Samantha Gavin

Kia ora,
My name is Samantha Gavin (Sam), and I am a qualified Primary School Teacher applying for a Casual Relief Teacher position at your school. Having recently relocated from New Zealand to Melbourne, I am eager to contribute my strong classroom practice, professionalism, and positive approach to student learning
and wellbeing.

I hold a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) from the University of Waikato and have experience across junior and middle primary levels, including relief teaching at Puni Primary School and classroom teaching roles at Otaua Primary School and Willowbank School. I am confident stepping into new learning environments, establishing clear expectations, building positive relationships quickly, and ensuring continuity of learning.

I bring a strong passion for Physical Education and student wellbeing, having held responsibility for PE at Willowbank School, where I delivered a school-wide unit and led a Gifted and Talented Sports programme. I am also highly committed to inclusive education and supporting diverse learners. Through working alongside specialist staff and completing the Incredible Years with Autism programme, I have developed effective strategies to support positive behaviour and adapt learning to meet individual needs.

I am reliable, organised, and proactive, and I take pride in creating calm, inclusive classroom environments where students feel safe, respected, and motivated to succeed. I am available for work immediately and would welcome the opportunity to contribute to your school community.

Willowbank School

27 Jan 2024 - 27 Jan 2026

I completed my professional experience at Willowbank School, where I worked across two Year 3 classrooms, gaining strong experience in planning, delivering and adapting engaging learning programs. I developed a strong understanding of the importance of physical activity in supporting both physical and mental wellbeing, including leading a Gifted and Talented Year 3 sports group focused on fundamental movement skills, teamwork and sportsmanship. I also took responsibility for delivering a junior school Physical Education unit, designing and adapting sport programs to suit both junior and senior learners. Throughout my degree, I built a strong commitment to inclusive education and supporting students with diverse learning, behavioural and developmental needs. I have worked closely with Resource Teachers of Learning and Behaviour (RTLBs) to support individual learning plans, targeted interventions and personalised strategies. I have also completed the Incredible Years with Autism course and collaborated with Ministry of Education staff to strengthen my inclusive and evidence-based teaching practices. My professional learning includes PACT PLD, Assessment for Learning, Maths No Problem, Structured Maths Approach (Mrs PCT), Incredible Years with Autism, Writing, Spelling and Grammar (Helen Walls) and Little Learners Love Literacy, supporting my ability to deliver high-quality, structured and student-centred instruction.

Otaua School

27 Jan 2023 - 24 Jan 2024

During my first year as a Beginning Teacher at Otaua Country School, I gained hands-on experience working in Year 3 and Year 4 classrooms, delivering engaging lessons and supporting students’ learning and wellbeing. I also led a soccer team and contributed to Calf Club Day, developing both student engagement and organisational skills. I participated in targeted professional development, including the Yolanda Soryl Phonics Workshop, Numicon PLD, and observed the BSLA Structured Literacy Programme. I also worked closely with RTLB Emma Klokie, gaining valuable experience supporting students with diverse learning needs. These experiences strengthened my understanding of inclusive practice, fostering a positive classroom environment, and supporting student confidence and engagement.

Physical Education

I have been actively involved in football since the age of four and continue to play to this day. Alongside my participation in a variety of sports, I have developed a strong understanding of the vital role physical activity plays in supporting both physical and mental wellbeing. In my teaching role, I have led a Gifted and Talented sports group for Year 3 students, with a focus on developing fundamental movement skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship. I have also undertaken responsibility for a Physical Education unit centred on implementing effective sport programs across the junior school, with experience adapting activities to suit both junior and senior students. Through these experiences, I have recognised the importance of fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment to support students’ confidence, engagement, and overall wellbeing.

Arts / Visual Arts

Art has been a significant part of my life from a young age, and I am passionate about incorporating this creativity into my teaching practice. I enjoy using a range of artistic techniques and visual compositions to nurture students’ creativity and encourage them to explore new perspectives. I have also successfully integrated Visual Arts with other learning areas to strengthen students’ understanding and engagement across the curriculum. In addition, my background in dance and stage productions has enabled me to contribute to whole-school creative initiatives, including choreographing dances for school productions, further supporting students’ confidence, collaboration, and self-expression.

Special Education

During my university studies, I developed a strong commitment to inclusive education and supporting students with diverse learning, behavioural, and developmental needs. Across my three years of primary teaching, I have worked closely with three different Resource Teachers of Learning and Behaviour (RTLBs), gaining valuable experience in contributing to the development and implementation of individual support strategies. This has included monitoring student progress, collaborating with specialist staff, and adapting learning environments to meet individual student needs. I have experience supporting students through personalised learning plans and targeted interventions to enhance engagement and achievement. In addition, I have completed the Incredible Years with Autism course and worked collaboratively with members of the Ministry of Education, further strengthening my understanding of evidence-based and inclusive practices.