Plans for 2024

Plans for 2024 are well and truly underway. In 2024, again we will have 15 classes:

Year Prep x 2 – located in Rooms 5 and 6 (currently Year 1)
Year 1 x 3 – located in Rooms 1, 2 and 3 (currently Year Prep)
Year 2 x 2 – located in Rooms 7 and 8 (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 5/6 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 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, 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 and open door policy, 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 2024.

Next year, after consultation with the Consultative Committee, the school Leadership Team and School Advisory Council, we are also pleased to announce that we will introduce a Visual Arts program as a specialist subject. This will not only mean that we meet the requirements for the CEMEA Award, but more importantly, provide a wonderful learning opportunity for our students. Also, with Anne Deegan moving on, our Kitchen Garden program will look different.

Staffing for 2024

As announced a few weeks ago, next year we will see a few staff changes to our team.

I am delighted to inform you that Mrs Leanne Snell has been appointed to the role of Deputy Principal for the next two years. Leanne will continue to work a 9 day fortnight, (every day except every second Wednesday). Leanne will take on the roles and responsibilities associated with the Deputy Principal, as well as maintain her responsibility of Religious Education Leader. As you all know, Leanne continues to set a high standard with her leadership and I know that she will continue to lead our community with faith, confidence, passion and consideration for all.

Miss Laura Leung will continue supporting Mrs Snell as Deputy Principal and she will be working a 4 day fortnight in the classroom (Year Three) and keep the Positions of Leadership - Literacy and Numeracy. As a leader in these roles, Laura will also help “steer” the curriculum, continuing with the roles and responsibilities associated with the Director of Learning. Laura will continue to be released every second Wednesday to take on the roles and responsibilities associated with Deputy Principal. With Laura’s knowledge, wisdom and understanding, I know our school is in good hands.

As announced in previous communication, Miss Gen Jones, Mrs Joelle Lake, Mrs Anne Deegan and Mr Trevor Snelling will leave us at the end of this year. They have been great servants to the St Justin's community and we wish them well.

We are also saddened to inform you that at the end of this year, Mr Chris Giosis will leave us to take up a teaching position at Stella Maris in Beaumaris. Chris has been with us for 3 years and during this time has always been willing to help, offering his services and support on many occasions. He has not only been a great support in the senior school working closely with the students and staff, but also in the Junior School, especially when some height is required. He was a wonderful support to the students at the Fair on the Hill. We wish Chris all the very best.

With a number of staff leaving, we are excited to announce a number of new staff joining us for the 2024 school year and we hope for many more years to come.

Welcome. . .

Miss Rachael Lea - Rachael has recently completed a Bachelor of Education (Primary) at Australian Catholic University. Whilst studying, Rachael has worked at various education settings, including St Louis De Montfort, Aspendale and various suburban Swim Centres within Melbourne. She is very much looking forward to building a supportive and student-centered learning environment, working and learning collaboratively with her colleagues at St Justin’s. We wish her all the very best.
Mrs Natalie Santucci - Natalie is no stranger to St Justin’s having worked here over the last two years off and on as an Emergency Teacher. This year she has also been working at St Andrew’s Primary School in Year 3/4. Natalie is a dedicated teacher with a great deal of passion and enthusiasm to work with primary school aged children. She enjoys being part of a collaborative team, where ideas were shared, resources developed and data utilised in order to develop meaningful learning opportunities and differentiated experiences within each classroom setting. Welcome Natalie.
Miss Annalise Flarve - Annalise has also recently completed a Bachelor of Education (Primary) degree at Australian Catholic University, where she gained comprehensive skills, strategies, and knowledge about the role and responsibilities of a teacher. She likes to be well organised and has a positive upbeat approach to learning. Whilst studying, Annalise has worked part time as a Support Worker, working with a number of individuals with a range of abilities within different scenarios. Annalise is very much looking forward to being part of our community - we wish her all the very best.
Mrs Jacinta Mulholland - Jacinta is not new to the St Justin’s community and is currently teaching in Year 6. Jacinta is an experienced Primary and Secondary trained Visual Arts teacher and has taught from Foundation to Year 10 across subject areas, including Specialists Art, Textiles, Photography, Woodwork, Graphic Communication and Religious Education. Since 2008 she has worked at Our Lady’s Primary School in Surrey Hills where she developed the Visual Arts programme. We are very fortunate to have Jacinta as our Visual Arts teacher - she will also take on a classroom teaching position in Year 5 one day per week. Welcome Jacinta.
Mrs Christie Lacey - Christie is also no stranger to St Justin’s having helped us out as an Emergency Teacher and is now teaching Year 6 with Jacinta. She is also a former student of St Justin’s. Christie has many skills, especially around the sports -Vic Fit Registration, Accredited Austswim Teacher of Water Safety, Accredited Surf Lifesaver- Bronze Medallion, Accredited Snorkelling Instructor, Accredited Level 1 Hockey Instructor and Netball Coach and Umpire. More importantly, Christie is passionate about teaching and working as a team - we very much look forward to her being with us at St Justin’s.

Finally, we are delighted to welcome back Mrs Jessica Wickens. Jess will rejoin us on a part-time basis, two days a week in the classroom and 1 day with the Digital Tech role. It will be great to have her back.

A full list of staffing is listed below.

Staff 2024

Fr Andrew Madry - Parish Priest

Mr Patrick Torpey - Principal

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

Mrs Angelique Loadman - Year Prep A

Miss Rachael Lea - Year Prep R

Miss Lisa Chiappalone - Year 1 IC (Mon-Tues) Student Wellbeing Leader (Thurs)

Mrs Helen Interligi - Year 1 IC (Wed-Fri)

Mrs Samantha Lutgens - Year 1L

Ms Meg McCallum - Year 1M

Miss Belinda Dalach - Year 2 D

Mrs Rachel De La Haye - Year 2 R (Mon-Wed)

Mrs Deb Rowlings - Year 2 R (Thurs-Fri)

Mrs Jess Wickens - Year 3 MW (Mon-Tues) Digi Tech (Thurs)

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

Miss Laura Leung - Year 3 SL (Mon-Tues), Literacy / Numeracy Leader (Thurs-Fri and

every second Wed), DP .1 every 2nd Wed

Mrs Natalie Santucci - Year 3 SL (Wed-Fri)

Mrs Carmel Pitt - Year 4 P

Mr Nicholas Mosele - Year 4 M

Miss Annalise Flarve - Year 5 F

Mrs Deb Wood - Year 5 WM (Mon-Wed, Fri)

Mrs Jacinta Mulholland - Year 5 WM (Thurs)

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

Mrs Lisa Braybrook - Year 6 DB (Thurs-Fri)

Mrs Belinda Slonim - Year 6 SL (Mon-Wed)

Mrs Christie Lacey - Year 6 SL (Thur-Fri)

Ms Donna Coelho - Administration (Mon-Fri)

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

Johnny Tran - Business Manager (Thursday)

Miss Anne Livera - Learning Diversity Leader (Mon, Tues, Fri)

Mrs Louise Skues - Reading Recovery / Literacy Learning Intervention (Mon-Thurs)

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

Mrs Laura Wegmann - STEAM Teacher & Information Resource Centre (Tues - Thurs)

Mr Clinton Johnson - Physical Education and Health (Mon - Fri)

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

Mrs Jacinta Mulholland - Visual Arts

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

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

Mrs Mary Cedro - Learning Support Officer (Tues-Thurs)

Mrs Lisa Stewart - Learning Support Officer (Mon - Wed, Fri)

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

Mrs Christina Patti - Learning Support Officer (Mon & Fri)

Miss Michaela Torpey - Learning Support Officer (Mon, Tues, Fri)

Mr Tony Di Iorio - Maintenance / Gardener (Thurs)

Mr Albert Axaiq - School Support - Music (Tues)

We look forward to a very exciting year head.