Kings Park Campus
Principal Message
Kings Park Campus Welcome to Term 1, 2026
Welcome back to all our returning students and their families for the 2026 school year. A special welcome to Kings Park Campus to our new Year 7 students and their families! It has been an exciting and seamless commencement to the school year. We have seen lots of smiling faces in our classes and around the school yard and our students have settled-in well.
Unfortunately, one of our Campus Principals has been on unexpected leave and, as such, Michael Gruis has joined Mr Petherick (as the two Campus Principals) at the Kings Park Campus.
Our Student Management Leadership Team consists of the following staff members, and we encourage families to ask for them by name when you contact the General Office.
- Monka Thakur – Campus Leader Years 7 & 8
- Ben Kuypers – D Team Leader (7 & 8)
Tara Causer - L team Leader (7 & 8)
- James Inabinet – Campus Leader Years 9 & 10
- Daniel Venuto – C Team (9 & 10)
- John Breen – T Team (9 & 10)
We continue to be well resourced to support our students’ wellbeing and mental health. Our Campus Student Wellbeing Team comprises;
- Chelsea Horvatt- Student Wellbeing Officer
- Jane Williamson- Student Wellbeing Officer
- Emma Paterson – Mental Health Practitioner
- Nahide Dolu - Inclusive Practices
We look forward to working with our Student Leadership Team in 2026.
- Campus Captains:
Jasmine Lazos and Siyona Prasanth
Year 9 Leaders:
Emily Tran and Muhammad Jalloh
Year 8 Leaders:
Palace Tran and Ava Foley
- Year 7 Leaders:
Performing Arts Leaders:
Marcus Lagasa and Kim Dang
- Sports Leaders:
Jackie Agriopoulos and Happiness Kalala
We held two days of Year 7 transition activities this year in order to ensure students had a positive and supportive introduction to the Campus. It also provided multiple opportunities for students to make friends from other primary schools and to ‘get to know’ their classroom teachers.
Students participated in an array of events including ice-breaker ‘get to know you’ activities, a scavenger hunt to increase their knowledge of the Campus (including library and ICT sessions) and the Campus environment, SWPB (School-Wide Positive Behaviour) activities of expected student behaviours, social and emotional wellbeing activities and the setting of SMART Goals around learning.
We had our first full Campus assembly on the first day of school (for all students), which was attend by Jodi Park, Principal of Kings Park Primary School. The assembly was led by Student Leaders and we had musical performances by both students and staff.
We spoke with all students about;
Our high expectations in relation to student learning and behaviour in the classroom and yard.
Student attendance is everyone's responsibility.
Building POSITIVE and RESPECTFUL relationships and connectedness within the school community.
- Use data informed seating plans to provide a routine and safe learning environment.
It is pleasing to see the high number of genuine positive Compass posts, recognition of the many good things our students do. We thank teachers for taking the time to let students know that you notice them when they demonstrate the best versions of themselves.
We take much pride in our environment to ensure students have the best possible learning environment. This extends to our gardens and walk ways.
Kings Park Meet and Greet
We held our Meet and Greet last Thursday. It was very well attended and provided a great opportunity for parents/careers of ‘new’ students to meet their child’s teachers as well as other members of staff, such as the Student Wellbeing Team. The College Band played and we had inspiring student speeches from our College Captains, Campus Captains and our Year 8 Student Leaders.
RMIT Tertiary Experience for Year 10 Students
Over two days we sent C and T Team Year 10 students to RMIT to experience university life for the day. They were hosted by past SNAP school students from local area schools that are currently studying at University. Our Copperfield students engaged in tutorial type sessions from Science and Arts faculties. They were also able to ask any questions about university life as they enjoyed the city and university experience.
We farewelled our Year 10 Class of 2025 in November with a well-attended Formal. It was a fitting celebration of their four years a junior campus (with a combined Kings Park Campus and Sydenham Campus celebration). Their journey continues at Copperfield College and we wish them well at the Delahey Senior Campus.
We would also like to thank our 2025 Kings Park Campus Captains, and the wider student leadership team, for their endless support and high commitment to ensuring the College is a great place to learning and grow for all our students.
Thank you to all our families for continuing to trust us with your child’s education. Looking forward to continuing our partnership.
Year 9/10 Leadership
Monika Thakur: T Team Leader
Hello everyone, I'm Monika Thakur!
I hold a Master's in Teaching and have had the pleasure of educating students from P-12.
In 2026, I'll be moving into the role of Campus Leader for the Year 7 and Year 8 cohort. I teach both Mathematics and Science across all year levels, and when I’m not in the classroom, you’ll find me traveling and sampling diverse cuisines. The best part about working with young people is the chance to relive your younger days (and, of course, realize just how much older you’ve become...but that’s just a little joke!). In all seriousness, my favourite aspect of teaching is becoming a part of my students' lives. It’s incredibly fulfilling to play a small role in shaping the doctors, engineers, police officers, and future leaders of the world. These students don’t just become learners—they become like family. It’s an amazing journey, one that’s both rewarding and filled with a lot of laughs along the way! I look forward to a fantastic year ahead and am excited to collaborate with all stakeholders. Together, we can achieve great things.
Tara Causer: L Team Leader
Hi everyone! I am Tara Causer the L-Team leader for 2026. Before becoming a teacher, I studied and worked in the field of Accounting with a business in the Northern Suburbs of Melbourne. I have been working as a teacher for 12 years in a wide range of schools including primary, secondary and special schools in the North and Western Suburbs. I have been at Copperfield College since 2018 and began at the Sydenham Campus and moved to the Kings Park Campus in 2022. My teaching methods are Mathematics, Health, Business Management and Accounting.
Benjamin Kuypers: D Team Leader
Coming from a Maths and Wellbeing background this is my third year at Copperfield. I enjoy gaming when I am not at school and this helps me connect with students in class.
As a teacher and Team Leader I can help students have the best experience at school and this is the reason I enjoy my job.
Mr. Lance Petherick and Dr. Michael Gruis
Campus Principals