New Staff in 2026
We are delighted to welcome several new staff members to Saltwater P–9 College in 2026. Each brings a wealth of experience, fresh perspectives, and a genuine commitment to supporting our students and school community. Below, you will find a short introduction from each new team member, sharing a little about themselves and the strengths they bring to our learning environment.
Year One 2026
Panagiota Mavridis
Hi there!
My name is Panagiota Mavridis, and I will be joining the Saltwater P-9 community as a Grade 1 teacher in 2026.
I have just completed my Bachelor of Education (Primary & Secondary) and am really excited to commence my journey as a teacher.
I am passionate about the Humanities, and love to learn and teach all things History, Geography, Business and more.
Outside of school, my interests include the 5 F’s (family, friends, food, football and flying). My family and friends are really important to me, as we have lots of fun together playing games like Uno, eating food and more. In the AFL, I love the Geelong Cats – but I have a soft spot for the Bulldogs too! In my free time, I love to travel to new places. My favourite country I have ever been to is Italy because of all of the delicious pasta I ate and the incredible history that the country has.
I look forward to joining the Saltwater community next year.
Happy Holidays!
Cillian Moloney
Hello everyone,
My name is Mr Moloney, and I am very excited to be joining the Saltwater Prep–9 community in the new year. I am originally from Ireland, a place where growing up surrounded by coastlines, fields, and forests helped me develop a deep appreciation for the outdoors and a strong respect for the environment. This love of nature continues to influence the way I learn, teach, and explore with students.
I enjoy many different activities, but some of my favourite subjects to teach are Mathematics, Reading, Writing, Physical Education and STEM. I especially enjoy hands-on STEM learning that involves designing, sketching, building, experimenting, and presenting, as I believe these experiences help students develop creativity, resilience, and real-world problem-solving skills.
Sport is a big part of my life, and I love bringing that passion into school through coaching, teamwork, and active learning. I also enjoy planning and leading excursions and real-world learning experiences, because these are often the moments where students connect most deeply with their learning.
I believe that learning is a lifelong process, and I strive to make every classroom a place where students feel confident, challenged, and inspired. My teaching is centred around personalised and differentiated learning, so each child can learn in ways that align with their strengths, interests, and learning habits. Most importantly, I aim to build a classroom community built on respect for oneself and others, where every student feels safe, supported, and capable of success.
I am really looking forward to meeting the students, families, and wider Saltwater community. It is a privilege to be part of your child’s learning journey, and I cannot wait to get started.
Warm regards,
Mr Moloney
Year Five 2026
Adrianna Yang
Hello everyone! My name is Adrianna Yang, and I am very excited to join the Saltwater P-9 College community in 2026!
Originally from Malaysia, I have studied in Canada, worked in New Zealand as a primary school teacher, and now I am restarting again in an entirely new city and country in Melbourne, Australia.
As a teacher, I strive to get my students to be curious, find passion within themselves, and see how they fit in the community and wider world. My favourite moments as a teacher are the “aha”moments when a student works through a challenging problem. This will be my 9th year of teaching, and I am looking forward to guiding my students through their learning journey to becoming passionate, resilient, creative, and caring individuals.
Besides my role as a school teacher, I have also been working as a dance and fitness instructor in Christchurch, New Zealand, since 2023. I teach choreography and flexibility classes, and also get myself into competitions from time to time when I am feeling inspired to get my creativity flowing. Outside of work, I enjoy staying active through dance yoga, running, and pilates. I also enjoy exploring new brunch spots, the best coffee in town, or the latest hip restaurant. I also have a soft spot for dessert. Have the best of a summer break. I look forward to getting to know each other and working with the Saltwater community in 2026.
Christel Odayen
I have been teaching for more than 10 years now, and I am so excited to get to know you all and work with you to achieve your learning goals next year.
Next year will be my first year at Saltwater P–9 College, and I am very happy to be joining the school!I am a big lover of music — I play the piano, I sing, and I sometimes enjoy strumming the guitar. When I am not teaching, I love performing and jamming with my friends. I also enjoy cooking and trying out new recipes.
I love nature, going for walks, enjoying warm weather, or simply listening to the wind.My favourite subjects to teach are Maths, Science, and Music. Have a wonderful holiday and get plenty of rest ahead of what will be a fantastic 2026!
Rebecca Clarke
Hello Saltwater P-9 College Community!
I’m so excited to be joining the wonderful Saltwater P-9 College community next year! My name is Miss Clark. I’m a primary school teacher from Scotland who relocated to Melbourne three years ago, bringing with me nine years of teaching experience.
I’m passionate about creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where students
feel confident to challenge themselves, take ownership of their learning, and see mistakes as opportunities for growth. By building strong relationships with students, setting clear
expectations, and working closely with families and colleagues, I strive to ensure all students
feel supported and engaged in their learning.
Outside of school, I love spending time outdoors, especially relaxing on the Mornington
Peninsula beaches. I enjoy listening to and playing live music, attending dance classes, and exploring Melbourne’s amazing food scene through cooking and trying new cuisines.
I’m truly excited to continue my teaching career at Saltwater College and meet all of you.
Together, we can make 2026 a positive year filled with curiosity, confidence, and success!
Warm regards,
Miss Clark.
Year Six 2026
Zoë Lewis
Hello everyone! I’m Zoë Lewis, and I’m very excited to be joining the Saltwater College community as a Year 6 teacher. I have been teaching for over seven years and have always had a special love for working with upper primary students.
Year 6 is such a fun, rewarding, and energising year level, I enjoy the independence, personality, and big ideas students bring, and I feel privileged to guide them through their final year of primary school.
I am relocating from Wales to Melbourne, and I’m really looking forward to beginning this new chapter in such a welcoming and supportive school community. Outside of the classroom, I love travelling, exploring new places, and learning about different cultures. I also enjoy playing sports and staying active, which is why teaching P.E. is one of my favourite parts of the week, I love bringing energy, teamwork, and fun into our lessons. When I’m not teaching, you’ll often find me outdoors, going for a run, at the beach, or enjoying a great iced coffee.
I am so excited to meet the staff, students, and families at Saltwater College and can’t wait for a fantastic year ahead!
Cassandra Rask
Hello Saltwater P–9 Community! My name is Cassie Rask, and I’ll be one of the Year 6 teachers in 2026. I am a Graduate Teacher, holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Education (P–12). I completed my final year of university as a Permission to Teach pre-service teacher and was fortunate to work at Arnolds Creek Primary School in Melton, where I gained a strong appreciation of how a positive sense of community and a supportive culture with families and teachers can shape meaningful learning experiences.
My passion for teaching stems from my love of reading and writing and growing up with a big family. I believe every student deserves an education that supports not only academic achievement but also personal development, resilience, and a sense of belonging.
Outside of work, I spend time with my three boys and husband at rugby league. We are an NRL-loving family (Up the Wahs!) and a soccer family (Vamos Chile! / Go Socceroos!). I look forward to meeting the students, families, and staff and working together to support our Year 6s. Here’s to an exciting year ahead!
Elise Baker
Hi everyone! I’m Elise, and I am super excited to be joining the Saltwater College community as a Year Six teacher in 2026.
I’m heading into my fourth year of teaching and have loved every moment of learning and growing alongside my students. Having taught Prep and Year One, I’m thrilled to take on a new challenge in an upper primary setting. I’m really looking forward to supporting students as they develop greater independence, leadership skills, and readiness for their next step into a secondary school structure. I can’t wait to bring my creativity and passion for lifelong learning to Saltwater College and continue inspiring students to achieve their personal best.
Outside of teaching, I keep very busy! You’ll often find me cheering on the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park, reading, travelling to new places, hanging out with friends, or training in the gym.
I’m so excited to become part of the Saltwater College community. See you soon!
Abby Taylor
Hello Saltwater P-9 College!
I’m Abby Taylor and I’m super excited to be joining the inquisitive Saltwater P-9 College community next year! This will be my first year teaching after graduating from Victoria University. I have a passion for mathematics and love the thought of teaching inquiry classes, asking the question of how everything works.
I’m passionate about creating positive and meaningful connections with students, families and colleagues as I am a very welcoming person. With this in mind, I want to create a classroom that is motivating and supportive for all students to grow and be positively challenged.
When I am not teaching, I love being active and playing basketball, listening to music, exploring nature and cooking new recipes. I also love spending time with my partner and occasionally going out to dinner with friends.
I can’t wait to become part of the Saltwater College community and start this new chapter of my life!
Year Seven 2026
Shweta Anand
My name is Ms Shweta Anand, and I am very excited to be teaching Year 7 Maths at Saltwater P-9 College in 2026. This will be my first year at Saltwater, and I’m thrilled to join this wonderful school community.
I have been teaching for 17 years in Australia and overseas, including the Middle East, where I taught Mathematics and Accounting to university students and banking professionals and co-authored a Maths book. I love teaching Maths because it builds real-world problem-solving skills and confidence.
Outside the classroom, I enjoy going to the gym, walking my Lab, Bodhi, reading Agatha Christie and Enid Blyton, and travelling. I hope you have a wonderful holiday, and I can’t wait to meet you in 2026 for a year of fun, learning, and growth.
Sophie Downer
I’m very excited to be a Visual Arts teacher this year in Secondary. I’m passionate about helping students explore their creativity, build their skills, and discover their own artistic voice. In our classroom, we’ll experiment with a wide range of materials, techniques, and ideas, and most importantly, we’ll learn to see the world with curiosity and confidence. I can’t wait to get to know each of you and see the incredible work you create.
Outside the art room, I love staying active through walking and Pilates, which help keep me energised and inspired. I’m also passionate about travel—I enjoy exploring new places, cultures, and ideas, and I often bring those experiences back into my teaching. When I’m at home, you’ll usually find me cooking and experimenting with new recipes.
I am new to Saltwater P – 9 College and I can’t wait to meet you all and help make 2026 an awesome year!
Year Eight 2026
Etiette Udomessien
Hello! My name is Mr Udomessien (Mr U), and I am excited to be joining the Saltwater College community as one of the Year Eight Mathematics teachers in 2026. I’m really looking forward to meeting you and working together throughout the year.
Before becoming a teacher, I spent 12 years working as a surveyor in Australia and overseas, using maths every day—from geometry and measurement to data analysis and spatial reasoning. This real-world experience has shaped my passion for showing students how maths connects to everyday life and how powerful it can be beyond the classroom.
I aim to create a classroom where students feel valued, confident, and willing to take on challenges. I believe in open communication, strong relationships, teamwork, and helping every learner recognise their potential and take pride in their progress. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with family and finding simple, restful ways to recharge.
I am excited for the year ahead and look forward to working together to make 2026 a successful and enjoyable year of learning.
Year Nine 2026
Jack Caldow
Adam Galvin