The Resilience Project | Truganina P-9 College

The Resilience Project is a school-based program designed to teach students practical strategies to build mental health, wellbeing, and emotional resilience. Through a series of lessons, activities, and real-life stories, students learn the importance of gratitude, mindfulness, and emotional literacy, helping them manage stress, cope with challenges, and develop a positive mindset. The program encourages students to understand and regulate their emotions, strengthen relationships, and cultivate habits that support long-term wellbeing, empowering them to thrive both academically and personally.

We are excited to announce that in 2026, we will continue our partnership with The Resilience Project. Students in Years 3–6 will take part in weekly, one-hour Resilience Project lessons as part of our THRIVE Curriculum. Across the entire College, we will embed the values of Gratitude, Empathy, and Mindfulness into every aspect of school life – through our THRIVE lessons, GEM time in class, welcome passes for students arriving late, and many other initiatives. Together, we are fostering a supportive and positive school community where every student can thrive.

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Director of Teaching & Learning - Years 7 to 9

Lucy Francis joined Truganina P-9 College in Term 4, 2021. She has a Bachelor of Arts and Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary) from the University of Melbourne, and a Master of School Leadership from Monash University. Lucy began her career as a Secondary English and English as a Second Language (Year 7 – 12) teacher at Frankston High School where she developed strong digital technology-based teaching and learning, and curriculum leadership.

Lucy worked for 14 years in international schools in the Middle East, Hong Kong and India leading the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP); a concept-based inquiry driven curriculum with a focus on authentic contexts and outcomes for Years 6 - 10. Highlights of this time were building the capacity of staff to implement the MYP framework especially the Personal Project. This culminated in an opportunity to present at the International Baccalaureate Organisation Conference in Singapore in 2018, ‘Activating the MYP: The MYP Developmental Ladder’ and promoting and supporting students to win eight of the 30 worldwide IB MYP Innovators Awards in 2020.

Lucy has worked as a Clinical Teaching Specialist at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne in addition to working as an Educational Consultant to support schools with professional learning in the area of assessment for teaching and developmental rubrics. Developmental rubrics espoused by Emeritus Professor Patrick Griffin are an area of passion for Lucy because they empower students to take ownership of their learning and support teachers to teach explicitly, differentiate to the point of the student learning need and scaffold feedback to grow learners. The developmental approach to teaching and learning supports the Truganina Instructional Framework and focus of the Annual Implementation Plan (AIP).

Lucy is passionate about empowering and challenging middle school students to prepare them for success at senior secondary and beyond, starting with an unrelenting focus on Literacy because literacy is key to academic success across the curriculum. This involves strategically using Lyn Sharrat’s Putting Faces on the Data to drive high levels of student reading growth from Foundation to Year 9, and embedding the Duke and Pearson Comprehension Strategies - question, infer, predict, text structure and summarise – in teaching and learning.

In response to the Framework to Improve School Outcomes (FISO 2.0), Lucy has built a team of wellbeing experts who are wrapped around the students to support them both in their learning and through some of the more challenging times that being a teenager can present.

Lucy lives in the Western suburbs of Melbourne, plays tennis, hikes and would like to be better and more consistent at running.

Year 7 Assistant Principal

Literacy

Tamara Ghazale joined Truganina College in Term 3, 2025.

She holds a double degree in Arts and Secondary Education with Honours from Monash University.

Before her current role, Tamara served as a Leading Teacher across two schools, where she focused on teaching and supporting young people. Her commitment to equitable and high-quality government education is deeply rooted in her own upbringing in Melbourne's western suburbs, where she attended her local government school. Tamara is passionate about providing the same opportunities to the deserving young people of the western suburbs.

Outside of her professional life, she finds joy in reading a good book.

Tamara
Year 7 Assistant Principal + Literacy

Year 8 Assistant Principal

Teaching & Learning Excellence: Staff 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.

Daniel Piacquadio
Year 8 Assistant Principal – Teaching and Learning Excellence: Staff Excellence

Year 9 Assistant Principal

Teaching & Learning Excellence: Student Voice & Agency

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.

James Bayard
Year 9 Assistant Principal – Teaching and Learning Excellence: Student Voice & Agency

Director of Staff Excellence - Foundation to Year 2

Rhiannon Porter became a part of Truganina P-9 College in the first term of 2022. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science, a Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary), and a Master of Instructional Leadership from the University of Melbourne, which she completed in 2020.

Having diverse experience across various educational settings, including P-6, P-9, and P-12, primarily in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne, Rhiannon has been a valuable addition to the College community.

Since her arrival in 2022, Rhiannon has taken on the role of leading the Literacy portfolio with a Foundation to Year 4 focus, as well as the Foundation to Year 9 Assessment portfolio. She has developed the capacity of the Lead Assessment team by leading with a strong focus on triangulation, ensuring accuracy in teacher judgements. Under her leadership, the Lead Literacy team underwent significant improvements in the Reading Essential Learnings, ensuring a guaranteed and viable curriculum is implemented in all classrooms. Rhiannon also played a pivotal role in developing the Writing Essential Learnings and collaborates closely with the Lead Excellence and Equity team to align the assessment of the Essential Learnings through the use of proficiency scales.

Rhiannon’s dedication to excellence in teaching and learning is evident in her passion of student learning data. She utilises the Framework for Improving Student Outcomes to guide decision making and ensures all teaching aligns with the High Impact Teaching Strategies and the Truganina College Instructional Framework.

Through her leadership in assessment and literacy, Rhiannon collaborates closely with the regional data coach to analyse student learning outcomes using various measures such as teacher judgments, NAPLAN, PAT, English Online Interview, and Mathematics Online Interview. This analytical approach informs sub-school data meetings, coaching cycles, and peer observations, all contributing to enhanced student achievement.

Rhiannon has been instrumental in implementing the structured literacy approach, Little Learners Love Literacy, in the Foundation to Year 2 area of the College. This approach to explicit teaching, differentiation and feedback has resulted in outstanding student achievement, whilst building the capacity of teachers particularly in the area of differentiation.

Residing in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne with her husband, two teenage children, and three cats – Oreo, Kelby, and Buttercup, Rhiannon is committed to ensuring evidence-based literacy instruction and assessment are integral to every classroom, providing all students with the best opportunities for success.

Assistant Principal

Achievement and Operations

Courtney has been a part of the Truganina P-9 College community since it opened in 2015. Prior to joining Truganina, she taught at Moonee Ponds West Primary School. Having grown up in Melbourne’s west and now living in Altona, Courtney is passionate about delivering high-quality education for students in the western suburbs.

Over the years, Courtney has taken on a range of leadership roles at the college. She is deeply committed to supporting student learning growth, building staff capability, especially in utilising evidence of student learning to drive teaching and learning, and ensuring high-impact teaching practices are embedded across all year levels. She brings a data-informed and people-focused approach to her leadership, always striving to improve outcomes for every learner.
Courtney believes strongly in prioritising wellbeing for herself and others. Outside of school, she keeps a good work-life balance by spending quality time with family and friends, practicing mindfulness and pilates classes.

Year 1 & 2 Assistant Principal

Teaching & Learning Excellence: Maths

David Yacoub joined Truganina P-9 College in Term 1, 2024. He is an enthusiastic leader and educator, who sets high expectations and strives to achieve excellence. At RMIT University, David attained a Bachelor of Business (Professional Accountancy) and Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary). He has experience leading all year levels from Foundation to Year 6, implementing a wide range of whole-school responsibilities and initiatives.

David spends his weekends going on spontaneous day trips with his wife and dachshund, as well as quality time with his family and friends. He is a footy fanatic who supports the mighty Essendon Football Club. In his spare time, David enjoys reading AFL articles and watching football games.

His passion of sport statistics transfers to teaching and learning, where he analyses data to ensure each student meets their full potential. David takes pride in developing collaborative partnerships with all members of Truganina P-9 College, including students, colleagues, parents and the broader school community.

David Yacoub
Year 2 & 3 Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning Excellence: Maths

Director of Wellbeing & Inclusion - Years 3 to 6

Christina has worked as an educator in the Government Education System for 12 years with roles in both the Special Education setting and Mainstream settings. She completed her Bachelor of Education at RMIT in Bundoora and a Master of Education (Special Needs) at Deakin University.

Since beginning at the College in 2021, Christina has led the Numeracy portfolio with a Foundation to Year 9 focus. During this time, she has built the capacity of the Lead Numeracy Team through reshaping the essential learnings ensuring a guaranteed and viable curriculum with a focus on explicit teaching, differentiation and feedback.

Christina had an amazing opportunity to present at the Victorian State Education Principal Conference in 2022. The presentation was ‘Building a culture of high expectations using data’. Christina presented the data that teachers ustilise in Professional Learning Communities to know where their students are at and where to take them next in their learning.

The Framework for Improving Student Outcomes is at the centre of everything we do at the College. Christina leads the School Improvement Team in developing the Annual Implementation Plan each year based on the School Strategic Plan goals and targets. She also leads the School Improvement Team in driving this work through their Professional Learning Communities and portfolios.

Being a lead learner at the College, Christina has worked with our regional data coach to analyse student outcomes in Teacher Judgements, NAPLAN and PAT for Mathematics. This analysis has assisted Christina to work with the Lead Numeracy Team to form the focus for coaching cycles and peer observations to deliver best outcomes for students.

Christina Arnold
Year 3 to Year 6 Director Of Wellbeing & Inclusion

Year 1 & 2 Assistant Principal

Teaching & Learning Excellence: Maths

David Yacoub
Year 1 & 2 Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning Excellence: Maths

Year 3 & 4 Assistant Principal

Disability & Inclusion

Tsering Sherpa joined the Truganina College team as Year 6 Assistant Principal for Disability Inclusion in Term 2, 2025.

With her Master of Education in Special Education, Inclusion and Early Intervention and Bachelor of Education, Tsering brings over 15 years of educational experience from diverse settings across Melbourne's Northern, Western and Southwestern suburbs.

Tsering enjoys getting creative with crafting and upcycling projects, pottering around in her garden, or catching up with family and friends.

What drives Tsering in her work is her strong belief in taking a holistic approach - she is dedicated to working collaboratively with students, families, colleagues and other stakeholders to unlock the potential she recognises in every child.

She's passionate about creating inclusive learning environments where every student can flourish, and she's excited to contribute to the wonderful community at Truganina College.

Tsering Sherpa
Year 3 & 4 Assistant Principal - Disability & Inclusion

Year 5 & 6 Assistant Principal

Wellbeing and Inclusion & Marrung Champion

James is a committed and experienced educator with over a decade of experience and holds a Bachelor of Education. His passion for teaching developed through his involvement in delivering sports clinics in primary schools, where he discovered the positive impact of education on learners.

James is dedicated to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and engaging learning environment that encourages students to achieve their personal and academic best. He values strong relationships with students, families, and colleagues, and believes in the importance of lifelong learning.

James loves spending quality time with his wife, family, friends, travelling, gardening, playing cricket, and walking his dog Hamish. He is also an unfortunate supporter of the Essendon Football Club.

James Damjanovski
Year 5 & 6 Assistant Principal + Marrung Champion

College Principal

Amanda joined Truganina P-9 College in Term 3, 2024. Amanda has a Bachelor of Arts from Monash University, a Graduate Diploma of Education from the University of Melbourne, a Diploma of Languages from the University of Melbourne and a Masters of Literacy from the University of Melbourne.

Amanda began her career in Rome teaching English as a foreign language to adults in a school near the Ponte San’Angelo. Upon her return to Melbourne, Amanda managed a foreign language bookshop, Language International where some of her time was spent traveling around Australia and New Zealand demonstrating the links between language learning software and language pedagogy.

As a teacher, Amanda has worked for 20 years in Government and Catholic schools in Melbourne teaching a mix of Italian, Reading Recovery and generalist classroom. As a Lead teacher and Literacy Coach, Amanda undertook her Masters of Literacy with a focus on dialogic discourse and its impact on writing. Amanda was also a lead teacher with Innovative Language Provision in Clusters-ILPIC developing a showcase of language and cultural activities connecting primary and secondary schools with languages education.

Through her role as Moonee Valley Network Chair and Leader, Amanda contributed to and led collaborative efforts to support sustainable and state aligned initiatives benefiting the education of children and young people in Moonee Valley. In this role, Amanda collaborated with and provided guidance and mentorship for educational leaders across a range of sectors.

Amanda has a passion for learning and collaborating with colleagues showcasing her dedication to continuous improvement and growth in the field of education. Amanda enjoys leading strategic conversations and crafting professional learning programs.

Amanda currently works collaboratively with other Principals to deliver Inspire- Local Leaders, a program of The Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership. Amanda has nine years’ experience in Principal class roles in primary and secondary settings in the inner city and western suburbs.

Being a student-centred leader, Amanda is committed to developing student curriculum and wellbeing programs that prioritise student agency and growth. Her holistic approach reflects a deep understanding of the importance of preparing children and young people not only for academic success, but also to reach their full potential so as to contribute to their communities and world as active citizens who can believe, achieve and succeed!

When not being a Principal, Amanda and her family are committed to restoring a piece of degraded farming land through the planting of 2000 trees and support and maintenance of a natural bird wetland and breeding area. Amanda enjoys spending time with her sons and swimming, gardening and reading.

Amanda Williams
College Principal