Deputy Principal 

About Me

I am beyond excited to be the Acting Deputy Principal Student Development and Wellbeing for the next 18 months at Mount Alvernia College. The Greccio families and caregivers are familiar with me as their Head of House since 2023. However, I felt this newsletter might be a wonderful opportunity to provide context on my education journey.

Education has not always been part of my professional career. After securing a Bachelor of Business post-school, I embarked on a 20+ years career working in sales and marketing roles with major multinational companies including IT and fast-moving consumer goods. I loved every minute of it. These roles allowed me to travel the world and lead terrific, high-performing teams.

In 2012, I landed a business role at St Laurence’s College (Lauries) at South Brisbane to re-negotiate supplier contracts and assist in the marketing programs for their centenary year in 2015. The profound effect of working on a school campus surrounded by young people who were keen to learn and a collegial staff community gave me an opportunity to question my next step in life. I asked the Principal at the time that if I went to university at night to attain a Graduate Diploma in Education whether he would be willing to hire me as a teacher within the Business and VET Faculties to pass on my real-world business knowledge to students. He said ‘Yes!’ So, my education journey commenced. 

While I have loved every minute of teaching business subjects, it was my first classroom experience as an early career teacher in 2016 that sent me on the trajectory of where I am today. My first class was a Home Room of 28 Year 8 students. This role was more than marking rolls and checking uniforms.  It was about checking in with students; noticing changes in behaviour; communicating with families about the activities we engaged in; mentoring and getting to know these 28 young men on a deeper level to ensure their Lauries journey was the best one possible and to set the foundations for a world-ready graduate. I was fortunate to have an outstanding Head of Year as my mentor to guide me in all aspects of educational wellbeing or ‘pastoral matters’ as it was known back then. I immediately knew that this was the space I wanted to progress in.

I was a foundation Head of House when Lauries switched from year level focus to a fully integrated vertical, house-based pastoral care program. Over four years, I worked with the students in my House and their families in partnership with the Home Room Mentor Teachers to guide these incredible young people to be the best versions of themselves. It was a privilege and honour to do so.

As an advocate for single sex education, I saw an opportunity to further develop my educational wellbeing capacity when a Head of House role was advertised at Mount Alvernia. My 2015 university teaching practicum placement at Our Lady’s College, Annerley, gave me a glimpse of teaching girls and I knew I wanted to spend the next chapter immersed in this space.  I received my next Principal ‘Yes!’ from Samantha Jensen. I have enjoyed every minute of building a culture within Greccio House based on evidence-based research to strive for excellence – one step at a time – and to be skilled at expressing gratitude and empathy to build resilience and contentment.

I now find myself in a position as Deputy Principal in charge of student development and wellbeing to create and lead practices to support our young people in their learning to ensure they graduate with ‘a confident future’ – our mantra and a statement that guides our college decision-making.

Why am I telling you this? I hope I am a lived example of the hopes and dreams I have for your young people. I hope our students enjoy their chosen careers with the confidence to pivot should an opportunity present itself. Current career forecasts suggest this will be essential. Follow your heart. Find your spark. Back yourself. Take every opportunity that comes your way.

I look forward to meeting and working in partnership with you as opportunities arise for you to visit our campus.