At the end of each year, we have a number of staff who leave Hume, and I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge their service and pass on our appreciation.

In order of duration of service.

Dawn Gordon - Director of Community Development

Dawn will retire at the end of 2021 after 14 magnificent years with the School. Dawn’s involvement with Hume was initially as one the founding parents of who worked tirelessly along with a number of dedicated and passionate others to create our School. She then commenced as one of the first staff members in 2008. Over her 14 years at Hume, Dawn has become well known for her love and devotion for our school and has nurtured it through its tremendous growth from only 37 students in its first year to over 1,650, across two campuses today. Dawn was a member of the Board in the early years, a parent of three children, and a staff member holding a number of administration roles. Having spent considerable time as the Registrar, she has been responsible for enrolling many hundreds of students and welcoming scores of families to the Hume community, something she has relished. In mid-2018, Dawn was appointed to a newly created position of Director of Community Development, where she led the development of the School’s alumni program, looking after the PFA, and working at something she loves and is ever so gifted - building relationships.

Dawn’s contribution to Hume has been tremendous, and we have all admired her passion, care and expertise. Dawn leaves behind her a grateful school community, as so much that we have now has come about from her energy and commitment for our school. She will be sorely missed as there is no doubt that Hume and Dawn are indelibly linked. We sincerely thank Dawn for her years of dedication to Hume Anglican Grammar and on behalf of the whole school community wish her all the best for her upcoming retirement.

Nicole Williams - Secondary Science & Mathematics

Nicole retires after 10½ years at Hume Anglican Grammar. She joined the school, as the Middle School Science Convenor and was instrumental in the initial establishment of the Science Department and the development of the Science curriculum. As well as a Homeroom teacher for various year levels, she has taught Science, Mathematics and VCE Biology. In 2014 Nicole accompanied a student tour to a remote indigenous community in the Oenpelli region in the Northern Territory where students were immersed in the culture and assisted teachers and local students. Nicole’s talents and contributions are not only restricted to the academic sphere. Nicole has also played an active role in the school’s Production Choreographic Team and has organised lunchtime recreational dance classes for the Secondary students.

Jonathan Tickner - Year 6 (MR)

Jonathan has been a committed and long-serving staff member of the school since 2014. Jonathan has been one of the few staff who has taught across both Primary and Secondary, making a significant contribution. Jonathan is currently a House Coordinator, supporting and organising Olrig House students for House events and has most recently taught Years 5 and 6. After taking Long Service Leave from the beginning of 2022, Jonathan will leave us to pursue his passion for the great outdoors and the people of Papua New Guinea. We wish Jonathan a rewarding and relaxing new phase in his life.

Nadine Moran - Head of Student Wellbeing P-2 (MR)

Nadine joined the Primary school in 2015 and soon moved into a leadership role as Head of Junior Primary. As the school grew, so too did Nadine’s role, being rebranded as Head of Student Wellbeing P-2 in 2017. During her time in this role, Nadine has supported hundreds of students and families with compassion and care. Her attention to detail and follow up conversations and meetings has ensured all students under her umbrella are given the very best opportunity to flourish at school both academically and pastorally. In addition to Nadine’s wonderful wellbeing support, she has also played a major organisational role in the planning and implementation of significant Primary school events and is a respected member of the Primary Leadership Team. Nadine moves to Lowther Hall Anglican Grammar school in Essendon as the Head of Early Years.

Kathryn Wilson - Director of Teaching and Learning & Secondary HPE

Kathryn joined Hume as the Director of Teaching and Learning in 2018. In the past four years, she has made significant contributions to teaching and learning from Prep to Year 12. Her remit has been extremely broad and varied, leading the School in its development of a robust learning culture. In particular, Kathryn has led in areas such as the development of staff Professional Learning Teams; student learning enhancement (including the Gifted & Talented ‘Shine’ Program); NAPLAN and VCE data analysis; implementation of the Learning Management System (Canvas); and overseeing the professional growth and development of graduate teachers. Additionally, she led the design and development of the pedagogical spaces in the new STEM Centre and, during the past two years, steered both students and staff as they navigated remote teaching and learning programs. Since July, Kathryn has been acting Assistant Principal – Secondary, overseeing all operations of the Secondary school, remarkably whilst still fulfilling her duties as the Director of Teaching and Learning - a great testament to her capability. We thank Kathryn for her service to Hume and wish her all the very best for her future.

Adele Arnese - Subject Coordinator of Language (Primary)

Adele joined the Primary school in 2019 as our Italian teacher. Adele is passionate about the Italian language has worked hard to raise the profile of Italian. Adele was responsible for organising Cultural Harmony day events and hosted special assemblies. Adele also took on the role of Subject Coordinator – Languages (Primary). In this role, Adele directed the teaching of Italian across both campuses and supported all teachers of Italian. Adele now moves back to Adelaide where she will again impart her knowledge of Italian culture and language to school aged students.

Robert Tassoni - Deputy Principal & Secondary Humanities

Rob served for 2½ year as our Deputy principal, a role he held with distinction. These past 6 months he has been on leave and will next year take up new challenges. In his time, Rob was a major contributor to school-life, he has exemplified our values and acted as a role-model for all in the community. Rob will be fondly remembered as a person with integrity and passion who always had the School at heart. I know Rob’s knowledge and experience will continue to serve him well.

Trudy Trounson - Head of Student Wellbeing 3-6 (DB)

Trudy leaves us this year after 2 years at the Donnybrook campus. During this time, she has taught both Year 4 and 5 as a Homeroom teacher. In 2021 she was appointed to the wellbeing leadership role as Head of Student Wellbeing – Years 3-6. She led various camps and assisted with the organising and coordinating of Wellbeing events. Trudy’s care for the wellbeing of her students was very much appreciated. We thank her for her dedication and passion for teaching and kindness.

Suzanna Mackie - Secondary Mathematics

Suzanna joined us at short notice at the beginning of 2020, teaching Years 7 - 10 Mathematics. Later in the year, she stepped in as the Homeroom teacher of 8E and made an immediate impact with her caring and empathetic approach with both students and parents. We thank Suzanna for her commitment and service to Hume and wish her all the best for her future endeavours.

Louise Daw - Primary (MR) Physical Education & Secondary Humanities

Although only with us a short time, Louise has made a significant contribution across the school. Louise initially joined us in the middle of the year as part time teacher and tutor but was soon offered a greater teaching load in the Primary school. When a vacancy opened in the Secondary school, Louise was quickly approached and has taught Year 7 and 10 Humanities and continued teaching Year 6 Health and Physical Education. We thank Louise for her enthusiasm and contribution and wish her continued success.

Stephanie Karavasilis - Secondary Visual Art

Joining the Secondary School in Term 4, despite the remote teaching and learning conditions, Stephanie has made a significant contribution to The Arts Faculty and Year 10 Wellbeing Team. She is to be commended and thanked for her efforts and the knowledge she has instilled in her students in such a short period of time.

We thank all these staff for their contribution and commitment to Hume and wish them continued success in the next chapter of their lives.

We also pass on our best wishes to two staff going on leave in 2022. Marisa Jarvis (Year 12 Coordinator and Secondary Science) will take 2022 as leave. Marisa has done a splendid job with the student wellbeing program and the subjects of Science and Physics are as strong as they are largely due to Marisa’s energy and skill. We look forward to her return in 2023. Josie O'Connell (Secondary Mathematics & Science) will take Term 1 next year as long service leave. Well-deserved leave for one who has given so much to the school these past 9 years. We will see Josie back in Term 3.

Two staff members will spend next year taking parenting leave, Amanda Lazzaro (Secondary Humanities & English) and Lara Di Cecco (MR Prep). Some exciting times lay ahead, and we look forward to meeting the new additions to their families next year and welcoming both back in 2023.

I look forward to introducing new 2022 staff in the final edition of this year’s Newsletter.

Bill Sweeney - Principal