Staff Farewells 

It is always sad to farewell teachers and staff who have been a part of the St Helena community.   However,  I am very proud to watch these educators and education support staff spread their wings to other opportunities and settings and contribute to our education system as a whole.   They leave St Helena with what I hope are fond memories and the knowledge that "once a part of St Helena, always a part of St Helena".  Thank you for your contribution to our school community.  I wish you all the best.

Vittoria Saliba

Vittoria is an inspirational educator who spent the foundation years of her career at St Helena.  17 years ago she commenced here as a graduate teacher of Legal Studies, English and Humanities, quickly establishing herself as a committed and talented educator.  Vittoria moved quickly into leadership, and has most recently been part of the College Leadership team as an Assistant Principal of Junior School then Middle School.  She will be remembered for  her effective leadership, her professionalism, her warmth and her absolute dedication to her students.      Vittoria's key legacy lies in the exemplary Wellbeing structure she created at the College.   Vittoria moves to Mill Park Secondary College as Campus Principal in 2023.  Although we are very sad to see her go, we are very proud of her and wish her all the best in her new role.  

Peter Giapantzakis

"Mr G" as he is affectionately known has helped hundreds of students get their heads around difficult mathematical concepts over the last 15 years.  Students have enjoyed Peter's sense of humour, his warmth and his firm but fair approach to teaching.  Peter has been a year level manager in the senior school as well as a popular and effective classroom teacher.  Peter is going to Koonung Secondary College for what he describes as the "last few years" before retiring from education.   All  the best to you Peter.  

Jason Bourke

Jason has been the Science Domain leader for most of  his 10 years at St Helena.  He has been a passionate advocate for Science, and a great support to his faculty members.   Jason introduced the aviation and animal science electives, both of which remain popular with students.  He surmounted the challenge of having the whole Science curriculum turned upside down while the Science building was being refurbished.  Jason's strong sense of social justice drives his determination to give students in the state education system the best possible opportunities.  We will also miss the visits from Jason's black labrador Charlie.   I wish him well for his move to Virtual School Victoria, where he will move his educational practice online.  

Sarah Blaney

Sarah is moving closer to home to Ringwood Secondary College, where she has picked up a 12 month contract.   Sarah has worked as a year level manager and a science teacher, transitioning to part time work after the birth of her beautiful daughter several years ago.  

We hope she enjoys the experience at Ringwood and comes home to St Helena in 2024.

Robert Moore

Robert joined us in 2022 as a humanities teacher, specialising in Accounting and Economics.   As a new graduate, Robert took on a challenging teaching allotment and quickly established himself as a strong teacher who develops positive respectful relationships with students.   He has been a great team player and is respected by his colleagues.   Robert is doing a "tree change" and moving to a small school about half an hour out from Ballarat.   All the best Robert for your new country life! 

Janet Andrew

The end of 2022 marks the end of Janet's career in education and the beginning of her retirement.   Janet has been with us a short time but quickly established herself as a strong Maths teacher whose students greatly appreciate her dedication to helping them achieve their best.   We hope to see Janet in our classrooms as a CRT next year, in between travelling and enjoying life beyond teaching.

Shane Storey

Shane joined St Helena as a graduate teacher during the remote and flexible learning period,  a difficult time to start in a new school let alone a new career.   Shane quickly showed himself eager to learn and to contribute, and was one of our regular volunteer teachers looking after students who had to attend on site to do their online learning. 

Shane has many strings to his bow, qualified to teach an impressive range of subjects.   Shane has picked up a permanent position at Whittlesea Secondary College starting in 2023, and we wish him all the best.  

Kezia Matheson

Kezia has worked with us as one of our Mental Health Practitioners.   She has not only brought an impressive skill set to her role, but a passion for supporting adolescent mental health.  Kezia has been an integral part of our Wellbeing Team.   She leaves St Helena to  pursue her specialty as an Educational Psychologist.   Thanks Kez, for all the St Helena students you have supported so well.

Helen Trickey

Helen came to us at the start of 2022, and quickly established herself as a teacher with vast knowledge of her subject area (Maths) and high expectations of her students and her self.  Helen's students have benefitted from her safe and calm classroom.  She has been one of our MYLNs teachers, working one on one with students who have found Maths difficult, quickly building rapport and increasing their confidence.   Helen has found the commute to St Helena difficult, as she lives in Gisborne, and she moves to Gisborne Secondary College in 2023.   I hope the move brings her better work/life balance - Gisborne SC is fortunate to have her.

Greg Vaughan

Greg Vaughan teaches English and Humanities but will best be remembered for his work in our VCAL program.    Greg oversaw the program,  building it from its humble beginnings into today's program that students strive to be accepted into.   Greg is absolutely passionate about giving students opportunities to learn and grow, and worked so  hard to make VCAL still relevant and engaging during the remote and flexible learning periods, not an easy task when the course relies so much on "hands on" learning and interacting with the community.   VCAL completion rates under Greg's leadership have been exemplary and it is fitting that, as Greg leaves, VCAL transitions into the Vocational Major VCE.    Greg is moving closer to home and starts at Fitzroy High School in 2023.   We wish him every success.  

Mark Bambery

Mark came to St Helena as the Visual Arts Domain leader 4 years ago, and has managed to keep the program engaging and rigorous despite the long periods of remote and flexible learning that made teaching art so difficult.   Two virtual art shows demonstrated that our creative students still managed to excel in the visual arts, and it was fabulous to see that work live in our "bricks and mortar" Art & Technology show last month.  Mark has been a strong advocate for the Visual Arts, and a great support to his colleagues.   Mark is having a change of classroom scenery and moving to Eltham High School next year.  We wish  him well.  

Kieran McNair 

Kieran has been Director of Music as well as Musical Director of our annual musical production, and has been Year 7 Manager this year.   He has managed to juggle the many out of school hours commitments that go with a performing arts teaching load with the demanding role of a year level manager.    Kieran's friendly, calm and consistent manner has been appreciated by Year 7 parents and students.    Kieran is promoting to Montmorency Secondary College as Leading Teacher for 2023.  We are very proud of him, and wish him well in his new role.  

Shaun Bowes

Shaun started his teaching career 6 years ago at St Helena teaching PE & Health.   He has worked as Sport Coordinator and most recently as Leading Teacher (School Wide Positive Behaviours).   Shaun built on the work started by the previous holder of the role and has had his work recognised by the Region in many requests to support other schools and to hold events at our college showcasing our SWPBS work.    Shaun is following his passion and moving to Balwyn High School as Leading Teacher for Health and PE and we are sure Balwyn will benefit from his leadership.   

Greta Georgiou

Greta, or "GG" as her senior students call her, is a much loved drama teacher.   Greta is a passionate advocate for the performing arts.   If St Helena is performing, Greta is there.   She has not only directed performances herself, she assists her colleagues  with their projects and this year was the producer for the college musical "Rock of Ages".  Greta is moving "backstage" for a while to Virtual School Victoria to focus on her health, but I'm sure she will return to the physical classroom and the stage very soon.   We wish you all the best GG.

Amit Rawal

Amit has been with us a short while in the Maths/Science Domain.  Amit quickly developed a strong rapport with his students, who have benefitted from his strong subject knowledge and his engaging teaching style.   Amit loves teaching, but is taking a break from face to face instruction for a while due to family reasons.  He will be a great asset to Virtual School Victoria.

Marguerite Metaxas

Marguerite teaches PE & Health,  and VCE Health and Human Development.   Marguerite is a real team player, and is always smiling.  Well organised and professional, Marguerite also forms warm and caring relationships with her students.   Marguerite has obtained permanent employment at Templestowe College and we wish her well.

Nigel Griffith 

"Mr Griff" partly retired a number of years ago but has stayed on at St Helena part time teaching instrumental music.  This is his final goodbye as he moves fully into retirement and all the exciting things it brings!   Nigel will be remembered by generations of his students for his inspiring music teaching and his willingness to go above and beyond for his students.    

Kathy Papas 

Kathy has taught Maths at St Helena for the past 9 years.   Her subject knowledge is astounding, and she always pushes her students to achieve their best.  Some of Kathy's Year 12 students from 6 years ago are still in contact with her, such is the respect they have for her.   Kathy is building a new house, and is moving closer to her new location at Mordialloc Secondary College.   We wish you all the best for your new home and the next chapter of your career.