New Faces
Ms Coreen Grimwood
I am the new Receptionist here at Nazareth! It has been heart-warming to be welcomed by this amazing team.
I hope to make our school community feel welcomed when they walk through the doors and I look forward to getting to know the families.
I’m a qualified swim teacher and I’m 3 months away from completing a Cert IV in Accounting & Bookkeeping.
In the warmer months, I spend lots of time at the beach with my husband and my dogs. Once footy season starts, we are keen supporters of the Mighty Hawks (don’t hold that against me) and we will never miss a game!
I like to keep busy baking and learning how to grow veggies. Being the mother of grown boys, I am also great at trying and failing on the Golf course!
Ms Gabrielle Patterson
I have received the most amazing welcome to this community and as a ‘boomerang’ or returning staff member I can honestly say, the Nazareth spirit is alive and well.
My teaching career has been a mixture of experiences having worked in the Catholic system at both Nazareth College and Aquinas College. While looking after my own young children I worked in the Primary sector and at Monash University where I instructed pre-service teachers in Physical Education. More recently I have been working at regional Secondary Colleges in South Gippsland. I still live in the country but have decided to return to Nazareth to reconnect with old friends and new challenges.
I love sport. I have been a participant and competitor in many formats. My proudest moment was winning the Aussie Masters Games, netball title with some great friends. I also love going to the movies and experiencing events and exhibitions both in Australia and as part of my efforts to travel and see the world.
I am really enjoying the friendly nature of the students at Nazareth so far.
Mr Lachlan McDonnell
Hello, my name is Lachlan McDonnell, and I am thrilled to begin my teaching journey at Nazareth College. After completing my final university placement here in 2024 and thoroughly enjoying every moment, I’m excited to return in 2025 to teach Physical Education and Mathematics.
I look forward to connecting with my students and their families, fostering strong, positive relationships with both, and engaging with the wider community.
Outside of teaching, I enjoy playing AFL footy and coaching football and volleyball.
Ms Melissa Navaratnarajah
My name is Melissa Navaratnarajah, and I am excited to be joining Nazareth College as an Italian teacher and a Chisholm Pastoral teacher this year. I have previously taught French and can also speak Sinhalese, as my background is Sri Lankan. It’s a privilege to be back at Nazareth College as a teacher, having once been a student here myself. In my spare time, I enjoy singing and kickboxing, and I like to keep fit by training for a marathon and HYROX, which I hope to complete by the end of the year. While it has only been a few weeks at the College, I truly do feel at home. Everyone from staff to students have been so kind and friendly. I am looking forward to an amazing year of getting to know our incredible, multi-cultural and multi-talented individuals here at the College!
Ms Alyssa Florio
This is my first year at Nazareth working as an LSO. I am currently completing my gap year here with the plan of commencing study, a Bachelor Degree of Education, next year to become a teacher. I am extremely excited to be part of the Nazareth team, continuing to grow my career and as a person. I look forward to the challenges and embracing opportunities that lie ahead this school year.
Last year, I completed VCE VM where I had the wonderful opportunity to complete placement every Friday at my old Primary School where I continued to develop my love for teaching and working with children/students. I have been a basketball referee since I was 13, refereeing in my spare time, finding my love for teaching children through it. I also thoroughly enjoy music and attending live events such as concerts, sports events etc.
Fun Fact: I am a loyal one-eyed Carlton supporter and member.
Mr Kenzo Piang-Nee
I am in my first semester as an LSO at Nazareth College, and I find it very insightful to be part of that team, as it will clearly contribute to my aspiring career as an Economics/BM teacher. In terms of my academic pathway, I have a bachelor's and a master's degree in applied economics, and I am pursuing a Master of Teaching (Secondary) at Deakin University. I am a huge fan of world politics and all economics-related news. During my spare time, I find pleasure in family time, sports and reading.
Fun fact: I am a huge fan of Liverpool.
Ms Alessandra Pop
I am an ex-Nazareth student and graduated with the class of 2023, I am currently in my second year of studying a double degree of Secondary Education and Arts at Monash University. I enjoy reading many books which I'll often do in my free time or watching documentaries about ancient worlds. I love animals and travelling and love visiting Europe often where my family lives. I enjoy horse riding and volleyball and completed my Certificate II in Handling Horses.
My most current interest is creative writing which I am now studying at uni and aspire to write a fiction book one day once I become an English/humanities teacher. I also am a HUGE fan of Taylor swift and enjoy pop music.
Fun Fact: I speak 5 languages; English, Romanian, Italian, French, and Arabic (although not all as fluent as others!)
Ms Tiffany Blake
I'm Tiff, and I started at Nazareth in 2024. I've really enjoyed being part of this community and working with the Learning Diversity Team. This year, I'll be working part-time as I begin my Bachelor of Education (Secondary and Special Education).
Prior to this role, I spent some time traveling around Australia in a van. I lived and worked in Broome and completed an online Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign Language. After finishing the course, I had the opportunity to volunteer as a teacher in a rural village in Thailand.
When I'm not at Naz, I also work as a Disability Support Worker. I enjoy spending time in nature, going to the gym, practicing yoga and handstands, learning Spanish, listening to music, and attending music events.
Fun fact: I used to work feeding wild dolphins on Moreton Island.
Mr Elijah Brasher
This is my first year as an LSO at Nazareth, prior to which I worked for two terms as an LSO at De La Salle College in Malvern. I completed my Victorian Certificate of Education in 2023.
I am an avid sports fan, following Essendon in the AFL, the Miami Heat in the NBA, McLaren in the Formula 1 World Championship and the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League.
I enjoy bushwalking and birdwatching in my spare time, as well as spending time with my mates and walking my dog, Daxter.
Fun Fact: I own a total of 34 birds – two chickens and 32 native Australian parrots and finches.
Ms Madonna Richardson
I have been working in different schools for many years in a Learning Support role – assisting students with a variety of subjects Year 5 – VCE. I also tutor privately in Literacy and English skills. I tutor students who are finding it difficult to keep up with work in the classroom due to learning difficulties and specific reading and/or writing issues. I have completed a Bachelor of Education (Arts) with experience teaching in English and Drama Year 7 – 10. I enjoy reading and spending time with my family.
Fun fact: I often organize family dinners and spend time walking along the bay at the weekends (in all weather!)
Ms Kajal Varshney
This is my first year at Nazareth College as an LSO. I love kids and have a passion to work with them. Before joining Nazareth, I was a dedicated mum and a wife. I have done MBA from India.
I am blessed with two lovely boys.
I enjoy every day at Nazareth since I joined at the college. I feel blessed to be part of such a wonderful college where everyone is warm and welcoming. All staff members are very kind and helpful. Looking forward to helping the college with best of my abilities and skills.
I am a good organiser and have good public relation skills and will utilise them to serve the college.
I love cooking different cuisines and I am always curious to know about different culture.
Fun fact: I love dance and can perform in an event without preparation. I love watching cricket matches and both my boys play cricket. In my childhood, have played many sports with my friends.