Staff 

With the year having come to a close I would like to recognise the following staff who will be leaving the Kilbreda College Community:

Robert Chalker 

Rob came to the College in 2005 as a Mathematics teacher and also spent time leading the Mathematics learning area. Rob also worked as Year 12 Coordinator for a number of years. 

Pam Ioannidis 

Pam came to the College in 2008. During her time at Kilbreda she worked as Year 7 Coordinator and taught in the areas of English. Pam put a lot of energy and vitality into the English learning area.  

Cate Jacka 

Cate came to the College in 2008 and has worked in a number of learning areas including Religious Education, Humanities and Mathematics. Cate has also made a significant contribution to the leading of Year 11 Seminar Days, Year 12 Retreats and other liturgies. 

Bernadette Kean 

Bern began in 2004 as Teacher Librarian.  Bern has an interest in ICT and Religious Education and also instigated ‘Write a Book in Day’, which has been a wonderful co-curricular opportunity for many of our students. 

Fiona McDonald 

Fiona began in 2018 and joined the College as an English Teacher, and has since made significant contributions to this learning area as the Co-Learning Leader. Fiona has run the after school ‘Hour of Power’ supporting our Year 12 students through their final year of English.

Loretta McKail 

Loretta came to Kilbreda as the Kitchen Assistant, then went on to work in Careers, at the same time she completing her teaching degree. She has taught in the areas of Business Management, VCAL and Humanities. Loretta also spent time leading the VCAL Learning Area.

Jaime Wallace

Jaime began in 2016 teaching Psychology and Physical Education.  Taking on the role as Year 9 Coordinator, she has supported the Class of 2021 through the final four years of school. Jaime has supported the co-curricular sports program and is well known for her Zumba sessions.  

Madeleine Tabacchiera 

Maddy first began working at Kilbreda in the ICT department, whilst finishing her teaching degree. In 2020 she joined the teaching ranks where she has been a valued member of the Performing Arts learning area. Maddy has also supported the Junior Choir and Productions over the last two years. 

Amanda Flynn

Amanda commenced in 2019 in the role of Wellbeing Leader Year 10 to 12. Amanda has been a teacher of Physical Education and Health and has provided significant support to the co-curricular sports program both as a sport coach and a bus driver. 

Julian Lee-Holman

Julian joined us at the beginning of Semester 2, taking on a long-service leave replacement position within the English learning area. We wish him well in his new role at St Bede’s next year.

We would also like to acknowledge Anne Brown and Rosalie Padovan who will be taking long-service leave prior to their retirements.

Anne joined the College in 1983. Throughout her years at Kilbreda Anne has worked in the Mathematics Learning Area and also worked as a Religious Education convenor at a number of year levels. Anne has continually worked on her craft as a teacher and the Swimming and Athletics carnivals have always been tallied correctly due to her sharp mind and love of numbers. 

Rosalie began in 2009. Rosalie has worked in the Languages learning area teaching Italian and has also spent time leading this learning area. Rosalie has contributed to co-curricular music events and has been a regular attendee of Music Camps. 

We thank them for the work they have done in providing a safe and engaging learning environment for our students, particularly over the last two years of remote learning.

I wish our community all the best for the holiday break and look forward to seeing you all in 2022.

Tanya Kolb

Assistant Principal:

Staff 

‘Shine a Light On' 

‘Shine a Light On' provides our College community a snapshot into the professional lives of our teachers and what makes them ‘tick’ on a daily basis. Whilst we know that our staff do an amazing job, it is not as often that we publicly acknowledge the work that they do and the many wonderful ways that they contribute to the learning journeys of our students. 

This week at the College we are profiling Ms Laura Lunardi. Laura is a teacher within the Humanities Learning Area and our Careers Coordinator. 

What originally inspired you to become a teacher and what motivates you now?

My love of learning fostered when my parents made the decision to send me to Kilbreda College to embrace the Catholic tradition via the core values and beliefs of Brigidine Education. During my secondary school years, the Brigidine Sisters empowered young women to learn together, and to be people of wisdom and compassion, instilling the Brigidine motto of Strength and Kindliness. I have been most privileged to be taught by passionate and dynamic educators both at Kilbreda and at University, inspiring me to become the teacher I am today.

Initially, I studied the Bachelor of Education in Commerce at The University of Melbourne and then continued studying throughout my teaching career in the areas of Religious Education, Applied Learning, Vocational Educational and Training (VET) and Career Development. Being a teacher gives me a strong sense of purpose and fulfilment in my life, especially becoming as knowledgeable as I can be about my content area, always striving to fuel my passion of learning to all my students.

What motivates me now is to just put my true self into my teaching, giving everything I can in supporting each student’s individual learning goals and uncovering the hidden treasures and possibilities of each student. I have experienced that the students connect to the person that is teaching, not simply the content being taught. 

What is the most rewarding part of teaching subjects within the Humanities Learning Area at Kilbreda College?

Teaching subjects such as Legal Studies, Accounting, Business Management and Humanities at Years 7 to 10, has been most rewarding for me when I see students apply their knowledge learnt in class to contemporary society. I believe these subjects aim to build the skills for lifelong learning and to encourage resilient and creative thinkers. 

I have had the opportunity to explore various teaching practices throughout my teaching career. The introduction of innovative technology in the classroom has been spellbinding, especially using the internet and YouTube to enhance my students’ learning of business principles with the world they live in.

Teaching is one of the most rewarding professions in that it gives you an opportunity to make an impact on a future generation.