Meet The Teachers
We’re excited to meet you!
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.

Lisa Kniese
Deputy Principal, Learning and Teaching 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.

Anne Lazzaro
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

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.

Kate Sutherland
Prep Teacher
It is great being a part of the St Joseph’s community. As a Prep teacher I strive to build partnerships with families and nurture an enthusiasm and love of learning in the students. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, keeping active and being by the water.

Elissa McClusky
Prep Teacher
Being a Prep Teacher is a privilege. Each year is a new journey where we explore, discover and learn together. My dream as a Prep Teacher is to help create lifelong learners who feel inspired to be the best versions of themselves.
Grade 1/2 Teachers

Jodie Lucas
Year 1/2 Classroom Teacher
I am a year 1/2 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.

Kerry Corney
Year 1/2 Classroom and STEM 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.

Karen O’Sullivan
Year 1/2 Classroom 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.

Tori Finck
Year 1/2 Classroom 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!

Paul Bayliss
Year 1/2 Classroom Teacher
It is a privilege to work in the year 1/2 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.

Collette Grella
Year 1/2 Classroom 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.

Renae Bohan
Year 1/2 Classroom Teacher
I am currently teaching in Year 1/2 at St Joseph’s. I am passionate about teaching and learning and love having fun in the classroom. I enjoy playing an important role in student’s learning journeys and helping them to reach their potential. On the weekends, I love spending time with my family, going on adventures and cooking.

Bethany Jewson
Library and Literacy Support Teacher
Grade 3/4 Teachers

Isabelle Spinoso
Year 3/4 Classroom Teacher and Numeracy Leader
I love teaching and creating an environment where students feel safe to take risks and celebrate their success. Outside of school you will find me spending time with my family, and keeping active.

Clyde Siebel
Year 3/4 Classroom 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.

Hayley Wise
Year 3/4 Classroom Teacher
I love being part of the supportive St Joseph’s community. I value a classroom that fosters individuality and compassion. Outside school you’ll find me with my dogs at the beach.

Angela Barrow
Year 3/4 Classroom 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.

Madaline Earl
Year 3/4 Classroom Teacher
I feel privileged to be part of the incredible team at St Joseph’s and to be a part of a student’s learning journey. I believe that fostering a trusting and joyful classroom environment will assist in student collaboration and a love of learning. Outside the classroom I enjoy singing with a choir and barracking for the Richmond Tigers.
Grade 5/6 Teachers

Kelly Riddle
Year 5/6 Classroom 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 5/6. The students are enthusiastic and excited to learn more. Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my family and playing netball.

Sinead Byrne
Year 5/6 Classroom 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!

Kimberley Wilson
Year 5/6 Classroom Teacher and Learning and Teacher Leader

Steven Edkins
Year 5/6 Classroom Teacher

Aaron Fernandez
Year 5/6 Classroom Teacher
It is a pleasure to work alongside the staff here at St. Joseph! Working to engage students to achieve their learning goals is a driving factor in my teaching practices. Outside of school I enjoy watching the footy and spending time with my family and friends.
Specialised Teachers

Kate Cronin
Learning Diversity and Wellbeing Leader

Maria Morina
Italian Teacher
I have been honoured to be part of the staff of St Joseph’s for many years. I am passionate about teaching Italian and I enjoy seeing the growth of learning that the students make throughout their years. Outside of school I love cooking, gardening, walking my dog and above all else spending every other moment with my granddaughter and 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.

Millie Hutchings
Performing Arts Teacher
I am so grateful to have this wonderful opportunity to guide
the beautiful students in this exciting and creative subject. To watch them grow and share their musical and dramatic gifts is a very unique and special position. I am also blessed to guide the amazing choir. I have enjoyed and loved music since I was their age!

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 and 5/6 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.

Ros Hart
Learning Intervention and Support Teacher
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.

Rochelle Morey
Learning Intervention and Support Teacher
I am a Learning Intervention and Support Teacher at St Joseph’s. I am passionate about learning and teaching and love being a part of the community at St Joseph’s.
Outside of school, I love spending time with my family, at the beach and cooking.

Helen McPhail
Learning Intervention and Support Teacher
I relish the chance to get to know the students at St. Joseph’s and support them in moving forward in their education. I love painting, playing music and gardening.

Bern Lynch
Specialists
I feel very privileged to be a part of the school community working amongst amazing students and teachers. I am passionate about a school setting that supports and develops their mental, physical, spiritual and emotional needs, while also providing support to our families that enrich our school. I enjoy camping with my family, reading and playing basketball.

Rochel Baker
School Counsellor

Sarah Gravina
Speech Pathologist
Learning Support Officers

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.

Melissa McCabe
Learning Support Officer
I’m blessed to be part of the St Joseph’s family and am passionate about wellbeing & lifelong learning for all. I love family time adventures and am a keen netballer.

Sarah Didus
Learning Support Officer

Eliza Rogers
Learning Support Officer
St. Joseph’s is a school that is welcoming and empowers learners with many opportunities. It is such a privilege to work with and support each student to develop a love of learning and reach their full potential. In my spare time, I love to go to the beach and play netball with my friends.
Isn't it time we got to know each other?
Take our online VIDEO TOUR or book a SCHOOL TOUR!
Meet our principal, teachers, current students, parents, learn about our curriculum opportunities and tips for a smooth start to school.
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