Sharon Crowley – Principal  

“The students undertake a journey of transformation in their time at Cheshire. It is a privilege to work as part of the team that works to support, encourage and educate the students to transform their school experience from one of failure to success. The program is designed to encourage students to take responsibility for their actions, to take healthy risks that increase confidence and self-esteem  while also learning to respect and adhere to strong boundaries.  Watching the students on their graduation day stand up and talk about the changes they have made is inspiring and personally rewarding.  It is also a privilege to often hear from parents the delight they experience to see their child achieve goals that they had never thought possible.  The most exciting aspect of working at Cheshire for me is to see how whole families can be positively effected through the hard work and perseverance of students, parents and staff working together to effect positive change.”

 Qualifications

• B.A. (Monash)
• Grad. Dip. Applied Psychology (Monash)
• Master of Child and Educational Psychology (Monash)

 Experience

• Registered Psychologist since 1998
• Sharon has 12 years experience as a psychologist . She has worked within the state and federal governments as a psychologist in the rehabilitation and education fields.

Leonie Gaff – Teacher

 

“Working at Cheshire enables us to provide opportunities to facilitate change. We work in a supportive team environment and are able to provide parents with an opportunity to see their children in a very positive way. We keep in contact with children and families to continue to offer support and share in successes. I have lots of job satisfaction which is a sense of achievement when we see our happy and capable youngsters leave to go to their new schools.”

Qualifications

• Diploma of Primary Teaching
• Graduate Diploma of Special Education (Hearing Impairment)

Experience

• Teacher for 11 years – Cheshire School
• Leading Teacher and Assistant Principal – Meadowbank P.S./Broadmeadows East P.S.
• Leading Teacher and Assistant Principal – Coolaroo P.S.
• Class Teacher – Morang South
• Class Teacher – Janefield Special School (Deaf Unit)
• Class Teacher – Meadow Fair North P.S.
• taught grades Prep to 6
• organised school camps both local and interstate
• coached school sports teams
• organised school grade 6 garduations
• Kinder to Prep transition to school
• Welfare Coordinator
• Curriculum Team Leader
• organised school productions

Email: cheshirea@bestchance.org.au

Diana Green – Teacher

“At Cheshire the children are given a second chance at reaching their full potential both educationally and socially. We are able to meet the children’s learning needs through individual programs designed to promote their development. Activities and events are organised to assist in stimulating and motivating the children. The children and their families receive ongoing support through the team here, both at school and in the home. At the end of their time at Cheshire the children proudly stand in front of their parents to receive their graduation book, knowing they are ready to return to mainstream school. I find it very rewarding to see the students return to Cheshire with stories abouth their new school and friends they have made.”

Qualifications

• Diploma of Primary Teaching – Burwood College
• Graduate Diploma of Art Education – P.I.T.

Experience

• Teacher for 8 years (Ages 9-12) – Cheshire School
• Teacher for 11 years (Ages 3-9 Coordinator) – International College of Spain, Madrid
• Teacher for 1 year – Callan English School, Spain
• Teacher for 4 years (Ages 5-8) – Western Autistic Centre

Email: cheshireb@bestchance.org.au 

Jennifer Daverington – Teacher

I am committed to providing a highly engaging and exciting learning program which captivates student interest, and alongside boundary setting, encouragement, consequence and reward, promotes change in the child’sperception of schooling, learning, themselves and the potential of working together for a positive outcome. Our young students are supported in developing a healthy self image, confidence with fundamental skills in Literacy and Numeracy, as well as problem solving skills to equip them with strategies to manage their own behaviour and overcome challenges.

 Qualifications

• Diploma of Primary Teaching – Melbourne University
• Graduate Diploma of Special Education – social/emotion and learning difficulties – Victoria College, Burwood

 Experience

• Leading teacher – Eltham College of Education (Prep&yr 6) – 7 years
• Classroom teacher (Prep-6) Lalor East PS – 7 years
• Casual Relief teaching Melbourne metro and country Vic (Prep-6)
• Group Teacher – Social Adjustment Centre (P-6 SAC unit) Noble Park

Geraldine Ryan – Family Counsellor

“Family counselling and support services at Cheshire help families to build on the strengths they already have and to develop new ones.  My focus is on supporting parents in the often complex task of meeting their children’s changing needs.  Addressing family issues and the stresses experienced by parents has a direct impact on the outcomes for children.  My passion lies in working with parents to achieve their goals and I value the opportunity to work with the families at Cheshire.  It is very rewarding to witness parents as they develop new skills and greater confidence.”

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Social Work (Monash)
• Bachelor of Social Sciences (Psychology) (Monash)

Experience

• Geraldine is a qualified social worker with over 20 years experience working with children and families.
• She has worked as a social worker in Child Protective Services, Foster Care, the Intercountry Adoption Service and Warooga Early Childhood Intervention Centre.
• Geraldine has been the Family Counsellor at Cheshire since 2007.

Jo Somerfield – Administration Assistant

“I enjoy working at Cheshire as it’s a place of constant activity and lots of fun. Watching the students make progress and working closely with the team is both rewarding and satisfying.”