AIDE

TBC

Michelle Ericson

ART

Michelle is a Graduate Teacher who completed her Bachelor of Education at RMIT University last year. She has spent a number of years volunteering in primary classrooms and more recently at Healesville Sanctuary. Along with an interest in the environment and wildlife she has a love for art and is passionate about providing opportunities for students to experience and participate in many different forms. She hopes to use the creation of art as a form of expression and relaxation to create a comfortable classroom environment where students feel confident to experiment with different methods, mediums and materials.

Natalie Nolan

GERMAN TEACHER

I am currently teaching German at several local primary schools, including Arthurs Creek. Teaching German is a passion of mine. I enjoy sharing the differences and similarities of a different culture and language.

I started teaching in 2004 after completing a Bachelor of Education at RMIT. I’ve had many years experience of being a generalist classroom teacher in suburban Melbourne schools. However, it was when I took on a new challenge of teaching at an International school in Berlin, Germany, that my love of the German language and culture developed.

Chanaka Ruwandeniya

STEM teacher (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths)

Chanaka (Chan – pronounced Chaaan) will be teaching the STEM Program this year, at six different schools in the area. He is a graduate teacher who completed his Masters last year. “My previous experiences set me up nicely for this role as a graduate of Environmental Science and working in science. I entered teaching after exploring the science field at bit working in consulting, pharmacy, research and horticulture. But I found myself wanting something more directly impactful and fulfilling. My passion remains science and positive change so I’ll be encouraging the kids to experiment with open-ended activities and developing grand designs. This is to develop the creative problem-solving skills they’ll need as 21st Century learners.”

Juliane Vincent

MUSIC TUITION

Juliane has provided Music class tuition as well as private keyboard tuition at ACPS for more than 19 years.

“I have Kodaly teacher training, Level 1, based on learning musical elements through songs and singing games; Orff training, Level 2 – using voice, tuned and un-tuned percussion instruments, recorder and dance to experience music making and to encourage improvising, and I practice music making on a daily basis in various forms. I attend ongoing PD with tuned percussion with the Orff Association.

I use song material based on folk music as research has shown that children growing up skipping these simple melodies and just being exposed to popular music are less likely to sing in tune and understand musical principles. If suitable, however, and there is time, I include contemporary music where relevant.”

Anna Kilby

BUSINESS MANAGER

Anna Kilby is employed each Monday and Tuesday and is well known for being approachable and supportive of the ACPS community as our dedicated Business Manager.