Our Team
United Expertise for Your Child's Care
At SAPS we blend individual passion with collective expertise to create an enriching environment for your child. Our team's diverse skills converge to deliver a high-quality program tailored for your child's unique journey.
Nominated Supervisor
Cris Wright
Arrived in Australia in 2013, Cris trained as a teacher in the UK. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Modern Languages (Italian and German) from the University of Leicester and an MA in Translation and Interpreting from the University of Westminster, London. While she tutored GCSE and A Level Spanish, German and Italian, Cris also worked in finance in multinational companies such as Caterpillar and Sony. In addition, she became a teacher at the specialised teacher training school Upton Court Grammar, Berkshire. She is registered with TQI (Secondary teaching) and has recently obtained her qualification as an Early Childhood Teacher.
Along with education, languages have always been a passion of hers. Cris believes that bilingualism provides incredible benefits to children’s development and equips them with the skills to succeed in a world where globalisation is the norm.
Cris is involved in different capacities in community associations such as the ACT Hispanic Parents Association. Her vision for the Spanish Australian Preschool is to ensure that children are allowed to thrive in the Early Years while acquiring and / or maintaining knowledge of Spanish language and culture, while developing their emotional intelligence.
Educational Leader
Julieta Prieto
Julieta is an Early Childhood Teacher from Argentina and has been with us since October 2022. She is currently switching her qualifications over through ACECQA so that she can work as one of our qualified teachers. In the meantime, and to become familiar with the Australian system, she completed a Cert III in Early Childhood in 2022. Julieta is gentle, kind and works with the children to ensure that they feel heard, valued and develop a sense of belonging.
She enjoys arts and crafts and is very creative. It is evident that our children enjoy having Juli in our community and feel comfortable around her.
Room Leader
Natalia Castro
Having worked as a teacher in Colombia, Natalia arrived in Canberra in 2019. She joined our team in March 2022.
She has a degree in Spanish Language from the University of Tolima and a diploma in Special Needs Education.
She completed a Certificate III in Early Years Education and has now completed a Diploma (2022).
Natalia is dedicated, kind and generous. Her values are very much aligned with our philosophy and the children hold her in great esteem.
Educator
Cecilia Acurio
Cecilia is a Cert III educator, who also is in charge of the meals at the centre.
Cecilia has many years of experience working with children. This is evident in how she connects with the children in a very instinctive way. The children thrive in her company and she is gifted at designing impromptu experiences that tap onto children’s interests while continuing to develop their skills.
Cecilia normally works at the end of the day to help closing the centre.
Early Childhood Teacher
Maureen Blewitt
Maureen is an Early Childhood Teacher who was obviously a born talent. Her dedication and love for the children is not only staggering but also very much reciprocated.
Maureen does not speak Spanish, but is very open to other cultures and languages and picks up words here and there, as the children love to teach her what they learn and know.
As a very valued member of our community, Maureen works in the morning and helps welcoming the families into the centre. She is an expert at building relationships with the children and is often seen spending time after finishing her work, just playing with the children.
Educator
Jocelyn Urra
Jocelyn joined the team as a volunteer. She has since enrolled in a Cert III and Diploma joint course in Early Childhood and works part time, while filling in for the other educators' leave.
Professional photos taken by Authentic School Portraits
ABN 20646125537
In the spirit of reconciliation Bilingual Schools Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
Dhawura Nguna Dhawura Ngunnawal.