© 2025 All rights reserved
Melbourne Schools
MELBOURNE SCHOOLS SPONSORS
Thank you to our generous sponsors
REGENT CONSULTING
Paul O’Shannassy is the leading authority in education and private schools in Melbourne and founder of Regent Consulting which has been in operation since 2008.
Paul is passionate about helping overwhelmed parents with the momentous decision of choosing a school for their child or children. He is fully and fiercely independent and is not affiliated with any particular schools. His philosophy is that one school is not better than another – it’s all about finding the right fit for the child.
His consulting business, Regent Consulting operates in major cities around Australia, however Paul specializes in fee paying schools in Melbourne. Paul has helped over 800 families choose a suitable school for their child and is widely accepted as Australia’s foremost expert on matching a child with a school. He is regularly quoted in the media including The Age, Lateline and the ABC.
Having 20 years experience working in Melbourne’s leading private schools, Paul is very well connected and has an intimate knowledge of the sector.
Paul’s clients have included
- Families who want an expert opinion about which school to choose for their child
- Families who are deciding between several schools and need an independent opinion
- Families with children needing to move schools due to social issues eg. bullying or other reasons
- Families moving to Melbourne from overseas or interstate
Paul’s consultancy services relate to private and fee paying schools.
If you’d like to enquire about Paul’s consultancy service here are the details:
SQUARE ACADEMY
Dr. Timothy Tan is a published researcher, former Marine Biologist and Editor of scientific journal manuscripts from researchers across the globe, and passionate educator with over a decade of teaching experience. His passion for teaching developed while undertaking his PhD at the University of Melbourne. What started as a part time job turned into an unexpected passion, and he continued teaching biomedicine students for several years as a Lecturer at the university after completing his PhD. During this time, he spearheaded numerous teaching innovations to advance the way we think about education.
He has a stellar academic record, completing his undergraduate degree in only two years along with numerous accolades, as well as being the first Singaporean to be accepted into the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program at Cornell University, the top Veterinary College in the US. Despite this, he believes that integrity, creativity, critical thinking, resilience and compassion are some of the most important virtues we should impart to the next generation. After leaving the university, he taught Junior and Senior School English for 3 years at an established tutoring institution, leaving the role of Head of Curriculum and Head of VCE to found Square Academy.
Tim has mentored thousands of students from Junior School to Graduate School. He is proud to have undergrads who sat on the floor just to attend his tutorials, as well as primary schoolers who got upset when they had to leave the class 5 minutes early. As a firm believer that learning is enjoyable and has no bounds, he often teaches interdisciplinarily, covering a multitude of subjects within each lesson. This stimulates his students to create unique connections with the world, think critically, while making every lesson a delight to attend. In senior school, his classes focus on Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) or English.
Square Academy is based in Hawthorn, and its name was inspired by one of his son’s favourite books. In his free time, Tim produces free, comprehensive study guides for students who are unable to afford tutoring. He proudly sponsors Melbourne Schools out of their shared passion for fostering community and providing resources to Melbourne families.
If you’d like to enquire about Tim’s services here are the details:
STEP BY STEP PSYCHOLOGY
Step by Step Psychology is a child and adolescent clinic based in Melbourne’s east. Since 2015, our team of caring, neuro-affirming and gender-affirming psychologists has supported young people and their families with a wide range of needs.
We work with children and teens experiencing challenges such as anxiety, depression, school transitions, autism, and ADHD. We also provide educational and diagnostic assessments to give families clarity and practical strategies for school and home.
Step by Step Psychology was started in 2015 by Hayley Jennings, a psychologist who started the practice as a means of creating a supportive environment for young people and their families who walk through the doors. Her passion for helping families take steps toward a brighter future continues to shape the vision of the clinic today.
Now focused on leading the team, Hayley is dedicated to creating a values-driven workplace with a focus on clinical and service excellence, and thus provide high quality, neuro-affirming care. She works closely with the team to ensure families receive the best possible support, so that children, adolescents and their families can thrive.
If you’d like to enquire about Step by Step Psychology services here are the details:
Blackburn North
📧 info@stepbysteppsychology.com.au
Nunawading Clinic
FAMILIES IN MIND DESIGN
Penny Miller is the founder and lead designer behind Families in Mind Design, a family-friendly interior design and styling practice dedicated to creating homes that balance beauty, functionality, and liveability. With a unique blend of interior design expertise and knowledge of child development, Penny has built her business around one central philosophy: a home should, and can, work just as well for children as it does for adults.
Unlike traditional design services that focus heavily on aesthetics or trends, Penny’s approach is rooted in practicality and inclusivity. She understands that family life is dynamic: spaces need to adapt as children grow, household needs shift, and parents juggle the everyday demands of busy lives. Her services focus on creating homes that are durable, comfortable, and realistic for families, avoiding impractical design choices in favour of solutions that genuinely support wellbeing and connection.
Penny works with Australian families to troubleshoot design challenges, reimagine rooms, and restore order to chaotic spaces, all without the “crazy price tag.” She embraces accessible solutions and is just as happy sourcing from IKEA as she is from higher-end suppliers. Whether it’s a one-off consultation, a kids’ room makeover, or a step-by-step redesign of a family home, Penny’s warm and collaborative style empowers families to move forward with clarity and confidence.
In addition to her work with families, Penny is passionate about education. She develops resources and guidance for other designers who want to broaden their skills in inclusive interior design, particularly in areas such as designing for neurodiversity, accessibility, and child-friendly homes.
At its heart, Families in Mind Design is about helping families thrive. By creating environments that reflect values, nurture independence, and support everyday routines, Penny’s work goes beyond design – it helps transform houses into homes that feel functional, beautiful, and deeply lived-in.
If you’d like to enquire about Families in Mind Design services here are the details: