Welcome new staff 

Joining our community : Part 2

We are delighted to have a significant number of new staff join our community this year, with a great breadth of experience from teaching and beyond. Over the next couple of newsletters we will bring you a short introduction to each of them. 

Please say hello when you see them around. 

Mona Wannous

I love learning about how the world works, from space all the way down to microorganisms. In fact, my dream as a child was to have my own microscope! I studied biochemistry and molecular biology as an undergrad, then ventured into a law degree that I soon discovered was not for me! During that time I was also going through very difficult circumstances, so I put my studies on hold and travelled to Japan while working part time. In Japan, I met new friends, and I was lucky to experience a beautiful culture. I visited historical sites and temples, and even experienced two earthquakes! I came back to start my postgrad in medical genetics, focusing on cancer science. As much as I enjoyed learning about the different sciences, I realised that I enjoyed talking about them and demonstrating their use more. I began my teaching journey in 2021 and am very glad I did!   I’m looking forward to evolving my science teaching to suit our scientifically emerging world and to find ways to relate science to my new students!

Nicholas Cooke

Having graduated from RMIT with a Bachelor of Design in 2009, I worked as a freelance graphic designer for eight years. During this this time I worked for a range of clients, from football teams to pharmaceutical companies. In 2017, I opened Fort Green cafe and yoga studio in Northcote with my wife. We utilised our respective backgrounds in design and nutrition to create a little slice of health and wellness on High Street. In 2021 I returned to study my Master of Teaching, following a long-time passion for education and inquiry. I come to Northcote HS with a short semester of experience under my belt and most look forward to teaching in this creative, progressive, and socially conscious community that I am fortunate enough to call home.

Fraser Martin

I'm Fraser, I've lived in Melbourne for 3 years and moved here to study teaching. I love teaching literacy skills and learning about my students through texts. I'm looking forward to cycling to work next year and meeting a team of passionate and dynamic people.

Lauren Hutson

My name is Lauren and before I finished my teaching degree I was a practicing lawyer. I completed my law degree in Geelong where I worked for four years in a community legal centre, advising and representing clients, advocating for law reform and facilitating community legal education. Today I am a sometimes lawyer, volunteering at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. I love to travel both by myself and with friends. Most recently I visited family in England and spent some time eating my way through the Netherlands and Belgium. I am a dedicated dog aunty, willing to look after or see pictures of anyone’s dogs. I currently live with my best friend and her two dogs, Ralph and Daisy. Since graduating my teaching degree I have worked in the outer south east suburbs and inner east as a CRT. While this has allowed me to have a wide range of teaching experiences, I am most looking forward to belonging to a community again and getting to know my colleagues and students. I am excited to share all the reasons I am passionate about the law and weave in all the weird and wonderful experiences I had as a practising lawyer.