Leadership's Letter

In 2024 we warmly welcome 34 new staff members to a variety of positions in the College including leadership roles, teaching roles and Education Support roles, bringing the total number of staff members to 220. 

Regarding leadership roles, Ms Gabriella Warfe and Ms Edwina Tribe join us as Deputy Principal of Students and Deputy Principal of Staff, respectively. Ms Nadia Willer takes up the role of Dean of Senior School. Mr Chris Pye assumes the newly created position of Dean of Studies and Ms Philippa Kirwan is our Dean of Learning Diversity. New Year Level Leaders Ms Alex Bantock, Ms Nicole Brennan and Mr Adrian McClelland take up their positions in Year 12, Year 11, and Year 9 respectively. Mr Craig Jacobs is our Faculty Head of Digital Technologies, Mr Pravin Vaz assumes the role of LMS Co-ordinator and Mr Nathan Fallon joins us from New South Wales in the role of Head of Debating and Public Speaking. We also thank Mr Matt Berry for assuming the position of Head of High Performance and Volleyball.

In addition, we welcome our new teachers Mr Zach Darley-Collis and Ms Irene Alessandro to the Digital Arts Faculty, and Mr Jake Byrne and Ms Kimberley Suta to the English Faculty. Mr Andrew Hales and Ms Elizabeth O’Connor join the Maths Faculty. Ms Natalie Ilievski joins the Science team, Mr Alex Colasante continues with us in the Religious Education Faculty and Ms Sophia Ikosidekas begins her teaching career in Health and Physical Education.

Our Education Support team has been expanded in the Business Operations Department with Mr Reece Chang assuming the position of Finance Manager and Mr Jack Moshakis as the Development Manager. The Learning Diversity team welcomes Mr Michael Fantonial and Mr Mina Rizk Habachy and the ICT Department recruited Mr Theodore Hrysomallis and Mr Tony Nguyen. We welcome back former students Xavier Montoya, Nikhil Perera, James Kwan and Gabriel Chen to the Office of Faith and Oblate Charism as they assume their roles of Oblate Youth Ministers and Joshua Lorback as our AFL Trainee. Finally, please make welcome our new College Receptionist Ms Sabrina Crespi, who will greet you upon your arrival at the College.

In conclusion, each new staff member is assigned a ‘Welcome Mentor’ to ensure their smooth transition to the College.  Over the years, our existing staff members have generously volunteered their time and expertise to provide invaluable support as mentors. Such guidance assists new staff in their transition to Mazenod College and is conducive to their positive wellbeing. We thank our experienced staff for their commitment to Mazenod College. 

Please enjoy learning more about our new staff members as you read their biographies. 

Introducing our new Health and Physical Education teacher, Ms Sophia Ikosidekas.

Mentor: Mr Joshua Muling. (Faculty Head Health and Physical Education)

My pathway to HPE (Health & Physical Education) stems from a passion of human growth and potential through physical activity and sport. Hence, my journey started with the Bachelor of Exercise & Sports Science at Deakin University, where I majored in coaching. Here, I completed placements in a variety of high performance and professional sports settings. I extended my education pathway further, completing the Master of Teaching (Secondary) at University of Melbourne. During the course, I embedded my background knowledge and experience into the learnings. I also applied the knowledge in my position as tutor in the “Leading Community Sport and Recreation” track. I taught every subject in the track, including sports coaching and sports science to undergraduate students.

Most of my spare time is spent doing what I love, coaching! Stepping into my 11th year of experience, I have been fortunate to have coached across all levels, ages and abilities in two codes, basketball and football (AFL). This includes local junior participation, representative pathways, state and talent pathways, VFLW/AFLW and WNBL (professional experience). 

During the holidays, I’m found at the beach, away from the noise and routine. I use this time to read, hike or bike ride, and catch up with family and friends. If not at the beach, I spend my time venturing out for new experiences which keep me inspired! My most recent feat was climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge in December.

Joanne Noone

Dean of Staff