Jacey Long is Kerry Street’s Year 1/2 class teacher. Jacey brings a strong passion for creative and performing arts into her teaching after attending John Curtin College of the Arts, and later studying Drama and Visual Art at Edith Cowan University. Following her passion for the arts, Jacey attended Murdoch University, graduating with a Bachelor of Early Childhood and Primary Education, where she has been able to share her artistic knowledge and enthusiasm with future generations.
While at Murdoch, Jacey travelled to Kunming, China, and taught at Beanstalk International Bilingual School under the New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program. In the life-changing and eye-opening experience, Jacey was able to see the International Baccalaureate Curriculum in full swing and it also gave her a lot of experience with English as Second Language students. In Jacey’s fourth year of her teaching degree, she was chosen as an intern and taught a Pre-Primary class at Bertram Primary School.
In 2019, Jacey began her Kerry Street journey as Drama and Music specialist. She was also frequently seen around the school as a regular relief teacher. At the end of 2019, Jacey was offered the position of class teacher.
As a teacher, Jacey places a large emphasis on meeting her students’ needs as individuals and creating meaningful relationships with every child in the school. She uses her silly sense of humour to make learning entertaining and keep kids engaged. Her classroom is always one with lots of laughter!
Jacey has fully embraced the Inquiry-based approach used here at Kerry Street. In 2021, Jacey presented her Inquiry journey into arcade games to a group of Early Childhood Educators at an AISWA Professional Learning Workshop. It’s a fact that children have a natural curiosity about life and it is her aim as their teacher to capture that curiosity and facilitate meaningful learning experiences. Jacey believes that Inquiry-based pedagogy helps students to become fully realised participants within their community.
“One thing that makes Kerry Street kids unique is their genuine concern for the world’s people and our environment. Our students have an investment in making our school, community and country a better place for everyone.”
Jacey Long
In the Year 1/2 class, Jacey encourages our students to drive the learning experiences by participating in goal-orientated projects that link with their interests and many of our goals are geared towards creating safe spaces for animals and educating the community on issues we consider important.
Belinda Allen joined the Kerry Street team in 2021 as a relief staff member and is currently employed as Education Assistant in the 1/2 class on Tuesday to Friday.
Before joining us at Kerry Street, Belinda worked in accounts roles within large organisations. Over the last few years, she had spent a lot of her time volunteering at her sons school, and it was there she decided it was time to follow her heart in supporting and nurturing children on their education journey.
I enjoy watching and talking to the children as they play and explore in the Wilderness Area at Kerry Street. It reminds me of the times my family and I explore the beauty of Western Australia when we go camping.
Belinda Allen
Caroline Colliss works as an Education Assistant in the Year 1/2 class on Mondays. Caroline is extremely versatile and has worked in many roles throughout the school. This has allowed her to form and maintain strong relationships with many students. Caroline also maintains the role of Art Specialist throughout the school. To read more about Caroline, please visit our Visual Arts Program page.