Overview
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 Foundation and Year 2 Assistant Principal – Teaching And Learning Excellence
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 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 and Year 4 Assistant Principal – Teaching and Learning Excellence: Early Years Numeracy
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 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
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 9 Assistant Principal
Mansha Rajasekhar joined Truganina College in 2023. She has a Bachelors in Medicinal Chemistry with Honours, a Masters in Teaching (Secondary) and has also completed the INSPIRE program at Bastow.
Mansha lives in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne with her father, husband and her baby boy. She has taught in a number of schools with a focus on improving teaching, learning, engagement and wellbeing and has been a key leader in developing school structures, policies and procedures.
Mansha is passionate about nurturing young minds, and in delivering curriculum at a pace and level that is specifically adjusted towards the needs of each student. She believes that this involves working as a college leadership team to develop the professional capacity of staff so that together we can educate young learners through engaging pedagogy and mentorship that enables students in reaching their full potential. Developing positive rapport with students and families is central to this.
Professional Learning Community 0.1 – Foundation
Jane Ryan
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Ivanka Fiamengo
Classroom Teacher
Sarah Haslam
Classroom Teacher
Chloe Borg
Classroom Teacher
Professional Learning Community 0.2 – Foundation
Ivanka Fiamengo
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Amy Caruana-Smith
Classroom Teacher
Professional Learning Community 0.3 – Foundation
Nimmi Mendis
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Hazel Akbulut
Classroom Teacher
Talitha Gooding
Classroom Teacher
Emma Pei
Classroom Teacher
Professional Learning Community 0.4 – Foundation
Chloe Chan
Team Leader and Stepping Stones Teacher
Jennicar Bravo
Classroom Teacher
Nicole Hambling
Classroom Teacher
Letisha Hirniak
Art Teacher
Professional Learning Community 1.1 – Year 1
Brooke Toull
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Kinjal Kaneria
Classroom Teacher
Palika Kalra
Classroom Teacher
Professional Learning Community 1.2 – Year 1
Rachelle Gould
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Mandeep Kaur
Classroom Teacher
Zoya Hussain
Classroom Teacher
Kathryn Anderson
Art Teacher
Professional Learning Community 1.3 – Year 1
Danielle Larkin
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Vicki Stanley
Classroom Teacher
Shamama Hussain
Classroom Teacher
Professional Learning Community 1.4 – Year 1
Sarah Berry
Team Leader and STEM Teacher
Dilani Bombuwelage Don
Classroom Teacher
Professional Learning Community 2.1 – Year 2
Kirby Meade
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Garima Sharma
Classroom Teacher
Professional Learning Community 2.2 – Year 2
Kellee Unmack
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Harjot Kaur
Classroom Teacher
Gregory Lee
Classroom Teacher
Angela Rossitto
Classroom Teacher
Professional Learning Community 2.3 – Year 2
Joshua Fairy
Classroom Teacher
Tara Rankin
Classroom Teacher
Professional Learning Community 2.4 – Year 2
Kym Pianura
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Tugba Koyu
Classroom Teacher
Inderpreet Kaur
Classroom Teacher
Tamanna Juli
STEM Teacher
Professional Learning Community 2.5 – Year 2
Tiffany Zlatkovic
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Renee Avery
Classroom Teacher
Professional Learning Community 3.1 – Year 3
Erin Taylor
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Letitia Wang
Classroom Teacher
Gunjan Kalra
Classroom Teacher
Professional Learning Community 3.2 – Year 3
Sumeet Kaur
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Hannah Tooze
Classroom Teacher
Melanie Park
Classroom Teacher
Professional Learning Community 3.4 – Year 3
Christian Foster
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Jaimie Vernon
Classroom Teacher
Gurpreet Batth
STEM Teacher
Professional Learning Community 3.5 – Year 3
James Damjanovski
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Stephanie Baldasso
Classroom Teacher
Hayley Anderson
Art Teacher
Professional Learning Community 4.1 – Year 4
Linda Keeling
Classroom Teacher
Marina Hohua
Classroom Teacher
Taylor Rhodes
Classroom Teacher
Professional Learning Community 4.2 – Year 4
Andrew Pateras
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Elaine Loizides
Classroom Teacher
Rajwinder Masson
Classroom Teacher
Damien Fatini
P.E. Teacher
Sukhbir Kaur
STEM Teacher
Professional Learning Community 4.3 – Year 4
Leisa Blanche
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Kimberley Phan
Classroom Teacher
Rachel Hall
Classroom Teacher
Professional Learning Community 4.4 – Year 4
Tolga Kanbur
Classroom Teacher
Elizabeth Blias
Classroom Teacher
Lachlan Tipping
Spanish Teacher
Professional Learning Community 5.1 – Year 5
Ann Le
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Amy Ditchburn
Classroom Teacher
Jake Farrow
P.E. Teacher
Professional Learning Community 5.2 – Year 5
Rini Roy
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Carli Neave
Classroom Teacher
Kirsten Powell
Classroom Teacher
Professional Learning Community 5.3 – Year 5
Stephanie Li
Classroom Teacher
Nathan Henderson
Classroom Teacher
Ayda Haouchar
Classroom Teacher
Professional Learning Community 5.4 – Year 5
Rose Hashim
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Roma Gill
Classroom Teacher
Professional Learning Community 6.1 – Year 6
Kristine Lemus
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Pawani Kohli
Classroom Teacher
Mugdha Nagpal
Classroom Teacher
Calvin Tran
Classroom Teacher
Cameron Shanks
P.E. Teacher
Professional Learning Community 6.2 – Year 6
Kirstin Molloy
Team Leader and Classroom Teacher
Shweta Anand
Classroom Teacher
Ivor Dyall
Classroom Teacher
Beverly Nguyen
Classroom Teacher
Professional Learning Community 7 – Year 7
ania Fota
Year 7 Co-Ordinator and Year 7 Teacher
Prafulla Erra
Year 7 Co-Ordinator and Year 7 Teacher
Akash Samuel
Year 7 Teacher
Jennifer Tanner
Year 7 Teacher
Brett Shiel
Year 7 Teacher
Courtney Hodgson
Year 7 Teacher
Marie Pintarich
Year 7 Teacher
Grace Thomas
Year 7 Teacher
Elisabeth Craig
Year 7 Teacher
Gabrielle Condello
Year 7 Teacher
Lauren Gibson
Year 7 Teacher
Jessie Patterson
Year 7 Teacher
Leela Fernandez
Year 7 Teacher
John Whitehouse
Year 7 Teacher
Molly Dixon
Year 7 Teacher
Dayna Williams
Year 7 Teacher
Molly Ellery
Year 7 Teacher
Professional Learning Community 8 – Year 8
Kelsey Lucas
Year 8 Co-Ordinator and Year 8 Teacher
Joanna Gee
Year 8 Co-Ordinator and Year 8 Teacher
Will Cooper
Year 8 Teacher
Jasen Couttiguane
Year 8 Teacher
Matthew Owens-Gale
Year 8 Teacher
Darcy Lauder
Year 8 Teacher
Adviti Bhardwaj
Year 8 Teacher
Sarah Thompson
Year 8 Teacher
Sabrina Baker
Year 8 Teacher
Xavier O’Halloran
Year 8 Teacher
Calypso Owens
Year 8 Teacher
Daniel Suarez
Year 8 Teacher
Jackie Cusack
Year 8 Teacher
Alicia Pettinella
Year 8 Teacher
Professional Learning Community 9 – Year 9
Kellie Hindmarch
Year 9 Co-Ordinator and Year 9 Teacher
Ashley Pike
Year 9 Co-Ordinator and Year 9 Teacher
Kevin Ngo
Year 9 Teacher
Kasthurie Simon
Year 9 Teacher
Naseem Sayeda
Year 9 Teacher
Swagata Rudra
Year 9 Teacher
Tamanna Juli
Year 9 Teacher
Kellie Hindmarch
Year 9 Teacher
Chelsea Nolan
Year 9 Teacher
Nellie Gunathilake
Year 9 Teacher
Shyam Duber
Year 9 Teacher
Stephen Ireland
Year 9 Teacher
Subject Teaching and Learning Team
nia Fota
Spanish Teacher
Chelsea Nolan
Music Teacher
Kasthurie Simon
Food Tech and Technology Literacy Teacher
Kelsey Lucas
HAPE Teacher
Ashley Pike
HAPE and Technology Literacy Teacher
Kevin Ngo
HAPE and Sciene Teacher
Lachlan Tipping
Spanish Teacher
Elisabeth Craig
Technology Literacy Teacher
Marie Pintarich
Technology Literacy Teacher
Daniel Suarez
HAPE and Technology Literacy Teacher
Xavier O’Halloran
Technology Literacy Teacher
Akash Samuel
Technology Literacy Teacher
Dayna Williams
Art Teacher
Rita Duber
Technology Literacy Teacher
Alicia Pettinella
HAPE Teacher
Joanna Gee
Spanish Teacher
Jackie Cusack
HAPE Teacher
Courtney Hodgson
Technology Literacy Teacher
William Cooper
Technology Literacy Teacher
Kellie Hindmarch
Technology Literacy Teacher
Soundgarage Music School
Patrick O’Brien
Manager of Soundgarage Music School
Education Support
Anjali Dhaka
Daljit Kaur
Colleen Scott
Vitina Scremin
Tammy Todd
Rebecca Coggan
Anita Srinivasan
Sue Vithanage
Rashmi Pal
Kelly Carter
Keerthi Bhimavarapu
Gunjan Mahajan
Ami Bhaiyaji
Meg Fisher
Kirsten Mellios
Donna Curtis
Harshala Gupta
Enrichment Team
Amita Mittal
Rashmi Pal
Anjali Dhaka
Mathew Byrnes
Tina Kountouri
Feride Kulafi
Marianna Kountouri
Gunjan Mahajan
Nicole Puttyfoot
Student Success
Gabrielle Condello
Ann Le
Courtney Hodgson
Pedagogy Coaches
Leanne McNaughton
Pedagogy Coach
Kristine Farrugia
Pedagogy Coach
Rosnah Hashim
Pedagogy Coach
Jessie Patterson
Pedagogy Coach
Data Manager
Courtney Hodgson
Ann Lee
Data Analyst
Cassidy Marsh
Librarians
Jane Burrows
Library Manager
Roisin Danaher
Library Manager
Mamta Srivastava
Library Technician
Administration Team
Helen Salmond
Business Manager
Alyssa Tobin
Finance 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
Ashley Manwa
Middle Years Administration
Jessica Radford
Middle Years Administration
Sibel Kacmazer
First Aid Officer
Sarah Knight
First Aid Officer
Mark Sewart
Facilities Manager
Paul Rathjen
Facilities Officer
Tom Saksek
Groundsperson
Reports, Reviews & Plans
Please follow the link to the Department’s Parent’s Complaints for further information
https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/Principals/spag/community/Pages/parentcomplaints.aspx
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.
2022 School Council
Our school constituting orders as endorsed by the Minister for Education; Mr James Merlino, 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.
2022 School Council Members are:
President: Dhara Parekh
Vice President: Shashank Jain
Treasurer: Dhara Patel
Principal: Nicole O’Brien
DET Representative: Sadia Toqeer
Community Member: Adrian Gonnella
Student Representative: Ashton Lim
Student Representative: Anahat Marwaha
2021 School Council
In 2021 our School Council consisted of Parent, Community and Department of Education (DET) members including; School Council
President; Jagruti Dave, Treasurer; Dhara Parekh, Parents; Member – Gee Bilal and Sahar Amjad, DET Representative; Vanitha Sujith, and Acting Principal; Christopher Pugh. I would like to extend a sincere thank you for their outstanding governance and support of our wonderful school.
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.