NICOLE SAAP
Rydalmere,NSW
Summary
Dynamic educator and educational leader with extensive experience in the New South Wales, Western Australian, and international education sectors. With a robust foundation in pedagogical principles and 29 years of industry expertise, a commitment to fostering learning and progress remains central to the educational philosophy. A belief in the transformative power of a supportive and positive environment drives the approach to teaching, emphasizing the integration of a 21st-century mindset into educational practices. Passionate about empowering students and educators to thrive in an ever-evolving learning landscape.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Leader of Learning
St Paul the Apostle, Winston Hills Primary School
Winston Hills
01.2023 - 12.2025
- In my role, I am responsible for leading the whole school professional learning in the KLA of English. Most recently, I worked collaboratively with the teaching expert at Catholic Schools Parramatta to facilitate professional learning. The first step was an analysis of data, which highlighted that the greatest area of student need was developing 'ideas' within the writing process. Collaboratively, we planned a sequence of learning, action and review/evaluation to build teacher capacity. The content was derived from the new English syllabus and the six key qualities of writing, in particular, Ruth Culhum's elaboration of the traits through the four key qualities of writing. The professional learning sequence was created allowing the teachers to access the information both face to face and online. To measure the impact of the professional learning, student writing samples were collated, and student voice was recorded. After the taking action cycle was completed, student writing samples were collated and analysed, and student voice recorded to analyse measurable growth.
- In my role I am responsible for building capacity in new career teachers. The model used to facilitate and monitor this is the Collaborative Instruction Cycle. Cycles I have completed this academic year include English and Mathematics planning using the K2 Syllabus and assessment and reporting for semester one. My approach to mentorship is establishing trust, valuing and building on the existing knowledge of the teacher, coaching, direction to professional learning to support knowledge and sharing of resources. Additionally, highlighting to the teacher the necessity to return to student need via data collection and analysis, syllabus outcomes, assessment, review and evaluation.
Instructional Coach - English
St Paul the Apostle Primary School
Winston Hills
01.2025 - Current
- Coach 14 teachers to improve practices through professional development and modeling instructional strategies.
- Enhance teacher effectiveness by providing individualised coaching and professional development opportunities.
- Assist new teachers acclimate quickly into their roles through comprehensive mentoring programs and ongoing support.
- Analyze student data, diagnosed instructional needs, and identify research-based instructional strategies.
- Support data-driven instruction by assisting teachers with analyzing assessment results and adjusting lesson plans accordingly.
- Implement research-based instructional strategies to address achievement gaps among various student populations, fostering an inclusive learning environment for all students.
- Built and maintained positive relationships with students, parents, colleagues and administrators.
- Improved instructional strategies for diverse learners by conducting classroom observations and providing constructive feedback to teachers.
- Promoted continuous improvement in teaching practices by leading professional learning communities focused on best practices and research-based strategies.
- Facilitated collaborative planning sessions for grade-level teams to establish learning goals and align curriculum across subjects.
- Developed successful interventions for struggling students by creating targeted instructional plans based on their unique needs.
- Created customized professional development workshops tailored to address specific challenges identified within each department or grade level team.
- Implemented evidence-based literacy strategies, resulting in improved reading comprehension and writing abilities among students.
- Contributed to a positive school culture by collaborating with administrators, staff, and parents on various initiatives.
- Coordinated school-wide events including parent-teacher conferences, open houses, literacy nights, enriching community connections.
- Developed staff members' attitudes, skills, and knowledge through various professional development targeted topics.
Leader of Learning Diversity
Maronite College of the Holy Family
Harris Park
07.2020 - 12.2022
- In my role I was responsible for monitoring and evaluating learning disability provision programs from Kindergarten to Year 6. In collaboration with the Leaders of Learning from each stage, specialised support staff and teachers, student data was analysed and reviewed to create sequenced learning programs that offered differentiation and assessment to allow learners to access content on the same basis as their peers. To measure the impact of this learning cycle, student assessment data was recorded and analysed for growth over time.
- I was responsible for ensuring all NCCD processes were adhered to within the Primary department of the College. I worked collaboratively with the Secondary Learning Intervention Coordinator to plan and lead professional development for all staff, Kindergarten to Year 12 related to the NCCD processes. Completing the NCCD professional development modules: Disability Standards for Education Leaders Parts 1 and 2.
Head of Lower Key Stage 2 & Classroom Teacher
Jerudong International School
Brunei, Brunei Darussalam
08.2009 - 07.2020
- In my position as Head of Lower Key Stage 2 at Jerudong International School Brunei, I was a member of the Primary Leadership Team and instrumental in the development and ongoing implementation, and review of the school's strategic plan and academic success. I led a team of educational professionals in planning high quality differentiated programs. During my tenure, the school was rated as Outstanding in every category (January 2019) by Penta British Schools Overseas.
Relief Teacher
International School Brunei
Brunei, Brunei Darussalam
08.2005 - 01.2009
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
- Enhanced classroom engagement through the use of interactive teaching methods, such as group projects and hands-on activities.
Relief Teacher
Catholic Education Office Parramatta and Sydney
New South Wales, Australia
01.2002 - 06.2004
Year 4 Classroom Teacher
St Kieran Primary School
Tuart Hill, Western Australia, Australia
10.1997 - 09.2000
Year 4 Classroom Teacher
Mary Immaculate Primary School
Quakers Hill, New South Wales, Australia
01.1996 - 08.1997
Year 2 Classroom Teacher
St Joseph's Primary School
Riverstone, New South Wales, Australia
07.1995 - 12.1995
Year 7 Classroom Teacher
Boulder Primary School
Kalgoorlie, WA, Australia
01.1995 - 07.1995
Year 2 Classroom Teacher
Mary Immaculate Primary School
Quakers Hill, New South Wales, Australia
01.1994 - 12.1994
Education
NATIONAL QUALIFICATION FOR MIDDLE LEADERSHIP - Educational Leadership And Management
THAMES VALLEY PARTNERSHIP
Essex, London 01.2015
BACHELOR OF EDUCATION - PRIMARY EDUCATION
CURTIN UNIVERSITY
Perth, WA01.1995
DIPLOMA OF TEACHING - PRIMARY EDUCATION
AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY
Castle Hill, NSW01.1993
Skills
- Innovative and creative
- Interpersonal communication
- Active listening
- Computer literate
- Team leadership
- Interpersonal skills
- Time management
- Solutions based
Certification
- NESA, 922755
- WWC NSW, WWC1896636E
<Enter your own>
- ID Type: NESA
- ID Number: 922755
Timeline
Instructional Coach - English
St Paul the Apostle Primary School
01.2025 - Current
Leader of Learning
St Paul the Apostle, Winston Hills Primary School
01.2023 - 12.2025
Leader of Learning Diversity
Maronite College of the Holy Family
07.2020 - 12.2022
Head of Lower Key Stage 2 & Classroom Teacher
Jerudong International School
08.2009 - 07.2020
Relief Teacher
International School Brunei
08.2005 - 01.2009
Relief Teacher
Catholic Education Office Parramatta and Sydney
01.2002 - 06.2004
Year 4 Classroom Teacher
St Kieran Primary School
10.1997 - 09.2000
Year 4 Classroom Teacher
Mary Immaculate Primary School
01.1996 - 08.1997
Year 2 Classroom Teacher
St Joseph's Primary School
07.1995 - 12.1995
Year 7 Classroom Teacher
Boulder Primary School
01.1995 - 07.1995
Year 2 Classroom Teacher
Mary Immaculate Primary School
01.1994 - 12.1994
NATIONAL QUALIFICATION FOR MIDDLE LEADERSHIP - Educational Leadership And Management
THAMES VALLEY PARTNERSHIP
BACHELOR OF EDUCATION - PRIMARY EDUCATION
CURTIN UNIVERSITY
DIPLOMA OF TEACHING - PRIMARY EDUCATION
AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY