Plans for 2026

Plans for 2026 are well and truly underway. In 2026, we will have 14 classes:

Year Prep x 2 – located in Rooms 5 and 6 (current location)
Year 1 x 2 – located in Rooms 1 and 2 (current location)
Year 2 x 2 – located in Rooms 3 and 4 (current location)
Year 3 x 2 – located in Rooms 9 and 10 (current location)
Year 4 x 2 – located in Rooms 22 and 23 (current location)
Year 5 x 2 – located in Rooms 16 and 17 (current location)
Year 6 x 2 – located in Rooms 20 and 19 (current location)

This structure allows for growth and student movement and provides opportunities for teachers to work in teams. Students and teachers will work closely, sharing spaces and strengths when appropriate. It is important to remember that all teachers have other administration duties alongside their classroom responsibilities, which may require them to be released on an ongoing basis. A great deal of thought and planning also goes into the placement of each teacher. Often a classroom teacher can be considered “The Prep Teacher” or “The Year 6 Teacher”. However, this is not the case. Staff at St Justin’s have the training, and more importantly the passion, to teach students at a variety of levels.

Next year, as with all years, there will be some movement within the school - please see below. In planning, it’s wonderful to hear staff talk about all students and not just those in their class or their year level. A great deal of thought is also given to the placement of each child – a decision that is not taken lightly. We endeavour to provide each child with the opportunity to be part of a class that will allow him or her the best opportunity to learn. Consideration is given to each child’s social and emotional needs, ability, behaviour, friendship groups, etc. Individual needs and a whole school perspective must be considered.

However, having said that, with our connecting classrooms accessed via doors or sliding doors and our large playground, our students are more able to engage and interact with students and teachers from other classes. We are a community of learners and we learn for, from and with each other. This includes us all and not just a selection. It is exposure to a variety of personalities and qualities that help us develop as a whole person. In some schools, students are asked to nominate 5 or so ‘friends’ that they would like to be with in the following year. However, some schools have found that this has created a great deal of anxiety for students and it can send the wrong message that “I can only learn if I am with my friends”. Likewise, some schools have asked parents to make any formal requests in writing. Again, this has created a great deal of anxiety with parents, some who feel the need to write something, simply because there has been an invitation. We believe that with our ongoing communication, staff are in a position to make an informed decision. Life is sometimes, not about being in the perfect situation, but making the most of the situation we are in. With many goals still to be achieved until the end of the school year, we will continue with our plans for 2026.

Staffing for 2026

Next year we will see a few staff changes to our team:

Farewell and Thank You Anne Livera

We extend our heartfelt thanks and best wishes to Anne Livera as she concludes her time at

St Justin’s.

Her career in Catholic education began at St James in Nar Nar Goon, where she first discovered her passion for supporting young learners. She later continued her leadership journey at Don Bosco School in Narre Warren, serving with distinction, even as Acting Deputy Prinipal on a number of occassions.

In 2008, Anne joined the St Justin’s community in a part-time role, and we have been truly blessed by her presence ever since. Over the years, she has contributed in many valuable ways, but her recent work as our Learning Diversity Leader has had a profound and lasting impact. Her deep knowledge, thoughtful guidance, and unwavering commitment to the wellbeing and growth of every student have enriched our school in immeasurable ways.

We will certainly miss her warmth, her wisdom, and the incredible support she has provided to teachers, students and their families. Her legacy of care, inclusion, and dedication will continue to shape our community for years to come.

On behalf of the entire St Justin’s family, we thank Anne for her extraordinary service and wish her every blessing in the next chapter of her journey.

Farewell and Thank you Mary Cedro

This year, we are also say a very heartfelt farewell to Mary Cedro, one of St Justin’s much-loved Learning Support Officers.

Mary commenced at St Justin’s in 2000, and for nearly twenty-five years she has been an invaluable presence in our school. Her roles have been many and varied, supporting students in the classroom, working in the library, helping wherever she was needed, and even sharing her wonderful cooking skills with staff and students. No matter the task, Mary approached everything with generosity, humility, and a genuine love for our community.

Mary has been more than a colleague, she has been a friend, a steady source of encouragement, and someone who could always brighten a room with her warmth and her laugh. Her amazing support for both students and staff has left a lasting imprint on the hearts of all who have had the pleasure of working with her.

As we farewell Mary, we offer our deepest thanks for her dedication, her kindness, and the countless ways she has contributed to the life of St Justin’s. She will be truly missed, but she leaves behind a legacy of care and connection that will continue to be felt for years to come.

We wish her every joy and blessing in the next chapter ahead.

Farewell and Thank you Michaela Torpey

Next year, we are also sad to say that Miss Michaela Torpey will be leaving us, having accepted a position at St Anne’s School in Seaford.

Michaela joined us in 2020, during the height of COVID, while studying a Bachelor of Education (Film and Television). Despite the challenges of remote learning and working, she continued to show great dedication to her role. During this time, she also completed a Master of Education at ACU, finishing her degree midway through the year and becoming a fully qualified teacher.

Her enthusiasm, creativity, and commitment to our students have made a significant impact during her time at St Justin’s. Whilst we know she will be greatly missed, we are incredibly proud of all she has achieved and delighted that she has found a new opportunity to continue her teaching journey at St Anne’s.

We thank Michaela for her energy, her kindness, and her passion for learning, and we wish her every success as she begins this exciting new chapter.

Welcome Mrs Suzanne Neil

We are delighted to welcome back Suzanne to our school community as our new Learning Diversity Leader. Suzanne last work at St Justin's in 2018.

Suzanne commenced her teaching career in Catholic Education at St John Vianney’s, Mulgrave, where she began building the strong foundation of expertise and compassion that continues to define her work today. She is currently working at Christ Our Holy Redeemer, Oakleigh East, and brings with her a wealth of experience, leadership, and deep commitment to supporting the diverse learning needs of all students.

With extensive knowledge and experience in Special Education, Suzanne has dedicated her career to ensuring that every child is recognised, supported, and empowered to thrive. Her passion for inclusive education and her ability to build meaningful connections with students, families, and staff make her an outstanding addition to our team.

We are excited for the insight, energy, and expertise Suzanne will bring to her role, and we warmly welcome her into our community.

Specialist Program Update

With the departure of Mr Johnson at the end of Term 3—and the possibility of his return in 2027 (to be confirmed by the end of Term 3, 2026)—we have made some adjustments to our specialist program.

To best support continuity for students, Health will no longer be offered as a separate specialist subject and will instead be taught by classroom teachers. This change has enabled us to extend our specialist timetable and offer Visual Arts as a weekly class, rather than on a fortnightly rotation.

We are also delighted to announce our Physical Education team for 2025.

Mrs Marie Pascuzzi will be teaching PE on Thursdays and Fridays
Mrs Belinda Slonim will be teaching PE on Tuesdays

We wish Marie and Belinda all the very best in their roles. It is wonderful to have such experienced and passionate educators leading our Physical Education program.

A full list of staffing is listed below:

Staff 2026

Fr Andrew Madry - Parish Priest

Mr Patrick Torpey - Principal

Mrs Leanne Snell - Deputy Principal .9 / Religious Education Leader

Mrs Angelique Loadman - Year Prep LI (Mon-Wed, Fri), Student Wellbeing Leader (Thurs)

Mrs Helen Interligi - Year Prep LI (Thurs)

Miss Rachael Lea - Year Prep R

Mrs Meg Andrews - Year 1A

Mrs Samantha Lutgens - Year 1L

Mrs Natalie Santucci - Year 2 SC (Mon-Wed)

Mrs Sarah Crough - Year 2 SC (Thurs - Fri)

Mrs Rachel De La Haye - Year 2 DW (Tues - Fri)

Mrs Laura Wegmann - Year 2 DW (Mon), STEAM Teacher (Tues, Wed and Fri), Community Engagement and Digi Tech (Thurs)

Miss Belinda Dalach - Year 3D

Mrs Jess Wickens - Year 3 MW (Mon-Tues), Director of Learning and Teaching, Literacy Leader (Wed-Thurs)

Mrs Jen McGrath - Year 3 MW (Wed - Fri)

Mrs Carmel Pitt - Year 4 PR (Mon -Tues, Thurs - Fri)

Mrs Deb Rowlings - Year 4 PR (Wed)

Mr Nicholas Mosele - Year 4 MR (Mon - Wed and Fri), Numeracy Leader (Thurs)

Mrs Deb Rowlings - Year 4 MR (Thurs)

Miss Annalise Flarve - Year 5 F

Mrs Deb Wood - Year 5 W

Mrs Lucy D’Angelo - Year 6 DB (Wed-Fri)

Mrs Lisa Braybrook - Year 6 DB (Mon-Tues)

Mrs Belinda Slonim - Year 6 SL (every second Wed, Thurs - Fri)

Mrs Christie Lacey - Year 6 SL (Mon-Tues, every second Wednesday)

Administration

Ms Donna Coelho - Administration (Mon-Fri)

Mrs Belinda Rubino - Administration (Wk 1 - Mon, Weds-Fri/Wk 2 - Mon, Thurs - Fri )

Deshika Premaratna - Business Manager (every second Thursday)

Specialists

Mrs Suzanne Neil - Learning Diversity Leader (Tues, Wed and every second Thurs)

Mrs Louise Skues - Literacy Support

Mrs Christy Riddiford - Performing Arts (Tues - Thurs), Choir and Drumming Beats

Mrs Laura Wegmann - STEAM Teacher (Tues, Wed and Fri), Community Engagement and Digi Tech (Fri)

Mrs Marie Pascuzzi - Physical Education (Thurs - Fri)

Mrs Belinda Slonim - Physical Education (Tues)

Mrs Silvana Cetrola - LOTE - Italian (Tues - Thurs)

Mrs Jacinta Mulholland - Visual Arts (Tues - Thurs)

Learning Support Officers

Mrs Carmel Sullivan - Learning Support Officer (Mon, Thurs, Fri)

Mrs Milena De Lillo - Learning Support Officer (Mon - Thurs)

Mrs Sandra Pascuzzi - Learning Support Officer (Tues - Thurs)

Mrs Christina Patti - Learning Support Officer (Tues, Wed & Fri)

Mrs Amanda Plantzos - Learning Support Officer (Mon, Thurs)

Mr Riley Snell - Learning Support Officer (Tues. Fri. TBC)

Mr Tony Di Iorio - Maintenance / Gardener (Thurs)

Mr Albert Axaiq - School Support - Music (Tues)

We look forward to a very exciting year ahead.

GUITAR NEWS

Albert Axiaq