Welcome to our new teachers

It is time for an update on the new faces at Shelford in 2022.

Emma Young takes on the leadership role of Director Curriculum and Innovation Years 7–12, coming to us from Sacred Heart Girls College where she has held this position. Emma is a Humanities teacher and has a Masters of Education in Policy Leadership and Change from Monash University. Emma has experience in developing assessment, feedback and reporting procedures, has implemented change to continuous reporting, has coordinated Naplan, subject selection procedures, managed staff professional learning, been heavily involved with technology in teaching, developed and implemented new curriculum, reviewed curriculum and programs, and has led and taught through COVID-19. Emma is looking forward to ensuring our Year 7–12 programs are outstanding and our staff are supported in the work they do. She will also be teaching Business Management and for Term 1, a Humanities class.

Vicky Gemmell joins us as the Head of Junior School, Student Wellbeing and Development. She comes to us from Hartwell Primary where she has been whole school wellbeing coordinator. An experienced educator, Vicky has coordinated and supported an extensive and cohesive wellbeing program within a wellbeing framework, which comprises a range of student-centred programs. She has coordinated staff professional learning in these programs, either engaging external providers or personally leading. In addition, she has presented at parent evenings and has developed student leadership programs. Vicky is completing her Masters of Inclusive Education at Deakin University. Vicky’s advocacy for diversity, inclusion, and a community approach to celebrating, supporting and nurturing young people while ensuring they reach their potential as responsible and fulfilled members of their communities, aligns with our own values here at Shelford.

Shelley Porter (nee Veale) is taking up the role of Head of Health and PE Prep–Year 12. Shelley has been the Head of Faculty at Nossal Secondary College, a select entry school. An outstanding teacher, Shelley has many years of experience teaching VCE PE. She has held pastoral positions as well as curriculum roles. Shelley has also coordinated sport and has been School Sport Victoria coordinator.

Peter Skinner joins us a Science and Chemistry teacher. Peter is an experienced educator, who has been working at Geelong Grammar for 12 years and prior to this, at MacRobertson Girls School. Peter has been heavily involved with VCAA Chemistry assessing over many years and has fulfilled the role of Chief Assessor on a number of occasions. He has speciality in Chemistry and a long history of teaching VCE and IB Chemistry. He has also held pastoral roles at Geelong Grammar, where he has been an Assistant Head of House.

Poppi Azzopardi is our new laboratory technician in the Science area. Poppi joins us from Brighton Secondary College where she has worked for many years. A qualified teacher, Poppi brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role and is looking forward to working with our amazing Science team.

Lisa Barton is joining our Maths Faculty as a maths teacher. Lisa has a strong background teaching both VCE Maths Methods and Year 7–11 Maths with a love of teaching in the earlier years, such as Year 7, in addition to senior maths classes. Lisa has worked most recently at Firbank Grammar and has also worked at Korowa Girls and for some years at Mentone Grammar.

Naomi Henry joins our Junior School teaching staff, where she is teaching Year 5. Naomi has been most recently teaching at St Michael’s Grammar. A passionate and innovative educator, we look forward to her contribution to our team.

Sophia Edgecombe joins our Junior School teaching staff as a Year 3 teacher. Sophia most recently taught at Mentone Grammar and has also taught at Ferny Creek and Tyabb Primary schools. A warm, calm, dedi

cated teacher, Sophia is creative in her approach and I am sure she will enjoy working with our wonderful Junior School staff.

Stella Nguyen joins our Visual Arts Faculty. Stella will predominantly work with our Junior School students, an area in which she has considerable experience and a strong passion. She will also teach our Year 7 and 8 students. Stella began her teaching career as a Maths and Science teacher, but her own work and passion for photography and strong creative drive, drew her to teaching visual arts.

Megan Downie is returning to Shelford as a teacher this year. A past student and someone who has worked at Shelford over the years whilst studying, it is a delight to have her here in this capacity. Megan is coordinating weekly GSV Sport and also teaching some Year 7–10 PE and Health classes.

Kristen Newton is taking on Aimee-Claire Lee’s teaching whilst she is on maternity leave. She will be coordinating our GSV swimming and teaching PE and Health. Mostly recently Kristen has worked at Sacred Hearts Girls College and prior to this worked at Kilvington, Wesley College Glen Waverley, internationally and at Star of the Sea.

Erin Juers will be teaching VCE Drama and directing the inaugural Senior School Play. Prior to having her three children, Erin worked as an English and Drama teacher and also held pastoral care roles.

Joy Ashwell Callaway is joining the LOTE and Humanities Faculties. Joy is teaching French in the Junior School and Year 7, Year 7 Humanities and is a Year 7 wellbeing mentor. Joy has studied at Monash University and is excited to be here at Shelford.

Rebecca Apostolidis is joining the Science Faculty as our VCE Psychology teacher. Rebecca has worked for ten years teaching VCE Psychology. She is returning from maternity leave after having her second child and is excited to make the move to Shelford from Catholic Ladies College, Eltham.

Claire Tyrell is joining our Food Tech area; she has worked at Peninsula Grammar and for many years at St Leonards College. She is also returning from maternity leave after having her second child, to take up this Food Studies role with us.

Charlotte Edmonds is our school counsellor, taking on Mel McInneny’s role while she is on maternity leave. Charlotte previously worked at Melbourne High and has considerable experience in HR in business prior to working in education.

Jane Mu is taking up our Junior School EAL Support and Chinese Club role while Audrey Li is at home with her beautiful baby. Jane has studied at Monash University and is excited to be working with our team here.

Mel Webb is teaching the Unit 3/4 Global Politics class. Melissa is an experienced educator, having taught at Ruyton Girls School as a commerce teacher, at MLC as a coach and mentor in Global Polities, doing revision lectures and examination marking, Head of Humanities and Global Education at Huntingtower School and Year 10 Coordinator and Chief of Staff at Strathcona Girls. Mel is an experienced Global Politics teacher who has been an assessor and has written a textbook in this area. We are delighted that she is teaching our Unit 3/4 class this year.

Zoe Quirk is a Humanities teacher with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and History. Zoe has worked in the Catholic sector, including at Our Lady of Sion College, Box Hill. Zoe is teaching Year 7–10 Humanities.

Katrina Davey has a Masters of Education (Educational Leadership) and a Bachelor of teaching and Science. She previously worked at Shelford Girls’ Grammar as the Head of Humanities and eLearning Coordinator in 2012–2015 and was then the Head of Humanities at St Catherine’s School. She is returning to Shelford following some time on maternity leave to head up our Year 9 Challenge Program in 2022. This will enable us to embed the curriculum focus of the challenges, enrich and extend our students and focus on the collaborative, enquiry and critical thinking skills that are so important for our student development.

Our new staff are enjoying getting to know their classes and look forward to meeting families in the near future. They join a group of teaching and professional services staff at Shelford who are excited to be here and welcoming our students back. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to any of your daughter’s teachers should you have any queries or questions.

Farewells

I reluctantly accepted Shane Farley’s notification of his retirement at the end of 2021. He will come back to Shelford this term so our students can farewell him at an assembly and past and current staff, his family and Board members, can celebrate his contribution. We will miss his kindness, humour and wisdom but wish him all the best for his life on the coast, surfing and coaching football and enjoying some very well-deserved rest and time with his family.

Sally Borrman has resigned from Shelford in order to live in Canberra this year to be with her ailing mother and her siblings. I thank her for her contribution to Shelford in 2021 and wish her well with this difficult personal circumstance. I am very grateful that Julia Martin has accepted the role of Head of Humanities Faculty and that Mel Webb is able to teach the Global Politics class.