Our principal and staff
Our school team is committed to every student’s learning, wellbeing and sense of belonging. We work together to create a supportive and inclusive school where every child is set up for success.
Welcome from our principal
Our school is a place where relationships matter. We take the time to know our students, listen to their voices and celebrate the qualities they bring to our community. We want every child to feel safe, supported and confident to be themselves, to have a go and to discover what they are capable of.
We are incredibly proud of the sense of community that exists at Sylvania Public School. Our students, staff and families are connected by a genuine belief that we all have a part to play in making our school a great place to be. Whether it is cheering each other on at a sporting event, coming together for a school celebration, supporting a P&C initiative or simply looking out for one another in the playground, these moments are what make our school special.
We believe that wellbeing is the foundation for learning. When children feel connected and valued, they are more ready to learn, more willing to take risks and more able to develop the resilience and confidence they need for the future. We therefore place a strong emphasis on positive relationships, student voice, inclusion, belonging and helping our students develop the skills to care for themselves and others.
Alongside this, we are committed to providing engaging and purposeful learning experiences that challenge our students to think, create, collaborate and grow. We celebrate progress and effort and encourage our students to see mistakes as opportunities to learn.
Our greatest strength is our people. We have dedicated staff who care deeply about their students, families who contribute generously to our school and students who continually remind us why our work matters.
We want every child to look back on their time at Sylvania Public School and remember not only what they learned, but how they felt - that they belonged, that they were supported, and that they were part of something special.
Welcome to Sylvania Public School. We are proud of our school, proud of our community and excited about what we can achieve together.
Our school leaders
Our school leaders, including our principal, guide teachers and students. They help create a school culture where every child is supported to grow and thrive.
Mr. Ben Smith, Relieving Principal
Bachelor of Psychology, Master of Education
Mr Smith is passionate about ensuring students get the best education and develop a love for learning. He is committed to providing engaging learning experiences that inspire students to be creative, collaborate with others and continually grow in confidence, knowledge and skills.
Miss. Laura Dodd, Assistant Principal (K-2) and Assistant Principal Curriculum and Instruction
Bachelor of Education (Primary)
Miss Dodd has a passion for ensuring students in the early years develop strong literacy and numeracy skills and she uses research to inform her practice.
Miss. Kirstie Xuereb, Relieving Assistant Principal (3-6) and Assistant Principal Curriculum and Instruction
Bachelor of Education (Primary)
Miss Xuereb leads our learning and Support Team, to ensure that students with additional needs, or who are identified as having high potential in the intellectual, emotional, creative pr physical domains are catered for and appropriately challenged.
Our teaching staff
Your child’s school experience is shaped by the people around them. Our teachers bring experience, care and a passion for learning to every lesson. With a focus on success, they help every child reach their full potential.
- Miss. Laura Dodd, Assistant Principal K-2, class teacher
- Miss. Ange Browne, class teacher
- Miss. Cynthia Kittos, class teacher
- Mrs. Amy Sullivan, class teacher
- Miss. Sam Smith, class teacher
- Mr. Ben Smith, Assistant Principal 3-6, learning and support teacher
- Miss. Annika Thomas, class teacher
- Miss. Kirstie Xeureb, class teacher
Our teachers make the difference
Committed to your child’s success
Our teachers ensure every student can thrive. They use proven ways to teach and tailor learning support for their students
Expert, connected and accredited
Our teachers are part of a strong education network. They may hold advanced accreditation. This ensuring high-quality teaching for your child.
Teachers who never stop learning
Our teachers are lifelong learners. They stay current through regular training and keep improving how they teach students. Many of our teachers hold post graduate degrees which ensures they use evidence-informed strategies t meet the needs of every learner.
Teacher–family partnerships
Our teachers build trust through clear communication. Our families know that their child has support and is ready to learn.
Wellbeing and support staff
Our wellbeing and support staff guide student wellbeing, learning needs and inclusion. They work with teachers to make personalised adjustments. This means each child can take part fully in school life. We make our school welcoming and accessible to every child.
- Mrs. Lauri Gooch, Teacher Librarian
- Mrs. Isabel Menendez, Languages Teacher, Spanish and Greek
- Mrs. Farisha Kaiyum, School Learning Support Officer
- Mrs. Marieke Lam, School Learning Support Officer
- Miss. Liz Georgiou, School Learning Support Officer
Administrative and operations staff
Our administrative and operations staff keep our school running smoothly. They support students, teachers and families every day. You can find them in our front office or on the school grounds.
- Ms Emma Goodfellow, School Administrative Manager
- Mrs. Sue Gilmore, School Administration Officer
- Miss. Simone McIntyre, School Administration Officer
- Mr. Dave McCarthy, General Assistant
Have a question for our principal or teachers?
Our friendly office team can help you get in touch.
Additional learning support
Find out how we support students with disability or additional learning needs.
Stories and highlights
Hear about stories, wins and proud moments from our staff and students.