New Staff Welcome

Tom Crowle

I’m very excited to be joining St Aloysius in 2023 – a year that promises to be a dynamic year of growth for the school, its students and its community.

I join the St Aloysius community with seventeen years’ experience across both all-girls’ education in the Catholic and Independent sectors, as well as experience in co-education. I value a return to Mercy Education and its emphasis on supporting Mercy women to flourish and serve their community.

Grace Fethers

Hi there, my name is Grace and I am very excited to commence 2023 as the College’s new Education Support Officer. I am very much looking forward to joining the St Aloysius community, where I will be working closely with students to support them in their learning. I am passionate about celebrating student diversity and uniqueness, and this is very much part of the St Aloysius ethos. Along with the Learning Diversity team, we will be ensuring that all students’ needs are being catered for and that everyone feels included and supported. Currently, I am in my final year of a Masters of Teaching at the University of Melbourne. I am also a North Melbourne local, where I can regularly be found in cafes, the library, and walking around Royal Park.

Natalie Geary

I’m Natalie the new Science Laboratory Technician.

I come from the Department of Agriculture’s AgriBio building which is Victoria’s leading research facility for Agriculture Biosciences. AgriBio is the Victorian governments arm of scientific research and respond to all events that affect our primary industries. AgriBio is involved with many scientific advancements including the well-known A2 milk or drought resistance crops. AgriBio staff also respond to quarantine events and natural disasters that affect our state such as bushfire, flood recovery and pest response. After 15 years as AgriBio’s Laboratory Manager I am looking forward to this big change to personally grow further and help shape, support, and encourage the new generation of scientists into the world here at St Aloysius.

I have a deep passion for science, nature and working with animals. I have 2 beautiful sons Samuel and Michael, who are at the core of everything I do, and you’ll often find me creating fun science and nature-based activities for them.

Brad Hall

I’m very excited to be joining the St Aloysius community. I have been teaching for five years with St Al’s being my third school. Previous to teaching, I spent many years at the University of Melbourne in various finance and administrative roles across many faculties. I specialise in teaching English, Humanities, and Commerce subjects and have a passion for helping students reach their full potential. I have two children whom I love spending time with and in my free time, I enjoy listening to R&B soul/funk music (1975 to 1985 is the sweet spot) and practicing Karate.

Elisa Litvin

I have been a teacher of history and Humanities for over 23 years. Originally from Detroit, USA, I have had varied experiences educating senior school students in both Victoria and the United States.

Most recently I was at Assumption College as a Humanities teacher and Humanities Learning Leader. My very first school in the Detroit area was run by the Sisters of Mercy, though, so I view starting at St Aloysius as a form of homecoming. I look forward to helping students make sense of the world they live in. I also look forward to leading the Humanities team at St Aloysius.

Because of my love for all things Humanities, you can find me on my off time in galleries and museums (history), visiting places near and far (geography), or involved with social programs and issues (civics & citizenship).

Dianne Martin

Hi everyone, my name is Dianne Martin and I will be joining the College community this year teaching Year 7 and 9 Maths and Science.

I live locally but grew up on a dairy farm in Central Western NSW, where I learned to love the natural world. I enjoy returning to the farm to visit family, admire the landscape and see the sky full of stars. More locally, I like to go on walks next to beautiful spots like mountains, rivers and the ocean. This year I will be seeking to share a sense of wonder with students in my Maths and Science classes. I hope to encourage students to be curious about the world around them, and to help their brilliance shine through their studies and in their relationships with each other. I look forward to getting to know the students, families and staff in the College community this year!

Kareena Martis

I am Kareena Martis, a Science, Biology and Music educator from New Zealand. I grew up in Auckland and have a background in Biomedical Science, Performance Violin and Education. I bring a decade of experience as a science educator and leader in various New Zealand schools. Outside work, I enjoy drinking coffee with a good book, playing the violin, tramping and exploring new places with my family.

I am so excited to join the fantastic team at St Aloysius College and share my expertise and passion for innovative education with this community.

Pippa Mills

Hello! It’s lovely to meet you all. My name is Pippa Mills and I am commencing my first year of teaching here at Aloysius.

I recently graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Masters in Secondary teaching at the end of 2022. Before that and (in between various spells of travel, pre-covid of course), I completed a Bachelor of Arts at Melbourne University with a Major in Creative Writing and English Literature. Whilst studying, I worked for a Barristers Clerk amongst the Melbour ne Court district for 4 years so I’m very much looking forward to the change of working in an educational setting. I’m incredibly honoured and excited to be teaching Literature, Media and Drama this year as we embark on what promises to be an exciting new era for St Aloysius as a co-educational institution.

In my spare time you can find me either nestled up with a book, watching films, attending theatre shows or swimming laps up and down the pool. I cannot wait to work in in an exciting environment that draws from St Aloysius’ long tradition, whilst embracing the new 21st century model of co-education. I look forward to meeting and getting to know the students, fellow teaching staff, parents/guardians and the wider community of this wonderful school. Bring on 2023!

Saskia Muecke

I’m Saskia, the new art and STEM technician. I am a practicing ceramicist having graduated from RMIT. I have a love of the outdoors, animals and anything creative and I am incredibly excited to become a part of the St Aloysius community.

Stefan Odachowski

I am joining St Aloysius this year after 9 years as a teacher. My methods are English and History and I will be joining the school as an English teacher for 2023.

Previously I have spent seven years at St Kevin’s College with a two-year stint teaching in London in between. I absolutely loved my two years abroad, and visiting the Globe Theatre which made Shakespeare famous, and visiting Bath which inspired Mary Shelley were just a couple of highlights.

I am thoroughly looking forward to sharing my love of reading with the students and will be teaching a range of English classes from junior to senior.

Adam Valladares

Hello and thank you to everyone at St Aloysius for such a warm welcome. I am thrilled to become part of your community after twenty years of teaching in other Catholic school in Melbourne.

I will fulfil the role of English Learning Leader at the College. I hope to continue to build on the success achieved in previous years.

I look forward to meeting and working with you over the coming months.

Jen Santalucia

I am delighted to join the St Aloysius Staff and Community after having been appointed to the newly created role of Senior Leadership Administration Assistant. I will be working closely with and providing support to our Deputy Principal and Directors of the College.

Having worked previously in various administrative roles over the past 25 years or so, I have gained experience working with a few different companies both in the corporate and private sector. Some of my previous roles include personal assistant, customer service, marketing, and more recently, administration assistant working in a busy primary school environment.

Originally from Perth, I enjoy travelling back to the West with my family, visiting the beautiful beaches Perth has to offer during the summer holidays.

I am extremely excited to take on this new chapter at St Aloysius College. The staff here are genuinely wonderful and very supportive. I have already been made to feel extremely welcome and I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to work here. I look forward to making many new lifelong friendships within this wonderful community.

Danny Yin

My name is Danny Yin. I have joined the College this year and am excited to be teaching VCE Mathematics and Physics. I am very much looking forward to being part of the St Aloysius College community.

Tamara Zafiropoulos

My name is Tamara, and I am the new College Psychologist at St Aloysius College. I come to the role as an Educational and Developmental Psychology Registrar with a wealth of experience working with children and adolescents with a range of mental health concerns, along with young people with neurodevelopmental differences and learning difficulties. As well as proving counselling services to students, I will also be conducting psychoeducational assessments to support students, their families, and teachers to best understand an individual’s learning needs. In my practice as a psychologist, I employ the philosophy of unconditional positive regard for my clients, and I have a passion for supporting people to live meaningful lives in line with their goals and values.

I’d like to thank all the staff and students at the college for their warm welcome of me into the community. I feel very honoured to be taking on this role and I am excited to be supporting student and whole school wellbeing and flourishing in 2023 and beyond.

Beth Mcnamara

Hi my name is Beth. I have been working in regional Victoria and am excited to be living and working in the city. I am into cats (I have two) and enjoy spending my time with friends and family, music, gaming, and fitness.

I am a psychologist who has 10 years experience in working with children, young people, and adults - particularly those who have experienced trauma, developmental, and educational issues. I also have experience in delivering seminars, workshops, and mentoring other professionals. I am especially passionate about supporting children and young people in my work.

I am excited to join St Aloysius and look forward to meeting all the staff and students.