New Staff Introductions

We are pleased to officially welcome the following staff to our community:

Georgia Akiki

Foundation-Yr 6 Counsellor, South Plympton

Georgia is excited to work at Emmaus "to support the wellbeing needs of the students and to be part of a community where Jesus is the centre". 

FUN FACT: Georgia loves food as a self-proclaimed food critic (her favourite being sushi).

Helen Yang

Finance Manager

Helen is excited to join Emmaus because it's her first time working in the education sector with a passionate Christian community to raise disciples and advance God’s Kingdom. 

FUN FACT: Helen likes cold drinks and shaved ice desserts flavoured with syrup, beans and fruit - no matter whether in summer or winter.

Rodger Strevens

Property and Maintenance Manager

Rodger is excited to work at Emmaus so that he can "glorify the name of God and proudly proclaim it." He loves the people at Emmaus and wants to serve them as best he can. 

FUN FACT: Rodger can wriggle his ears.

Dalphine Carren

Finance Officer, So

Dalphine is excited to work at Emmaus because it is a Christian organisation, "a place where others are treated well and are intentional in how they act, guided by their values." FUN FACT: Dalphine loves dancing.

Ian Wenas

Secondary Mathematics and Physics Teacher, South Plympton

Ian is excited to work at Emmaus because he "aligns perfectly with the philosophy and vision of the College, that Jesus is Lord." He loves to share with the students that Maths and Physics are the study of God’s creation. 

FUN FACT: Ian's English name comes from the last three letters of his middle name (Christian), with his Indonesian name being a version of Isaiah.

Matt Wicks

Student Support Officer, South Plympton

Matt is excited to work at Emmaus because this was hHigh School and it is "great to see the changes after working in the APY lands with 30 kids."

FUN FACT: Matt loves playing lawn bowls.

Kirsty Shilling

Payroll and Finance Officer, South Plympton

Kirsty is excited to work at Emmaus because she loves Jesus and is in her happy place being around people who love Jesus too. 

FUN FACT: Kirsty loves spoiling her kids with lots of surprises and she always has a stash of sugar goodies to share with others.

Sarah Green

Enrolments Officer, South Plympton

Sarah is excited to work at Emmaus because she loves seeing others discover their true identity in Christ and to walk in freedom and abundant life. She looks forward to supporting families on their enrolment journey with the College. 

FUN FACT: Sarah's friends, family, food and fellowship (and Ferrero Rochers!) are the fuel that brings joy to her heart!

Kathryn Pitcher

Junior School Teacher, South Plympton

Kathryn is excited to work at Emmaus to get to know the students in a growing community alongside Christian families and colleagues. 

FUN FACT: Besides teaching, Kathryn enjoys spending time with her family, friends and dogs. She is a bit of a dreamer and loves to travel, where she's always on the lookout for places that inspire her.

Melissa Rogers

Student Counsellor (7-12), South Plympton

Mel is excited to join the Emmaus Team because she wants to be part of sharing the love of Jesus. She hopes to be a blessing to this school community and use the skills God has allowed her to be trained in. 

FUN FACT: Melissa enjoys spending time with her family and friends, going on nature walks and playing with her dog.

Andrew Buchiw

Secondary School Teacher, South Plympton

Andrew is excited to work at Emmaus because he can be authentic to who he is in Christ whilst teaching excellently and being part of a family of believers. 

FUN FACT: Andrew likes to try different foods, like survival bush tucker and was once attacked by a crocodile.

Vito Silvestri

Secondary School Teacher, South Plympton

Vito is excited to work at Emmaus because he feels like he's at home here, that people really care about one another.

FUN FACT: Vito loves to explore and invent and try different ways of doing things.

Engy Habib

Early Learning Centre

Engy is excited to work at Emmaus because she sees God in every one of the kids and she can talk to them about God with such freedom. 

FUN FACT: Engy loves cuddles and tickles with her kids.

Chelsea Fisher

Student Support Officer, Brooklyn Park

Chelsea is excited to work at Emmaus because she loves working with small children and helping them become who they’re meant to be. 

FUN FACT: Chelsea went to England for 7 months and ended up staying for 20 years, returning to Adelaide with a husband and three kids.

Megan Kelly

Junior School Teacher, South Plympton (3/4)

Megan is excited to be working at Emmaus as it is such a privilege to be able to get to know the students in her class and to feed into their lives. 

FUN FACT: Megan loves solving puzzles and doing escape rooms. 

Joel Overweel

Chaplain, Brooklyn Park

Joel is excited to be working at Emmaus because, firstly, he has been blessed with leaders and colleagues who deeply love God and support him wholeheartedly. Secondly, this job is a perfect fit for him to be who God has made him to be and serve the incredible staff as well as the beautiful students and their families with the love of Jesus. 

FUN FACT: Joel is sports mad (he even loves spearfishing).

Siobhain West

Junior School Teacher, Brooklyn Park (3/4)

Siobhain is excited to be working at Emmaus because of the incredible community she knows it to be. 

FUN FACT: Siobhain has been skydiving and was unafraid (she didn't have kids then).

Gisele Blanchard

French Junior Teacher (Years 1-6)

Gisele is excited to work with the children at Emmaus and to bring her own French culture and language to this multicultural school. She was yearning for a spiritual workplace, a family, where one could speak one's heart openly. 

FUN FACT: Gisele worked for FIFA Youth World Cup.

Bec Headland

Marketing and Communications Coordinator

Bec is excited to work at Emmaus because she believes in the positive impact Christian schools have on a child's life. She experienced this herself going through school and is excited to promote this to prospective families and enhance our current families' experience and journey with us. 

FUN FACT: Bec is an Australian Survivor enthusiast and loves the 'strat chat.'

Jaimee Green

Marketing and Communications Coordinator

Jaimee is excited to work at Emmaus because "it is all about Jesus here, from staff devotions three times a week, to praying with colleagues in the hallways. Also being able to uphold the students in prayer is a God- given privilege."

FUN FACT: Jaimee trained for the Youth Olympic Games in snow skiing in South Africa.

Angela Santostefano

PA to Head of Junior School, Brooklyn Park

Angela is excited to work at Emmaus as "the staff are caring, professional, fun and passionate about serving Jesus." After working in many different roles and organisations over the years she feels like she's finally come home.

FUN FACT: When Angela's not at work you will find her hiking with her Jack Russell, Roo, looking after the grandies, planning their next holiday or watching the latest Netflix series.

Francesca Vandelli

Front Office Administration, Brooklyn Park 

Francesca is excited to work at Emmaus not only for its wonderful school community, but also because of the fantastic staff culture, fostering collaboration and a Christ-like loving and supportive working atmosphere. 

FUN FACT: Francesca is Italian and works at the Front Desk and in First Aid.

Patrick Raw

Early Learning Centre

Patrick is excited to work at Emmaus to be part of this faithful community that's full of learning and growth. He is looking forward to meeting all the families and getting to know the children. 

FUN FACT: Patrick has been on a canyon swing in New Zealand.