Courage, Faith, Love

Dear Parents and Friends of St Agatha's Primary School,

It is hard to believe we have reached the end of the 2023 academic school year. It has been a full and productive year full of learning and fun. My favourite memory for this year, while hard to pick just one, would have to be the Colour Run. It was such a fun and community building event. Rebuilding community after the disruptions of the Covid-19 pandemic has been the biggest achievement of 2023.

Over the past few weeks the school has enjoyed Japanese Day, Grandparents Day, Socktober, many excursions, Choir singing at the retirement villages around Cranbourne and our Carols evening. All of things events don't just happen. All the staff put in an incredible amount of time and energy to organise and create fun and meaningful events. On behalf of the St Agatha's School community I would like to thank each and every one of the staff for their amazing commitment to the students and families of our wonderful school. I know they all deserve a big rest over the Christmas break with their own families and friends.

On Friday 15th December, it is our last day with students. On this day we have two important events occuring. The first is our last assembly for the year beginning at 10:15am. Parents are most welcome. At this assembly we will congratuate the year 5 students who have successfully been chosen as student captains and leaders. We will also acknowledge all staff and farewell those who are leaving us. The second is our Whole School Mass at 2:00pm. This Mass is to celebrate the year and farewell Father Joseph and the Year Six students. Parents are welcome to attend both the assembly and Mass. Please read our farewell letter to Fr Joseph on the RE & Wellbeing News page.

This week the students met their teachers for 2024. Change can be overwhelming for some and sometimes students come home with big emotions because they had not been expecting a certain teacher or students in their class. Please talk to your child as positively as you can to help them understand that while change is hard it is not the end of the world when unexpected things occur. Coping with change and unexpected events is part of growing up and goes a long way in building reslience. I encourage you to take some time process with your child before reacting in anger and model for your child how to resolve issues with grace and understanding.

Finally, congratulations to the Year Six graduating class of 2023. As you complete your primary school years at St Agatha's, we want to express our immense pride in your accomplishments. Your hard work, dedication, and positive spirit have contributed to the vibrant and inclusive community we share. As you move on to new adventures in secondary school, remember the valuable lessons and friendships formed during your time here. May your future be filled with continued success, joy, and the pursuit of knowledge. St Agatha's will always be a part of your journey, and we look forward to hearing about your future achievements.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May this holiday period be a safe, healthy and happy one for each of you and your families. I look foward to seeing you all in 2024.

God Bless,

Michelle Bruitzman

2024 Staffing List


Mrs Michelle Bruitzman	Principal
Mrs Meegan Blackney	Deputy Principal
Ms Rose Howell	Religion Leader
Miss Emily Prince	Wellbeing Leader
Mrs Priscilla Maddelena	Learning Adjustment Leader
Mrs Nicola Sievers	Learning Adjustment Leader / Level Leader F-2
Mrs Anastacia Mastroianni	Level Leader Years 3-4
Miss Caitlin McLeod	Level Leader Years 5-6
Mrs Claire Nicol	Maths Leader
Mrs Georgeina Nettlingham	Literacy Leader
Miss Jamie-Lee Magdziarz	Compliance Officer
Mrs Janine Scrivener	Business Manager
Mrs Bianca Harris	ICT / Student Receptionist
Ms Natalie Le Miere	Enrolments & Transition Coordinator / Front Receptionist
Mrs Catherine Backhaus	School Counsellor
Mrs Carolyn Hamblin	Canteen Manager
Mr Ivan Stephen	Maintenance


Mr Brendan Browne / Mrs Rebecca Burrows	Foundation B
Miss Emily Baber	Foundation E
Miss Casey Thomson	Foundation T
Miss Zoe Evans	Foundation Z
Mrs Eliza Eskin	Year 1E
Miss Irene Gui	Year 1G
Ms Rose Howell / Miss Emily Prince	Year 1H
Mrs Caitlin Burke / Mrs Rebecca Burrows	Year 2B
Miss Natasha Perera	Year 2P
Ms Annette Scott	Year 2S
Mrs Megan Ami	Year 3A
Mrs Irene Culic	Year 3C
Miss Rebecca Woods	Year 3W
Mr Roger Graham	Year 4G
Mrs Anastacia Mastroianni	Year 4M
Miss Valerie Quessy / Mrs Andy Kennedy	Year 4V
Mrs Gillian Burke	Year 5B
Mrs Claire Nicol	Year 5C
Mr Damian Mitchell	Year 5M
Mrs Georgegina Nettleingham	Year 5N
Miss Ginelle Lazarus	Year 6L
Miss Caitlin McLeod	Year 6M
Miss Katia Picinali	Year 6P



Mrs Joy Andrews / Ms Liz Ashcroft	Japanese Teachers
Mr Christian Block / Mr Brendan Browne	Performing Arts Teachers
Mrs Louise Hyde / Mrs Celina Korcak	Art Teachers
Ms Tasha Higgins / Mrs Sandra Talia	Stem Teachers
Mr Stefan Van Culenburg	PE Teacher


Mrs Liz Cardona	Learning Support Officer
Miss Keely Deighton	Learning Support Officer
Miss Sharmilla Dhurma	Learning Support Officer
Miss Natalyah Diaz	Learning Support Officer
Mrs Kerryn Dunn	Learning Support Officer
Ms Jessica Gooman	Learning Support Officer
Miss Claire Goodman	Learning Support Officer
Miss Rebecca Lee	Learning Support Officer
Mrs Melanie Lindsay	Learning Support Officer
Ms Sharmilla Muller	Learning Support Officer
Miss Brooke Rackham	Learning Support Officer
Mr Dhor Riak	Learning Support Officer
Mrs Robyn Stanley	Learning Support Officer
Mr Jonathon Tavana	Learning Support Officer
Mrs Lavanya Tondapu	Learning Support Officer
Miss Lauren McKay	Learning Support Officer
Mrs Dani Freni	Learning Support Officer
Mrs Kasturi bai Ramanjulu	Learning Support Officer
Ms Naomi Hambling	Learning Support Officer
Ms Daniela D'Arcy	Learning Support Officer
Miss Teresa Gentile	Learning Support Officer
Miss Ashleigh Thomas	Learning Support Officer
Miss Shevaun Lazarus	Learning Support Officer
Miss Elizabeth Lupeamanu	Learning Support Officer

VillageOSCH News