Melanie Irvine – Teaches the Wombat group on Monday and Tuesday.
Otherwise known as Mrs Melody, Mrs. Melamie, Mrs. Manamie, Mrs Anemone, Mrs Menete – Mrs Melanie has been at Forestview for 29 years and has taught over 700 children since she started in 1996. Encouraging children to be curious and watching them develop a passion and enthusiasm for learning are some of Mel’s highlights. You may see Mrs Melanie donning her favourite chicken hat during Easter celebrations and there is something about sharing and learning about animals in the deep blue sea that is one of her yearly highlights. Mrs Melanie is a mum to two boys Ethan and Dane and husband Jamie who is also a teacher. She loves watching her sons play basketball, going for holidays to Burrum Heads and throwing in a line, reading, movies, music (Pink, Adele and U2) and scrapbooking. Mrs Melanie is truly part of the Forestview furniture and she hopes that every Forestview child walks away with a fun year of learning that they will always hold dear in their hearts.
Louise Stallard – Kindy Director and Teaches the Koala group on Thursday and Friday
With over 32 years teaching experience, 25 of them at Forestview Kindergarten, Mrs Louise loves coming to work every day to see the children enjoy and experience a wide range of learning experiences and knowing that she has had a hand in shaping their love of learning and inspire the interest and curiosities for years to come. Among her highlights at Forestview have been helping celebrate Mrs Melanie’s 20 years of service with a special high tea in the kindy grounds and celebrating her own 21 years at Forestview in 2022 with another grand high tea event at the Rowers, feeling like her heart melts when children share they want to be a teacher just like Mrs Louise, and the end of year graduation concerts which make her cry tears of joy. Louise is a mum to two young men, Jace and Eden who are both in the Australian Defence Force and grandma to her Grandcat Ceasar and Granddog Obelix. In her time off (which is rare!) she enjoys sewing, scrapbooking (any craft really), restoring furniture as part of her business Take2Renew, gardening, reading, bushwalking and sailing on our boat and spending time with her boys when they come home for visits. Mrs Louise hopes that every Forestview child walks away with a passion to always be curious, to be confident to question, perhaps challenge the way things happen in our world, that sharing is caring, learn that we must continue to work together to take great care of our precious world and live in harmony and respect for one another.
Emma Flor – Assistant Educator – Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.
I was once a Forestview parent as her daughter attended Kindy in the Koala group with Mrs Louise. After some convincing from Mrs Louise, I decided to study and complete my Certificate 3 and Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care. I have now been working in the industry for 8 years and have always wanted to work at Forestview. I have a very supportive husband, Adam and a beautiful daughter Ella, who is now in High School. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, crafting, music (Ed Sheeran and Pink are some faves) and most of all I love being at the beach finding sea treasures. I believe that play is an important part of children’s learning and I love being hands on and getting involved. I enjoy having a chat and getting to know all about your children and making sure they feel safe, secure and happy in their learning environment.
Amy Phillips – Assistant Educator – Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care.
Miss Amy brings 21 years of experience in the early childhood sector and has had the joy of teaching across many different age groups. She is passionate about nurturing children’s natural curiosity and loves watching them discover a love for learning.
At home, Miss Amy is a proud mum to three children – Ava, Izabelle, and Declyn. She enjoys supporting them in their sports; Ava plays cricket, while Izzy and Declyn play AFL. As a family, they love spending time outdoors, going fishing, heading to the beach, and travelling together. In the little spare time she has, Miss Amy enjoys crafting and listening to music, especially Pink and her favourite country artists.
Miss Amy is excited to be part of the Forestview family. She hopes to inspire children to always stay curious, feel confident to ask questions, and even challenge ideas. Most importantly, she wants every child to understand the value of sharing, teamwork, caring for our world, and showing respect for one another.
Yuka Thomson, Inclusion Support Educator and Ella Program Japanese teacher
(On family leave but will be supporting our educators from afar via the internet)
Diploma of Early Childhood Education which she completed as a student teacher with Forestview in 2009 and has been working as a relief assistant and additional needs assistant ever since
Yuka in addition to being our invaluable additional needs assistant, is also our Japanese language specialist at Forestview providing a wonderful range of experiences that help the children to connect with Japanese culture and language. She has also helped us establish correspondence connections with a number of kindergartens in Japan and we exchange drawing, craft and artwork each year.
Yuka has two children who also attended Forestview, Kodyi and Leiyo. When she isn’t busy teaching origami, sushi making or how to sing “heads, shoulders, knees and toes” in Japanese, Yuka likes to go scuba diving and snorkelling, travelling and spending time at the beach.
Allira Erlangsen, Japanese Teacher
こんにちは！（Konnichiwa!）
My name is Allira Erlangsen, and I have been a Japanese teacher for almost 20 years. My love for the Japanese language and culture began in Year 5 at primary school and has continued ever since. Over the years, I have been very fortunate to live and study in Japan during high school, attend a Japanese University, and teach Japanese primary school children in Japan.
I am so excited to introduce the Forestview children to Japanese language and culture and watch their young minds soak up new words and ideas. We will be singing lots of songs, playing lots of games and making various craft. My hope is that each week they will share their Japanese learning with their families and enjoy teaching them something new at home.
I am also a proud mum to three beautiful children — Isabella, Fletcher and Abigail. Isabella previously attended Forestview, and Fletcher is super excited to be joining the Koala group in 2026. I will be working across both groups.
I love anything pink and sparkly and am well known for adding glitter, sequins and diamantes to just about everything I own! In my spare time, I enjoy shopping, dancing and roller-skating. My favourite music includes Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift.
I look forward to an amazing year teaching your children and helping them grow into confident and curious lifelong learners.
Mia McGlinn, Kepnock High School Student, Early Childhood Education and Care Trainee – Koala Group
Hi Forestview! My name is Mia McGlinn, I’m currently in grade 12 at Kepnock State High School. I will be coming every Friday to visit while I work on my school-based traineeship. I am doing my Cert 111 in Early Childhood Education and Care. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve loved working with kids younger than me, so I am pursuing this hobby and turning it into a job opportunity. I am so excited to get to know the Koala group and to watch them learn and grow in preparation for primary school. My favourite thing to do on the weekend is to go to the beach with my friends. I look forward to getting to know all of those who come through in the mornings!