How well do you
know our staff?
This week we learn a little about Jess Cameron, Jenny Young and Roberta Varrenti.
Jess Cameron
How long have you been teaching/working in schools?
After graduating from Australian Catholic University in 2014, I began teaching in 2015 at Our Lady of Fatima in Rosebud. In 2017, I started teaching at St Joseph’s Primary School, as I wanted to further develop my teaching. I was drawn to St Joey’s because I love collaborating with other teachers and staff in an open plan learning space.
Current roles and responsibilities
This year I am working in the 5/6 space as a classroom teacher. I love working with the senior students in their final years of primary school.
What do you love about working at St Joseph’s?
I love working with the other teachers and LSOs at our school. We are all passionate about teaching and learning. I also enjoy getting to know different students and their families. I feel very fortunate to be surrounded by many kind and thoughtful people in our school community.
Interests/passions outside of school
I enjoy baking (when I have the time), going for walks, camping, boating and motorbike riding. My favourite thing to do is to spend time making memories with my family and friends.
Family
My family are my husband James and our two boys, Ned and Oscar. Ned is four years old and Oscar is one and a half. They are both very busy and happy boys. They love jumping on the trampoline, riding their bikes and even some play fighting.
Jenny Young
How long have you been teaching/working in schools?
I have been teaching children for 38 years. It has always been my passion to nurture and motivate young minds and their sense of self.
Current roles and responsibilities
I am currently the Visual and Performing Arts teacher at St Joseph’s. I have taught in Primary schools in Melbourne, NSW and regional Victoria. My last teaching position was at St Finbar’s, East Brighton, where I taught Visual and Performing Arts for 13 years before I decided on a “sea change” and moved down to the Mornington Peninsula in 2016.
What do you love about working at St Joseph’s?
I have loved teaching at St Joseph’s for the past 5 years. There is a fantastic sense of community that continues to get better every year and the children are an absolute pleasure to teach and get to know.
Interests/passions outside of school
Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my husband and family.
Family
I have three adult children. My daughter and her little family live close by. I have a son who lives in NSW and my youngest son is living in London. One of my most favourite things to do is sit on our veranda, with my husband Dave, enjoying a pot of Chai. Dave has created an absolutely beautiful garden for us to enjoy and not a day goes by during hail, rain or shine that we don’t sit back and just be still in that moment. Another highlight of my week is my Fridays, which is my “Nana Jen” day when I look after my adorable little grandchildren.
Roberta Varrenti
How long have you been teaching/working in schools?
I’ve taught for so many years that I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count them. I started in Shepparton at Wanganui Park High school for four years and have taught in Brunswick, Colac, Blackburn, Tarneit, Frankston and of course, Sorrento. I have taught children from Prep to Year 12.
Current roles and responsibilities
I am currently teaching Italian to Grades 3, 4, 5 and 6 but I have also taught French for many years at secondary level. When I started in term 3 at St Joseph’s in 2017 I taught all the grades from Prep to grade 6.
Recently we celebrated Italian Day. It is a very busy and happy event which I love to organise for the school. It is such a joy to see our students engage in another culture through games, food, competitions and entertainment with songs and language.
What do you love about working at St Joseph’s?
Through many wonderful events at our school I have been continually amazed by the enthusiasm, generosity, energy and time all our community – parents, staff and towns people – dedicate to our little school. It shows how much our children matter.
I love doing yard duty! Since starting at St Joseph’s what has struck me is the beautiful interaction between the older and younger students. They care for their buddies and are quick to run to each other’s rescue if someone is hurt or sad. I always think of them as a big family of loving brothers and sisters.
Interests/passions outside of school
In my free time I love to paddle about in my kayak in the summer months and spend time on the beach with friends. In winter I am an avid and experienced skier of many years. I love movies, the theatre, opera, ballet and tango dancing – to name a few!
Family
I am married to Ian, our home is in Colac and we have two wonderful sons, Julien and Pip, of whom I am extremely proud. This month our family looks forward to two major events. Pip will marry and I will become a nonna for the first time to Julien’s first child. I’m very, very excited!