Deputy Principal

I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to our newest members who have recently joined Mount Alvernia College. We are thrilled to have them onboard and look forward to the contributions and fresh perspectives they'll bring to our dynamic team.

Grace Barrett - This is my first year of teaching after graduating from QUT last year and I am very excited to be officially joining Mt A. I teach Humanities, English and Study of Religion and am eager to be involved in the pastoral system at the College through my Homeroom and engagement with the Rieti team. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Mt A last year as a pre-service teacher, during which I completed my final year placements. I am passionate about inspiring my students to be curious and excited by their learning and aim to foster these qualities both inside and outside the classroom. I am looking forward to working at Mt A for its sense of community, welcoming culture, and strong school spirit.

Lauren Cowburn – I am very excited about returning to Mount Alvernia after a short time with Queensland Education. Prior to teaching in secondary schools, I taught at TAFE for 7 years in the Business and Entrepreneurship Faculties.  I am very excited about guiding students in Vocational Education pathways to equip them for the real world through industry partnerships.  Prior to teaching I worked in London in large merchant banks and then upon returning to Australia I entered the legal industry and worked in litigation for around 10 years.  

Leah Heath – My passion is educating girls in Science. I have spent the last six years as an educator in a girls’ school in Melbourne. As an educator, I feel it is my core purpose to empower girls and young women to become brave and bold as budding Scientists. I believe that learning should be joyful, and it is my mission to provide authentic, meaningful and rich learning experiences in science that capture the hearts and minds of learners. I have a genuine care for knowing my learners as people – to know another, and to be known by another, that is everything.

Justine Natoli – This marks my 26th year in the teaching profession, and I am extremely pleased to embark on this new chapter at Mount Alvernia College. I specialise in Digital Solutions and also have a Junior Science class. My previous teaching roles include positions at co-educational institutions such as St Patrick’s College in Gympie and Stoke Newington Media Arts College in London. 

I have also taught at all-boys schools including St Laurence’s College and Marist College Ashgrove. In the year 2000, I had the pleasure of teaching at Brigidine College. During my tenure at St Laurence’s College, where I spent the majority of my teaching career spanning 18 years, I held various middle leadership positions in the Information Technology/Digital Solutions, Science, and Business Faculties for 17 years. This experience provided me with valuable insights and opportunities for curriculum development. As I join Mount Alvernia College, I am eagerly anticipating the chance to contribute to its academic environment and take on new challenges. Coding is a particular passion of mine, driven by the belief in the vast opportunities technology can offer as a future career pathway. I look forward to enriching my teaching career at Mount Alvernia and continuing to inspire students in the field of Digital Solutions.

Julie Tazzyman - I have over two decades of experience teaching secondary Mathematics and I am excited to be a part of the collegial learning community at Mount Alvernia. A highlight in my career was travelling to Nepal with a group of students. It was a humbling experience to watch my students grow in confidence, develop new skills and show compassion towards the small community that we were helping. I endeavour to continue encouraging young people to reach their goals both inside and outside of the classroom. 

Samantha Sexton - This is my first-year teaching at Mt A. I teach both junior maths and science and have a background in Geology. College staff and students have been wonderful in making my transition to the school a genuinely heart felt experience. I cannot wait to see what my time at Mt A brings.

Dani Wright – Up until the end of last year I was teaching maths for 16 years in Hervey Bay. Prior to that I was teaching ESL both in Australia and Japan for over 10 years. I’m really happy to move back to my hometown of Brisbane and extremely excited to be teaching at Mt A. I am deeply passionate about teaching mathematics, particularly with a focus on fostering a positive and empowering environment for girls.

Natalia Crestani - I am the new full-time face at the student services desk working with your girls. I am from New Zealand and left school only 5 years ago. I am an older sister to three and I love being a big sister. That big sister energy is what I’m wanting to bring to this Student services role. I can’t wait to learn more about your girls this coming year. 

Mandy Crossan – I have been in the education industry for the past 30 years as a support staff officer from Early Education, Prep, Middle school and High school. I am excited to be working at Mt A and joining the welcoming staff and working in the beautiful environment while being part of the Franciscan community.  I have joined the team in Digital and Design Technology,  Hospitality , Food and Nutrition. I am a mother of 4 adults who are 28, 26, 21, 21. I love any sport, reading, socialising, and gardening. 

Alice Teh - This is my very first year joining Mount Alvernia, as a Teacher Aide. I am currently studying my Certificate IV. At the end of last year I was lucky enough to start my placement at Mount Alvernia and absolutely loved my experience.  The staff and students were all very welcoming and so supportive of my career change. I have two gorgeous daughters at St Anthony’s, and I am very passionate about instilling confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of self-worth in my daughters from a young age. I see how much in the short time I have been in the Franciscan community how much impact it has on my children and the students at Mt A. I am really looking forward to embracing my time at the college and being apart of the community. 

Meg Ryan - A lifelong passion for learning has been the motivation for everything I do. My name is Meg Ryan and I have been working in education for 20 years including two years in Indonesia teaching at an international school! Before my career in Education, I worked in television and public relations for 7 years as a writer and producer. I have taught across Queensland including 9 years with Brisbane Catholic Education. My focus has been on inclusive education and designing engaging learning opportunities for all learners so that they can access, participate, and have success with the Australian Curriculum. 

Completing a Master of Education in 2017 consolidated my understanding of inclusion.

For the past 7 years I have enjoyed working as an Inclusive education consultant for schools comprising 3 years in far north Queensland (including Thursday Island!) with Cairns Catholic Education and the past 4 years in Brisbane supporting 36 secondary colleges and flexi-schools in the RI/PJP Network with best practice for inclusion. 

It is a privilege to be invited to Mount Alvernia to support and lead the Learning Enhancement and Support Department in an Acting capacity for 2024.  As a passionate advocate for equity and inclusive practices for diverse learners I look forward to supporting the staff and students at Mount Alvernia College in 2024.