Introducing the Team at St Mary MacKillop
We have a range of experiences and backgrounds, but one thing we have in common is that we cannot wait to get to know our students and their families when the doors open to St Mary MacKillop CPS in 2018.
Anthony
After Year 12 I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do and someone suggested I was good with kids and should go into teaching. This is what I did and have never looked back. That was in 1980, such a long time ago now.
Since graduating, I spent a few years teaching in Melbourne, before moving to Werribee where I settled for 15 years at St Andrew’s. During my time at St Andrew’s I was classroom teacher, Phys Ed Coordinator, ICT Teacher, Librarian and Deputy Principal.
I then had an opportunity to become the Acting Principal of a school in Werribee South that was closing down. The task of closing the school and finding places in surrounding schools for the students and jobs for the teachers was such a great learning experience; I have some very fond memories from this time.
I spent the next 12 years in Principal roles in Norlane and Altona Meadows. Both schools offered unique challenges, one being a small school with just over 100 students (double the number as when I first started) and the other being quite large with 520 students and 60 staff.
That brings us to now. I am very much looking forward to the journey ahead as we build this new school together. I have been fortunate to be able to gather a wonderful staff group around me and I think we will be able to create something quite special at St Mary MacKillop CPS. I hope you find me approachable and willing to take the time to listen and gather your thoughts, hopes and dreams, as well as deal with any concerns you have.
Kirsty
During high school I thrived in creative subjects like Graphics and Woodwork. When I finished school I went on to obtain an Administration / Secretarial Diploma and start my working career. I have worked in Administration for two primary schools, including another brand new school, which was a truly rewarding experience.
I cannot wait for St Mary MacKillop to open next year with a lot of behind the scenes currently going on in our lovely little site shed. We are getting everything ready for a smooth transition into the New Year. I have set myself a few little challenges for St Mary MacKillop; the first being to obtain some goal posts for our school oval and our students. I absolutely love my job; I love the connections that a school brings between staff, students, parents, extended family members and the community.
I have 2 teenage boys whom I adore. They keep me very busy outside of school with their sporting commitments and now working commitments. My hubby and I have shared two decades together having many adventures. I absolutely love my beach walks, or any walks for that fact, exploring nature soothes the soul. Over the last year I re-found my love of fitness after 20 years being away from it, this has lead me down my current path of completing my Certificate 3 and 4 in Fitness / Personal Training in my spare time. I also have a love of photography and completed a Diploma in this a few years back.
Having been given the opportunity to be a Foundation Staff Member second time round really is a blessing. This role will be challenging but also so rewarding at the same time. I cannot wait to get to know your children and your families and I really look forward to sharing many special memories with each of you.
Tarah
I grew up in Torquay and studied teaching at ACU. I have now been teaching for four years at St Francis Xavier in Corio, with both junior and middle school classes.
I’m excited to be involved in a new school in Bannockburn; it is such a great team. I feel privileged getting this chance to help establish the school and be a part of it from the beginning. I want to bring a sense of community to the school. I think relationships are so important between myself, the students and the parents. A friendly face and a smile is something you can expect from me!
I like to do yoga, hip hop dancing and meditation. I love going out for coffee and catching up with my friends for a good feed. I love walking my dog Ollie, going to the beach and hanging out with my family. I have a passion for mindfulness and knowing that life does not need to be taken too seriously. I’m very excited to begin this journey with everyone!
Lance
I grew up in a little country town in northern Victoria called Rochy (Rochester) and lived on a dairy farm. My mum was a primary teacher and steered me away from becoming a dairy farmer, so I studied teaching at ACU.
After 28 years of teaching in Catholic schools, I bring a lot of experience to the St Mary MacKillop community, most recently I have been at Clairvaux (1998-2008) and St Patrick’s (2009-2017). I look forward to getting to know, and becoming an active member of the St Mary MacKillop school community.
Outside of school, my time is spent trying to keep fit, working on and maintaining my three acre property at Modewarre (including a ripper vegie patch) and best of all, spending time with my wife of twenty-two years, Carolyn (we were married in the old Bannockburn Catholic church in 1995), and children, Jack (20), Ellie (17), Tom (15) and Meg (12).
Coming to teach at St Mary MacKillop in 2018 fills me with excitement. Being part of a foundation school is such a privilege and I feel extremely lucky. I can’t wait to meet the families, and most importantly, the new students to kick-start a long awaited dream by many Bannockburn and district people in getting St Mary MacKillop established. What a massive effort! Bring on the 2018 school year!
Katrina
After a break from work life to start a family I chose to return to the Catholic sector as this was where I felt at home. I was lucky enough to pick up some replacement work at the wonderful community of St Margaret’s in East Geelong, and this is where I found myself 16 years later! In 2006 I completed a Graduate Certificate in Catholic Studies, furthering my commitment to Catholic Education and my learning journey continues daily.
I am very excited to join the community of St Mary MacKillop. As a Bannockburn resident I see the need for a Catholic education option and I’m so pleased to be a part of that offering. My hope is that, together, we can create experiences that are meaningful and faith-filled, and that we can support each other along our Catholic journey. One of my roles will be to guide the Religious Education Curriculum and to coordinate the sacraments within the school.
Outside of school I like to spend time being creative and social. I like to take up hands-on projects around the house. Reading, walking the dog or taking a mystery drive are also in my weekend plans. Now that our children are adults, I have discovered the adventure of traveling with my husband.
I’m looking forward to working alongside the community in such an exciting venture. It is always a privilege to be asked to guide children in their learning, but also to learn from them. I hope that I can bring a warm sense of welcome to the new school.
Hayley
I studied teaching at ACU in Ballarat and have been teaching at St Francis Xavier in Corio since I graduated 6 years ago.
I am born and raised in Geelong. I love to play netball. I play for Geelong West Giants. If I am not at school, you are most likely going to find me somewhere outside. I love taking my little dog Lenni for walks around the river or along the beach. You might even find me out for brunch or dinner with my friends or my partner Michael.
I am extremely excited to be a part of the development of a new school. I am looking forward to being a part of all the decisions made, which will include the whole community. I am excited to build new relationships within a new community.
There is so much that I hope I can bring to St Mary MacKillop. I hope to bring my creative side, which will reflect in the learning space I will set up. It will be bright, colourful and welcoming. I look forward to families walking in and saying “Wow!”. I will bring my calm, positive and welcoming nature, which will reflect in the relationships that I build within the community. I will bring my knowledge of engaging learning experiences. That will stimulate, challenge and engage every child. I will also bring my ability to use technology effectively in the classroom.
Meet our Specialist Teachers
Carla
I was born in Geelong, spent most of my childhood in Lara, and then obtained a Masters in Health and Physical Activity through Deakin and LaTrobe Universities. In 2015 I taught a VCAL certificate in Nutrition and Dietetics to students across multiple schools. This was a unique opportunity and through it I developed a passion for teaching and developing fun and engaging course content. Thereafter, I returned to study and completed my Diploma of Education.
I have recently returned from living in London where I was the full-time Physical Education teaching position mat Mulberry School for Girls. I firmly believe Physical Education is vital to the emotional, social and physical-well-being of students. Physical Education exposes life skills, which will support the future careers of our students, such as leadership, organisation, teamwork, good communication, sharing, problem solving and strategies. I hope to encourage and advance these skills so each and every student’s confidence can grow and flourish.
Outside of school hours I am an active person. I play netball, I run and I love to walk the Barwon River with my sister’s border collie. I am a huge Geelong supporter and often go to the cricket with my partner during summer. I also love the beach, I often spent my childhood summers down in Anglesea at the caravan park where I would swim all day until dinner was ready with my sisters and cousins.
I am really excited to start at St Mary Mackillop. It is exciting to establish the new school and contribute my skills and knowledge to the staff and students. It will be an opportunity where everyone can learn and grow together to get the best out of every opportunity.
Exciting times to come. Go Cats!
Cameron
My name is Cam Plapp and I am extremely excited about taking on the role as Art Teacher at St. Mary McKillop Catholic Primary School.
I am Tasmanian born and bred. I have spent the last 20 years teaching across a number of schools in Tasmania, England and the Greater Geelong/Bellarine region. In 2018 I will be employed 4 days a week at St. Thomas’ Aquinas in Norlane as the Maths Leader and Numeracy Intervention teacher and 1 day a week at St Mary MacKillop Catholic Primary School in Bannockburn as the Visual Arts Teacher.
Why the art teacher? Besides teaching, I am also a passionate artist and have been drawing and painting since I was little. I have had numerous exhibitions, produced illustrations for magazines, run a mural business called ‘Wonderwalls’ and led countless large scale school art projects. I work out of my art studio in Point Lonsdale where I live, however I am most noted for painting large scale murals (alongside my two incredibly artistic children Max – 17 and Freya -14), and my work with Geelong-based organisation, The Bluebird Foundation Inc., where I run Street Art Workshops for Boys. You may have even seen my work around town or on the Bellarine Peninsula! I always have an exciting project on the go!!!
When I am not teaching, painting in my art studio, or street-arting with cool kids, you will most likely find me on the beach with my surfboard, my family and my super-cute labradoodle ‘Scruffy”. I love to travel and have been lucky enough to explore much of Europe, Australia and have recently been to Hawaii. I also enjoy catching up with friends and am very comfortable beside a barbecue!
I am very excited about being part of the St. Mary McKillop community and working alongside the amazing teachers, students and parents that I have already heard wonderful things about. I am looking forward to bringing my creativity into the classrooms and bringing the inner artist out of all the children. 2018 is going to be a very exciting year!!!
Belinda 
I grew up in Keilor Downs and was the first born out of three in the family. I went to St Paul’s Primary School in Kealba, where I later returned as a teacher for 2 years. I then taught in Hoppers Crossing at St Peter the Apostle. I have been teaching for 15 years.
I am the mother of three beautiful children. I enjoy spending time with my family, going for a drive to the beach and taking the children to the park. We moved to Bannockburn 2 years ago and love being a part of such a friendly, caring community.
The introduction of a new Catholic school to this area will only make this part of the world so much more enriched. I look forward to introducing the children to the culture and language of Italy. I believe learning a new language is not just about the words but also about immersing yourself in the traditions and rituals of the country. I hope to bring my experiences and background to St Mary’s, making learning a new language fun and exciting.
