New Staff
Mrs Caroline Wareham
Head of Visual Art
Caroline has recently joined Huntingtower after teaching VCE Visual Communication, VCE Studio Art and Art at Bialik College, St Aloysius College, and Mater Christi College. With over 20 years of teaching experience, Caroline is excited to bring her creativity and expertise to our Visual Art department.
Having held leadership roles, Caroline actively contributed to the development of curriculum sequences across all year levels within the department. Her involvement in crafting proactive proposals reflects her commitment to educational innovation. Over the years, Caroline has continually expanded her knowledge of curriculum design. She is passionate about educational design thinking, a passion that grew after completing a Master of Education at Monash University, which also emphasised adolescent wellbeing. Caroline's educational background includes a Graduate Diploma of Education, a Bachelor of Design and further study in International Baccalaureate Arts.
Beyond her role as an educator, Caroline is a designer herself, engaging in commissioned projects both as a Stylist and Graphic Designer. She firmly believes in empowering every student at all levels, fostering confidence, and encouraging growth through activities that instil courage. With a global-stewardship approach, Caroline envisions a learning environment where students not only gain knowledge but also contribute to the broader world.
Miss Susanne Heine
French Teacher
Susanne, a Swiss National, is a dedicated educator with a wealth of experience, featuring over 12 years in Primary and 4 years in Secondary School teaching. Her teaching journey encompasses all levels as a primary school classroom teacher and she has also taught both Junior and Secondary Science, VCE Psychology, German and French.
With a solid educational foundation, Susanne holds a Masters in Education (Pedagogy) and Educational Psychology, allowing her to effectively teach students from Prep to Year 12. Beyond her role as an educator, Susanne brings a diverse skill set to the table. She is a qualified cabinet maker, a fitness instructor and a ski instructor, showcasing her versatility and passion for various fields.
In her upcoming role at Huntingtower, Susanne eagerly anticipates teaching Year 8 & 9 French and actively participating in the school's Sports program. Alongside her Masters, Susanne holds a Bachelor of Primary Education and Secondary Education, further reinforcing her commitment to providing a well-rounded education.
With her multifaceted background and enthusiasm for teaching, Susanne looks forward to contributing to the vibrant academic and extracurricular environment at Huntingtower.
Mrs Amanda Wilson
Junior Library Technician
With a solid foundation as a primary school teacher since 2012, Amanda brings a wealth of experience cultivated through extensive work in diverse classroom settings. In 2020, she took the initiative to establish her own not-for-profit nature playgroup, underscoring her commitment to innovative and holistic approaches to education whilst also teaching in a casual relief capacity.
Over the past 11 years, Amanda has accumulated considerable expertise in working with and teaching children across different age groups, from infants to 12-year-olds. In 2022, driven by a passion for fostering a love of learning through literature and hands-on tasks, Amanda decided to embark on a career change. She initiated her journey towards a Master of Information Studies with a focus on Children’s Librarianship. This shift in her career trajectory is grounded in a genuine desire to continue working with children, supporting them in cultivating a lifelong love for reading and a thirst for knowledge. Amanda's unwavering dedication to nurturing young minds through literature and engaging learning experiences is a valuable asset to the Huntingtower community.
Miss Samantha Scholast
Science Teacher
Samantha, a recent graduate teacher, is eager to share her passion for Science, Biology and Humanities with students. During her unique journey, Samantha had the opportunity to work part-time at Monash Tech School while simultaneously pursuing her Masters in Teaching. In the past twelve months, she further honed her skills by working as a Casual Relief Teacher.
Her time at Monash Tech School underscored the importance of instilling a growth mindset and critical thinking skills in students. Samantha is dedicated to incorporating the Design thinking process into educational programs, providing students with an alternative way of thinking. This approach encourages them to be analytical, critical, and understand the iterative nature of design, as well as the real-life relationship between designer and user.
Apart from her academic pursuits, Samantha is an accomplished Ballet teacher and currently holds the National Champion Title in Cheerleading with Monash University. With a Bachelor of Science in her repertoire, Samantha is excited to inspire students' curiosity and nurture their academic growth.
Mrs Nadeema Halihinga
ELC Educator
As an early childhood educator, Nadeema passionately advocates for the respect and valuing of children's voices. She firmly believes in fostering learning through play-based education and is dedicated to championing children's rights from an early age. Nadeema strives to create an environment that celebrates each child's individuality, encouraging ongoing learning at their own unique pace.
Holding a diploma in Early Childhood Education, a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education, and a diploma in Information Technology, Nadeema brings a diverse skill set to her role. Fluent in Sinhala, she enriches the educational experience with cultural sensitivity. Having previously worked for Huntingtower in our ELC, we are thrilled to welcome her back to our community.
Mrs Sally Whitrod
Head of ELC
Stepping into the role of the new Head of ELC, Sally brings a wealth of knowledge and first hand experience, having spent six years at Little St Margarets, along with her eight years at Syndal Pre School. This, combined with her prior engagement in casual work within the ELC at Huntingtower and guiding her own two children through the school, underscores her diverse background.
Sally's expertise as an experienced and passionate early childhood teacher, director, and educational leader is evident in her proficiency across program planning, inclusivity promotion, quality enhancement, and policy development and delivery. With a comprehensive career that spans various educational settings, Sally is committed to ongoing improvement, dedicating herself to fostering reflective practices that elevate service delivery and outcomes for both children and families in the educational community. Sally holds a Masters of Education, a Bachelor of Education, and a Diploma of Teaching.
Miss Cassandra Sulc
Junior School Music Teacher
Bringing with her two years of experience as the Music Specialist at Mont Albert Primary School, Cassandra is a dynamic educator joining the Huntingtower community. With a Bachelor of Music (Voice) and a Master of Teaching (Secondary) from Melbourne University, Cassandra not only holds strong academic qualifications but also embodies a genuine belief in the inherent musicality within every student. Her enthusiastic, empathetic and creative approach to performing arts education reflects her passion for ensuring that music is accessible to all.
Cassandra's expertise extends beyond traditional teaching, as she is also a certified Yoga teacher and voice instructor, advocating for a holistic and inclusive approach to music education. In her previous role, she successfully planned and delivered music classes for a diverse student body of over 600, spanning from Prep to Grade 6. Cassandra's commitment to enhancing the educational experience is evident through her organisation of impactful incursions and excursions that enrich classroom learning. Students at Huntingtower can anticipate a comprehensive and engaging musical education under her guidance.
Mrs Nicole Demasi
Science Teacher
Nicole has recently joined the Huntingtower team after an extensive teaching career at the Victorian College of Arts since 1994. During her tenure, Nicole has imparted knowledge in VCE Health and Human Development, as well as various subjects such as Biology, Science, Chemistry and Maths. Beyond her role as an educator, Nicole has taken on diverse responsibilities, including Head of VCE/VCAA Coordinator, leadership roles, mentoring, SRC Coordinator, timetabling and serving as a Career Pathways Advisor.
In addition to her multifaceted role, Nicole has a passion for creating her own curriculum, developing resources and crafting assessment tasks. This creative approach adds depth and uniqueness to her teaching methods. Nicole's extensive teaching experience positions her well to provide the highest quality education, aiming to enhance each child's development. She is committed to preparing students for their chosen career pathways post-secondary school.
Nicole's educational background includes a Diploma in Education, a Bachelor of Science, and a Graduate Certificate in Education specializing in Career Development. Outside the classroom, she enjoys activities such as AFL football, cricket, and tennis. Nicole is enthusiastic about bringing her wealth of experience to Huntingtower and contributing to the holistic development of students.
Mr Ben Hardcastle
Sports Administrator
Following his graduation from Year 12 in 2023, Ben maintains his connection with Huntingtower. This year he joins our staff as a Sports Administrator through the AFL SportsReady traineeship. In this role, Ben will play a vital part in supporting the sports department while also taking on the responsibility of a basketball coach. We are delighted to welcome him back to the school in this new and impactful capacity.
As a former student, Ben not only brings a deep understanding of the Huntingtower community but also a passion for sports that has been evident throughout his time as a student. His transition to a Sports Administrator and basketball coach reflects not only his dedication to personal growth but also his commitment to contributing to the school's vibrant sports culture. We look forward to witnessing Ben's continued success and positive influence within the Huntingtower community.
Mrs Chrissy Collins
Head of Food Technologies
With a passion spanning over 20 years, Chrissy has dedicated herself to teaching Food Studies from Year 7 to 12, VCE Health and Human Development and more recently, VET Kitchen Operations. Her extensive career includes roles as an examination assessor for VCAA, panel chair for the Food Studies examination development panel, Assistant Chief Assessor for Food Studies and Senior Lecturer at Victoria University.
Chrissy takes pride in developing inclusive and accessible curriculum, ensuring support for all students to achieve their very best. Her rich background includes previous positions at Kingswood College, Thornbury High School, and Greensborough College. Holding a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Applied Science, Chrissy brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role.
Aiming to create innovative, fun, and engaging lessons, Chrissy is committed to maximizing her students' learning experiences. As an author of several Food Studies course books, she has contributed significantly to the field. Chrissy is thrilled to embrace the Head of Food Technologies position with excitement and dedication.
Mr Aaron Fabrikant
PAC Senior Technician
Aaron smoothly transitions into the role of Senior Theatre Technician in a more permanent capacity, providing essential support in coordinating, preparing, and operating technical equipment for diverse events within the school community. Additionally, he will take charge of coordinating all external hire events for the Performing Arts Centre.
Bringing a wealth of experience to his new position, Aaron comes to us from Encore Event Technologies, where he held the position of Technical Director. In this role, he played a pivotal role in overseeing and managing technical aspects for a wide range of events. His extensive background ensures a seamless integration into our team, where his expertise will undoubtedly contribute to the success of various events hosted within the school's Performing Arts Centre.
Mrs Simone Nuroo
Human Resources Manager
Staff Changes
Over the past few months there have been some predominant staff changes internally. Please find all changes outlined below.
Mrs Susan Swan - Vice Principal (Teaching & Learning)
Ms Carly Major Gough - Head of Junior School
Ms Kelly Sharp - Head of Curriculum
Mr James Smart - Head of Maths
Mr Stefan Sakellaridis - Head of Rayner
Mrs Tamara Sheehan - Duke of Ed Coordinator
Ms Marta Lopez - Year 12 Year Level Coordinator
Mr Razan Sappideen - Year 9 Year Level Coordinator
Mr Anthony Wroe - Year 8 Year Level Coordinator