Get to know our school staff. We're all here to help.
Principal
The principal is responsible for ensuring that the education and wellbeing of all students is the highest priority in the operation of the school. The role of the principal includes accountabilities in the areas of:
- Educational leadership
- Educational programs
- Learning
- Outcomes
- Students welfare
- Staff welfare
- Development and management
- Physical and financial resource management and school community partnerships
Ms Scott took up the position of Principal of Verona School in 2020. With 18 years experience supporting students with additional needs and a passion for student welfare, Ms Scott aims to ensure that every students that comes through Verona's gates has a positive educational experience and achieves success.
"Verona will be the backbone to support students and their families navigate school. Our open doors will welcome carers, outside agencies, health and other educational services so that we can work collaboratively to develop holistic and individualised learning and support plans that will encourage all of our students to connect, thrive and succeed."
As a mother of two boys and the unofficial "aunty" of many children, Ms Scott understands the worry and fear many parents face. She encourages open communication between home and school and looks forward to meeting with carers to discuss concerns and celebrate successes.
Please contact the front office if you would like to make an appointment with Ms Scott.
Deputy Principal - Instructional Leader
Ms Kehane is the Deputy Principal Instructional Leader. Her primary role is to support curriculum development within the school. Ms Kehane has a keen interest in student-centred learning and works to professionally develop staff to ensure that individual student needs and interests are programmed for accordingly.
Verona School delivers the NESA endorsed Australian Curriculum as taught in mainstream schools. Smaller class sizes and additional support allow students to access the curriculum more readily.
Assistant Principals
Mr Chang, Mr Nott and Mr Chebib are Verona School's three Assistant Principals. Each assistant principal is responsible for the support and management of three classes.
The assistant principals at Verona School work closely with the teacher, student and carer to plan for success at school. This planning includes the development of a personalized learning plan that will map out student-centred learning goals that aim for growth and development. PLP’s will also identify areas for social/emotional support as well as integration and transition considerations.
Assistant Principals support the well-being, behaviour and attendance of the classes they manage
Students and carers will meet their assistant principal at their enrolment interview.
Assistant Principals are the first point of contact for parents and carers if they have any concerns about school or their child.
Teachers
Teachers at Verona School are all university-trained professionals, some with a primary teaching background, others with a secondary teaching background. The teachers at Verona School have a passion for immersing their students in a holistic education that supports their individual needs.
The teachers at Verona School understand that our students have had a difficult time engaging in school and aim to partner with students to achieve educational success through a personalized learning program that focuses not only on the curriculum but also supports social and emotional growth and development.
Class sizes are small with a maximum of seven students in each class. This allows for individualized instruction and support. Class teachers can be accessed by calling the front office.
School Learning Support Officers
At Verona School, all classes are supported by a School Learning Support Officer. This support role is highly valued and incredibly important at our school with students often developing strong bonds with their SLSO.
The SLSO is responsible for supporting the class teacher to deliver the curriculum. This includes resourcing, lesson preparation and classroom organisation. The SLSO ensures that individual students are supported to be able to effectively engage in learning. SLSO’s advocate for students often accompanying them to their home schools for integration. They also run special programs at Verona School including the cooking program, gym and fitness programs, Quicksmart literacy and numeracy programs and well-being program.
Student Support Officer
Our student support officer Felicity Zahra is on-site at Verona School five days a week. Her role is to support students and their families with a range of issues including:
- Post School Transition Planning
- NDIS support
- Access to outreach services including; mental health, housing, employment
- Case management
At school, Felicity runs the student leadership council, lead the Verona Community Committee for parents, carers and interested community members, organises vocational learning opportunities for students including foundation skills, horticulture courses, barista courses, white card and first aid, supports individual students through case management and manages “The Hub” a drop in zone for students.
Felicity can be contacted through the front office.
School Psychologist
Verona School is supported by a school psychologist two days per week. Eddy Fracarossi is an experienced counsellor who has worked at Verona School as well across several mainstream schools. He is a trauma specialist.
The school psychologist is responsible for the management of student files including keeping up to date records regarding student disability and supports.
The psychologist works with students causing concern. Referrals can be made by parents, staff or students can self refer as required.
The school psychologist will also run well-being groups when there is a particular issue prevalent with a group of students.
The school psychologist runs regular professional learning sessions for staff to support their understanding of the impact of trauma on the students in their care.
Eddy can be contacted through the front office.
Administration
The Verona School administration staff are kind and compassionate people who are eager to support students and their families experience educational success.
The front office staff manage all enquiries and will direct your call to the appropriate person.
They also manage:
- Enrolments
- Shared enrolments
- Attendance
- Assisted School Transport
- Travel passes (bus/rail)
- Medication
- Health Care Plans
- Late arrivals
- Uniform
Our administration staff will regularly check in with families to ensure all contact and medical details are current.
Allied Health
Verona School engages the support of a Speech Pathologist and Occupational Therapist through “One Stop Allied Health”.
The Speech Pathologist is available two days per week at Verona School. Her role includes:
- In class literacy lessons
- Small group withdrawal
- Small group workshops
- Individual speech pathology sessions
- Testing and screeners
- Reports
- Staff professional development
The Occupational Therapist is available one day per week at Verona School. Her role includes:
- In-class support for teachers
- Assessment
- Individual student sessions
- Small group withdrawal
- Small group workshops
- Fundamental movement classes
- Reports
- Staff professional development
The allied health team can be accessed by completing the following referral forms or by contacting the front office.