New Faces

 Mr Joe Melhem

My name is Joe Melhem, I am overjoyed to be teaching R.E and English this year at the college and I look forward to getting to know the wider Nazareth community. The College staff and leadership have been very welcoming, and warm, I am feeling at home already! My background is in performing arts and youth ministry, I had been serving at different churches and running youth groups for nearly 10 years, which was a great joy. I look forward to this year and all it has to offer.  

Ms Gabriella Spano

Teaching has always provided me with a sense of adventure and discovery. The opportunity to play a part in the development of our young people through education has always been an important goal, and throughout my years of teaching, an achievement that I have been proud of.

I am looking forward to teaching at Nazareth this year and being part of the school community. As Head of House of McAuley House, I want the students to continue to be part of their House Community and to develop a sense of strength and commitment to the values of their House Patron, James McAuley. The strength that we gain through a Christ-centered understanding of community and of helping others is my own commitment to the students of this House.

Ms Ratna Busgheet

My name is Ratna Devi Busgheet. I am originally from Mauritius, and it’s been 6 years since I arrived in Melbourne. I have done my bachelor degree in Mathematics at the University of Mauritius and did my master of teaching (secondary education) at Victoria University. I am very happy to be part of the wonderful team at Nazareth College. Everyone is very welcoming and helpful. I have taught VCE Maths for the past 2 years and looking forward to teaching the Year 7s, 8s and 9s this year. I believe that teachers play a very significant role in shaping the lives of the future generations and this has been my motivation to choose teaching as a career. My hobbies are swimming and watching movies and, not to forget, exploring new places with my family.

Ms Tessa Houlihan

I am looking forward to commencing my teaching career at Nazareth College in 2024. Last year I completed my final teaching placement at Nazareth College, and I enjoyed my time here. I will be teaching Mathematics and Humanities as well as being a Pastoral teacher for McAuley. 

What I am most looking forward to is meeting my students and getting to know them and their families. I believe that key to my success as a teacher will be the relationships I form. 

In my spare time, I love to read, and I am a huge Taylor Swift fan who is counting down the days until I go to her concert. I like to keep fit and I go to the gym and walk my dog, Scout. Footy season will see me barracking for Collingwood!

Mrs Janine Stockdale

Hi there, my name is Mrs Janine Stockdale. This year I’m excited to join Nazareth College to teach English and Media as well as my lovely Pastoral Group - Chisholm 2.  As a qualified Primary and Secondary teacher, I’ve been very lucky to have taught a range of different subjects and in all year levels from Prep to Year 12. Having said that, out of all the subjects I’ve taught I must say that English and Media are definitely my favourites and the ones I’m most passionate about. Hopefully my students will feel the same way after I’ve taught them!

During my spare time I enjoy everything ‘media’ related, music, theatre, travel and sport. I also like to spend time with my husband Matt and my 2 daughters who are currently in Year 7 and Year 12, and my son who is studying IT at Monash Uni. As my husband and I both grew up on dairy farms, as a family we also like to go home to visit our siblings and parents in Timboon and Leongatha when we get a chance as well as spend time in Port Fairy. 

I’m really looking forward to being part of the Nazareth College Community, if you see me, I’m always up for a chat so please come up and say hi!