GISS Learning Diversity Team

The GISS Learning Diversity Team plays a key role in ensuring that the specific needs of students with diverse learning and support needs are met.

Our team employs a collaborative and consultative approach so that classroom teachers and the students themselves and their parents or carers are actively involved in decision-making.

Our team:

  • supports teachers in identifying and responding to the diverse learning needs of students
  • works collaboratively with the classroom teacher to support assessment for learning of their students with diverse educational needs and identify specific learning, support and extension needs
  • plans, implements, models, monitors and evaluates personalised adjustments for learning where required, with the classroom teacher, student and/or parent or carer
  • designs and implements the supports required to build teacher capacity so that all students access quality learning
  • develops collaborative partnerships within the school, with parents and carers, and other professionals in the wider community 

Composition of our Learning Diversity Team

Our Learning Diversity Team is made up of a team of individuals spanning from primary school up to secondary school and IB. We come with varying specialisations in different areas, which makes our team dynamic and able to cater to a range of learning needs, including support for specific learning difficulties and catering for gifted and talented students.

Meet the GISS Learning Diversity Team

Jutta Bussche

I hold a degree in Special Education from the University of Kiel in Germany. Since 2006, I have worked as a German Teacher and Learning Support Teacher in Australian schools. I joined GISS in 2019 as the Diverse Learning Coordinator for the Primary School. I have completed additional training in teaching gifted and talented students, students with ASD, Dyslexia and other Specific Learning Difficulties. At GISS, I collaborate with teachers, parents and external specialists to support Primary School students with a variety of learning needs. I can be contacted here.

Stefan Hendry

I have a degree in English Lit from the University of Wollongong, Teaching from Western Sydney University and a Master of Special Education from the University of Sydney. Over the past 18 years I have worked in a wide range of educational settings teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Cerebral Palsy, Behavioural & Emotional Disorders and more. I began teaching my teaching career in Sydney, then spent 5 years working with high support needs in outback NSW before being offered a role working in Special Education for the United Nations in Hanoi, Vietnam. After 5 years in Vietnam, I spent two years working in an IB school in Morocco, followed by two years at NISC in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Since joining GISS full-time in 2022, I have worked to support the students, families and teachers of Junior Secondary and IB. I can be contacted here.

Ulrike Miehle

I am a trained social worker, counsellor and talk therapist and have been working in the area of mental health for over 20 years. I work full-time at GISS, mainly with secondary students and if required, I am also involved with primary school students in the areas of emotional development, behavioural challenges and mental health. I work closely with students, teachers, and parents and if necessary, consult with and refer to external specialists and organisations. I am an active member of the learning diversity group at GISS and our ongoing aim is that we collaborate holistically and effectively with all involved in order to best support the students with inclusive needs and mental health challenges. I can be contacted here.

Pia Hofmann

I have been working as a full time Primary School Teacher for over 15 years. When working in Germany, I taught English to German students, now I teach German to English speaking students. I have a Certificate in German as a Foreign language as well as a Certificate for Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties. I enjoy supporting students with Dyslexia and Dyscalculia and collaborating with our Learning Diversity Group at GISS. I can be contacted here.

Rachel Hennig

I am a Primary School Teacher with 14 years of experience teaching from Kindergarten to Year 4. I have a Certificate in Learning Difficulties and English as an additional language and I possess specialised training in the Initialit Program, which is an explicit and evidence-based literacy program for the foundational years in K-2. As well as my keen interest in providing exemplary literacy instruction to young students, I am also interested in supporting students with Specific Learning Difficulties, such as Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dysgraphia and ADHD, of which I have completed many workshops on these topics. My role in the team is to support students that present with diverse learning needs in English. I can be contacted here.

Hugh Crundwell 

I have worked as an After School Care educator, a Learning Support Assistant and now a class teacher at GISS and in this time, have seen students grow and become capable learners. I am particularly passionate about supporting students in developing literacy skills, with a further focus on English as a Second Language. It is my role to accompany students in their English learning journey and offer them skills for life. I can be contacted here.

Annette Noronha 

I hold a teaching degree from the University of Koblenz-Landau in Germany and completed my teacher’s training in Kaiserslautern. I taught Mathematics and EaL for four years to students in Junior Secondary school (5 to 10). In 2022, I initially volunteered and was later employed at a special education school based in Sydney. I also completed a Certificate IV in Education Support, which focuses on additional learning needs and supporting students with disabilities. At GISS, my role is to assist students in Junior Secondary school with a variety of learning needs. I can be contacted here. 

Barbara Riegger 

I am a special education teacher and for 15 years worked at a school for children with speech and learning difficulties in Munich, Germany. At GISS I support children in primary school with diverse learning needs. I can be contacted here. 

Corryne Keller 

I am a British Council trained EAL/ESL teacher and examiner for the IELTS and Cambridge University ESOL exams. I have taught English in Ecuador, England, Australia and Germany. I have a Certificate in TESOL and Bachelor of Commerce and Information Technology. I spent many years in industry working in IT, Marketing, and Community Engagement. I am the founder of an extracurricular program for kids that teaches valuable enterprising skills like financial literacy, creativity and innovation. I can be contacted here.