At Signorina, we believe that early childhood is a critical time for language acquisition and cultural development.
Our Italian school offers a unique opportunity for children to be immersed in the Italian language and culture, enabling them to develop bilingual skills, while gaining a deep appreciation for Italy’s rich heritage.
All lessons are developed in accordance with the Victorian Language Curriculum.
We are committed to providing a nurturing, authentic and inclusive learning environment that fosters each child’s social, emotional, cognitive and physical development.
Our teaching style is inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, which encourages child-led exploration, inquiry-based learning, and creative expression all whilst being immersed in the Italian language.
We believe in the power of play, curiosity and hands-on experiences to stimulate children’s natural curiosity and ignite their love for learning a second a language.
By surrounding children with the Italian language throughout their daily activities, conversations, songs, stories and play, we aim to create a rich linguistic setting.
Through consistent exposure to Italian, children develop their vocabulary, listening skills, pronunciation and conversational abilities.
Language and culture are deeply intertwined. We believe in fostering an appreciation and understanding of Italian culture, traditions, art, music and history alongside language learning.
We incorporate cultural elements into our lessons, exposing children to Italian customs, celebrations and stories.
By immersing them in the richness of Italian heritage, we aim to cultivate cultural sensitivity and global awareness.
Pre-school children learn best when engaged through multiple senses.
We integrate a variety of multisensory activities, including visual aids, hands-on materials, music, movement and games, to make the learning experience exciting and interactive.
By appealing to different senses, we facilitate a deeper understanding and memory retention of the Italian language and culture.
In an Italian immersion school, children come from diverse cultural backgrounds.
We embrace and celebrate this diversity, creating an inclusive and welcoming environment that honors each child's unique heritage and language.
By incorporating elements of their cultures into our activities, we foster a sense of pride, belonging, and respect for diverse backgrounds.
Introducing Signorina Oliveri & Signorina Gerace
Amanda Gerace is a highly accomplished educator with a strong academic background and extensive experience in primary school settings. With a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Italian and a Masters of Primary Teaching, Amanda brings a unique skill set to her teaching practice.
For the past 8 years, she has excelled as an Italian specialist teacher, catering to students from prep to grade 6. Amanda’s expertise extends beyond her language specialization, as she has also gained valuable experience in generalist teaching and leadership roles.
Notably, she has served as a learning specialist, focusing on fostering student voice and empowering learners. Amanda’s dedication, breadth of knowledge, and diverse experiences render her an invaluable addition to Signorina.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Amanda Gerace is a nurturing individual who also embraces the role of a loving mother to her two preschool-aged children.
Annette Oliveri is an experienced and dedicated teacher with 8 years of expertise in a primary school setting. Holding a Bachelor of Education degree P-12 specializing in primary education, she possesses a strong foundation in pedagogy and teaching methodologies. Annette’s passion lies in the junior school levels, where she has excelled as a specialist and demonstrated her leadership abilities as the team leader for the 1/2 classes.
Additionally, she has experience teaching Italian to primary-aged students, showcasing her versatility and commitment to providing a well-rounded education for her students.
Annette’s commitment to innovative education, coupled with her extensive expertise, empowers her to profoundly influence the academic progress and personal growth of her students.
With a genuine love for children and a maternal nature, Annette’s role as a mother of two further amplifies her innate ability to nurture and care for young learners.
(BABY PLAY) 1 HOUR
6 MONTHS – 2.5 YEARS OLD
*PARENTS TO STAY*
Welcome to our bilingual Italian and English playgroup for babies and parents!
Join us for a delightful program where families come together to socialize, play, sing and learn through multi-sensory activities.
Our engaging activities create a fun and relaxed environment for little ones to develop language skills and hear the language being used in connection with play.
Come and join us for a coffee and create meaningful memories with your bimbi.
(HAPPY CHILDREN) – 45 MINS
2.5 – 4 YEARS OLD
*PARENTS TO STAY*
Step into the captivating world of our preschool Italian program for little learners!
Designed to be fun, engaging, and stimulating, our program introduces children to the Italian language through exciting activities and interactive experiences.
From lively games and songs to imaginative storytelling, our curriculum ignites a love for Italian
(BRILLIANT KIDS) 45 MINS
4 – 6 YEARS OLD
*Teacher-led program, student only*
Welcome to our foundation learners program in a bilingual setting, where we create meaningful connections between Italian and English through hands-on learning and play!
Our innovative approach provides young learners with exciting opportunities to explore both languages in a dynamic and interactive environment.
Through engaging activities and games, children are exposed to a rich vocabulary and develop language skills that they can apply to daily life.
(EXPLORERS) 1 HOUR
7 – 10 YEARS OLD
*Teacher-led program, student only*
Welcome to our Intermediate Italian program, specially tailored for 7-10 year olds!
In this engaging program, students will be introduced to basic concepts of grammar, developing a deeper understanding of the Italian language.
Through interactive lessons and activities, we will explore Italian traditions, cultural beliefs, and festive celebrations, providing a rich context for language learning.
Students are encouraged to actively converse with their teacher in our bilingual setting, fostering fluency and confidence in Italian communication.
Students will be guided and encouraged to commence writing and reading in Italian.
We can’t wait to meet you and your little one! get in touch for a one-on-one video tour and we’ll answer all of your questions.