Meet our Wonderful

 Teachers

Shane Wilkie - Assistant Principal

Born in Waipukurau, New Zealand to Australian parents, my first 9 years were spent in a small country town on the North Island.  Moving to Brisbane in 1987 I went to school and university in Queensland completing a Bachelor of Education.  

With a desire to travel I moved to London in 2000. I spent 8 years working as a teacher and traveling at every opportunity. At last count I’ve visited almost 50 countries.  People often ask if I have a favourite destination, but for me the journey, the people, and the experiences I have are more important than the destination. 

My wife Renee, and I returned to Brisbane in 2008, with the intention of settling down and starting a family. As it turned out we hadn’t finished traveling. Over the next 12 years we worked and lived in various locations across Queensland as I entered school leadership positions; Mount Isa,  Coppabella, Mackay and finally Melbourne. Renee and I have three children, Audrey, Luella, and Oliver who keep us busy and entertained with all their sporting, music, and drama activities.

Outside of work I enjoy running, cycling, live music, reading and travelling. Last year we returned to New Zealand for the first time since I had left when I was just 9 years old. The South Island of New Zealand is stunning, and a highlight was taking my children skiing for the first time. A passion of mine.  

Liliana Varvarigos - Business Manager

Sarah Collard

Grade 3 

I am new to Alphington Primary this year. This year I had intended to do casual relief teaching and do some travelling but then the opportunity came up to become part of the grade 3 team and I am very grateful. 

I grew up in Fitzroy North with my parents, two brothers and my dog Bobby. I love reading, travelling, playing netball, watching footy (go hawks!), camping, hiking and spending time with family and friends.

I completed a Bachelor of Exercise Science with a major in Outdoor Education in 2017. I then worked as an outdoor education instructor for a couple of years down the Mornington Peninsula. Once covid hit, I decided that I wanted to pursue teaching so I completed my masters of Primary Teaching at ACU. Straight after finishing uni I got the job working at Fairfield Primary as a grade 2 teacher. 

I am excited to spend this year with 3S at Alphington Primary.

Meg Buyn

Speech Pathologist      

I’ve lived in Melbourne my whole life and can’t imagine calling anywhere else home. My family has always been based in the northern suburbs—my grandfather even attended Alphington Primary School back in the 1950s!

A few years ago, my now-husband Jordan and I moved from Diamond Creek, where I grew up, to our first home in Reservoir. We got married last year and now share our home with our dog, Archie.

I originally started studying at La Trobe to become a teacher as I have always loved working with children. At some point at university someone mentioned that my love of English and Psychology might transfer well into Speech Pathology and I decided to complete a Masters of Speech Pathology at Melbourne Uni. This will be my 4th year as a Speech Pathologist and I love it. 

In my spare time I love reading (particularly mystery/thriller novels), swimming, trying new restaurants, and taking the dog for a walk either at the beach or along the Darebin Creek. I love travelling when I can and have visited Europe and Vietnam, with plans to go to Japan and New Zealand later this year!