2026 Sub-School Teams

The 2026 Middle & Senior School Teams

As our College undergoes changes to its grounds and facilities in the coming year, our sub-schools will also see some restructuring. This is to ensure every student is provided the best support possible.

Our Middle School (Year 7, 8 and 9) will be led by our new Middle School Director, Linda Palermo, and the team will consist of five coordinators: Year 7's Teresa Peluso and Josephine Fell; Year 8's Warren Wheatley and Georgia Clarke; and Year 9's Owen Rigby.

Our Senior School (Year 10, 11 and 12) will be led by our Senior School Director, Helen Arhontis, and the team will consist of three coordinators: Year 10's Aleksandar Vidanovic; VM and Year 11's Corey Martin; and Year 12's Lyndsey Beames.

These teams are here to uplift your child and lend encouragement throughout their secondary education experience. We want our students to reach their fullest potential, and our exceptional Sub-School Teams are here to lend a hand. 

Middle School

Linda Palermo – Middle School Director

Ciao! I'm Linda Palermo. As well as being the Director of Middle School, I'm a passionate Italian and EAL teacher who loves to bring the world of food and culture into the classroom. My other passion is baking, with sweet treats and themed special occasion cakes being my specialty. I've made every themed cake from…Super Mario and Princess Peach, to a camera cake! 2026 is set to be a fabulous year! Looking forward to welcoming you back to our Chelt.Sec community.

A presto! - See you soon!

Year 7

Teresa Peluso – Middle School Coordinator

My name is Teresa, and I will be one of the Middle School Coordinators in 2026. I have been working at Cheltenham Secondary College since 2007. I teach mainly Senior Maths but enjoy working with the Year 7 students to assist with setting a foundation that will support students in performing their personal best and being community-minded as they progress through secondary schooling.In my spare time, I enjoy watching independent films, travelling and trying new restaurants.

I look forward to being part of the Middle School Team 2026.

Josephine Fell - Middle School Coordinator

Hello! Salve! My name is Josephine Fell, though students commonly know me as Signora Fell in the Italian classroom.

I have been a proud and dedicated member of the Cheltenham Secondary College community since 1995. Outside of school, I cherish spending time with my family over a good meal, exploring new restaurants, and attending concerts.

I am genuinely looking forward to joining the Middle School Team in 2026 and providing support and guidance as your child embarks on this exciting secondary school journey.

Year 8

Warren Wheatley - Middle School Coordinator

Warren Wheatley has dedicated himself to the Chelt.Sec community for decades, and is a passionate Mathematics teacher. He brings a wealth of experience to his coordination role and looks forward to supporting students in the coming year.

Georgia Clarke - Middle School Coordinator

Georgia Clarke is a gifted language expert, teaching both English and Italian at the school. She has been on long service leave for Term 4 of this year, but is excited to join us in 2026, refreshed and ready to uplift students.

Year 9

Owen Rigby - Middle School Coordinator

Hi! I am Owen Rigby and I will be one of the Middle School Coordinators next year. 

I teach science and especially enjoy Physics - black holes and quarks and curving spacetime! I also run the Dungeons and Dragons club, because casting fireballs and smashing goblins are also things I enjoy in life. One of the best things in life, though, is Ms Palermo's baking.

Avada kedavra! - See you soon!

Senior School

Helen Arhontis - Director of Senior School

Helen Arhontis. I am the Director of Senior School, and I am deeply committed to knowing each student as an individual and celebrating who they are becoming. I like to create a warm, supportive environment where senior students feel known, encouraged, and confident to pursue their own pathways beyond school. 

I enjoy spending time in the kitchen baking treats to share with family, friends, and colleagues, and I bring that same care and creativity into my work with students. I have a genuine love of learning and seek to model this every day, inspiring young people to stay curious, embrace challenges, and see themselves as lifelong learners.

Year 10

Aleksandar Vidanovic - Senior School Coordinator

Hello Cheltenham! I’m Aleks Vidanovic, and I will be joining the Senior Sub-School in 2026, focused on working with the Year 10 Cohort to help them navigate the beginning of their Senior Year's journey. 

Aside from this, I will also be teaching Junior Humanities and Senior History. Outside of work, I love martial arts, films, music and philosophy. 

Looking forward to seeing you in 2026!

Year 11

Corey Martin - Senior School and VM Coordinator

Hi, I’m Corey Martin and I am the VM coordinator for 2026. I am a PE/Health teacher and my passion is coaching cricket, having played and coached for nearly 40 years. 

I am also passionate about student pathways and supporting students that want to get into the workforce after graduating from school. 

Year 12

Lyndsey Beames - Senior School Coordinator

I'm Lyndsey Beames, and I'm thrilled to be your Year 12 Coordinator. This is such an exciting, pivotal year, and I'm here to work through it with you, every step of the way.

As a teacher of VCE Health & Human Development (and a former VCE PE teacher), I deeply understand the dedication and focus required for your final year.

I pride myself on building genuine, positive relationships and fostering a strong sense of connection with all my students. My focus is on providing the necessary support and guidance to help you not just succeed academically, but also navigate the emotional and organizational challenges of your final year of school. 

Let's make 2026 a memorable and successful year together!

We congratulate the 2026 Sub-School Teams and look forward to their continued support of our students over the coming year.