Meet The Teachers

The wonderful bunch here at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School,

would love to say “hello”!

Meet Our Teachers

At the top of the list when measuring the quality of a school has to be the quality of the teaching staff. We are beyond fortunate to have a team of teachers truly dedicated to positive outcomes for all children.

Meet our teachers below!

Leadership & Administration

Gavan O'Donnell

Principal

I feel privileged to be the Principal of St Joseph’s as we create the future in this welcoming, nurturing and inclusive community. We have a tremendously dedicated staff who have helped develop a positive learning culture. I love to walk, travel and spend time with family and friends.

Anne Lazzaro

Deputy Principal, Learning and Teaching Leader

I feel very privileged and proud to work within a community that is striving to make a difference and has at its very heart improving the learning and well being of all members. I am passionate about my work, my family, music, dancing and spending time at our beautiful beaches.

Angela Banik

Administrative Assistant

I work in administration here at St Joseph’s. I enjoy the various roles the job brings and building relationships with families, students, staff and the wider community. I love working in this environment. I particularly enjoy watching children learn and grow throughout their school journey.

Robyn Shankie

Bursar

St Joseph’s is a great community of families, staff, parishioners and neighbours. For me to be a small part of their lives is a privilege. I love spending time with my family and having some laughs along the way.

Grade Prep Teachers

Victoria Lumsden

Prep Teacher

I have been working at St Joseph’s for a year, but it feels like I have been there for much longer. I love the welcoming and supportive ethos of the school. I enjoy spending time at home with my dogs, going for brunch and spending time in the gym.

Elissa McClusky

Prep Teacher

Being a Prep teacher is something truly special! Each year is a new journey that I take with my students as we explore, discover and learn together. I love seeing the growth each child makes throughout the year. Outside of school I enjoy going to the football and travelling.

Donna Connolly

Prep Teacher, Learning and Teacher Leader

I love being a Prep teacher and Learning & Teaching Leader at St Joseph’s. As a Prep teacher I have the privilege of building strong school family partnerships as well as nurturing a love of learning in these beginning students. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family.

Kerry Corney

P-2 Teacher

I love being part of St Joseph’s School Community and value the supportive learning environment. I enjoy working in a variety of classrooms supporting students with their learning. I grew up in Scotland and out of the classroom, I enjoy travelling, yoga and beach days with my young family.

Grade 1/2 Teachers

Louise Drummond

1/2 Teacher, Learning and Teaching Leader

I love working with Year One and Two students because they are enthusiastic and eager learners. It is rewarding to see the student’s knowledge and confidence grow over the year. I love to keep fit and healthy, so our classroom is filled with music, dance moves, fun and laughter.

Kelly Riddle

1/2 Teacher and REL Leader

As Religious Education Leader at St Joseph’s it is a privilege to share and support our school community in their faith journey. I love teaching Year 1/2. The students are enthusiastic and excited to learn more. Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my family and playing netball.

Karen O’Sullivan

1/2 Teacher

I am a Year 1/2 teacher who finds it very rewarding to see the students develop their skills and confidence in this year level. They are so curious and have a sense of fun and joy about their learning. I enjoy going to the movies and walking on the beach.

Bethany Jewson

1/2 Teacher

This is my first year teaching at St Joseph’s Primary School and I am so grateful to be part of a warm and welcoming community. I love being a teacher and working with each unique learner in a learning environment where students feel safe, supported and challenged in their learning.

Michelle Darling

1/2 Teacher

I love working with Year One and Two students because they are so curious and honest. Young students learn best when they feel confident and are having fun. My favourite thing to do on the weekend is a beach walk with my family and a yoga session.

Tori Finck

1/2 Teacher

St Joseph’s is a wonderful place to teach and learn! With our class, I love reading (and doing the voices) and finding ways to use imagination and creativity in all learning areas. Outside school, I love attending musical theatre performances!

Grade 3/4 Teachers

Jodie Lucas

3/4 Teacher

I am a year 3/4 teacher. I really enjoy working with the children in the middle level as they are grow into enthusiastic learners who are ready to take on new and exciting challenges.
Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my family and working on our small farm.

Kimberley Wilson

3/4 Teacher

I love being a part of the St Joseph’s community! I enjoy collaborating with my colleagues to create fun and meaningful learning experiences for the students that will inspire and challenge them. Outside of the school I enjoy spending time with my family, walking my dog and going camping.

Clyde Siebel

3/4 Teacher

I enjoy providing engaging educational opportunities that allows my students to develop an awareness of the connection between what they are learning and their lives. Outside school I enjoy catching up with family and friends and supporting the AFL Tigers.

Paula Ayers

3/4 Teacher

I am so lucky to work alongside 3 /4 students! I enjoy creating different opportunities and experiences that enable students to investigate and engage in meaningful tasks so that they can reach their full potential. Outside school, I enjoy spending time with family and friends and gardening, hiking and cooking.

Kate Cronin

3/4 Teacher and Wellbeing Leader

As a teacher at St Joseph’s I have the pleasure of working collaboratively with other teachers to encourage our students to flourish and grow into lifelong learners. I also enjoy working in our sustainable garden with the students and being part of a learning community that promotes student wellbeing.

Grade 5/6 Teachers

Paul Bayliss

5/6 Teacher

It is a privilege to work in the year 5/6 level. As a team we learn, laugh and work together. It is an honour to nurture each student’s curiosity and thirst to learn and grow every day. Outside of school I am passionate about sport, especially the Collingwood Magpies.

Adele Hogan

5/6 Teacher

During my 17 years at St Joseph’s I have seen many changes: using WALT’s, teaching strategies, creating Success Criteria, setting goals. The students have more understanding and take responsibility for their learning. Their abilities amaze me! I wish that I’d been taught this way! I love reading, going to Venus Bay watching the Saints play footy, taking my dog to the dog park and having dinners with my 4 children and my grand daughter.

Angela Barrow

5/6 Teacher

I enjoy seeing the students grow and develop throughout the year. Helping students understand that they can learn and finding different approaches that help each of them to do the best they can.
Outside of school I enjoy going for walks, spending time with my family and going on holidays.

Sinead Byrne

5/6 Teacher and E-Learning Leader

I enjoy the opportunity to encourage, challenge and learn alongside all of our students, as well as further supporting their engagement and learning experiences through digital technology. Outside of school I like to spend time doing some DIY work and following various sports, especially netball and the mighty Melbourne Vixens!

Lisa Kniese

5/6 Teacher and Wellbeing Leader

I am passionate about inspiring students to be curious, compassionate and resilient so that they can make a difference in the world. The connection between wellbeing and learning is crucial, therefore all students are supported to feel safe, valued and respected. I love spending time with my family and travelling.

Collette Grella

5/6 Teacher and Prep Teacher

I love teaching because each day we make a difference in someone’s life which goes far beyond knowledge. I am dedicated to creating a classroom environment where students feel safe and supported, that encourages social and emotional growth and fosters a love of learning.
I enjoy watching my children’s soccer/swimming.

Specialised Teachers

Maria Morina

Italian Teacher

I have been teaching Italian and other subjects at St. Joseph’s for over 19 years. I enjoy watching the growth of learning that the students achieve throughout their years. I am very passionate about teaching. Outside of school I enjoy walking my dog, gardening, cooking and laughing with my family.

Liz Bolch

Performing Arts Teacher

Teaching Performing Arts at St Joseph’s Chelsea gives me the opportunity to encourage and support students as they use their imagination and skills, to create and perform drama, dance and music. I love watching students develop into confident performers. On the weekend I enjoy spending time with my family.

Caroline Egan

Visual Arts Teacher

I’ve been drawing for most of my life so I love coming to work at St Josephs and being able to teach as art is my passion. My own five kids all went here so our family has a long connection with the school. On the weekends I enjoy painting.

Marina Coletti

Physical Education Teacher

I love being able to encourage and promote a range of sports for our students at St Joseph’s. It’s great seeing children develop skills, teamwork and resilience through physical activity. Outside of school I enjoy running, netball going to the gym and spending time with my family at the beach.

Belinda Jaworski

Speech Pathologist

I have twenty years experience working as a Speech Pathologist within an educational framework and love to collaborate with teachers and support staff to maximise outcomes for students. I love the warm, inclusive community of St Joseph’s. I am a keen reader and like walking my rescue dog.

Allison Jackson

Learning Diversity Leader

I love supporting our learners to be their best, realising their gifts and talents, which make such a difference to our world! My world is my beautiful hubby and two darling children, my family and friends and I feel truly blessed to be a part of the St Joseph’s community.

Ros Hart

Reading Recovery

At St Joseph’s I enjoy being part of a team that creates a classroom environment where students are able to learn together. I love working closely with students to realise their potential and overcome their challenges. Outside of school I love spending time with my family and enjoy the outdoors.

Classroom Support Assistants

Ann Hancock

Learning Support Officer

It is a privilege to help students grow in confidence: to help them achieve results that they didn’t believe possible. I’ve seen this particularly through the Maths Mastery program. I love my husband, my family and my Catholic Faith.

Mandy Leach

Learning Support Officer and Library Technician

In my 19 years here I have been able to share my love of reading with countless students. I love working with all the staff and watching the children learn and grow. When I’m not reading, I like spending time with my family and walking on the beach.

Franca Kilmartin

Learning Support Officer

I am a Learning Support Officer at St Josephs. I have worked here for 10 years & have worked throughout each of the year levels. I enjoy working with all children.
In my spare time I love to cook, shop and I follow the Carlton football club.

Sue Rose

Learning Support Officer

I’m Susan Rose, known as ‘Sue” at school.
I’ve been a Learning Support Officer for over ten years at St Josephs working in all levels from Prep through to Grade 6. As a mother of five, I clearly understand and acknowledge ALL CHILDREN SHINE IN THEIR OWN LIGHT.

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