Our School

Assistant Principal

Gavan Hughes

My name is Gavan Hughes and I am excited to be an Assistant Principal at Barton Primary School. It is a privilege to be a member of the school community.

Since beginning my career as a primary school educator in 2003, I have gained experience teaching all grade levels as well as experience as a specialist teacher. I have been in formal leadership roles since 2011 in both Victoria and Tasmania, including being an Assistant Principal in three different schools.

Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my wife and four children, exercising and watching a number of sports including AFL (Swans), cricket and basketball.

Assistant Principal

Lindy Powell

As a new Assistant Principal of Barton Primary School for 2020, I am excited to lead the staff team and work with the students and families within the Barton community. I have a range of teaching experience including in the classroom, as a Performing Arts Specialist, in a Special School setting and performing a range of roles in school leadership at nearby Government and Independent schools. 

In my free time I enjoy arts and crafts, especially painting and jewellery making.

I look forward to getting to know everyone in the Barton community as a member of the leadership team for 2020.

Business Manager

Kirby Law

My name is Kirby Law and I feel very privileged to be working as the Senior HR & Finance Manager at Barton Primary School. It has been very exciting watching the school grow over the last few years and I look forward to seeing this continue in 2020.

Outside of school, I enjoy travelling overseas and around Australia, spending time with family and friends and renovating my home.

Administration

Kate Mathews

Hi my name is Kate Mathews and I am extremely excited to be part of the Barton administration team. I feel privileged to be working in such a dynamic environment with a community of caring and friendly people. I am looking forward to getting to know all the students and families and seeing their happy faces around the school.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my seven year old twin boys, going on bush walks with my dog ‘Waffles’ and running.

Administration

Beccy Falkham

Hi my name is Beccy Falkam and I am very excited to be back at Barton Primary School as part of the Admin team for 2020.

I love being a part of Barton Primary School and have been very lucky to watch the school grow from its opening in 2017.

When I am not at work I love spending time with my family and friends, going out for breakfast and spending time in the sunshine.

Administration

Sophie Pike

Hi my name is Sophie Pike and I am currently working in Administration at Barton Primary School. I feel very grateful to be working in such a beautiful environment at Barton and look forward to seeing the school grow in the coming years.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time outdoors, including going to the beach in the summer months and heading to the snow in the winter months. I also love travel, spending time with my family and my dogs Alfie and Frankie.

Hi my name is Meaghan Mann. I have been working in education for eight years and have taught Prep for six of those years. This is my third year at Barton Primary School and I am very excited to be working within the Prep Team.

Outside of school I enjoy traveling, spending time with my family and friends, going to movies or musicals and swimming. I am looking forward to a wonderful 2020 and most importantly the learning achievements of our Prep students.

Hello, my name is Alice Michael and I am thrilled to be joining the Barton Primary School Community. I am very excited to be working in the Prep team and can’t wait to see all the fun and learning that our students will get up to!

When I’m not at school, I love spending time with my family, especially my gorgeous niece and nephews. I also really enjoy taking my dogs on weekend adventures with my husband.

I’m looking forward to a fantastic 2020!

Hi my name is Rachael Vriend. I am excited to be apart the prep team this year. This is my second year as a prep teacher and I am excited to continue to be a part of the Barton community. Before becoming a Primary School Teacher I worked in Early Childhood Education for 8 years. I then worked as a relief teacher for 6 months.

Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my son, family and friends, the beach and spontaneous trips. I also follow AFL and I am a huge Bombers fan! I am looking forward to wonderful year in Prep.

Hi! My name is Bec Hurley and I am very excited to be joining the Prep team this year. I joined Barton Primary School last year and I’m looking forward to getting to know our Prep students this year.

Outside of school I enjoy going to the beach, reading and spending time with my friends and family. I look forward to a great year ahead!

My name is Gabrielle Peters and I am really excited to be a part of the Foundation team at Barton this year. This will be my seventh year in Education and my third at Barton Primary.

I am an extremely passionate teacher who always strives to get the best out of each and every one of my students. I truly believe in ensuring I value and respect what each individual brings to our classroom and the school community.

It was Nelson Mandela who once said “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” and as an educator I hope to empower and motivate my students this year to flourish in their learning.

My name is Melanie Chand and I am one of the Grade 1 classroom teachers this year. I am very excited to be part of the wonderful team here.

I love to travel to different places around the world. I have been overseas a few times and look forward to travelling in the future as it is a fantastic experience.  I enjoy going for long walks on summer nights. I also love spending time with my family and friends and have two beautiful nieces.

My name is Jenessa Mitrevski, and I am lucky enough to be one of the grade 1 classroom teachers this year. This is my fourth year of teaching and I am very excited to be working alongside the amazing and friendly staff and students here at Barton.

Outside of the classroom, I really enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I also enjoy doing Pilates or going to the Shopping Centre. On the weekend, I love exploring all of the different places to see in Melbourne and finding delicious sweets to eat!

 Hi, my name is Kate Fishwick and I am one of the Grade 1 teachers. This is my third year teaching at Barton Primary School and I am excited for a great year ahead.

Outside of school, I enjoy playing netball, going for walks and attending fun fitness classes at gym. I also like to spend time with my family, friends and my cat Maggie.

My name is Emma Buggy and I am excited to be back at Barton in 2020! I’m looking forward to being a part of the grade 1 team this year and getting to know a whole new group of students.

Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, including my one year old daughter. I also enjoy going to the movies and watching sport, especially Australian Rules Football. I have a love of travel and have been lucky enough to visit some amazing countries around the world.

My name is Hannah Bolwell and I will be teaching Grade 1 this year. I am new to the Barton Primary School team, however I do have five years prior teaching experience within the junior school area.

Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my husband and daughter. In Summer we enjoy going to the beach and camping. During the colder months we enjoy going to the snow, as we love to snowboard. When we’re not outside enjoying the great outdoors we enjoy relaxing in our home with our two dogs, Arnie and Lulu.

Hello! My name is Emily Roberts and I have been at Barton Primary School since it opened in 2017 and have loved seeing the community grow. I have been teaching since 2011. 

Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family and chocolate Labrador Toby. Some of my favourite things to do are going to the movies, going out for dinner and eating cupcakes.

My name is Claire Keyworth and I am excited to be joining the Grade 2 team this year. I have been at Barton for the last two years as an Integration Aide, but am very excited to have finished my studies and be starting my first year of teaching with the barton community. When I am not at Barton you will find me with my friends catching up over a latte or two whilst enjoying the Melbourne sunshine, swimming in the ocean or travelling overseas and exploring new and wonderful places.

My name is Katrina van Dam and I am very excited to be here at Barton Primary School. This is my eighth year of teaching and my passion for education continues to grow. Watching children overcome learning challenges and develop their own passions is a privilege and something I take a huge amount of pride.

Previously from New Zealand I now call Melbourne home and enjoy spending my spare time with family and friends. During the winter months you can find me watching AFL, cheering Collinwood to victory or down at my local footy club watching my son and the rest of juniors develop their skills. I loving living so close to the beach in the summer, where I can go for walks and enjoy the lifestyle the peninsular has to offer. I look forward to meeting the members of the Barton community.

My name is Jessica Duncan and I am very excited to be one of the grade 2 teachers at Barton Primary School this year. This will be my second year of teaching.

I love to travel overseas. America is one of my favourite places to visit because I love the food and the theme parks! I enjoy going for adventurous hikes with my husband and 2 dogs, Bella and Scooter. Hiking the Grand Canyon is a highlight of my life. My family and friends are super important to me so I really enjoy spending time with them.

My Name is Justine French and I am thrilled to be joining Barton PS as a Grade 3 teacher in 2020. I have worked in education for the last ten years in a variety of roles, and absolutely love being a teacher. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family and two dogs, Piper and Billie. I love baking cakes, and relaxing on the couch with a big block of chocolate to cheer on the Saints!

My name is Alana Sutherland. I have been working at Barton since it opened in 2017 and am excited to continue to be a part of the Barton Community. I will be continuing to lead English this year as well as working with the wonderful Grade 3 students. I am very excited to meet the many new faces we have joining our community this year, both staff and students.

Outside of school, my hobbies include cake decorating, spending time at the beach, shopping and travel. I also enjoy spending time with my family and friends.

 Hi, my name is Melissa Godenzi and I am excited to be teaching the Grade 3 class at Barton Primary School. I am passionate about teaching and always look for new and exciting ways to keep students motivated in particular reading and making reading fun and exciting. I enjoy working at Barton Primary School as it has great sense of community and the children and staff look out for each other.  I feel very privileged to work in such a dynamic school that always provides the best for children’s education and well-being.

Outside of school, I have been happily married for over 16 years and have 2 beautiful daughters who are 13 and 7 years old. I enjoy reading, shopping, going to the movies and bike rides with my family.

My name is Nicole Bates and I am one of the grade 4/5/6 teachers this year. This is my third year of teaching at Barton Primary School and I am loving my time at our wonderful school! I am passionate about education and helping others. Outside of school, I enjoy being active, travelling, cooking and spending time with family and friends as well as my two dogs Charlie and Nala.  

My name is Danielle Everest and I am very happy to be teaching grade 4/5/6 this year. I am also leading the use of Digital Technology at Barton Primary School. I love to have fun when teaching and challenge students with problem solving tasks. It is really important to me that students (and teachers) develop and maintain a growth mindset and always be determined to do their best.

Outside of school I love to go to the gym, cook healthy food, spend time at the beach and read as much as possible. I also love to dance. I am looking forward to another great year at Barton Primary School and being part of the wonderful team here.

My name is Alicia Wallwork and I’ve been teaching at Barton Primary School since we opened in 2017 – I’m very excited to continue to be a part of our school community in 2020! This will be my 6th year teaching.

When I’m not at work I spend all my time with my beautiful family, including my husband, our son Henry, and our two dogs Cooper and Alfie. I love going shopping, and going out to eat at restaurants and cafes – I love trying new foods from all around the world!

Hello, my name is Jessica Steinhuebl and I am very excited to be starting my first year of teaching at Barton Primary School. I am very privileged to be working at a wonderful school.

Outside of school I love going to the beach and spending time with friends and family. I also enjoy staying active where I participate and compete in obstacle course racing. 

I look forward to meeting you throughout the year. 

Hi there, my name is Amy Clarke and I am very excited to be joining the Barton Primary School Specialist team in 2020 as a Music and Environmental Studies teacher. This year marks my second year of teaching, having taught Dance and Drama at another school last year.

In my spare time I love to spend time with my dog, watch movies, sing with my band, see theatre shows and have games night with my Mum and sister.

I very much look forward to getting to know all of the students and families in our community.

My name is Ryan Harrison and I am thrilled to be teaching Physical Education at Barton Primary, this is my third year of teaching and second year of teaching P.E. 

Outside of the gymnasium I play cricket for a club based in Frankston during summer and baseball on the Mornington Peninsula during winter. I also play midweek tennis and indoor soccer.

I am looking forward to working within the Specialist Team and all the teachers at Barton and am very grateful to be working with all year levels. I am excited to see all the students develop and build on their skills this year.

Hi my name is Tiffany Palladino and I am super excited to be working 2 days at Barton Primary School. This year I am working in grade 3D on Monday and 2C on Tuesday.

In my spare time I love spending time with my beautiful family, Michael my husband and my two boys Arlo (5 years old) and Alfie (2 years old). It’s a super busy year for us this year as Arlo has just started his first year at school, which he is loving. I also love to spend time outside in the garden, looking after our first veggie patch (which the boys have also enjoyed).

I’m super excited for this year and am loving teaching at Barton!

Hi, my name’s Sarah Shelley and I’m one of the Music Teachers.  I am new to Barton Primary School this year and I’m very excited about starting!  I have been teaching music for the past 7 years at both primary schools and high schools all across Melbourne.

In my spare time I like to spend time with my husband and my two gorgeous dogs, taking them on long walks and to the beach.  I also love spending time with my friends, going out for dinners and trying new food.

Hi my name is Tegan Long and I am really excited to be teaching Physical Education at Barton Primary! This is my first year teaching at Barton but prior to here, I have been teaching for over 10 years in the States and here in Australia.

 Outside of teaching, I enjoy spending time with my husband who is also a primary school teacher, our two little boys named Rory and Camden and our two little West Highland Terrier dogs. To stay active, I enjoy exercising and playing fast pitch softball for the Northwood Falcons over in Glen Waverly. I can’t wait for a great year at Barton!

Hi my name is Tess Thomas. I have the pleasure of being part of the Grade 1 and Grade 4/5/6 team this year. I look forward to working with the students and seeing their growth throughout the year.

Outside of the classroom I enjoy spending time with my husband Shaun, son Hugh and Jagger the dog. I love being active and making the most of the outdoors in the beautiful country we live in.

EAL Teacher

Hello! My name is Kristin Williamson, I am in my third year of teaching at Barton Primary School and seventh year of teaching. I am continuing in the role of English as an Additional Language Teacher in 2020 in which I have the privilege of working with students in Grades 3-6 who speak other languages at home. I love learning about the cultures of my students and supporting them to grow in their confidence and English language skills. I am a passionate educator who is always furthering my professional knowledge of effective teaching practices and supporting students to maximise their learning opportunities.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband and two daughters. My favourite days are spent relaxing on the beach, enjoying good food and having long conversations. I am a life-long enthusiast of Theatre, History and Travel and look forward to sharing these interests with my children as they grow up.

Hi, my name is Brodie Dewhurst and I am over the moon to be a part of Barton’s Education Support Team in 2020.

I am extremely passionate in the world of education and am currently studying my Bachelor of Education (P-12) majoring in mathematics. I am extremely driven and motivated to help students achieve the best they possibly can and have a great time whilst doing it. I’ve volunteered in Thailand where I taught grade 5’s and 6’s how to speak English and it was a life changing experience.

Outside the classroom I like to surf and go travelling, even better simultaneously.

My name is Naomi Bartlett and I am part of the Barton Primary School Education Support Team. I’m excited to be working with the wonderful children and staff here, and am passionate about children receiving quality education and the support they need to achieve.

I am lucky to be the mum of four boys, traveling is our favourite pastime and we love exploring our amazing country and world. My spare time is spent with my family, cooking, seeing live music, attending sporting matches and photography. I have just begun my final year of the Bachelor of Primary Education and look forward to teaching in the near future.

Hi, my names Raquel and I am thrilled to be part of the education support team for 2020. I take inspiration for my role from the aides my youngest son had during his time in primary school. I saw firsthand that compassion and treating each student as an individual foster’s success. I have an eagerness to constantly develop my skills and strive to achieve these values each day I walk into the school grounds.

When I’m not supporting the students at Barton, I enjoy family time. My sons and I love sitting around the table playing Cluedo. We have our own favorite character and endeavor to embody their idiosyncrasies. Laughter always erupts as we play. FYI, my character is Scarlet.

My name is Sue Williams, this is my fourth year being a part of the Barton Family.  I love getting to know and working with all the students here.

Outside of work I love spending time with my family. I have 2 daughters who like to keep us busy. We love spending time outdoors doing fun runs, going to the drive in and going surfing.

I am currently studying a Bachelor of Secondary Education in PE and Maths, which is where my passions lie. I spend most of my time at my local footy club kicking the ball with my friends, otherwise you can find me eating through the menu at my favourite burger place.

Lanah England

Outside of school I love to write stories, create art, read and play music. I love going to the movies, going out for dinner and shopping with friends and family. I also do tai chi and I’m 1^st Dan in kung fu. I love travelling and would like to travel more in the future.

Out of school hours I spend my time with my family. I have two children who keep me super busy. And two fur babies to look after, we have a dog Lexi and a cat Missy. We enjoy going to the movies, ten pin bowling, camping, mini golf, holidays and the beach.