In 2023, we will be welcoming a number of new teachers to Shelford and some current staff will be taking on exciting new roles.

Year 3 Teacher

Shauna Wilson is an experienced, highly motivated educator, with international and Australian experience in the government, faith and independent school sectors, as a classroom teacher and middle leader. Since 2018, Shauna has worked at Toorak College, Mount Eliza. She has also taught at Malvern Valley Primary, Sinai Primary School, a Jewish faith school in London and at Gardenvale Primary School.

Shauna has experience and training in a range of areas, including VCOP and Seven Steps to Writing Success, is a Google Certified Educator, and as a PYP teacher, has a strong understanding of enquiry-based learning, which will add significantly to our curriculum in this area.

A passionate educator, Shauna’s expertise and experience, warmth, strong relationships with her students and their families and advocacy for girls’ education, stood out to us in the selection process. We welcome Shauna and know that she will make a significant contribution to our Junior School.

Global Politics (Unit 1-4) and Humanities teacher 7-10.

Josie Gorman will be joining us as our permanent Global Politics and Humanities teacher. Josie holds a Master of International Relations, a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Secondary Education from Monash University.

Josie is currently teaching at Xavier College where she has taught Politics and Humanities for four years. Prior to this she worked at East Doncaster Secondary College and in a number of other independent schools.

Josie’s expertise has been recognised by her presenting at the annual Social Education Victoria Re-engage conference in 2022; she is the co-author of the Australian Politics Student Survival Pack (Social Education Victoria) 2022; and is the author of the trial examination for Australian Politics (Social Education Victoria) 2020, 2021 & 2022; and is an Examiner for the Politics VCAA examination 2020 & 2021.

Josie’s referees commend her for her strong pastoral skills with students, excellent relationships with students, families and colleagues and her dedication, intelligence and passion for her subject area. We feel sure that Josie will make a strong contribution to the teaching, learning and caring at Shelford.

Visual Communication and Design/Art teacher

Narelle Bentley is joining our Visual Arts faculty in 2023 to teach VCD and art. She has over 15 years’ experience as a professional industrial designer with some of Australia’s leading architectural firms. Narelle has a Bachelor of Design from RMIT. She currently teaches at Parkdale Secondary College where she has taught Year 10 - VCE Visual Communication and Design and Year 7-10 Art, Painting and Drawing. Narelle formerly taught VCE VCD at Koonung Secondary College and has also recently worked one day a week at Albert Park College, in order to gain experience with their elective program.

Narelle evolves her programs in line with industry best practice and student interests. Narelle’s use and knowledge of ICT is exemplary: she uses open-source digital drawing Apps and the Adobe Suite for user interface design, motion graphics, branding and illustration design. She has introduced Google sketch-up for 3D modelling and animated walkthroughs for environmental designs and Autodesk Autocad and Tinkercad for industrial design tasks. She encourages students to be independent thinkers and uses design thinking, prototyping and sustainable design practise in her units of design work. She established the makerspace facilities at Parkdale and has facilitated a junior design club. A mother of daughters, Narelle is excited to be supporting girls’ education in design and joining our community.

English and Literature teacher:

Elizabeth Park was educated at Loreto Mandeville Hall and has a passion for girls’ education. She has a Bachelor of Arts (English Literature and History) and Law with First Class Honours from Monash University, and a Master of Teaching (Secondary) from Melbourne University in English and History methods.

Following a period working as a Solicitor at King and Wood Mallesons in Taxation, Corporate and Banking and Finance law, Elizabeth decided to follow her vocational pull toward teaching. Studying the Master of Teaching she completed placements at various schools, including Toorak College, and has been working at Star of the Sea College as an English and Literature teacher and as the Debating Coordinator for several years. She has overseen the expansion of the Debating program and also introduced the VCAA Plain English-Speaking Awards and individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships, DAV Junior Public Speaking and Rotary’s Bayspeak.

As a teacher, Elizabeth is rigorous, innovative and creative in her approach. She develops strong relationships with her students and is passionate about student wellbeing and pastoral care. Elizabeth enjoys working collaboratively and is excited to join a community like Shelford, where all students are known, valued and cared for.

English and Literature teacher:

Estelle Avgerinos has a Bachelor of Arts and Teaching from ACU with majors in English. She has worked at Beaumaris Secondary College, where she has designed and curated the Literature Unit 1 and 2 curricula, completed the accreditation process for Literature Unit 3 and 4, is a pastoral care mentor and year 7-10 English teacher. A graduate of a girls’ secondary college, Estelle is passionate about girls’ education and empowering young women. She is excited to be joining a girls’ school with a strong academic focus and looking forward to contributing to the community at Shelford.

English and EAL teacher:

Mia Dimitrakopoulos has a Bachelor of Arts from Monash University with a major in Linguistics and minor in Journalism and a Bachelor of Education (Honours) from Monash University with English and EAL teaching methods. She attended a girls’ secondary school and is motivated to work in an all girls’ environment. She has previously worked at Genazzano FCJ College during extended placements. She has taught Year 7-10 English and EAL and her linguistics background gives her expertise in grammar and punctuation, spelling and sentence construction. Throughout her degree, Mia has had a management role at Mecca Cosmetics. We are delighted to welcome Mia to our vibrant English Faculty.

Food technology teacher:

Mimi Goldman is a Food Technology teacher with a strong background in this subject area. With a Bachelor of Teaching and Bachelor of Health Sciences (Nutrition and Health), Mimi has taught at several schools, in the health and food domain for sixteen years, most recently at Mentone Girls Secondary College. She enjoys working with diverse student groups, differentiating curriculum and addressing individual needs. Mimi has a passion for incorporating sustainability principles in to her programs, building rapport with her students, and enjoys establishing a fun, collaborative classroom. She is an advocate for girls’ education and is delighted to be joining the Shelford community in a part time Food Tech role in 2023.

Music teacher:

Anya McLeod is a professional and enthusiastic teacher, with a high level of experience in the field of music education. Anya studied at the University of Sydney, NSW, completing a Bachelor of Music (Composition), Honours Class II Division I and at the University of New England, Armidale NSW obtaining a Master of Teaching (Secondary). She worked at Presbyterian Ladies College (PLC), NSW for two years as a music and piano teacher and is a strong advocate for girls’ education. Anya is currently at the Knox School, Wantirna South, responsible for teaching Years 4 - 7 music classes. She is also experienced with Productions, including preparing songs, music and choreography. We are excited to welcome Anya as a part time classroom music teacher and a piano teacher in 2023.

New positions in 2023

Julia Lloyd-Bruin will be taking on the role of Head of Faculty of English, Literature and EAL in 2023. An experienced English and Literature teacher, Julia taught at Fintona Girls School, prior to joining Shelford two years ago. She has acted in the role of Senior Years Coordinator here at Shelford and has been a year 9 coordinator previously, but is looking forward to taking on a leadership role in the curriculum area. Julia is currently studying her Masters of Education at Monash University and chairing our Reconciliation Action Plan group. In taking on this role, Julia is delighted to be working with her team to develop and enhance the English curriculum at all year levels, building on the dialogic teaching model that has been introduced at Year 10 and ensuring innovative and fresh approaches, ensure intellectually rigorous, engaging and challenging approaches to English, for our students.

Stella Nguyen will be the new Head of the Visual Arts Faculty (Prep – Year 12) in 2023. Stella has a background in Science, having studied a Bachelor of Education (Science) at Deakin university. She initially taught in this subject area. A photographer, Stella was drawn to work as an art therapist, and worked as an afterschool art club Coordinator, teaching VCAL art and trauma informed art therapy and teaching. More recently, she worked as a Creative and Visual Arts teacher at St Andre’s Catholic Primary, Saltwater P – 9 College and Resurrection Catholic Primary School.

This year, Stella has taught Junior School and lower secondary art. Stella is a passionate, organised and talented educator who inspires her students and is innovative and creative in her approach. She is looking forward to leading the faculty at Shelford and building on the existing visual arts curriculum and programs, to further engage and inspire students in the creative arts.

Kristen Newton is the Head of the PE, Sport and Health Faculty from 2023. Kristen has been teaching in the PE faculty and teaching Unit ½ Health this year. Prior to Shelford, Kristen was at Sacred Heart Girls’ College for four years as a Year 7-12 PE and Health teacher, coach of a number of sport teams and outdoor education teacher. She has been a VCAA marker for Physical Education.

Prior to this, Kristen worked for 9 years at Wesley College, Glen Waverley, where she taught Year 5-12 PE and Health. Kirsten has worked in China at the British International School and in London. She has also worked in various independent schools, including Star of the Sea, Lowther Hall and St Leonards. Kristen is a passionate educator, whose diversity of experience has strengthened her knowledge and skills in this important area of the school. She also has a Masters in Student Wellbeing from Melbourne University.

Kristen is involved with Surf Life Saving and has coached our swimming team. She believes that students who are well connected to their school achieve greater success academically and across all other domains of school life and is looking forward to leading our wonderful team of educators, in ensuring our curriculum is dynamic, engaging and allows all students to succeed.

Lachlan O’Connell will be the Head of Sport in 2023, coordinating Junior School sport, Senior School Carnival sports, special events and assisting Megan Downie with the coordination of the Senior School weekly sport. Lachlan is an experienced Health and Physical Education teacher, who is passionate about providing contemporary physical education and contributing to the development of high-performing, well-rounded future leaders.

Lachlan previously worked at De La Salle College in Health, PE and Science. He joined Shelford in 2021 and has made a significant contribution to the Junior School Sport programs and the Athletics and Cross-Country teams. Lachlan is an outstanding athlete himself being a State cricketer. He has a passion for athletics, having been a Level 1 Coaching Course Facilitator in this area. Lachlan has worked as a Junior/Inter Sprint Coach at Scotch College and as an Athletics Coach at Kingswood College and Loreto Mandeville Hall. He is driven to ensure the Shelford Sport programs in the extra curricula area are inclusive, engaging and provide an opportunity for strong levels of participation, skill development, enjoyment and leadership development for our students.

Last day of Term 4

Monday, 5 December