Principal's Report
A Message from Julie...

Principal's Report
A Message from Julie...
As we reach the end of another remarkable school year, I am filled with pride and gratitude for all that our students, staff, and families have achieved together. This year has been one of growth, resilience, and celebration across every aspect of school life.
Our students have continued to shine academically, showing dedication, curiosity, and a genuine love of learning. From classroom achievements to creative and collaborative projects, they have demonstrated what can be accomplished when persistence meets opportunity. Equally inspiring has been the way our students have supported one another, championed wellbeing, and helped maintain a positive, inclusive school culture.
A highlight of the year was our school concert, where students took to the stage with confidence and enthusiasm. Their performances—full of energy, talent, and teamwork—were a wonderful reminder of the creativity within our school community. It was heart-warming to see families, staff, and peers come together to celebrate the hard work behind each performance.
We were also extremely proud to have our students who represented the school at a national level in Queensland at the eSports competition. This is a tremendous achievement, showcasing dedication, focus, strategic thinking, and a passion for emerging fields of learning and competition. Their success reflects the diverse pathways and opportunities available to our students.
On the sporting field, our teams represented the school with outstanding enthusiasm and sportsmanship. Whether competing, training, or cheering from the sidelines, our students demonstrated commitment, teamwork, and pride. These moments strengthened not only their skills but also the spirit of our school community.
None of this would be possible without the tireless efforts of our staff. I extend my heartfelt thanks to our dedicated teachers and LSO team for their professionalism, passion, and unwavering care for our students. Their hard work in classrooms, in support roles, and behind the scenes ensures that every student is supported to learn, grow, and succeed. We are fortunate to have such an exceptional group of educators guiding our young people each day.
As we prepare to close the year, I want to wish all our families a very Merry Christmas and a safe, joyful new year. May this holiday break be a time of rest, celebration, and connection. We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for another exciting year of learning in 2026.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our school. Enjoy a wonderful, well-earned break.
Farewell & Staffing Announcement
As we conclude the 2025 school year, we offer our heartfelt thanks and warmest farewell to our amazing Japanese teacher, Mika Tonai-Walsh, who has been an integral part of St Joseph’s for the past six years. Mika’s passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to our students have enriched our community in countless ways. We are deeply grateful for all she has shared with us, and she leaves a lasting legacy of joyful learning and cultural appreciation. We wish her every happiness in the journey ahead.
We also extend our best wishes to Andrea Lemish, Angela Sicari, Alicia Privitelli and Jamie Georgiou as they transition into new roles within education. Their contributions to St Joseph’s have been greatly valued, and we know they will continue to inspire and support students and colleagues in their next chapters.
Looking ahead to 2026, we are excited to welcome a number of new staff members to St Joseph’s. They bring with them a wide range of experiences, professional knowledge, and fresh perspectives that will enrich our school community as we continue to grow and thrive together.
Please see the staffing list below.
Year Level | 2026 Teaching Staff | |||||||||||
Prep | Maddi Barnewell & Brooke Fitzgerald (Wed)
Julie Folino | Natasha Pieri & Rebecca Oszkinis (Fri)
Lidia Gauci | Bec Cowan (Mon-Wed) & Brooke Fitzgerald (Thurs-Fri)
Nisrin Aljohani | |||||||||
One
| Steph Farinaccia
Paris Farrugia | Zoe Georgiou & Elly Steven-O’Loughlin/Rebecca Oszkinis (Thurs)
Deanna Floros | Alex Reeve
Masina Salesa | |||||||||
Two | Anna Vasiliadis
Kayla Champion
| Simone Fabbretti
Marie Rizzo (Mon,Tues, Wed & Fri) Thursday TBC | Karly Nott (Wed-Fri) & Stacey Brice (Mon-Tues)
Melissa McKay | |||||||||
Three | Katherine Isaac
Peter Koskos
| Tom Raccosta
(Mon & Tues) TBC Jen Arambasic (Wed, Thurs, Fri) | Leah Kirby
Darcy Collis | |||||||||
Four | Kelly Lait (Mon-Thurs) & Haylee Lynch (Fri) Corey Farquhar/Peyton Burns | Lauren Zappia & Haylee Lynch (Tues)
Kerry-Ann Bayliss | Emily Prato
Vicky Marigliano (Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs)/Peyton Burns | |||||||||
Five | Rob Rich
Sarah Bonuda | Monique Jackson
Pauline Kyte | Leah Williams
Tippy Kalpakis (Wed, Thurs, Fri) & Grace Woodward (Mon & Tues) | |||||||||
Six | Ellen O’Brien & Diana Tarzia (Thurs)
Aaron Sapiano | Chris Borg
Andrea Italia (Mon/Tues) & Stacey U’ren (Wed-Fri) | Ryan Marnell
Sarah Farquhar | |||||||||
Student Services Team | Counselling: Andrea Italia & Julie-Anne Pinney School Nurse/Pastoral Care Leader: Eileen O’Reilly | |||||||||||
Office Staffing | Business Manager: Nicole Picciani
| Office Manager & Executive Assistant: Katie Lowe | Communication & Compliance: Vanessa Skendaris | |||||||||
Specialists | Innovation Technology: Claire Forbes Lote (Italian): Luisa Coppola
| PE: Grace Balletta | Art: Shasta Blackmore & Karen Knee (Prep) | Oral Language: Steph Bednardz P-2 Performing Arts: Deb Cornish | ||||||||
Principal: Julie McDougall Deputy Principal Logistics, Excellence & Culture: Mat Harding Deputy Principal Engagement: Hayden Godbold Mission, Faith & Outreach: Gen Lees Learning Diversity Leader: Elly Steven-O’Loughlin (Term One)/ Carla King (Term Two - Four) Community Engagement Leader: Natasha Pieri Learning &Teaching Curriculum & Pedagogy: Diana Tarzia Learning &Teaching Assessment & Reporting: Cassandra Gooch Reading Leader: Karen Knee Library: Deb McNaughton EAL Leader: Maddi Barnewall MHIPS: Zoe Georgiou Speech Pathologist: Luisa Coppola PBL Leader: Ellen O’Brien Marketing Leader: Claire Forbes Village Leaders Purple: Steph Tofts Blue: Gen Lees Orange: Lauren Zappia Green: Nicole Smith | ||||||||||||
Warm regards,
Julie McDougall