Our Story
Little Big School was born out of a firsthand observation of the challenges many young children face when transitioning to school. Witnessing these struggles sparked the idea of providing targeted support for children who could benefit from additional guidance or those eager to be challenged.
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Drawing from our backgrounds in education and allied health, we developed a holistic and tailored approach to equip children with a comprehensive set of skills and strategies to confidently transition to big school.
Inspired from successful programs on the east coast, we saw an opportunity to fill a gap in Perth, motivating us to establish Little Big School and pursue our passion to see every child entering school confidently, ready to learn and thrive.
Meet The Team
Brie Handcock
Director & Lead Teacher
With over a decade of experience in early childhood education and care, Brie's journey began as a nanny and teacher's aide while pursuing her Bachelor of Education. Her teaching career has taken her across various primary schools in Melbourne and regional Victoria, where she has had the privilege of working with diverse communities.
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Brie's dedication stems from her belief that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, motivating her to advocate for initiatives that positively impact children and families.
As the lead teacher in our Ready Set School sessions and the facilitator of Little Learners Group Tutoring classes, Brie brings passion and expertise to nurturing young minds.
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Beyond her role at Little Big School, Brie extends her impact by coordinating proactive and responsive early support projects for disadvantaged children and families at a not-for-profit organisation.
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Tess Neates
Associate Director & Lead Occupational Therapist
With nearly a decade of experience as an Occupational Therapist and a total of 17 years in the health and disability sector, Tess brings a wealth of expertise to her role. Having worked across diverse clinic and community settings in Perth and Melbourne, Tess has had the privilege of supporting individuals of all ages and backgrounds.
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Tess's commitment to holistic care led her to pursue a diploma in holistic integrated creative art therapies, which she loves weaving into our group programs. She is also trained in trauma-informed children's yoga, further enriching her approach to therapy.
As the lead occupational therapist in our Ready Set School sessions, Tess is dedicated to creating supportive and inclusive spaces for children to thrive.
Beyond her role at Little Big School, Tess provides holistic occupational therapy services in the community, collaborating with children, families, and schools to promote wellness and growth.