RESPECT, EMPATHY AND DETERMINATION

Boneo Primary School is a vibrant, community school in the heart of the Mornington Peninsula. The 360 children who attend the school come from the local neighbourhood area that covers the Waterfall Gully area, Fingal and Cape Schanck.

Our school has a strong focus on educating the whole child.  We nurture and care for our students providing programs that celebrate our beautiful environment, programs that support the health and wellbeing of each child and their diverse needs and programs that ensure our students are engaged and supported in all academic areas.

PHILOSOPHY

To provide an engaging and exciting learning environment. We will ensure all students learn to high levels, we will work in a collaborative and collective way and we will focus on results and use results to inform and improve our professional practice and respond to students who need intervention or enrichment. We are committed to a holistic approach to the growth and development of each child.

BONEO PRIMARY SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT

Boneo Primary School provides a positive, personalised and nurturing learning environment that motivates students to reach their maximum potential as lifelong learners.

VISION

Boneo Primary School provides a positive, personalised and nurturing environment that motivates students to reach their maximum potential as lifelong learners. Our three values are: Respect, Empathy and Determination.

MANDY WHITWORTH

Principal

I am an educator with extensive leadership experience in both government and independent educational contexts and I am driven by a passion to ignite the spark of genius, setting high expectations and developing authentic relationships in a learning community. The students are at the heart of every decision I make, and I truly believe in the incredible capacity of all children. I am committed to finding what makes each student unique and then ensuring that the school can facilitate what they need to thrive.

I am very proud to be the Principal of Boneo Primary School where the philosophy for learning that permeates our school values children as active participants in their own education. We develop capable learners who understand where they are at in their learning, and set goals for ‘where to next’.

We foster active, reflective students who respond effectively and earn the respect of others through their actions. Our learning culture nurtures curiosity, creativity and critical thinking, encouraging problem finding and solving in order to understand our world. Each student’s wellbeing, sense of belonging and academic growth matters and is nurtured by our passionate staff.

NADINE PYE

Assistant Principal

It is with much enthusiasm that I continue my education journey here at Boneo Primary School in my second year as Assistant Principal. I started my career at Sorrento Primary School as a reading intervention teacher and at Toorak College as a dance education specialist. Following this I spent 2 years in the junior school at Sorrento before coming here to Boneo working across the school in a variety of roles. I have a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Primary Teaching. I also obtained a Diploma in dance at Brent Street Academy in Sydney in 1996 which seems like a very long time ago! I am passionate about students and their learning and am committed to making sure all of our students have the best possible learning opportunities and the highest quality education here at Boneo Primary School.

GARY COOPER

Assistant Principal

Boneo Primary School and the local community are made from the most amazing collection of individuals that one could find anywhere (on earth). I feel fortunate to have been part of this unique community since 1984. Certainly the school has changed (physically) since those days, however the sense of belonging and community pride has not. The Boneo community is passionate, caring and committed to the school and everything local. Keep it going! I have a Diploma of Teaching (Victoria College), majoring in Phys. Ed and Science and a Graduate Diploma in Physical Education through Deakin University. For the past six years, l have been the Assistant Principal at Boneo Primary School. All children can learn and it is up to all teachers to stimulate, nurture and find the correct key to unlock each and every child’s potential. All children need to be inspired, find role models and believe in themselves!

FIONA CAMPANELLA

Teacher

I have been teaching at Boneo for 18 years!!! It’s hard to believe that my preps from that first year of teaching in 2000 are now in their early 20’s. I have taught grades Prep to 4, as well as taking students for Reading Recovery instruction and teaching environmental studies and sustainability across the school. In 2018, my son, Murphy will also be joining the Boneo family by beginning Prep. Before completing a Diploma of Education, I studied a Bachelor of Applied Science (Parks and Wildlife). I enjoy sharing my love of the natural environment with my students through modelling care, wonder and appreciation of it. We are very lucky at Boneo to have our indigenous gardens and access to the wetlands. I also enjoy building strong, mutually respectful relationships with the students and taking the time to get to know them and their interests. I believe in developing the students’ independent learning skills and endeavour to foster a love of reading and learning.

LIZ DEWAR

Teacher

I am excited to be back at Boneo full time this year after being on family leave and raising my own young boys. I have a Bachelor of Education from Melbourne University with a major in Visual Art, as well as a Master’s Degree in Mathematics Education. I have had a variety of teaching positions, and have taught many different grades throughout my career, including at an inner city school in Melbourne where we didn’t have a playground because space was so limited and the teachers had to walk the children to the park down the road to play at recess and lunchtime. A career highlight would have to be teaching Kindergarten at a huge school of more than 1000 kids in downtown Toronto in Canada. At this school I had to teach the kids how to get in and out of their snowsuits, mittens and boots so that they could go outside and play in the snow at recess! But of all the schools I’ve taught in, Boneo is my favourite.

CHLOE HOLMES

Teacher

Being a new member of the incredible teaching team at Boneo Primary School, I am somewhat overwhelmed by the immense warmth I have been welcomed with by the entire school community. I graduated from Monash University last year with a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and have a particular passion for inspiring young minds with creative, innovative and engaging teaching practices that enable children to be lifelong learners. I grew up on a rural property in the South East of Western Australia and as a result, have a real interest in spending time outdoors. I am so excited to have such an amazing start to my career at Boneo Primary School and look forward to what the year will bring!

JULIA BARNETT

Teacher

In 2002, I began studying a Batchelor of Education Prep – Year 10, at the University of Ballarat. Having grown up in a warm climate, I had to quickly adjust to Ballarat’s cold temperatures and even snow in winter. I completed my studies in 2005 and then started teaching at Boneo Primary School in 2006. For the first few years of my teaching career I taught in the senior school. Soon Boneo’s prep numbers were greatly increasing and I moved to teaching prep. This was a busy time for Boneo as our new school was being constructed. Although Boneo Primary School’s physical appearance changed greatly, its sense of belonging and togetherness has remained. At the moment I am working part time as I am busy raising my young family. It is a pleasure to work amongst dedicated teachers, motivated students and trusting parents.

YIKHOL BLAKLEY

Teacher

I am a well-seasoned member of the Boneo Primary School community as I was lucky enough to first attend as a student and now as a teacher. After completing my Bachelor of Education at Monash University I then secured a position at Boneo Primary School where I continue to be blown away by the beautiful families who attend. The school may have structurally changed over the years; however, its culture has remained incredibly positive and I feel extremely privileged to be a part of its continued growth. I believe that teaching is an art-form in shaping young minds academically socially and emotionally. I am a big believer that every contact made with a student is a lifelong memory, therefore I endeavour to create and embed positive memories to be remembered by. I hope all the students at Boneo Primary school leave with the same amazing memories as I did from our unique school.

TOM POLLETT

Teacher

My name is Thomas Pollett and I am thrilled to be joining the Boneo Primary School community. I am 31 years old and my wife, Amy, and I have 2 gorgeous children, Felix, 2, and Cora, who is 9 months. I enjoy travelling and have visited many exciting places around the world including locations in Europe, North America and New Zealand. I love being active and engaging in a range of activities such as snowboarding, surfing, fishing and camping.

Whilst I enjoy a variety of sports and hobbies, teaching is my passion. Since graduating from Deakin University, I have experienced working at a number of schools in both Government and Independent settings. I have a passion for STEM and engaging students in 21^st Century Learning, and have implemented a range of programs across schools including the Human Powered Vehicle Energy Breakthrough Event. I have taught Years One to Five and enjoyed the challenges and experiences that come with each level.

I’m extremely excited about stepping into the professional environment at Boneo Primary School next year. I’m looking forward to working closely with staff, students and their families to ensure every child develops academically and socially and emotionally and achieves their full potential. I’m looking forward to bringing high levels of commitment to my role in the community and am optimistic about making a positive difference in the lives of the students.

I look forward to meeting you all and am excited to begin the new school year.

RYAN JELLIE

Teacher

When I graduated Boneo Primary School in 1996, under the tutelage of Gary Cooper, I knew my time at Boneo had set me up to achieve some great things in life! I have nothing but fond memories of my time at Boneo as a student. There were ghosts in classrooms (Mr Bull), Astronauts (Mrs Hesketh), dead snakes in toilets, and spiders living in pianos (Mr Kelsaw). These experiences and tall-tales have had a lasting effect on me and the way that I have approached my teaching. After attending Rosebud SC, I worked as a landscaper and builder until I couldn’t handle the early mornings and cold anymore. I moved to Warrnambool and completed my Bachelor of Education, where the first lesson that I learnt on my rounds, ‘teaching is all about relationships’, has become the bedrock of my professional practice. Over the last 8 years I have taught from years 1 – 6 at Boneo and am very proud of everything our little community has achieved. I’m looking forward to continuing to help develop our community into the future and adding to my 20+ years of cricket for the Mighty Boneo CC (who were unfortunately relegated this season for the first time in 42 years!).

STACEY DOLEMAN

Teacher

I am still relatively new to the Mornington Peninsula, originally hailing from the snowy mountain village of Harrietville, Victoria.

Before moving to the coast, I taught VCAL, VCE English, Science and P.E at Bright High School. I also spent 6 months teaching grade 5/6 at a remote Indigenous community in the NT.

I am loving the sea change and feel so very grateful to be taken in by the welcoming and like-minded community at Boneo Primary School.

Prior to teaching, I had undertaken a Degree in Politics/Economics, Diploma in Yoga Teaching as well as a Diploma in Massage Therapy. I spent 13 years living in ski resorts in Canada, Switzerland, New Zealand and Japan; snowboarding, teaching yoga and looking after children.

I entered the teaching profession in 2013. In my time at Boneo P.S, I have taught grade 3 and 5/6. I have taken on the role as Junior School Council facilitator, transition coordinator and union representative. I was the lucky one who accompanied Gill to Pandanon Island in the Philippines to set up our sister school, an opportunity that has touched my heart for life.

Being a teacher is one of the most demanding career paths one could choose, however it is also the most rewarding. To see the positive difference we make to the lives of children on a daily basis is the motivation to do what we do. At the foundation of my teaching philosophy is creating positive relationships. I believe that if a child feels welcomed, supported and valued, anything is possible. I love inspiring children and arming them with lifelong skills to be active, resilient, compassionate and informed citizens. But mostly, I love what the children bring to the classroom and teach me on a daily basis.

NICKY SCHWABEGGER

Teacher

After spending numerous years at home raising my four children, Tiarna, Tameka, Remi and Zaid, I took on the challenge of completing an Arts degree at Monash University. While I found my studies (majoring in Psychology and Sociology with minor streams in Linguistics and History) very interesting it was my love of spending time and working with children that guided me in 2011 to undertake a post-graduate degree in Primary School teaching.  During my studies I was fortunate to have my final teaching rounds at Boneo Primary School where at the completion of my studies I successfully applied for a teaching position.  Over the course of the last six years I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment spent being a member of our truly amazing Boneo community.

I have often said that I am the most blessed person I know as I get to spend my days with some of the most amazing little humans who truly add so much joy and laughter into my life.

EMILY BECKER

Teacher

All those years ago when I was considering career choices, I wanted to be a Secondary teacher specialising in geography. However I ended up taking quite a different path and studied a Bachelor of Planning and Design with Honours and became an Urban Planner for 18 years. Throughout this time I had the learning bug, so I completed study in photography and acquired a Graduate Diploma in Cultural Heritage. I had always wanted to be a teacher though, so with a push from my husband, children and still very supportive parents, a few years ago I took the plunge and studied my Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary) – which was by far the best career decision I’ve ever made! My first placement was at Boneo Primary and after just two days on placement I knew this was the school I wanted to teach at! The staff and school community made me feel so welcome. For my second placement I taught in a remote indigenous community called Ngukurr in the Northern Territory, and then headed back to Boneo for my final placement. A few weeks later I was fortunate enough to secure a position at Boneo and started teaching in Grade 4. I have always loved learning, questioning and trying out new things. I hope the students in my grade can also develop a love of learning that continues with them into secondary school and beyond. I truly enjoy developing the relationships that I do with all of my students and find helping and watching them question and discover new things for themselves so rewarding. I continue to learn from my students every day and am so thankful for being included in their journey.

JEN RUCH

Teacher

I haven’t always been a teacher, but I am so glad I am now. After many different careers including being a florist, accountant (Bachelor of Commerce), instrumental teacher, Project Manager for a regional health service and business administrator I decided to go back to University in 2012 to study teaching. Before I finished a Graduate Diploma of Education (Primary) I was lucky to secure a job as a Grade 5/6 teacher at Sorrento Primary School. However, in 2013 the lure of the SAKG program, the wetlands and a great school community drew me to Boneo Primary School, which is where I’ve been happy ever since. My motivation to be a teacher stems from a desire to help young people become independent, empowered with life skills and an active member of their community. Here at Boneo I like to think that we can help students feel like they are understood and accepted, that they feel connected to each other (and country) , and that they belong.

DANIKA PITTARD

Teacher

I am looking forward to becoming a part of the Boneo Primary School community! Having grown up on the Mornington Peninsula, I studied at Monash University before teaching Grade 4 during 2017. I have spent the last 12 months living in Western Australia, teaching Physical Education and am excited to be returning to full time classroom teaching. My hobbies include travelling, surfing, skiing and spending time with my two dogs. I am looking forward to getting to know the fabulous students of Boneo Primary School and cannot wait to start learning together!

ANITA PRESTI

Teacher

My pathway to teaching was a little longer and less direct than others so I will try and briefly outline how I came to end up at Boneo Primary School. When I finished VCE at Mornington High School I wasn’t sure what career I wanted to pursue. I went to Melbourne University and completed a Bachelor of Arts degree with Majors in Mathematics and English and this led to a great job working for Monash University as an Administrator; running their Enrolments, Examinations and Graduations departments. After a few years in this job, I decided to follow my passion for dance. I set up my own dancing schools, ‘Miss Anita’s Ballet Schools’ in Dromana and Red Hill. I obtained an Associate Diploma in teaching dance and built up the school over the next 15 years. I had 2 beautiful children during this time and when the youngest started school I decided to return to studies and completed my Diploma of Primary Education at Monash University. This finally led me to Boneo Primary School where I have had the pleasure of teaching for the last 8 years. So while it took me a while to get to where I am now it was a great learning journey and demonstrates my philosophy in life and teaching. That is; you never stop learning and you can always do more to improve. It is a privilege to help children achieve their goals in life and education, and every day I see opportunities for students to celebrate success.

KATIE GUNN

Teacher

My teaching journey began at a very young age. My mother tells me stories that when my friends would come over we would dress up our dolls and play ‘teachers’ and ‘classrooms’. She says that when my little brother and sister were having trouble learning new things at school that I would sit down with them at the dinner table and think of interesting new ways of teaching them the concepts.

As the years went on, I discovered a real passion in wanting to help children that didn’t always grasp concepts easily, the disadvantaged or those that didn’t quite fit into ‘mainstream’ schooling. Consequently, I began studying my Diploma of Children’s services spending many years in early childhood settings and kindergartens across the Mornington Peninsula and the City of Casey.

A few years later, I completed my Bachelor of Early Childhood Education at Monash University. Throughout these years, I also spent time volunteering at youth services, working at schools with children with additional needs and going on camps with young adults with additional needs, including a few snow camps which were a blast! I began my professional teaching career in middle school at a school in Frankston before I came to Boneo. Boneo really appealed to me with its welcoming vibe and community spirit. I was appointed an early childhood position in the Prep years at Boneo in 2011. Whilst I’ve been at Boneo I’ve spent some time in the younger years and also in middle school. In recent years, I was appointed the shared role of specialist teacher (Digital Technologies) and 5/6 teacher. So here I am, many years later, still playing teacher, just without the dolls.

MICHAELA DOWNWARD

Teacher

Hi everyone! My name is Michaela, and I am currently teaching a Foundation class at Belvedere Park Primary School in Seaford. Although I have had a fantastic year, and have loved working with my beautiful Preps, I live in McCrae, and wanted to be a bigger part of my local community. I love everything about the Mornington Peninsula, and wanted to be closer to the things that I value most: my family and this incredible area. I was so excited to find out that I had been accepted for a position at Boneo, as I have heard such wonderful things about the school and couldn’t wait to be a part of that.

Before I became a teacher, I was a seamstress, a photographer and a qualified makeup artist. I had so many incredible life experiences in these professions, but most of all, I was able to explore my imagination in so many ways. I absolutely love the opportunity to be creative. I live and breathe it in my classroom, and try to encourage the children to do the same. A child’s imagination is an incredible place, and I try to nurture that during their time at school. In addition to this, I believe in a holistic approach to teaching, and making sure I cater for the whole child. I am very passionate about student health and wellbeing, and try to be aware of my students social, emotional and academic needs at all times. Building a strong relationship with my children is my number one priority, so I can understand them completely and support them in any way I can.

I am so excited to be a part of the Boneo team, and can’t wait to make my contribution to the community. Looking forward to meeting everyone and getting started in what I know will be a fantastic future at Boneo!

RYAN MILLER

Teacher

After spending a lot of my adult life convincing myself that I did not want to be a teacher, I finally admitted my mistake and made the best decision of my life. After spending 10 years as a landscape gardener, with the encouragement and support of my wife I took the plunge and quit my job and studied to become a teacher. Towards the end of my studies I was lucky enough to do my last teaching rounds at Boneo P.S. From that moment on I knew where I wanted to teach, and lucky enough for me I got a job teaching grade 5 at Boneo the following year.

Now four years into my career I still can’t believe how lucky I am. To be at a school that has a reputation of caring for, and supporting, their students in every aspect of their education has allowed me to follow my own teaching goals. When I decided to take the plunge and become a teacher at the age of 30+ I did it because I wanted to work with, and help kids learn. I believed that I had something to offer these kids and that I could learn with them.

Teaching in the senior school (grade 5/6) over the last four years has really allowed me to hone my teaching skills and understand what I want to impress upon the students before they leave for their next journey at high school. By developing strong relationships with the students, their families and the broader school community I believe that at Boneo P.S. we offer students a huge range of learning opportunities that are important and relevant to their education, which at the same time allow students to enjoy their education and learn the skills, attitudes and knowledge they need to be happy and positive kids. To do it at a school in my local area where I grew up, that has such a strong sense of community, is also a bonus!

PAT DALTON

Teacher

My 95-year-old Grandmother likes to remind me that I am a fourth generation teacher, following in the footsteps of my great grandfather, my grandmother and my dad. As a kid, it always seemed like an obvious career path and now here I am currently in my seventh year of teaching!

Before gaining my teaching qualifications at Monash University, I studied visual arts and illustration. I later completed a Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts Painting at the Victo-rian College of the Arts in Melbourne. Having a Fine Arts background, it made perfect sense when Somers Primary signed me up to teach Physical Education and Science; a fine arts trained painter running sports days and crazy experiments. I loved it!

Following a terrific year at Somers, I wanted to teach full time so I applied for a job at some place I had to google, called Boneo, and the rest is history. I have worked with some amazing students, staff and parents during my time at Boneo and I am forever grateful for their wisdom, support and humour.

I believe students learn best in a safe environment where they are engaged in learning that goes from their heart to their head. In the 5/6 area we are aiming to facilitate a learning environment that allows students to make connections across the curriculum and form deeper understandings. We are supporting students to take ownership of their learning and be proud of their successes, big and small.

ELIZABETH SISON

Teacher

I love teaching at Boneo! The staff and students care so much about each other, and show this in big and small ways every day. I have Degrees in Acting/Performance from the University of Western Sydney, and in Anthropology (honours), from the University of Melbourne, as well as a Graduate Diploma of Primary Teaching from Monash University. Before coming to Boneo, I toured and performed for around 17 years as a singer and actor. Working with Musica Viva, I also performed in hundreds of schools all over Australia, in all major cities and dozens of remote and rural communities. One of my fondest memories was meeting some students of the Kimberly School of the Air, in the tiny town of Derby, WA. The children and their parents had walked in (it took them a day!), from their remote community, to meet with us and their teachers, and to share some music together. After studying at the University of Melbourne, I worked as an anthropologist and social researcher for a number of years, before deciding that the only way to save the world was to educate young people!!! Since beginning teaching in 2014, I have absolutely loved the experience, and have learned a huge amount from my students.

ROWENA SYKES

Teacher

Here is a little about me… I obtained my Bachelor of Early Childhood Education at the University of Melbourne. I majored in Developmental Psychology and completed a Research Project on the Benefits of Play in Learning in a Primary School setting. I have also commenced a Bachelor of Social Science with a major in Child Developmental Psychology. Since graduating I have worked in various schools on the Mornington Peninsula, teaching in particular in early years classrooms, including Multi-age (P-2) in an International Bachelorette School. Whilst on maternity leave I kept my teacher hat on by tutoring students both at intervention and extension level across a variety of subjects. During this time I coached two students in preparation for Scholarships for highly respected secondary schools; both children achieving their goal and acceptance into their preferred college. I am interested in challenging my students to become lifelong learners and believe this can be fostered through play and exploration at any age, stage and grade, in a multidisciplinary approach. I also believe it takes a village to raise a child: as such our children will benefit from the varying expertise of our teaching team. My own love of learning can be credited to the nurturing and support of some brilliant teachers during my early years; I hope to mentor my students in this way too.

DAVID GREENING

Teacher

I moved to Australia in February 2010 having grown up in the UK all my life. My time in the UK was mostly spent living on the Isle of Wight although I spent three years living in Plymouth, Devon when I was studying Sport and Recreation Studies and Leisure & Tourism studies at University. After graduating I worked as a personal trainer, masseur, sports events organisor, semi professional footballer and a traffic manager. I also represented the Isle of Wight at athletics, football, tennis, badminton and cricket.

Initially I moved to Melbourne to study to be a teacher initially, which was a huge decision for me, leaving all my family and friends behind. However, I enjoyed the lifestyle here that much I decided that I would like to stay and applied for a job at Boneo. The rest as they say is history. My real passion is playing, watching and teaching sport and promoting fitness, health and sport to the students. With a history of organising sports events I absolutely love organising the sports events we have at the school and seeing all the community come together is fantastic.

I thoroughly enjoy working at Boneo and with the great team of teachers we have here. I also enjoy the community feel that Boneo has and look forward to working at the school for many years to come.

SUSIE MCGREGOR

Teacher

More information coming soon.

AMANDA SWAYN

Office Manager

More information coming soon.

ANNMAREE SMYTH

Business Manager

More information coming soon.

JAN FLETCHER

Education Support

More information coming soon.

MINNA HEISKARI

Education Support

More information coming soon.

PAULA CHARLES

Education Support

More information coming soon.

SHEILA KNAGGS

Education Support

More information coming soon.

SUE KRAUS

Education Support

More information coming soon.