Deputy Principal - Staff Development & Organisation

Welcome Back 

On behalf of all the staff, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome back our students and families, as well as welcome our new Year 7s and their families to the Mt A community.  Students are to be commended on their commitment to their studies and to the College in the challenging year of 2020, and I hope the year ahead is one that will bring continued growth and achievement. 

With February already upon us and classes and events underway, I wish our students all the best for the 2021 academic year.  May you have the courage, strength, dedication, and passion to achieve your goals in the year ahead. 

Introducing New Staff

This week it is my pleasure to welcome and introduce our new permanent and contract teachers and support staff to the College.

Permanent Staff 

Jennifer Clark - Teacher: Business, RE, Humanities

In her 30+ years of teaching, Jen Clark has taught across a range of educational settings in Business, Economics, Humanities, and Religion.  Most recently she has taught at Marist College, Ashgrove.  She is passionate about becoming involved in all facets of college life, including pastoral care, camps, retreats, volleyball, rugby, and debating.  For Jen, relationships in the college community are at the core of her practice.  Knowing her students - especially the most challenging - as adults and young learners who need guidance and support is central in her journey to educate and guide learners to become knowledgeable and confident citizens of the 21st century.

Lauren Cowburn - Teacher: Business, RE, Humanities

Lauren Cowburn has been working for TAFE Queensland for the past six years as a teacher and business mentor.  She has completed a Bachelor of Business and a Masters in Teaching.  Lauren is passionate about creating engaging and aspirational learning environments for students so they can strive to reach their goals.  She believes that one of the most profound moments in a young person’s life is the transformation that occurs when they acquire knowledge and skills.  This empowers them with the opportunity to change their life for the better and meaningfully contribute to our society.

Natalie Dean – Teacher: English 

Natalie Dean is originally from Townsville, where she taught English, Drama, History, and Study of Religion at St Margaret Mary’s College for many years.  Since moving to Brisbane, Natalie has taught at Our Lady’s College, Annerley, and Clairvaux MacKillop College, Upper Mt Gravatt, where she was also Head of the English Department.  With over 23 years’ experience in the classroom, she moved into the Brisbane Catholic Education Office for nearly four years, where she worked as an Education Officer, supporting teachers and schools.  However, her passion for working with young people meant she missed being at a school, so she is delighted to be returning to the classroom at Mount Alvernia where she can once again work with young people to improve their English and encourage her students to read more great books.

Colleen Goodin – Pastoral Guardian Year 8 and Mathematics/Science Teacher

Colleen Goodin has been teaching for over 30 years in both primary and secondary schools in New Zealand, Australia, and England.  She has spent the last six years at Mt St Michael’s College in Ashgrove, and has a passion for girls’ education and equipping them with the skills to face the challenges of the 21st century.  Colleen is looking forward to becoming an integral part of the Mount Alvernia community. 

Stewart Waldron – Teacher: Mathematics 

Stewart Waldron has been teaching in Brisbane for the past seventeen years in various settings, with Brisbane secondary schools and international schools making up the majority of this experience.  Most recently, he was at St John’s Anglican College.  Stewart is pleased to be teaching Maths here at Mount Alvernia, and also has a background in the sciences and enjoys teaching Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.  Stewart is a keen musician and play drums in a local band (one you probably haven’t seen).  Stewart is also enthusiastic about digital technology and at previous schools enjoyed building PCs with students outside class time.

Shari Bartley – Teacher: Hospitality, Food & Nutrition, and Design & Technologies

Shari Bartley has been teaching for six years, with experiences ranging from schools within Education Queensland to independent schools, including Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School and, most recently, Canterbury College.  Her passion for food and nutrition led her to pursuing a career teaching Food & Hospitality and Business.  Shari has a broad range of experience, planning and implementing events for the school community within hospitality departments.  She is excited to be a part of the Mt A community and keen to motivate and inspire students to do their personal best. 

Frances Macdonald – Teacher Aide 

Frances Macdonald has been a teacher’s aide for almost a decade at All Saints Primary School at Albany Creek.  Here she worked closely with teachers and students to support and develop students in their educational journey, and prides herself on making a real difference in their lives and to the overall school community.  Frances has a real love of nature and the outdoors, regularly camping with her family and friends.  She has a passion for netball and coaches a Kedron Lions netball team, alongside maintaining personal fitness with her regular F45 gym sessions.  You will find that, as a role model to others, Frances will give anything a go – the upcoming Year 7 camp will be a highlight.  Frances is very excited to be working with the Mount Alvernia students to help them to find their passion and reach their personal best. 

Sonia Jones – Risk and Compliance Officer

Sonia Jones has worked in schools in Japan and England, and is familiar with the Franciscan traditions as a parent with children within the FOTH community.  She brings to the role diverse industry experience and is focussed on ensuring strong and centralised processes are in place across the College.  Sonia is excited about working at Mount Alvernia and supporting students, parents, and staff in areas of risk and safety.

Sally Clarke - College Receptionist

Sally has worked in student administration at The University of Queensland for close to ten years.  She enjoys greeting and assisting students and their families with enquiries. When she is not at work, you can find Sally driving her three young sons to sport!

Contract Staff

Daniella Curcuruto – Teacher: Music (Term 1)

With passions for music and inspiring young women to pursue their dreams, Daniella Curcuruto studied a Bachelor of Secondary Education and Arts at the University of Queensland, majoring in Music.  Daniella joins Mount Alvernia College this year as a graduate teacher; however, the community is not unfamiliar to her as she is a past student. She is very grateful to be returning to the place that first inspired and encouraged her to become a music teacher.  While at the College, Daniella aims to be a role model for her students, both within and outside of the Music classroom and encourage them to be the best versions of themselves.  

Eve Longley – Teacher: Visual and Media Arts (Term 1) 

After completing her Bachelor in Marketing and Visual Art at QUT, Eve Longley’s experience volunteering at Milpera State High School’s Art for Relaxation for refugee and migrant students spawned her passion for teaching.  Eve then completed her Masters in Teaching at QUT in the teaching areas of English and Visual Art.  In the future she aspires to complete studies in Art Therapy and is also interested in teaching in Business Studies. Eve has a deep passion for inspiring students to pursue their passions and talents and sharing real-world skills that will equip students for their ever-evolving futures.