From the Principal Team
It is with great pride that I thank all members of the GEC community for all that you have done to make 2024 a successful year for our students and our college. I am so proud of our students, staff, parents and community. I appreciate the work that you all do in supporting our students to achieve the very best they can in all aspects of their lives at GEC.
I would like to thank Stephen Loyer – School Council President, Fiona Murrie – School Council Vice President and all members of the School Council and all other volunteers who contribute so much to the College.
Our students have had a great start to the 2025 curriculum as they have begun transition last week. It will be wonderful to welcome 170 new Year 7 students on Orientation Day (December 10th) this week. Our peer support leaders have been training to ensure a smooth transition for our new students.
As announced last week, I have come to the decision to retire after my long service leave in term 1. Therefore, I will not be returning to GEC after the end of this year. I have so much to be grateful for during my time at Glen Eira College. Our community has worked hand in hand with the leadership team to continue to ensure our students have the very best all-round education we can possibly provide them. It has truly been wonderful to have been the Principal of Glen Eira College and I take with me many, many cherished memories.
I am very grateful for the many well wishes I have received from our wonderful community and humbled by your kindness - thankyou.
The Department of Education will work with school council to determine a timeline for advertising for the new Principal ready to commence in term 2 2025.
Nick Hamer-Smith will be Acting Principal in term 1.
Chizuko Inoue–Andersson will be Acting Assistant Principal in term 1.
Who is who in 2025
Junior School Leader: Jared Bandara
Senior School Leader:
Term 1: Clinton Chiumello
Terms 2 – 4: Jeff Micallef
Data Analysis and Assessment Leader: Melanie Mattsson
Wellbeing Leader: Nicholas Ford
Teaching and Learning Leader: Daniel Bouchet-Hibbert
Learning Specialists - Teacher Practice and Pedagogy:
Lyzette Chislett
Nicola Angus
Year 7 Coordinators: Dean West, Niketa Archer
Year 8 Coordinators: Thomas Balme, Jake Sherman
Year 9 Coordinators:
Term 1: Wei Yi Yang, Dalji Sandhu
Terms 2 – 4: Clinton Chiumello, Dalji Sandhu
Year 10 Coordinators: Karen Eap, Daniel Lake
Year 11 Coordinators: Elizabeth Tasiopoulos, Ting Pan
Year 12 Coordinator: Laura Brancatella
English / EAL Learning Area Leader: Eleanor Lindberg
Maths Learning Area Leader: Dominic Paine
Science Learning Area Leader: Erik VanWeeghal
The Arts Learning Area Leader: Bernadette McIvor
Health/PE Learning Area Leader: Ashleigh Oliver
Languages Learning Area Leader: Celine Fompudie
Technology Learning Area Leader: Qi Sun
Staffing
We say farewell to Bernie Coghlan, David Ebert, Dean Marsh, Peter Bales, Julia Pound, Madeline Owen, Mitch Howe, Yumi Liu and Lima Anjum. We thank them for their wonderful contribution in working with our students during their time at GEC and we wish them all the best at their new schools.
We say see you soon to Jeff Micallef who is taking leave in term 1, Keira McLean taking family leave and to Mary Maniatis and Ben Wickham who are taking a year of leave to explore other opportunities.
We welcome:
Niketa Archer – Psychology
Emily Cox - Student Support
Kaya Bengue – Health and Physical Education
Imogen Bower – French
Natalie Fishman – Lab Technician
Isabella Hanger – Library Technician
Kaleb Kosterman – Student Support
Kris Kotsonis – Careers and Pathways Coordinator
Maria Kypriotis – Student Support
Miwako Langdoib – International Student Coordinator
Nick McGee – English
Stuart Plumridge – Art
Erik VanWeeghal – Science
Catherine Weekes – Voice
Wei Yi Yang – Maths
Patrick White – Humanities
Victor Yaroshetsky – English, Hebrew
Finally, I wish all students and families a happy and safe holiday. GEC looks forward to seeing our students ready for the 2025 academic year on Wednesday 29th January. Students must have their locks with them so that they can securely place their books and mobile phones in their lockers.
Sheereen Kindler
Principal
Building Our Community and Identity (BOCI)
The BOCI committee would like to say thank you to all the GEC community for their support and help in organising numerous activities in 2024.
Our inclusion leaders worked hard during the whole year to ensure our community at GEC is valued and respected. One of this year’s highlight was the Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country that was organised for our mid- year Awards Assembly. This year the Inclusion Leaders also organised care packs and gratitude cards for all our staff for R U OK Day.
Cultural Diversity Week was a big success with African dancing and drumming and the design of Rangoli for Diwali could not go unnoticed. We are very proud that the handprint artwork that students and staff did during reconciliation week with the words BLAK, LOUD AND PROUD is displayed in the PAC. International Women Day was recognised with quotes from inspiring women from all around the word displayed in all classrooms.
I would like to thank all students and staff and parents who have dedicated their time to BOCI, and I look forward to more activities bringing our community together in 2025.
Loveena Narayanen
Assistant Principal