Meet the Team
By working together, we can create a supportive and thriving community where every student can reach their full potential.
At Santa Maria College, we believe in nurturing not only the academic growth of our students but also their emotional and psychological wellbeing.Â
Together, Kim, Elvira, and Grace form an extraordinary team of psychologists dedicated to fostering a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment for the students of Santa Maria College. Their diverse expertise and unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of our students are integral in helping them flourish academically, emotionally, and personally. We invite you to get to know them better as they continue to make a positive impact on the lives of our students every day.
Kimberlee Burrows
Kim (B Psych (Hons), LLB (Hons), PhD)is a registered psychologist (provisional) with a background in child protection and lecturing in the university sector. She studied at Murdoch University and completed a PhD in child interviewing at Deakin University in Melbourne. Her work has been published in several international journals and books and she has presented at various international conferences. Kim started at Santa Maria in February 2021. She provides individual counselling, works closely with parents, external providers and Deans, creates and delivers social/emotional learning materials and collaborates on whole school mental-health initiatives.
For her work at Santa Maria, Kim was recognised as a finalist in the Early Career School Psychologist of the Year awards in 2023. When she is not working, Kim is probably playing at the river with her three small children and her dopey golden retriever, Gracie.
Elvira Franich
Elvira (B Psych, Reg AHPRA, Grad Cert Counselling, Grad Cert Business Psychology) is a dedicated psychologist with experience working in schools across Perth. She provides individual counselling and collaborates with families, pastoral care teams, and external providers to offer a holistic approach to mental health and well-being. Elvira’s focus is on building social and emotional learning, fostering strengths, and supporting students to thrive. With a particular interest in anxiety and mood disorders, she is passionate about helping students achieve their personal and educational goals. Outside of her role, Elvira enjoys teaching dance, exploring new places, and baking.
Grace Arrigan
Grace is a generally registered psychologist (B Psych (Hons), MPP) who has previously worked as a school psychologist in the Wheatbelt and Pilbara regions of Western Australia. Grace works from a strengths-based and values-centred approach in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of students and the wider school community. She provides short-term counselling to individual students and contributes to a number of school-based initiatives. She is particularly passionate about bridging psychological theory to practice in a school context. Outside of work, Grace is a pilates and yoga lover and enjoys travelling and outdoor activities in her spare time.