Meet The Teachers

We’re very excited to meet you!

At the top of the list when measuring the quality of a school has to be the quality of the teaching staff. We are beyond fortunate to have a team of teachers truly dedicated to positive outcomes for all children.

Meet our teachers below!

Leadership & Administration

David Mutimer

David Mutimer

Principal

I love my job!
My favourite times include when I interact  with our beautiful students: on the playground, learning in the classrooms or in various extra curricular activities.
When not at school I like to spend family time with my wife, 4 children and our dog, Kevin.  

Anita Dell'Orso

Anita Dell'Orso

Deputy Principal

As the Deputy Principal at St James, I really enjoy working alongside a strong team of committed and passionate educators, who foster the love of learning. I love being a part of the St James community where making people feel a sense of belonging and feeling safe is important. With my husband and two daughters, I enjoy travelling overseas and reading. 

Lisa Morris

Lisa Morris

Administration Officer

St James is such a wonderful place to work.  The staff and school community are so committed to St James being such a warm and welcoming place. I always feel appreciated and supported. Outside of school I enjoy walking my dog and socialising with friends.  I also love watching both my children play the sports they love!

Michelle Wells

Michelle Wells

Administration Officer

I feel very fortunate to work with the wonderful staff at St James! I love coming to work every day, as each day is varied, interesting and busy. I enjoy assisting and developing relationships with the SJV families and getting to know our fabulous students. When I’m not at school, I enjoy spending time with my husband, three children and labrador exploring the outdoors.

 

Jess Moffatt

Jess Moffatt

Learning Diversity Leader

I love working within the St James community! My role allows me to interact with students across all levels. I provide support and advice to teachers and parents as to how we can work together to support a student’s learning.

Cathy Dimitrakopoulos

Cathy Dimitrakopoulos

Literacy/Learning and Teaching Leader

I love learning and I love teaching!  Working at St James enables me to contribute to the learning and development of students in their academic, social, spiritual, emotional and physical growth.  
On weekends, my husband, daughters and I enjoy spending time on the Mornington Peninsula with family and friends.

Prep Teachers

Tess Odgers

Tess Odgers

Prep Teacher

St James is a welcoming and vibrant community. I love seeing the smiles on my Prep’s faces each day and witnessing their enthusiasm, not only in learning new skills and knowledge, but developing confidence within themselves. When I’m not working I love travelling and spending time with family and friends.

Amy Darvell

Amy Darvell

Prep Teacher

Every day at St James is a new adventure filled with fun, learning and laughter. It’s my hope that each child feels loved and empowered to achieve more than they ever thought they could. When I’m not at school, I enjoy travelling and spending time with my family and friends.

Year 1/2 Teachers

Dani Callanan

Dani Callanan

Year 1 Teacher

I love my job! The first thing I noticed when I came to St James is it’s welcoming community. My favourite thing about my job is building relationships with the students and their families. When I’m not at school I enjoy spending time with my family and my 2 dogs.

Lisa Salter

Lisa Salter

Year 1 Teacher

I am so fortunate to come to work everyday and work with the wonderful staff and students of St James. As a classroom teacher, I aim to create a classroom that is a welcoming and engaging environment for all students. I am passionate about supporting each child I teach to reach their full potential. Beyond the classroom, I enjoy brunching with friends, shopping, going for walks and spending time with my husband and daughter.    

Katie Schroder

Katie Schroder

Year 2 Teacher

I am very lucky to be welcomed so warmly into the St James community. It is obvious to me how happy the staff and students are here. I believe learning is possible when the students feel safe and happy. Outside of school, I enjoy reading, catching up with friends, cooking, eating and travelling.

Nicole Addison

Nicole Addison

Year 2 Teacher

I feel very fortunate to be welcomed into the incredible St James community. I am looking forward to encouraging and supporting students as they learn and grow. Out of school I enjoy spending time with my husband, daughters and our cavoodle.

Year 3/4 Teachers

Bern Broderick

Bern Broderick

Year 3 Teacher

I love working at St James. I have worked in both a full time and part time capacity for many years now and have always found there to be happy vibe around the place. I love watching young children develop new skills and become more confident as the year progresses.

Siumi Kirby

Siumi Kirby

Year 3 Teacher

I love working at St James! The community is so supportive and welcoming. I love teaching a range of diverse students and believe there is no greater reward than seeing your students succeed and flourish. Outside of school, I enjoy shopping, reading and spending time with my family and friends!

Anne Hayes

Anne Hayes

Year 3 Teacher

Teaching is such a rewarding job. I love working with the students in my class, seeing them learn and acquire new skills and knowledge, as they support and encourage each other with their learning. When not at school, I enjoy family time and travelling to different parts of Australia.  

Tim Flintoff

Tim Flintoff

Year 4 Teacher

I love seeing the excitement of the kids and their smiling faces as they come into the classroom each morning.
Weekends are filled with watching my kids play sport and continuing my quest for the perfect tomato in my veggie patch!

Veronica Brightwell

Veronica Brightwell

Year 4 Teacher

I love the energy and community at St James.  The students are full of joy, enthusiasm and a zest for learning.  When I am home, I love to spend time watching movies and playing Monopoly with my daughter and husband.

Cathy Dimitrakopoulos

Cathy Dimitrakopoulos

Year 4 Teacher

I love learning and I love teaching!  Working at St James enables me to contribute to the learning and development of students in their academic, social, spiritual, emotional and physical growth.  
On weekends, my husband, daughters and I enjoy spending time on the Mornington Peninsula with family and friends.

Year 5/6 Teachers

James Sweatman

James Sweatman

Year 5 Teacher

I am fortunate enough to work with a wonderful team at St James! In particular I enjoy the opportunity to help each student develop their passion for life-long learning. Outside of school I enjoy soccer, netball, long bike rides and iced coffees to keep me going!

Cassie Pascoe

Cassie Pascoe

Year 5 Teacher

I love supporting students in their learning & helping to develop their individual strengths and interests! I feel very grateful to work and be a part of a very supportive community. Outside of school I love exploring new places with my partner and our little one, spending time with family & enjoying a coffee or delicious meal with my friends.

Sarah Plunkett

Sarah Plunkett

Year 5 Teacher

St James is such a lovely community to be a part of – I feel blessed to be teaching here. I am a passionate lifelong learner, and I love inspiring young people to become curious about the world around them – there is so much out there to see and do and be a part of. Outside of school I love camping with my husband and two young children, cooking up a storm and enjoying good food with good friends.

Joshua Crowe

Joshua Crowe

Year 6 Teacher / Numeracy Leader

I love watching the children develop their mathematical skills and seeing students develop a love for mathematics. In my spare time I enjoy playing tennis and cheering on the mighty Tigers with my two young children.

Monica DeLeo

Monica DeLeo

Year 6 Teacher

St James is a warm and inviting community of learners where all are welcome! Students and teachers are made to feel special and valued. Outside of school, I love to spend time with my husband and two children – they certainly keep me on my toes!

Claire Feild

Claire Feild

Year 6 Teacher

I love teaching Physical Education at St James! I love seeing our students enthusiasm, enjoyment and development of their skills as they participate in the huge variety of physical activities we have on offer.

Outside of school I love spending time with family and friends, cheering on the mighty Kangaroos!

Molly Masters

Molly Masters

Year 6 Teacher

I feel lucky that my job combines two of my biggest passions: teaching and art. I love teaching and seeing my students succeed in whatever they put their minds to. Art provides everyone with an opportunity to express themselves creatively and it’s great to see all the different creations the students make in my class. In my spare time I love spending time with my husband and daughter. We enjoy going on family walks and family outings together.

Specialist Teachers

Molly Masters

Molly Masters

Visual Arts Teacher

I feel lucky that my job combines two of my biggest passions: teaching and art. I love teaching and seeing my students succeed in whatever they put their minds to. Art provides everyone with an opportunity to express themselves creatively and it’s great to see all the different creations the students make in my class. In my spare time I love spending time with my husband and daughter. We enjoy going on family walks and family outings together.

Catherine Wall

Catherine Wall

Physical Education Teacher

As a St James alumna this school and community is very special to me and I was given the fortunate opportunity to return as a teacher. I love teaching PE at St James. I love how enthusiastic and willing the students are to engage in the program.  Watching them develop their skills in the wide variety of games and sport programs we have on offer is exciting to see. I enjoy inspiring the students to have a lifetime love of movement, exercise and healthy eating. Outside of school my personal passions are reading, exercise and most of all spending time with my husband and three children. 

Tracey O'Connor

Tracey O'Connor

Performing Arts

St James is such a wonderful community to be a part of! Teaching Performing Arts is very rewarding and fun, and I enjoy working with students to develop their skills in music, dance and drama. Outside of school I enjoy reading, playing piano and going camping with my husband and kids!

 

Nadine Jones

Nadine Jones

STEMMS Teacher

St.James is a lovely community to be a part of.  I love teaching STEMMS as it allows students to wonder, create and explore the world of technology, coding, science and robotics.  Outside of school, I love all sports, particularly tennis, and enjoy keeping fit.  I also enjoy travelling, seeing live music and spending quality time with family and friends.

 

Naomi Carson

Naomi Carson

Auslan Teacher

I’m privileged to share the beautiful language of Auslan with our students at St James. I appreciate the friendly atmosphere at this school and the enthusiasm the children have for sign language.

I enjoy adventuring with my young family on weekends, beach-combing and baking sweet treats.

Louise Matthews

Louise Matthews

Intervention Support Teacher

It is great to be part of the St James community.  I enjoy working with groups of students and supporting students’ learning needs across different levels.  I love seeing the happy faces and excitement when students want to chat and share their ideas and learning.  Outside of school I enjoy walking, travelling (when we can!) and spending time with family and friends.

Jo Booth

Jo Booth

Reading Recovery and Literacy Support Teacher

I love teaching at St.James.
The students have a real love for learning and the parents are friendly and supportive.
The staff at St. James are amazing,they work as a team for the benefit of all the students.
When not working I enjoy time with family and friends and travelling.

Learning Support Officers

Jo Matarazzo

Jo Matarazzo

Library Technician

I love to help students find a book, or even better, a series or author who they love. I also love, love buying books for everyone. At the moment I’m teaching myself how to crochet, it’s not as easy as it looks!

Cath Ferlazzo

Cath Ferlazzo

Learning Support Officer

I love my Learning Support Officer role at St James. I feel that working with young students and assisting with their learning is a great privilege.   When not at St James I like to be with my family, doing lots of gardening, cooking, and spending time with my friends.  

Amanda Freeman

Amanda Freeman

Learning Support Officer

St James is a wonderful school to be part of as an LSO. A caring community and a warm sense of belonging.I am grateful for the teaching of our Catholic faith and the support and care of the Parish within our school.
I love spending time with friends and family.

Antoinette Moroney

Antoinette Moroney

Learning Support Officer

I feel so lucky to be part of such a wonderful team at St James . My favourite part is  sharing learning time with the students and enjoying their huge energy out in the playground.
When I’m not at school love spending time with my family at the beach.

Janelle Thorsen

Janelle Thorsen

Learning Support Officer

Working at St James is such a privilege. I work in many different year levels and find each of them rewarding. Each day is a new and exciting challenge.
In my spare time, I love travelling and spending time with my husband and children.

Daniela Calcagno

Daniela Calcagno

Learning Support Officer

I’m proud of being part of a wonderful community at St James.  I enjoy working with a range of students, collaborating with teachers and interacting with children on the playground.
Out of school I love spending time with my husband and two children and baking for the staff.

Louise Morse

Louise Morse

Learning Support Officer

I thoroughly enjoy all aspects of my learning support role. I feel quite privileged to be able to help children access the curriculum and achieve the best possible learning outcomes. On weekends I enjoy spending time with my family at Phillip Island where we like to fish and relax together.

Victoire Gibson

Victoire Gibson

Learning Support Officer

I am very lucky to be part of the Saint James community. I love to interact with the students and feel privileged to support their learning.When I am with my family, we love going for walks with our furry friends.

Rebecca Zani

Rebecca Zani

Learning Support Officer

It’s a privilege to work with students to achieve the best possible learning outcomes and I love my support role.  The St James Vermont community is wonderful to be part of.

Away from work I enjoy travelling with our caravan and weekends away water skiing.

Betty Antoniou

Betty Antoniou

Learning Support Officer

St James is a great school . I thoroughly enjoy working and supporting the students and teachers. I particularly find it rewarding seeing the children’s growth , achieving their own confidence and individual goals.
Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my family and exploring the outdoors.

Joanne Magnik

Joanne Magnik

Learning Support Officer

St James is such a warm and friendly place to work. I love interacting with the children, catering to their individual needs to help them have fun while learning. When I’m not at work I love to spend time with my family and friends.

 

Lauren Kidman

Lauren Kidman

Learning Support Officer

I am so fortunate to have been welcomed into the St James community as warmly as I have been. I love working with the students and all the staff, everyday is filled with such positivity and support to all individually and as a community. Outside of school I enjoy spending time with family and friends and going on long walks or to the gym with my hubby. 

 

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