New Staff

Lisa Hogan

What is your previous experience?

I have taught at Mary MacKillop for a number of years throughout my entire career. Recently I have completed three years at a boys college in Brisbane where I taught senior maths to Year 10, 11 and 12. 

What is your role at MMCRC?

I am a maths teacher.

What are your first impressions of MMCRC?

I love the country feel of the school and the fact that I am sometimes teaching students of parents who I have taught over the years.

Zachary Cox

What is your previous experience?

I’ve been a teacher for 14 Years in Melbourne and I have spent the past nine years working in all boys education. I was fortunate enough to teach at Parade College in Melbourne’s north during my time there and it has a special place in my heart. 

In 2010/2011, I worked in Tanzania with the Edmund Rice Foundation Australia, a country in East Africa and I thoroughly enjoyed my adventure of living and working overseas. Each day felt like a movie set and I’ll never forget the experience. 

Before starting my teaching adventure I travelled widely and spent time working in Eastern Europe. 

What is your role at MMCRC?

I teach History and a highlight for me at the moment is introducing my Year 12 Revolutions class to the bloody revolts, coups, trials and daring escapes of the French Revolution that makes ‘House of Cards’ look like child’s play. I love teaching young adults about the past; there is depth and richness in the actions of the people we study and I continue to learn from and challenged by it. 

My co-curricular activity is basketball and I hope to coach a school team this year. 

Do you have local connections?

We have no local connections and my family and I are flying solo down here. My wife’s family are in Warragul so help is not too far away. 

What are your first impressions of MMCRC?

I’m super impressed on so many levels. The professionalism of the teaching staff and the kindness of the students has been a real highlight. From day one I could tell that the student was at the heart of what they do and that sits perfectly well with me. 

Jordan Miller

What is your previous experience?

Mary MacKillop is my first appointment as a graduate teacher. I have extensive experience coaching elite level junior sport and tutoring VCE Legal Studies and History Revolutions.

What is your role at MMCRC?

At Mary MacKillop I will be teaching across all year levels in the fields of Humanities and Health/Physical Education. I will also be coaching multiple SSV squads and look forward to growing our sporting program. 

Do you have local connections?

I have made the move to Mary MacKillop from the inner suburbs of Melbourne. I don’t have many local connections but I am looking forward to getting involved in the community, most importantly country football.

What are your first impressions of MMCRC?

Mary MacKillop has a great community of staff and students. The students have been very helpful and kind which has made the transition seamless.

Stephen Ross-Bryant

What is your previous experience?

This is my 4th year teaching.  I come from a long career in Facilities Management in the UK and Australia and after returning to Australia realised it was not the same as Facilities Management in the UK.  So I decided on a career change and went to university to get my Science degree, shortly thereafter I did my Graduate Diploma in Teaching and have not looked back since.  I was teaching in Mackay in Tropical North Queensland until I moved down in April last year and then by distance learning until September.

What is your role at MMCRC?

 This year I am teaching year 8 and 9 Science, year 8 Maths and year 10 Applied Maths, and Agricultural Science.

Do you have local connections?

My family have lived on Phillip Island for a very long time.  I have travelled a lot but it is time to move closer to my family.

What are your first impressions of MMCRC?

I am thrilled to be teaching at such a wonderful place of dedicated learning as Mary McKillop.  From a teaching point of view it is a very positive and supportive environment, and this is evident all over the school.

Claire Cassidy

What is your previous experience?

Taught at Huntingtower Mt Waverly for 16 years, food studies, math's and year 8 Co-ordinator. Previously Killester College, Springvale

What is your role at MMCRC?

7/8 Transition Co-ordinator, Year 7 homeroom, 7/8 Maths, 7 food studies, 7 RE

Do you have local connections?

I live in Inverloch, but have no local connections.

What are your first impressions of MMCRC?

I have had very friendly welcome to the school. The staff are helpful and supportive and happy to help me wherever possible. The students have been excited to return to school and are engaged and positive about the new year. 

Richard Ogilvie

What is your previous experience?

I have taught in all three sectors of Education; starting at St. Joseph’s College Echuca where I was a House Coordinator of Wellbeing, this placement was followed by a period of time at Gippsland Grammar Sale, as a Director of Sport. For the last two years I have worked in public education as a Head of Sub-School at Richmond High, and am really keen to establish myself in the Catholic System again where I started my teaching Journey.

What is your role at MMCRC?

Health and Physical Education Teacher and Wellbeing Coordinator for the Middle School.

Do you have local connections?

I grew up in East Gippsland and as a student I attended a similar Catholic School to MMC in Sale. This is part of the reason that I am so excited to be teaching at MMC!

What are your first impressions of MMCRC?

MMC has been a really inclusive and supportive environment so far with staff and student alike being extremely friendly.

Patrick McCarthy

What is your previous experience?

I began my teaching career here at Mary Mackillop College before moving to the north east of Victoria for three years where I taught in Yarrawonga. We missed the lifestyle down here so much we decided to move back. 

What is your role at MMCRC?

 I am teaching Business Management across Years 11 and 12, Money and Markets and RE in Year 10. I am also the Humanities Faculty Leader here at the school. 

Do you have local connections?

My mum grew up in Leongatha before being sent to boarding school in Melbourne where she stayed and where I was born and raised. My grandfather was the Leongatha Shire Engineer and I still have lots of cousins and family connections in the area. 

What are your first impressions of MMCRC?

MMCRC has grown since I was here last! I cannot wait for the new senior school building to open for both staff and students to enjoy. 

Melissa Fuller

What is your previous experience? This is my nineteenth year of teaching. My previous appointment was at Beaconhills College for twelve years teaching Senior English, Religion and Society and RAVE.  Prior to that I worked in a mixture of independent and state schools around Melbourne. I am passionate about teaching literacy and critical thinking through literature, and also the philosophy of peace studies.

 What is your role at MMCRC?

 I am teaching Year 7, 10 and 11 English, as well as Year 11 Youth Ministry.

Do you have local connections?

I have recently moved to Kilcunda, after living at San Remo for two years. Prior to that I lived in Garfield.

What are your first impressions of MMCRC?

Mary Mackillop College is a very down -to-earth school, teachers really do care about their students’ well-being.

Elise Dowling

What is your previous experience?

This is my first year out teaching after finishing my Masters of Education at Monash University at the end of 2020. Previous to that, I completed a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science at Deakin University.

What is your role at MMCRC?

This year I am teaching Year 7 and 8 Maths and Year 9 and 10 Health and Physical Education.

Do you have local connections?

I am actually returning home after spending 5 years in Melbourne. Before moving to Melbourne for University, I had lived in South Gippsland my whole life with MMCRC actually being my old secondary school. I have been involved in numerous local sporting clubs and have worked at the local bakery, along with all my family living locally.

What are your first impressions of MMCRC?

I have loved being back! The staff and students are so welcoming and I can’t wait to see what we can achieve this year!

Kathleen Dauguet

Kathleen has returned to the college after being on leave during 2020. Kathleen teaches French.

Kaitlin Funnell (AFL Sports Ready Trainee)

Kaitlin graduated in 2020 and is currently completing a 12 month AFL Sports ready traineeship at the college with our PE team.

Zali Hill (AFL Sports Ready Trainee)

Zali graduated in 2020 and is currently completing a 12 month AFL Sports ready traineeship at the college with our PE team.

Caitlin Reid (AFL Sports Ready Trainee)

Caitlin graduated in 2019 and is currently completing a 12 month AFL Sports ready traineeship at the college with our Learning Adjustment team.