Alumni Profile – Nicole Dunn

New Staff

This year we welcome the following staff members to the St Aloysius College community. They bring with them a range of experiences and talents and have already become such an important part of the College.

Lauren French

Teacher

I commenced my role at St Aloysius College as the Food Technology and Textiles Teacher at the beginning of this year. I am from Western Australia and completed my teaching degree at Edith Cowan University in Perth. On graduating I worked at Applecross Senior High School for 3 years then I decided to see the world and went to the UK for 2 years. This allowed me the opportunity to work in schools around London and to travel to many parts of Europe which was an experience I thoroughly enjoyed. Prior to St Aloysius I worked at Methodist Ladies College in Perth. In my spare time I enjoy yoga, playing netball, going for long walks and listening to my favourite podcasts. I also enjoy cooking and baking and trying to come up with new and exciting recipes for my students.

Tom Madden

Teacher

I went to school at St. Bernard’s College and after completing VCE I went straight to university and completed a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science at Victoria University. Upon completion of that degree, I decided I wanted to become a Physical Education Teacher so I completed my Master of Teaching at The University of Melbourne (majoring in Health and Physical Education). After I completed my Master of Teaching in mid 2018, I went into casual relief teaching. I balanced the majority of my work between St.Bernard’s College, Scotch College and Melbourne Girls’ College. During this time I was fortunate enough to secure contract work at St.Bernard’s College in 2018 and Scotch College in 2019.

My interests outside of work include sport, in particular footy which I still play and spending time with family and friends.

Chris Needle

Health & Physical Education Learning Leader

I love being a teacher and I am very grateful to be in the word of education. I’m originally from the U.K. and have lived in New Zealand for the past 7 years until Melbourne became my new home in January. I’ve been fortunate to teach in a wide range of schools in the countries that I’ve lived. Ranging from very challenging inner-city schools through to elite independent schools. Whilst I have always taught Health & Physical Education I have also held a variety of other positions from Head of Faculty to Year Leader so I’ve been able to see different aspects of schooling. Obviously, being from England, my great passion is football (soccer if you must) along with rugby league, tennis, fitness, the list goes on….as you would expect from someone in HPE!

Natasha Stewart

English Learning Leader

I joined the St Aloysius community this year as Learning Area Leader for English. I have been teaching for 11 years and have loved every moment of it! My career has seen me teach in a diverse range of schools, from a small country town in southwest Victoria, to a large state school in England. More recently, I have worked at Catholic Regional College and Lowther Hall Anglican Grammar. Each school I have worked at has taught me something unique and I value every experience I have had in each of these wonderful schools. I have completed an Honours degree (History), Diploma of Education and Bachelor of Arts (English and History majors), and am currently completing my Master of Education (specialising in Leadership and Management) at The University of Melbourne. I have spent years working and travelling overseas, and although teaching is a passion of mine, the most important role I play in life is that of a mother. I have two young children, a six-year-old (Donovan), and a four-year-old (Annie). Having children has helped me to grow as a teacher, as well as to embrace a different perspective on teaching and the relationships I develop with students and parents.

Life is busy, but I never spend a day without a moment of joy or a lesson learnt.

Rachel McVea

Human Resources Officer

Originally from Northern Ireland I moved to England to study for 4 years at university before embarking on an around the world trip. I never made it full circle as that was 20 years ago and I am still in Australia! I spent the last 13 years working for a Real Estate company – of which the last 9.5 years have been in an HR/payroll capacity. Having only started with St Aloysius College 6 weeks ago I have already witnessed the supportive, caring and team environment that St Aloysius provides.

Michelle Reeves

Teacher

I am a singer and songwriter, an active performer and I do a lot of performances and crew work with the Warrandyte Theatre Company. I am currently having guitar lessons online, working on my fingerstyle playing. I have studied JAZZ / Contemporary Voice at the Victorian Collage of the Arts (VCA), Melbourne Uni – Masters of Music Performance Teaching and I completed my teaching masters at Australian Catholic Cao U University (ACU).

I have commenced as a Music Teacher at St Aloysius this year. It has certainly been interesting to start my first year of teaching in the era of COVID-19.

Antoinette Bonacci

Teacher

I have joined the wonderful staff at St Aloysius this year. However, I worked at the College for a term in 2017 and then again in 2018. As a student, I attended the Academy of Mary Immaculate, also a Mercy school, and I am still thrilled whenever I meet another Mercy girl. I expect that is because my own experience at school was a very happy and positive one, and I have remained good friends with a few of my friends from those days. After completing my studies at Melbourne University, I decided to go into teaching, and I have never regretted my decision. I have worked in several secondary Catholic schools, as well as one secondary state school. I feel fortunate to have had a wide range of experiences in different schools and with different students. I have met many inspiring teachers and students.

This year, my role is in Learning Support. This is a very new experience and I am enjoying my contact with students in new ways. I am learning new things every day.