Information
Our Staff
Meet the Principal
Nicole O’Brien was part of the foundation staff that opened the College in 2015. Nicole is a passionate educator with global experience in Education including both interstate and overseas appointments throughout her career.
Nicole lives in the Macedon Ranges with her husband Matt and their little boy Dustin. They all share a love of animals and their pets include dogs, cats and lots of chooks!
Nicole has a Bachelor of Education (University of South Australia), Specialist Certificate in Clinical Teaching (Melbourne University) and has recently completed the Unlocking Potential – Principal Preparation Program at the Bastow Institute for Educational Leadership. In 2018 and 2019, Nicole was a facilitator for INSPIRE, where she provided high potential leaders with the foundational capabilities required for school leadership. She used her experience to support and empower emerging leaders from schools in the Wyndham Network to learn collaboratively, develop leadership capabilities targeted to their career stage and to understand the skills and dispositions required to succeed as a teacher leader.
Nicole’s focus on excellence in teaching and learning is always evident by her love of student learning data, using the Framework for Improving Student Outcomes to inform all we do and ensuring all teaching and learning links directly to the High Impact Teaching Strategies and our Truganina College Instructional Framework. Nicole’s drive for a differentiated curriculum continues to contribute to the high expectations, achievement and success of the students and staff at Truganina College.
Meet the Deputy Principal – Teaching and Learning Excellence: Middle Years Numeracy
Sadia Toqeer joined Truganina College in Term 1 2016. She has a Bachelor of Science (Biology), a Diploma in Education (Primary), a Master of Education and has also completed the CREATE program at Bastow.
She has taught across a range of educational settings in Melbourne and overseas with a focus on curriculum development and implementation.
Sadia is passionate about building strong educational partnerships between staff, students, families and the broader community to ensure outstanding growth is achieved for every child at the College.
Meet the Director of Learning and Wellbeing Excellence – Foundation to Year 3
Rhiannon Porter joined Truganina P-9 College in Term 1, 2022. She has a Bachelor of Applied Science, a Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary) and a Master of Instructional Leadership through the University of Melbourne, completed in 2020.
Rhiannon has experience across a number of educational settings, including P-6, P-9 and P-12, predominately in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne.
She is an instructional leader and is passionate about leading school improvement in the key areas of literacy, assessment and reporting.
Prior to her years in education, Rhiannon worked across a number of fields including corporate real estate, hospitality and local government.
Rhiannon lives in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne with her husband, two teenage children and three cats – Oreo, Kelby and Buttercup.
Rhiannon will be leading the College to ensure evidence-based literacy instruction occurs in every classroom, allowing all students the greatest opportunities for success.
Meet the Director of Learning and Wellbeing Excellence – Year 4 to Year 7
Christina Arnold joined Truganina P-9 College in Term 2, 2021. Christina previously worked at Manor Lakes P-12 College for 5 years. During this time, she worked as a Primary classroom teacher, Learning Specialist and Acting Assistant Principal for Wellbeing. Christina has also worked at Concord School in the Northern suburbs for 6 years as a classroom teacher. She has completed a Bachelor of Education at RMIT University and a Masters in Special Education with Deakin University.
Christina lives on the Bellarine Peninsula with her son, their dog and two cats. Christina enjoys spending time at the beach with her dog, yoga and meditation.
Christina is passionate about ensuring that students are the centre of every decision that she makes.
Meet the Director of Learning and Wellbeing Excellence – Year 8 and Year 9
Lucy Francis joined Truganina P-9 College in Term 4 2021.
Lucy has been an educator for 19 years. While she began her career at Frankston High School, she has worked predominantly in international schools in the Middle East, Hong Kong and India leading the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (Grade 6-10); a concept based inquiry driven curriculum with a focus on authentic contexts.
Immediately prior to joining Truganina P-9 College, Lucy worked as a Clinical Teaching Specialist at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne in addition to working as an Educational Consultant supporting schools with professional learning in the area of assessment for teaching.
Lucy lives in the city and is enjoying reconnecting with her family, friends and past colleagues.
Lucy is passionate about empowering and challenging middle school students to prepare them for success at both senior secondary school and beyond.
Meet the Year 1 Assistant Principal
Stefanie Chiurtu joined Truganina College in Term 1 2023. She has a Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies and a Bachelor of Teaching from the University of Melbourne.
She has taught in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne and the Eastern Suburbs of London and has developed a passion for inclusion, welfare and the wellbeing of all students.
Stefanie lives in Geelong and loves reading, crochet and spending time with her dogs, cats, cockatoos and turtle.
She believes every child has a right to learn and is proud to join the Truganina community where she will be part of ensuring high quality education for all students.
Meet the Year 3 Assistant Principal – Teaching and Learning Excellence
Jonathan has been in Education for 19 years and has worked in multiple schools in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne and within Geelong. He really enjoys the opportunity to work with all key stakeholders to further drive the academic, social, emotional and physical wellbeing of every student.
Jonathan has lived in Geelong with his wife for the last 15 years and has two primary aged children. They enjoy spending time together, watching football (Go Bulldogs) and seeing friends and family.
Meet the Year 5 Assistant Principal – Teaching and Learning Excellence: Excellence and Equity
Sharon Hunt joined Truganina P-9 College in Term 3, 2021. Sharon has been an educator for over 20 years and has worked across three states educating both Primary and Secondary students. She has worked in leadership roles at both Williamstown North Primary School and Parkwood Green Primary School. As a curriculum leader she has a passion in Literacy, specifically in the area of Enrichment. Sharon is trained in IMSLE which is a recognised practice for students with Dyslexia. She is a registered practitioner with the Australian Dyslexia Association.
Sharon lives in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne with her husband and three boys. They spend their summer months involved with their local Life Saving Club.
As an educator and a school leader, Sharon values the importance of creating strong and sustained partnerships with families and the wider community to develop a positive and strong learning environment for all stakeholders.
Meet the Year 6 Assistant Principal – Teaching and Learning Excellence: Adult Learning
Leanne McNaughton came to Truganina College at the beginning of 2016 as a Visual Art Specialist. Leanne has worked at various schools in Gippsland, Geelong, Hobart and around the Western Suburbs of Melbourne, where she has taught every year level from Kinder to Year 7.
Leanne lives in Geelong with her husband and they have two children of whom they are extremely proud.
Leanne has a Bachelor of Arts in Education with a major in Psychology and Commerce. She has successfully completed the Inspire program at Bastow and worked as an ‘Education Changemaker’ as part of the Intercultural Capabilities Project.
Leanne is a ‘people person’ who genuinely cares about all students, staff and the wider community of Truganina College. She wants to make a difference in the lives of young people and focuses on supporting students’ social and emotional wellbeing. Leanne is passionate about making education engaging and motivating for students so they can achieve academic success.
Meet the Year 7 Assistant Principal – Student Wellbeing and Engagement
Joshua Kamener joined Truganina P-9 in Term 4 of 2022. He has an Arts degree and his Masters of Teaching (secondary). He has also completed the Impact: Emerging Leaders program at Bastow and the Teach for Australia Leadership Development Program.
He has worked in a range of mainstream and specialist settings, teaching German, humanities and leading professional learning. Most recently he worked as an Assistant Principal of a school in custody.
Josh lives with his wife, two-year-old daughter and pet cavoodle in the western suburbs and is a self-proclaimed sports nerd.
He is passionate about inclusive education and school improvement and loves seeing young people enjoy their learning, believe in themselves and be hopeful about their future.
Meet the Year 8 Assistant Principal – Teaching and Learning Excellence
Daniel Piacquadio has worked in the Goulbourn Valley region supporting the diverse needs of a highly complex school as both a Literacy and Wellbeing and Engagement leader. He comes to Truganina with a Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) and Masters of Teaching Practice from RMIT.
He has a strong belief in supporting all students to reach their academic potential and incorporates his academic background in psychology to empower students through a restorative and introspective approach to understanding themselves as school and global citizens.
Daniel lives in Caroline Springs, cherishing the company of his wife, young child and two Labradoodles.
When you see them out in the yard be sure to introduce yourself.
Meet the Year 9 Assistant Principal -Teaching and Learning Excellence
James Bayard joined Truganina P-9 College in term 2, 2023. He has degrees in Science and Biomedical Science and completed his teaching qualification through the Teach for Australia Leadership Development Program. Having worked in the government school system for a decade, James has held a wide range of positions as a teacher and leader across P-12, including as a Science/maths teacher, curriculum leader, coach and most recently as leading teacher for year 9.
He has previously worked for the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority building teaching capacity across the whole of Victoria and was also his school’s lead in the Victorian Teaching and Leadership Academy’s Leading Curriculum and Assessment program.
James is passionate about the connection between student wellbeing, agency and learning and the need to see the student as a whole person for them to be successful and grow. He is a basketball tragic and lives in Geelong with his partner and their cat and greyhounds.
Professional Learning Community 0.1 – Foundation
Ivanka Fiamengo
Learning Specialist – Excellence and Equity – Literacy
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Kaetlyn Bevilacqua
Classroom Teacher
Sarah Haslam
Classroom Teacher
Casey MacLean
Classroom Teacher
Meredith Wrigley
Spanish Teacher
Professional Learning Community 0.2 – Foundation
Jane Ryan
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Diem Vo
Classroom Teacher
Emma Pei
Classroom Teacher
Harry Koumanias
P.E. Teacher
Professional Learning Community 0.3 – Foundation
Chloe Borg
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Greg Lee
Classroom Teacher
Mandy Debilzan
Classroom Teacher
Rebecca Morgan
Classroom Teacher
Mariam Zaki
Classroom Teacher
Professional Learning Community 1.1 – Year 1
Zoya Hussain
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Renee Avery
Classroom Teacher
Sumayye Gunsay
Classroom Teacher
Roohi Walia
STEM Teacher
Professional Learning Community 1.2 – Year 1
Vicki Stanley
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Rajwinder Masson
Classroom Teacher
Shamama Hussain
Classroom Teacher
Sargon Barkho
P.E. Teacher
Professional Learning Community 1.3 – Year 1
Nimmi Mendes
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Nathan Williamson
Classroom Teacher
Jennifer Nguyen
Respectful Relationships Teacher
Professional Learning Community 1.4 – Year 1
Sarah Berry
Team Leader and STEM Teacher
Gurpreet Batth
Team Leader and STEM Teacher
Mandeep Kaur
Classroom Teacher
Emi Ipedal
Classroom Teacher
Kathryn Anderson
Art Teacher
Professional Learning Community 2.1 – Year 2
Chris Robinson
Classroom Teacher
Michael Debilzan
Classroom Teacher
Professional Learning Community 2.2 – Year 2
Harjot Kaur
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Isperee Singh
Classroom Teacher
Nidia Mendez
Spanish Teacher
Professional Learning Community 2.3 – Year 2
Dilani Bombuwelage Don
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Scarlett Nguyen
STEM Teacher
Meg Cogdon
Respectful Relationships and Art Teacher
Lachlan Petruccelli
P.E. Teacher
Kylie Lidgerwood
Art Teacher
Professional Learning Community 2.4 – Year 2
Kym Challen
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Harneet Mann
Classroom Teacher
Robyn Forsyth
Classroom Teacher
Professional Learning Community 3.1 – Year 3
Inderpreet Kaur
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Livia Yang
Classroom Teacher
Gary Bowman
Classroom Teacher
Professional Learning Community 3.2 – Year 3
Andrew Pateras
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Bianca Stagliano
Classroom Teacher
Rachel Hall
Classroom Teacher
Rosa Ieria
Spanish Teacher
Professional Learning Community 3.3 – Year 3
Elaine Loizides
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Erin Taylor
Learning Specialist – Pedogy Coach – Numeracy
Classroom Teacher
Elizabeth Blias
Classroom Teacher
Phil Lloyd
Classroom Teacher
Professional Learning Community 3.4 – Year 3
Kimberley Phan
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Kathryn Anderson
Classroom Teacher
Stephanie Baldasso
Classroom Teacher
Professional Learning Community 4.1 – Year 4
Sumeet Kaur
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Linda Keeling
Classroom Teacher
Courtney Hodgson
Learning Specialist – Student Success Coordinator
Naplan Coordinator
Classroom Teacher
Dayna Williams
Art Teacher
Professional Learning Community 4.2 – Year 4
James Damjanovski
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Polina Flint
Classroom Teacher
Letitia Wang
Classroom Teacher
Professional Learning Community 4.3 – Year 4
Marina Hohua
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Mariyam Raza
Classroom Teacher
Leisa Blanche
Classroom Teacher
Damien Fatini
P.E. Teacher
Professional Learning Community 5.1 – Year 5
Taylor Rhodes
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Stephanie Li
Classroom Teacher
Letisha Hirniak
Art Teacher
Professional Learning Community 5.2 – Year 5
Kellee Cristino
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Silsila Amini
Classroom Teacher
Jake Farrow
P.E. Teacher
Peter Goodman
P.E. Teacher
Professional Learning Community 5.3 – Year 5
Hannah Tooze
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Tolga Kanbur
Classroom Teacher
Kelsey Lucas
Pedagogy Coach – Respectful Relationships
Classroom Teacher
Zahra Saadat
Classroom Teacher
Kiran Khan
STEM Teacher
Professional Learning Community 5.4 – Year 5
Melanie Park
Learning Specialist – Numeracy Excellence and Equity
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Amy Ditchburn
Classroom Teacher
Hanan Khalil
Classroom Teacher
Sarah Daniele
STEM Teacher
Professional Learning Community 6.1 – Year 6
Ayda Haouchar
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Xavier O’Halloran
Learning Specialist – Engagement and Wellbeing
Classroom Teacher
Ann Le
Learning Specialist – Student Success Cordinator
Classroom Teacher
Michelle Daly
Art Teacher
Professional Learning Community 6.2 – Year 6
Roma Gill
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Rose Hashim
Leading Specialist – Pedagogy – Literacy
Classroom Teacher
Caitlyn Charlesworth
Classroom Teacher
Ivor Dyall
Classroom Teacher
Professional Learning Community 6.3 – Year 6
John Whitehouse
Team Leader and P.E. Teacher
Aimee Boyd
Classroom Teacher
Shweta Anand
Classroom Teacher
Kellie Hindmarch
Classroom Teacher
Marwa Warsame
Classroom Teacher
Professional Learning Community 7 – Year 7
Grace Thomas
Year 7 Team Leader and Year 7 Teacher
Lauren Gibson
Year 7 Team Leader and Year 7 Teacher
Pawani Kohli
Year 7 Team Leader and Year 7 Teacher
Prafulla Erra
Year 7 Team Leader and Year 7 Teacher
Alicia Pettinella
Year 7 Team Leader and Year 7 Teacher
HAPE Teacher
Rita Duber
Year 7 Teacher
Darcy Lauder
Year 7 Teacher
Calypso Owen
Year 7 Teacher
Jennifer Tanner
Year 7 Teacher
Swagata Rudra
Year 7 Teacher
Cameron Shanks
Year 7 Teacher
Leela Fernandez
Year 7 Teacher
Chiarenne Cooper
Year 7 Teacher
Music Teacher
Professional Learning Community 8 – Year 8
Sabrina Baker
Year 8 Team Leader and Year 8 Teacher
Art Teacher
Naseem Sayeda
Year 8 Team Leader and Year 8 Teacher
Jackie Cusack
Year 8 Team Leader and Year 8 Teacher
HAPE Teacher
Brett Shiel
Year 8 Team Leader and Year 8 Teacher
Will Cooper
Year 8 Team Leader and Year 8 Teacher
Tania Fota
Learning Specialist – Transitions and Pathways
Year 8 Teacher
Spanish Teacher
Parnett Kaur
Year 8 Teacher
Sarah Thompson
Year 8 Teacher
Kevin Ngo
Year 8 Teacher
Jasen Couttiguane
Year 8 Teacher
Nellie Gunathilake
Year 8 Teacher
Jessie Patterson
Learning Specialist – Pedagogy Coach – Numeracy
Year 8 Teacher
Ashima Ghuman
Year 8 Teacher
Professional Learning Community 9 – Year 9
Daniel Suarez
Year 9 Team Leader and Year 9 Teacher
HAPE Teacher
Joanna Gee
Learning Specialist – Literacy
Year 9 Team Leader and Year 9 Teacher
Stephen Ireland
Year 9 Teacher
Manisha Kakkar
Year 9 Teacher
Matthew Owens-Gale
Year 9 Teacher
Tamanna Juli
Year 9 Teacher
Suh-Yeon Kim
Year 9 Teacher
David Shea
Year 9 Teacher
Soundgarage Music School
Patrick O’Brien
Manager of Soundgarage Music School
Wellbeing Team
Jordan O’Connor
Provisional Psychologist
Erika Benitez
Mental Health Practitioner
Meg Olive
School Counsellor
Priyanka Singh
School Counsellor
Courtney Santullo
Education Support
Sarah Knight
School Nurse
Hannah Viado-Vega
School Nurse
Education Support
Abha Doda
Intergration Aide
Afshan Karim
Learning Support
Ami Bhaiyaji
Intergration Aide
Anita Srinivasan
Intergration Aide
Anmol Walia
Intergration Aide
Anu Cyriac
Intergration Aide
Ariba Fatima
Learning Support
Arooj Fatima
Learning Support
Avni Shah
Learning Support
Bhawna Dogra
Learning Support
Bhoomika Vala
Learning Support
Bree Sullivan
Learning Support
Brooke Cole
Food Tech Assistant
Colleen Scott
Intergration Aide
Daljit Kaur
Intergration Aide
Dammi Suriya Mudiyanselage
Food Tech Assistant
Donna Curtis
Intergration Aide
Faiza Faisal
Intergration Aide
Garima Walia
Intergration Aide
Gurleen Sodhi
Intergration Aide
Gurpreet Gill
Learning Support
Harshala Gupta
Intergration Aide
Joshua Failla
Learning Support
Jyothsna Basireddy
Learning Support
Kamala Selvakannan
Learning Support
Karishma Soni
Learning Support
Keerthi Bhimavarapu
Intergration Aide
Kelly Carter
Intergration Aide
Khuteja Almas
Learning Support
Kiranjeet Kaur
Learning Support
Kirsten Mellios
Learning Support
Kirsty Evans
Learning Support
Lauren Baker
Learning Support
Manisha Patel
Intergration Aide
Melanie Matsakos
Learning Support
Mitesha Patel
Learning Support
Nashia Anzar
Intergration Aide
Navjot Dhaliwal
Learning Support
Nazlie Ajam
Intergration Aide
Nilo Fatima
Learning Support
Nirmesha Pathak
Intergration Aide
Paola Zevallos
Learning Support
Priya Katwe
Learning Support
Rebecca Coggan
Intergration Aide
Rukshani Nagaratne
Learning Support
Safna Fawzan
Learning Support
Sajida Awan
Learning Support
Sandip Kaur
Learning Support
Saniya Khatoon
Learning Support
Shaveta Bhanot
Learning Support
Sonal Shah
Intergration Aide
Sue Vithanage
Intergration Aide
Swe Zin Myint
Learning Support
Tammy Todd
Intergration Aide
Theo Huang
Learning Support
Timothy Bilogrevic
Learning Support
Urmil Khatana
Intergration Aide
Uzma Usama
Intergration Aide
Vitina Scremin
Intergration Aide
Vrunda Patel
Learning Support
Zainab Khalil
Learning Support
Zahra Sania
Learning Support
Enrichment Team
Nicole Puttyfoot
Enrichment Team Leader
Level Literacy Intervention (LLI) and MultiLIt
Anjali Dhaka
Level Literacy Intervention (LLI) and MultiLIt
Amita Mittal
Level Literacy Intervention (LLI) and MultiLIt
Feride Kulafi
Level Literacy Intervention (LLI) and MultiLIt
Gunjan Mahajan
Level Literacy Intervention (LLI) and MultiLIt
Labina Khan
Level Literacy Intervention (LLI) and MultiLIt
Marianna Kountouri
Level Literacy Intervention (LLI) and MultiLIt
Matthew Byrnes
Level Literacy Intervention (LLI) and MultiLIt
Rashmi Pal
Level Literacy Intervention (LLI) and MultiLIt
Tina Kountouri
Level Literacy Intervention (LLI) and MultiLIt
Student Success
Ann Le
Student Success Coordinator
Courtney Hodgson
Student Success Coordinator
Cassidy Marsh
Data Analyst
Pedagogy Coaches
Erin Taylor
Pedagogy Coach
Jessie Patterson
Pedagogy Coach
Kelsey Lucas
Pedagogy Coach
Rose Hashim
Pedagogy Coach
Librarians
Jane Burrows
Library Manager
Roisin Danaher
Library Manager
Mamta Srivastava
Library Technician
Geethika Perera
Library Assistant
Administration Team
Helen Salmond
Business Manager
Kerry Kun
Executive Manager
Daily Organiser
Lisa Rouvray
Enrolments Manager & PSDMS Administrator
Kate Sutcliffe
Administration
Sharon Minett
Administration
Ann Williams
Reception
Suzanne Romero
Administration
Sibel Kacmazer
Administration/First Aid Officer
Jessica Radford
Middle Years Administration
Kymberley Sharp
Middle Years Administration
Elisha Schafer
Middle Years Administration
I.T. Team
Shaquil Elias
I.T.
Facilities Team
Mark Sewart
Facilities Manager
Paul Rathjen
Facilities Officer
Ainsley Sprague
Maintenance
Kirsty Young
Maintenance
Reports, Reviews & Plans
School Council
School Councils play a key role in Victorian government schools. The School Council supports the Principal to provide the best possible educational outcomes for students.
The role of School Council as outlined in the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 is one of helping to set the long term future for the school and maintaining oversight of the school’s operation. The Principal is responsible for the leadership of the school and acts as the Executive Officer of Council.
School Council responsibilities can include
- Contributing to the development of the Strategic Plan.
- Approving the annual budget.
- Working with the school to develop, review and update policies.
- Representing the views of the school community.
- Arranging for items needed for the running of the school.
- Raising funds to support school initiatives & programs.
- Making sure the school grounds and buildings are maintained.
- Creating positive interest in the school within the community.
2023 School Council
Our school constituting orders as endorsed by the Minister for Education; Hon Natalie Hutchins MP, state that our Council shall consist of six members comprising of the Principal, one department employee, three parents and one community member.
The role of School Council as outlined in the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 is one of helping to set the long term future for the school and
maintaining an overview of the school’s operation. The Principal is responsible for the management of the school and acts as the Executive Officer of Council.
Any questions can be directed to School Council Secretary; Helen Salmond via the school office on 9368 9800.
2023 School Council Members are:
President: Dhara Parekh
Vice President: Geetanjali Gaba
Treasurer: Jodie Argueta
Principal: Nicole O’Brien
DET Representative: Sadia Toqeer
Community Member: Adrian Gonnella
Member: Rahima Ahmed
Member: Isha Chawla
Member: Ashish Karambelkar
Student Representative: Kisa Naqvi
Student Representative: Ansh Nayak
2022 School Council
In 2022 our School Council consisted of Parent, Community and Department of Education (DET) members including; School Council
President; Dhara Parekh, Vice President; Shashank Jain; Treasurer; Dhara Patel, Parents; DET Representative; Sadia Toqeer; Community Member; Adrian Gonnella; Student Representatives; Ashton Lim and Anahat Marwaha and Principal; Nicole O’Brien. I would like to extend a sincere thank you for their outstanding governance and support of our wonderful school.
School Council Reports
Enrolment
Officially opening in 2015, Truganina College is located within the City of Wyndham at 55 Clearwood Drive, Truganina. The area is believed to be named after Truganini, a full-blooded Aboriginal Tasmanian woman who spent a short time in the area.
In 2015, the first stage of Truganina College opened and provided classrooms and specialist spaces for students in Years Foundation – 6. The second stage opened in late 2016 and involves learning communities for students in Years 7 – 9, additional specialist spaces and a gymnasium. The College is organised around the primary and secondary stages of schooling. The school focuses on effective transition from Early Learning Centres and to Senior Secondary education.
Truganina College has a Neighbourhood Boundary.
findmyschool.vic.gov.au hosts the most up-to-date information about Victorian school zones.
Information on this site is updated in Term 1 each year.
To visit the site, see: www.findmyschool.vic.gov.au
If you have a question about school zones call the VSBA Hotline on 1800 896 950 or email: vsba@edumail.vic.gov.au
Proof of residency is required at the time of enrolment.
Truganina College require all new enrolments to provide proof of address, plesae see what documents are required here:
Check Box For Enrolment 2022 and 2023
For all enrolment enquiries, please contact Truganina College on the details below:
Find My School link
Kinder to Foundation Transitions
Kindergarten to Foundation Transition
Truganina College Details
Bunurong Country
55 Clearwood Drive, Truganina, 3029
Principal: Nicole O’Brien
Deputy Principal: Sadia Toqeer
Director of Learning & Wellbeing Excellence – Years 8 & 9:
Lucy Francis
Director of Learning & Wellbeing Excellence – Years 4 to 7:
Christina Arnold
Director of Learning & Wellbeing Excellence – Foundation to Year 3:
Rhiannon Porter
Assistant Principal:Rhiannon Porter
Assistant Principal: Stefanie Chiurtu
Assistant Principal: Jonathan Skipworth
Assistant Principal: Christina Arnold
Assistant Principal: Leanne McNaughton
Assistant Principal: Sharon Hunt
Assistant Principal: Joshua Kamener
Assistant Principal: Daniel Piacquadio
Assistant Principal: James Bayard
Business Manager: Helen Salmond
Phone: 03 9368 9800
Enrolments for 2023
Enrolment at Truganina College – First Step
If you wish to enrol your child at Truganina College, please contact our Enrolments Manager on enrolments@truganinap9.vic.edu.au with the following information:
- Child’s name
- DOB
- Residential Address
- Previous School (if applicable)
The Enrolments Manager will respond via email. If you do not have access to email, please call the school on 9368 9800.
Foundation Enrolments for 2024
The Department of Education (DE) has a statewide Foundation (Prep) enrolment timeline.
The timeline advises families when and how to enrol their child into Foundation (Prep) at a Victorian government primary school, including Truganina College.
You can find information and resources about the enrolment timeline and procedures at: Enrolling in Foundation (Prep)
Enrolments are now open for 2024, please contact Lisa Rouvray our Enrolments Manager on enrolments@truganinap9.vic.edu.au
Proof of residency is required at the time of enrolment.
Truganina College require all new enrolments to provide proof of address, please see what documents are required here:
2023 Truganina College Parent Payment Policy
2023 Explanation of Charges Foundation to Year 6
Voluntary donation requests for the College’s Building Fund and Library Fund can be paid via Compass.
Camps and Excursions: when in addition to the standard curriculum program are self-funded and must be met by parents, as the college is unable to recover this cost from other sources of funding.
For further information regarding Parent Payment Categories please click on the following link: Parent Payment Policy
Methods of Payment & Statement of Accounts
Truganina College offers various ways to pay family accounts. Families can pay their child’s account via Compass, over the phone with credit card or at the General Office. All payments will be receipted into the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DET) approved accounting system in a timely manner. All processes will follow DET’s guidelines and procedures as they apply at that time.
Primary COMPASS Community Portal
Parents can pay for Events and some School Charges via Compass.
Financial Support Options
CSEF – Camps, Sports and Excursion Funding
Payments are made directly to the school and are tied to the student.
Please note: If you applied in 2022 your application will carry over to 2023. You do not need to submit a new application unless your circumstances have changed.
Please submit applications to the Front Office. For any questions please email Ann Williams – truganina.p9.co@education.vic.gov.au
Refund Policy for Camps, Excursions & Incursions (on-site activities)
- All Camps, Excursions and Incursions are fully self-funded.
- On site activities and Incursions at the College will not be refunded in the case of absence or withdrawal.
- One day excursions will not be refunded in the case of absence or withdrawal.
- Camps – In the case of illness or withdrawal there maybe chance of a partial refund where a camp provider is willing to refund the camp cost for your child. A written statement from a parent is necessary with a bona fide excuse. A request of a supporting medical certificate will be required.
- To discuss further please contact Alyssa Tobin – truganina.p9.co@education.vic.gov.au or phone the School on 9368 9800.
2023 Explanation of Charges Year 7 to 9
Truganina College makes every effort to keep the cost of curriculum contributions to a minimum.
Media
Below are links to media releases featuring Truganina College.
Purpose Statement
Community Engagement in Learning Team
Our staff are committed to engaging families in their children’s learning. Our aim is to provide opportunities for families to participate in experiences that will help build an understanding of how our children learn. We strive to strengthen educational partnerships across our College community and beyond.
Useful Information
Marrung Strategy
Marrung – Aboriginal Education Plan at Truganina College
The Marrung Vision:
Victoria will be a State where the rich and thriving culture, knowledge and experience of our First Nations peoples are celebrated by all Victorians; where our universal service systems are inclusive, responsive and respectful of Koorie people at every stage of their learning and development journey; and where every Koorie person achieves their potential, succeeds in life, and feels strong in their cultural identity.
At Truganina College, we are committed to supporting the Marrung Vision by:
- Celebrating our First Nations peoples rich and thriving culture by acknowledging the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders by naming our College’s Houses after Cathy Freeman, Jonathan Thurston, Albert Namatjira and David Yunaipon.
- Being inclusive, responsive and respectful of Koorie people at every stage of their learning and development journey by ensuring Koorie students have Individual Learning Action Plans and access to support beyond the classroom.
- Embedding knowledge of Koorie experiences and culture within all aspects of our Curriculum Planning in Years F-9. This is highlighted through the development of Resource Tubs, which contain Rich Literature that reflect Koorie culture and traditions.
- Continuing to acknowledge the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our curriculum and the college to build in our students’ respect and deep appreciation for their contributions to society.
Marrung Aboriginal Education Plan on Department Website: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/about/programs/aboriginal/Marrung_Aboriginal_Education_Plan_2016-2026.pdf
Information Sessions
2023 Assessment Information Night Presentation
NAPLAN Information Session: An Opportunity to Participate in Your Child’s Learning
Term 1, 2021 – See below the resources for the Term 1 2021 information session for Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 families.
These resources will provide you with information about NAPLAN assessment and how to support your child’s learning at home.
Year 3 Writing And Language Conventions NAPLAN Sample
Year 5 Writing And Language Conventions NAPLAN Sample
Helping Your Child Succeed
Support for students during school holidays
Tips to Support Learning at Home
See the videos below for easy tips to help your child’s learning at home in the following languages: English, Somali, Somoa, Hindi and Urdu.
Educational Resources
In this presentation you will find some easy tips for how to access a variety of Educatoinal Resources that have been developed by the Community Engagement in Learning Team to support learning at home.
Supporting Your Child’s Learning through Educational Resources
Mathletics
In this presentation you will find some easy tips to support your child to use Mathletics at home.
Educational Resources
At Truganina College, we set high expectations for all students to succeed. Please find below a selection of key educational resources to motivate and support your child’s learning at school as well as at home.
Reading Mantra
We developed this Reading Mantra here at Truganina College as a brief, visual guide to help support our students develop their thinking and deepen their understanding of what they are reading. Students use this across the College during reading.
Click here to access resources.
The following videos show students using the Reading Mantra for deeper understanding – Video
Maths Mantra
We developed this Maths Mantra here at Truganina College as a brief guide to help support our students thinking when they are responding/solving Maths problems. It’s simply a structured way for them to think about how to do this.
Click here for more information.
This video shows students using the Maths Mantra for problem solving – Video
Maths Mantra Foundation Year 4 Dinka
Maths Mantra Foundation Year 4 Hindi
Maths Mantra Foundation Year 4 Samoan
Maths Mantra Foundation Year 4 Somali
Responsible Digital Citizen
As Responsible Digital Citizens at Truganina College, students agree to follow the expectations set out in the attached poster when using ICT (Information and Communication Techlonogy).
Reading Comprehension Strategies
Truganina College has a strong focus on developing and extending reading comprehension skills.
Here you will find useful resources to support your child’s reading comprehension at home.
Metacognition
This strategy can be used when reading a picture storybook or a longer text for enjoyment. It can promote deeper thinking while reading non-fiction books (science, humanities, history). Students can use it when they read any text containing photographs or pictures.
This video shows how teachers use ‘See, Think, Wonder’ strategy at Truganina College to develop metacognition.
Click to see a list of questions you can ask your child during reading.
Questions To Ask During Reading
Student Work sample.
See, Think, Wonder Foundation Year 1 Student Work Sample
Predicting
Predicting is a comprehension strategy that requires students to make an educated guess about what is going to happen in the story. Students need to use information in the pictures, text, title and their prior knowledge to make an educated guess about the story.
Questions to ask your child before, during and after reading.
What do you think the book is going to be about? Why?
What do you think is going to happen next? Why?
What do you think might happen now? Why?
This video shows how teachers use this strategy to promote deeper thinking about stories through prediction.
Predicting F 2 Student Work Sample
Inferring
Inferring is a comprehension strategy that requires students to make an educated guess about a part of the story they are reading. Students need to use the evidence in the story such as the pictures, words and phrases to understand more than what is directly found in the book.
Students can infer character emotions and guess the meaning of unknown words using the clues in the text to help them.
This video shows how teachers use this strategy to promote deeper thinking about stories through inferring.
Inferring F 2 Student Work Sample
Summarising and Retelling
Summaring and Retelling is a comprehension strategy to help students focus on the important parts of the story and communicate this to a teacher, friend or family member.
This strategy can be used after reading any piece of writing. After reading ask your child:
Can you tell me what happened in the story?
Then what happened?
What happened at the end?
What was the most important part of the story?
This video shows how teachers and families can use support students to retell and summarise after reading.
Summarising And Retelling F 2 Student Work Sample
Summarising And Retelling 3 4 Student Work Sample
Summarising And Retelling 5 9 Student Work Sample
Books and Libraries
Truganina College Library
The College library is a focal point for celebrating literature and reading in our community. The library holds books, graphic novels and magazines to meet the diverse interests of students from Foundation to Year 9.
Every student has regular opportunities to visit the library and borrow from the collection.
Contact the library for more information or to ask a question: library@truganinap9.vic.edu.au
Story Box Library
Story Box Library
Story Box Library is an online subscription service featuring high-quality videos of picture books being read and performed by professional storytellers.
Familes can use the Story Box Library subscription at home. https://storyboxlibrary.com.au/
Log in details are required. Please contact the library: library@truganinap9.vic.edu.au
Wushka
In this presentation you will find some easy tips to support your child to use Wushka at home.
Wyndham City Libraries
Wyndham City Libraries
Wyndham Libraries is the local public library service for the Truganina community. Membership of public libraries is free, and it is free to borrow. Wyndham Libraries have books, magazines, DVDs and digital resources for all ages, and run free activities during the school holidays.
Students and their families are strongly recommended to sign up for a public library membership.
More Reading Resources
In this presentation you will some easy tips and resources to help your child connect and engage with reading at home.