Principal's Message

2025 School Theme - Why Team, Why Team Westbreen

Principal’s Message

Dear Westbreen PS Families,

We have finally made it to the final week of the year! This week is packed full of fun and reflection for everyone as we look back on an amazing 2025. There are so many things that we can all be proud of and see as huge successes for the year.

Graduation

On Monday the 15th of December we celebrated the class of 2025. It was a wonderful event that showcased the students and all the memories from their time at Westbreen. Every student was outstanding and spoke beautifully in front of a packed audience. Well done to all the award winners and all the graduates who should be extremely proud of their primary school journey. I want to thank the 5/6 team, as well as all the staff that supported on the night, for organising the event and for making it such a memorable experience for all involved.

Thank You

I wanted to take the time to say thank you once again to the whole Westbreen community for welcoming me for the last part of 2025. It has been an honour and privilege to be part of the school and see firsthand all the wonderful things that the school has to offer. My time here will hold a special place for me, and it is something I will always look fondly upon. I know the school will continue to be an outstanding place for all students in 2026 and beyond.

2026 Staff Teams

Here are the staff teams for 2026. We are delighted to share this with you, and we know every team is outstanding. We are so lucky as a school to have outstanding teachers who do a brilliant job every day.

Foundation: Adria Quinn (PLC Leader), Dilara Sahin and Lauren Scalzo
Year 1: Laura Hunter (PLC Leader), Kristy Monaghan and Caitlin Williams and Rani Carter-Cartwright
Year 2: Andrea Slade (PLC Leader), Soph Callaghan and Kellie Fazzino and Vicky Campanella
Year 3: Olivia Villani (PLC Leader), Rachel Davies and Lisa Marino
Year 4: Christine Biggs (PLC Leader), Emily Browne and Elizabeth Gleeson
Year 5/6: Maria Zarkadoulos (PLC Leader), Ricky Nolan (PLC Leader), Elisa Pannuzio and Lorena Cosner, Rebecca Hay and Rebecca Williams

Specialist Team: Lia Montin (PLC Leader) Dominique Delaney, Michael Blakey, Sara Sulava, Effie Aresti, Daniela Pegoraro and Annette Cotroneo
Education Support Staff: Maria Taranto, Joanne Paull, Nerida Riddell, Vikki Katelanis, Lyndal Tabone, Amelia Potter, Zoe Nathan, Trish Giacomazzi
Wellbeing Team: Jason Kenny, Tamie Florence and Georgina Thorneycroft
Administration Team: Jodi Howell, Julie Cox, Kerry Parfett, Jill Petrie, Sukhraj Basra, Ric (Maintenance), Bridget Kille (Canteen)
Management Team: Megan Ganter (Acting Principal), Jason Kenny (Assistant Principal), Elisa Pannuzio and Kristy Monaghan (Acting Learning Specialists)

Return Dates 2026

We will have a Curriculum Day on Wednesday the 28th of January and school will commence back for our year 1 to 6 students on Thursday the 29th of January. Our Foundation students will commence on Monday the 2nd of February and will have testing for the first 5 weeks of the term. We look forward to seeing everyone after the summer break.

Student Leaders

I want to take the time to thank the 2025 school leaders. What an outstanding group of young leaders who have fulfilled their roles so well this year. We are so lucky to have such wonderful leaders who set the example for others to follow. I also want to say congratulations to our 2026 school leaders who will continue the amazing work done this year. Student leadership is a strength of Westbreen and will be shown again in 2026.

Last Day of School

Our final day of the school year will be Friday the 19th of December, and we will be finishing at 1:15pm. The final assembly will begin at 12:45 pm on the basketball courts, weather permitting, and will feature a guard of honour for our graduating Year 6 students. Please note that TheirCare will resume on January 5th, 2025; if you require their services or have inquiries, do not hesitate to contact TheirCare at the provided email address: westbreen@theircare.com.au. We look forward to celebrating the final day of 2025 with everyone and know it will be a great opportunity to reflect on all the successes of 2025.

Daniel Taylor

Acting Principal

The Victorian Government acknowledges Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Country throughout Victoria and pays respect to their cultures and Elders past, present and emerging.