New Faces

Adrienne Oates, Year 10 Coordinator, Secondary Teacher - English

Adrienne comes to Huntingtower from her positions of both English teacher and Senior School Coordinator-Head of Year 11 at Ringwood Secondary College. For the past five years, Adrienne has gained significant experience in the understanding and implementation of English study design especially at VCE level and she has held several positions of leadership focused on the English curriculum and the management of students.

Adrienne holds a Master of Teaching (Secondary), a Diploma of Education, and a Bachelor of Psychological Sciences. Adrienne is passionate about the power of positive education to bolster the confidence of young people to be innovative, creative, and forward-thinking members of society. 

Andrew Phillips, Head of Humanities

Andrew has enjoyed the last ten years at Oakleigh Grammar where he actively contributed to the development and learning programs in the leading of the Humanities department and in his capacity as a VCE teacher and Year 12 Coordinator. His specialities are Business Management, History, Economics, Accounting, Commerce and Legal Studies. Andrew firmly believes that all students possess an innate curiosity about the world around them and a love for learning and enquiry. He is a strong believer in treating each student as an individual and tailors his teaching and learning to meet students needs. He strives to ensure that the difference he makes is a positive one for every student he works with.

Andrew holds a Bachelor of Business and a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching. Andrew has also completed extra studies in Politics and History.  Andrew looks forward to leading the Humanities department and seeing students thrive.

Caitlyn Platt, Head of English

Caitlyn comes to Huntingtower after teaching English and more recently leading the English department at Mentone Grammar School for the last five years. Caitlyn has been responsible for the design and implementation of learning activities that involve high quality teaching strategies and effective curriculum and assessment practices across Years 7-12 to enhance and improve overall student engagement, learning and outcomes. She is passionate about ensuring all students are supported academically, socially, and emotionally to achieve their best. She firmly believes in students being empowered to take ownership of their learning through voice, choice, and agency in their educational journey. 

Caitlyn is currently studying a Master of Education specialising in Assessment and Pedagogy and holds a Master of Teaching (Secondary) and a Bachelor of Arts. This study is strengthening her capacity to continue to implement best practice regarding learning, teaching, and assessment. 

Connick Cheung, Secondary Teacher – Media, Visual Communication & Design, STEM & Digital Technology

Connick returns to Huntingtower after graduating as a student in 2015 and is a passionate and engaging secondary graduate teacher who has achieved academic excellence in his own studies. Connick brings with him sophisticated content knowledge in Information and Communication Technology, Science and Media. Connick completed all his placements at Huntingtower and Methodist Ladies’ College and is driven by his desire to provide high quality teaching in a safe and supportive environment that uplifts students to meet their fullest potential.

Connick holds a Bachelor of Information Technology and Science and is currently completing a Master of Teaching (Secondary).

Kay Gavas, Secondary Teacher- Business Management & Humanities

Kay will be sharing her passion for Business Management, Commerce and Humanities as a new graduate teacher. Kay has gained teaching experience in both online and onsite learning environments at multiple secondary schools including Huntingtower. She has recently been teaching Humanities across Years 7-10 at Sacre Coeur and is excited to be joining Huntingtower School as it closely aligns with her own values and philosophies. Kay graduated the University of Melbourne as dux for the Business Management learning area and was selected to present at the 2022 Comview conference for the Victorian Commerce Teachers Association. Kay is dedicated to empowering students to be both critical thinkers and citizens of the world. Establishing and nurturing a positive classroom environment is important to her, as she believes that students’ social and emotional development is just as important as their cognitive development.

Kay holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Teaching (Secondary).

James Ryan, Secondary Teacher – PE & Health & Sport

James joins Huntingtower after teaching Physical Education and Health in China for the last five years at Keystone Academy. His experience spans working with adolescents across academic and boarding communities and his teaching role has also included positions such as unit leader, dorm leader and global service and action trips supervisor. James believes in educating the student from a whole person perspective and deeply imbeds a love for learning in all aspects of his planning by preparing for enquiry based and discussion-centred pedagogies to promote individual measures of success in each student. James is passionate about physical literacy and skill and looks to effectively engage students with a love for active exploration of the physical concepts and challenges them to think about the relevance and purpose that physical activity has in their lives. He enjoys the opportunity to inspire students through “learning by doing”. 

James holds a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science, a Graduate Diploma of Clinical Exercise Physiology and a Master of Teaching (Secondary). He is also an accredited Exercise Physiologist.

Jack Levey, Secondary Teacher – English & Humanities

Jack has enjoyed the last eleven years at Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School where he has actively contributed to the development and learning programs within the English and Humanities department as well as other key roles such as Timetable Coordinator, Year Level Coordinator and Debating Coordinator.  Jack has developed and implemented programs to develop student resilience, organisation skills, mindfulness, leadership and academic performance. A passionate reader and writer, Jack fosters a love for reading and writing in his classes and enjoys teaching literature, complex grammar and language analysis techniques to develop student-thinking abilities. As a classroom teacher, Jack looks to provide his students with engaging and thought-provoking lessons that develop and foster essential thinking skills of creativity, fairness, truth and understanding. Jack enjoys being an active member of the School community and through his various roles in both debating and sport, it has given him the opportunity to develop positive relationships with parents, students and other members of staff across a range of faculties.

Jack holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Teaching.

Marie-Josee Mill, Secondary Teacher – French

Marie-Josee brings a wealth of experience in teaching French to Huntingtower. She has spent the last twenty plus years teaching French and Humanities (Accounting, Business Management) across all year levels. Marie-Josee is a native French speaker and thoroughly enjoys the opportunity to use her skills, knowledge, and experience to educate and enable students to develop the necessary skills to become lifelong learners and prepare themselves as 21st century citizens. Her experience has shown that introducing languages to

students at an early age is a wonderful avenue to instilling cultural awareness and diversity and she firmly believes a holistic approach creates the best outcomes. Marie-Josee enjoys incorporating games, online activities, and group work to help the students learn to read, write and speak in the target language. 

Marie-Josee holds a Diploma of Education and a Bachelor of Business.

Thomas Barlow, Secondary Teacher – English, English Literature & Philosophy

Thomas is an experienced teacher who has spent the past five years at Sirius College teaching both English and Humanities across Years 8-12. Thomas is passionate about literature, film studies and philosophy. He has previously taught at The Knox School and Whitefriars College. Thomas has developed an educational philosophy which emphasises creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and character. Thomas strives to guide his students towards a more holistic understanding of the text and how to write essays through the use of templates, exemplars and resources that help to interpret texts and allow them to think critically and respond to essay questions in a targeted but complex manner. He has also had the opportunity to take on leadership roles and was part of the values-based curriculum committee at Sirius College.

Thomas holds a Master of Arts and a Master of Teaching (Secondary) specialising in English and History. Thomas is also an avid Chess player and enjoys teaching Chess.

Elsa Mavridou, Early Learning Centre Educator

Elsa is a dedicated Early Learning Centre Educator with over ten years’ experience in working with children in a variety of settings from three and four year old programs, After School Care and Holiday programs. Her time at Oakleigh Grammar has deepened her understanding on the process of learning, especially new languages when she took on the position of Early Childhood Greek Language Coordinator. Elsa was responsible for coordinating and delivering a bilingual Greek Language program. She was able to develop and implement teaching strategies to accommodate children from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds to deliver a fun, aged and developmentally appropriate, inclusive program. She is passionate about early childhood education and strives to provide a nurturing environment for the children so that they feel safe, secure and develop a strong sense of belonging.

Elsa holds a Diploma of Children’s Services and is currently studying for her Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood.

Catherine Mowat, Junior School Teacher – Year 4

Catherine (Cate) brings a wealth of experience both in teaching and leadership to the Junior School. Cate’s experience spans 38 years as a classroom teacher working across a variety of year levels, primarily at Wesley College and more recently at Trinity Grammar School. Cate is passionate about catering to individual student needs and assisting them to achieve their personal best. Cate also specialises in children with special needs using her knowledge and experience to ensure all students receive the support they require. Cate holds a Graduate Certificate in Education in both International Baccalaureate and Science Education, a Graduate Certificate in Teaching Children with Autism, and a Diploma of Teaching (Primary). Cate enjoys being part of the cocurricular program both in Sports and Music. She is also an experienced Violin player.

Dora Handby, Junior School Teacher – Year 2 (Fridays)

Dora joins Huntingtower with over ten years’ experience as a classroom teacher from Parkhill Primary School and will be team teaching with Rebecca Sinclair in Year 2. Dora believes that every student is unique and by developing a differentiated learning curriculum at the point of need, ensures that each student’s learning is successful. She seeks to provide a safe, caring and supportive learning environment where students will have the self-confidence to work towards reaching their full potential. Dora has held many leadership roles and particularly enjoys assisting in the Sports program.

Dora holds a Bachelor of Education (Primary).

Nicholas Dinnison, Junior School Teacher – Sport & Year 5 (Fridays)

Nick is a passionate teacher who looks to inspire students to participate and embrace everything within Physical Education. Nick has spent the past six years developing and implementing innovative ways to engage students in the foundations of Physical Education and invoke a lasting passion for sports. Since 2018, Nick has worked at Kew Primary School as their Physical Education Coordinator. He has been responsible for planning and connecting the PE curriculum to the International Baccalaureate’s Primary Years Program and the Victorian curriculum.   This program has involved planning and coordinating school sporting events, the swimming program and interschool sports. Alongside this role, Nick was also the School Sports Victoria Coordinator where he also managed the Boroondara Primary Division sporting carnivals and championships. Sport is an integral part of his life outside school and you will often see him out on the field playing Cricket or on the green playing Golf.

Nick holds a Bachelor of Physical Education.

Samantha Reedy, Secondary Teacher – Chemistry & PBL

We are pleased to welcome Samantha permanently to Huntingtower in 2023. Samantha joined Huntingtower in 2022 as a fixed term teacher in our Science department. With six years’ experience gained at Alphington Grammar School across all year levels, Samantha is a passionate teacher of STEM with a focus on promoting STEM opportunities in education. Her professional background as a Pharmacist in both hospitals and community pharmacy settings underpins her teaching philosophy to inspire students to strive for excellence across the broad range of STEM disciplines. Samantha particularly enjoys General Science, Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology.  She enjoys participating in cocurricular programs as it drives her enthusiasm in this critical aspect of student’s personal development. This year she has also taken on the role of Mentor.

Samantha holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy with Honours and a Master of Teaching

(Secondary).

Timothy Morgan-Richardson, Secondary Teacher – Chemistry & Science

We are also pleased to welcome Tim permanently to Huntingtower in 2023. Tim joined Huntingtower in 2022 as a fixed term graduate teacher in our Science department. 

Tim is passionate about developing a strong classroom culture of inclusiveness and collaboration. He strives to relate curriculum knowledge to individual experiences to inspire and encourage students to be strong independent learners and inquisitors. Tim also enjoys being a part of the broader cocurricular program and will be involved both in the Sports and Mentor programs this year.

Tim holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Teaching.

Bobson Mansaray – Swim Coach - HSAC

We are pleased to welcome Bobson to the Huntingtower Sports & Aquatic Centre. Bobson has been coaching since 2002 and brings a wealth of experience he has gained both locally and internationally. Bobson is passionate in assisting students to reach their personal best. He supports swimmers to develop fundamental skills from novice to advance levels, through the development of emotional and physical stamina, technical strokes and the importance of being part of a team.   Bobson’s own personal achievements has seen him represent his country both as a coach and swimmer at the Rio & Atlanta Olympic games, All Africa Games, FINA World Swimming Championships and the Commonwealth Games.

Bobson holds both the Austswim qualifications, Swim Australia -Teacher of Competitive Swimming certificate and the International Coaching Enrichment Certificate.

Razan Sappideen, Secondary Teacher – English, Drama & Sport

Razan returns to Huntingtower after graduating as a student in 2009 as a passionate and engaging educator teaching English and Drama. Razan completed his placements at The Alice Miller School, Oxley Christian College, Carwartha Senior College and Borroloola School. Razan holds a Bachelor of Industrial Design and a Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary).