Meet The Teachers

Hello Everyone, my name is Aoife and I’m proud to be the Principal here at Holy Cross. I joined the team in November 2021 and have loved getting to know our warm and welcoming community. I have a passion for learning and am on a continuous quest to find out more about the conditions we can create to ensure children are engaged and supported. I am excited about the possibilities that our land has to offer our children. Seeing and hearing the children exploring in the veggie garden or out and about in our wide open spaces brings me joy. I grew up in Ireland, all of my family live over there so my favourite thing to do is go back home and spend time with my five nephews and little niece. I love reading, spending time with friends and taking my two highly energetic dogs to the park to burn off some steam. My husband Cameron and I like to head off for long drives, go camping and check out wineries in our spare time. When we’re not doing that you’ll find us at Holy Cross pottering about in the garden, come and say hello!

Hi Everyone!
My name is Kate Johnston and I am the Deputy Principal/Learning and Teaching leader at Holy Cross. I joined Holy Cross in 2022 and have loved being here in this beautiful landscape. Teaching has always been a big part of my life and I enjoy learning new ways of working
My family and I like to do lots of things in the local area. We often go for long runs together and visit a local cafe afterwards. We also enjoy going on nature walks and fishing. Most weekends my children play soccer, swim or participate in athletics. On a Friday night we often have family movie night or a games night.

Hi there, my name is Jill Cannon and I work at Holy Cross as The Student Wellbeing Leader and the Learning Diversity Leader. My children attended Holy Cross when it first opened almost 25 years ago. I have been working here for the past 20 years and I love it for many reasons, but mainly due to the strong community of children, parents and staff.
I never tire of seeing the kids smiling faces as they come into school every single morning. It’s not a bad way to start the day!
In my free time my partner and I enjoy seeing live music, walking in the beautiful Macedon Ranges and catching up with family (4 kids and 6 grandchildren) and friends.

My name is Kathleen Masters and I share the role of Learning Diversity Leader at Holy Cross.
I began my teaching career at Holy Cross as a graduate in 2010. Since then, I have taught a variety of grades, including senior highschool. My passion in education is working with children with additional needs who require our extra attention and care. I believe in creating positive partnerships with families to ensure the child is always at the centre of what we do.
Holy Cross is, and always has been, such a welcoming place to be. Returning here to undertake this role in the community is a joy and a privilege.

Hi, my name is Sue McKibbin and I work in the office here at Holy Cross. My journey at Holy Cross started in 2007 when my son commenced Prep. In 2009, my daughter commenced and in 2010 I joined as part of the Holy Cross staff.
We have such a dedicated staff, wonderful students and very supportive parents. I feel very lucky to work in the office and deal with such lovely students and parents every day!

My name is Rach, I grew up in the Macedon Ranges and now live here with my husband and children. I enjoy getting away in the caravan with my family and friends and looking after my plants, yep I’m a crazy plant lady! I’ve been at Holy Cross since 2015 and I absolutely love it here, we have such an amazing space and I really enjoy seeing the students getting outside and getting close to nature. I support the staff, children and parents with any ICT needs at school and sometimes assist our two Sues’ in the office.

Hi, my name is Michelle Ray and I joined the team here at Holy Cross in July 2022. I love being surrounded by all of the friendly children, our beautiful environment and the amazingly supportive staff here at Holy Cross.

When I am not at school, I enjoy spending time with my husband Anthony, my 2 children Tegan and Nathan and 3 absolutely gorgeous grandchildren, Aleigha, Jay and Tyler. I like going to the footy to watch Collingwood play, having picnics in the park, going on holidays in our caravan and travelling the world. I have been on many cruises, my favourite being our cruise along the coast of Alaska and then riding the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Calgary. That was definitely a trip of a lifetime!

I look forward to meeting many more families here at our wonderful school!

Hello everyone, my name is Agnes and I am delighted to be a Prep teacher at Holy Cross Primary. I love working at Holy Cross. Our school community is warm and welcoming and my colleagues are kind and generous. This creates a lovely ripple effect around our school and creates a very positive environment for our children to learn.
I believe there is nothing in the world like working with young children. Each day, I am witness to their explorations and get to share in their excitement and wonder. It is a great thrill to see a child develop into a happy, confident learner and a great gift to participate in that growth.
I live close by in Macedon and I love being surrounded by such natural beauty. I love going out for breakfast with family and friends and walking my dog Sparky. I also love having family gatherings where we eat, drink, tell stories and have lovely singalongs – a throwback to my Irish upbringing!

Hello everyone, my name is Jodie Davis and I am very excited to be joining the Holy Cross community as a teacher. It is a privilege to guide children in their learning journey and I look forward to creating strong relationships and to have some fun along the way! I have been teaching in different sectors for over 15 years. All these experiences have increased my knowledge and shaped my own growth as a teacher. I love learning and would like to instil this in the students I teach. I enjoy spending time with my family including my two children and friends. Sometimes you may find me walking around the trails of Mount Macedon admiring the beautiful flora, fauna and fresh air. I like playing softball, swimming, reading and going on waterslides. My dogs and chooks give me joy too. My dogs, Ozzie and Tilly always have a smile and will often sneak in a lick on my face!

Hi Everyone, my name is Cailin and I am a graduate teacher starting at Holy Cross. I am very excited to be returning to teach at the school that I attended during my own primary school days!  

In my personal time I enjoy reading and making music and I was teaching piano for the last 3 years while studying.

I am privileged to be in a position where I can help students to work towards goals and watch them grow in their learning and into their own person.

I am looking forward to getting to know everyone and becoming a part of the Holy Cross community. 

Hello! My name is Louise and I am so excited to be joining the Holy Cross team in 2023. I have a passion for helping children to find their love of learning and encouraging them to become the best version of themselves. I live in Gisborne with my husband, and two boys, Cameron and Travis, who all love basketball! I spend many hours after school and on weekends driving the boys from stadium to stadium! When I’m not at basketball, I love to spend time with my family, especially for a movie night and going camping in our caravan!

Hi there everyone, my name is Melanie and I am a Grade Two teacher here at Holy Cross.
I love being a teacher and I feel so very grateful coming to this place each day. It is a real privilege to work with the children, some days I can’t believe this is my job, I do enjoy it so.
Something special about Holy Cross is that we are surrounded by the beauty of nature. It is unique being in a position to watch the children learn and grow in this environment.   A kindness towards each other and our surroundings is cultivated in this way. It is not uncommon to hear Kookaburras as we work away together, giving organic pauses to the day. Same too we can stop and reflect upon the goodness in our world under the big, wide sky we reside under.
My family and I live in Gisborne also. We love to go to the beach and share funny times together. When I am not teaching I am usually spending time at the beach, bushwalking, painting, writing poetry or being very busy as a Mum to my two big teenage sons, Tim and Luke, whom I love with all my heart.

Hello my name is Sharon and I am currently one of the grade 3 teachers here at Holy Cross. I have been blessed to have been involved with the Holy Cross school community for over 10 years and I have forged many new friendships.
I can trace my desire to become a teacher back to my own primary school teachers. I hope to inspire my students to reach their full potential and follow their dreams. Although not a country girl growing up I love coming to school each day and am in awe of the surroundings that our lovely school is situated in.
When I can find some spare time I enjoy catching up with friends, reading, doing needle point, organising my stamp collection and watching musicals. I am blessed to have a special bond with my nieces and nephews and have spent many aunty times at concerts, sports events and tournaments cheering from the slide lines.

Hi my name is Emily Merrett and I have been teaching at Holy Cross since 2017. I have a unique history with Holy Cross as I attended the school from Grade 2-6. This has given me the opportunity to witness how our school has continued to grow and continues to be a welcoming school community which delivers high quality education and care for the children we teach and nurture.
I truly do love working at Holy Cross and being part of a collaborative and supportive staff. I believe every child should feel safe and free to be themselves as they discover their passions, develop their sense of curiosity and confidence. I am honoured to be able to support my students by fostering a safe and supportive classroom culture which assists them on their journey of learning and of self-discovery.

Hello everyone!
My name is Sian Leighton and I have joined the fantastic team here at Holy Cross Primary School in 2022. I absolutely love my job and look forward to the many exciting opportunities that each school day brings. I have the pleasure of working with the senior students in grade 5. I love watching them grow and take on new challenges in their learning. Outside of school, my family and I enjoy watching our team, the North Melbourne Kangaroos play footy. We also enjoy traveling and exploring our beautiful country that we call home!

Hello everyone, 

My name is Sheree Sullivan and I have been working throughout Holy Cross Primary for 10 years. I am privileged to work with amazing staff and be surrounded by the beauty of Mt Macedon and our vineyard. Our students enjoy the freedom of wide open spaces to run and play. They have a strong sense of connection to the land and take great pride in being responsible for our chickens. I am excited to be team teaching this year with Tracey McKenna in the grade 4 area. We have a strong connection to the local community and are proud of our Holy Cross students. 

Hello everyone!

My name is Kate, I have joined the teaching team at Holy Cross Primary School in 2023 teaching year five students. I am excited to become part of such a welcoming community, inspiring the minds of students to achieve their goals. I enjoy everything outdoors, camping and exploring Australia in my spare time with my partner Mitchell and dog Lexi. This makes Holy Cross such a great fit with my philosophy on teaching and learning, incorporating our land and nature in with the curriculum areas we are learning. I hope to create a calm, collaborative and positive learning environment for students to explore their interests and the ever-changing world around us. 

Hi, my name is Luke Wenczel and I am currently teaching Grade 5. I have been at Holy Cross for 15 years and in that time I have been fortunate enough to have worked with some outstanding and inspiring people. The staff here always have the child at the centre of everything they do.
I am passionate about education and assisting children in achieving success in their learning. I enjoy the many challenges that classroom teaching brings. Each year, I strive to create a classroom culture that thrives on respect, teamwork, effort and knowing that mistakes are part of learning. We work hard, but we have a laugh and great fun along the way.

Hello, Holy Cross community! My name is Pat Piazza and in 2023 I will be joining Holy Cross in the role of Grade 6 teacher, a prospect I am both excited and passionate about. I was lucky enough to attend Holy Cross as a founding family member from 1999 to 2005 before enjoying my secondary education at Salesian College. During this time I have witnessed phenomenal growth within this amazing school, and the diverse Macedon Ranges community that surrounds our beautiful part of the world. With a background in inclusive and accessible education, I strive to provide opportunities for all students to reach personal success both in and outside of the classroom, as well as develop active, critical and resourceful thinkers. I am always seeking opportunities to develop myself personally and professionally, and I look forward to learning from each and every one of the students I have the privilege of teaching.

Growing up on a hobby farm in Riddells Creek, I have always held great affection and affinity for all things outdoors, an interest I love sharing with others. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with friends and family. I come from a family of educators – I am the youngest of three teachers! I also enjoy sports, live music, tending to my vegetable garden, traveling, camping and hiking, and I love to cook…or at least trying to!
Here’s to the shared adventure ahead!

Hi.  My name is Lisa Peake and I have been working at Holy Cross for 6 years.  I currently teach our grade 6 class.  I have also taken on the role of Faith Leader in 2022 and am loving the added challenge of supporting the students in their faith development.
Teaching has always been a huge part of my life and I feel that Holy Cross is the school where I’m meant to be. The staff and families are so supportive of one another and it’s a joy to come to work here every day.
When I’m not at work, I’m a very busy wife and mum of 3 gorgeous children, Lachlan, Victoria and Thomas.  We are heavily involved in our local tennis club in Sunbury, and all of my children enjoy a social hit.
My other great love is travel!  As a family, we have been on countless road trips around Australia and have even been fortunate enough to travel overseas a few times.  I couldn’t pick a favourite place, as we have made so many great memories in so many towns over the years.
Other interests of mine include musical theatre, painting and drawing, cooking, catching up with friends and spending time with my family.
I feel blessed to have such a wonderful job at Holy Cross.  It truly is a special place in our community.

My name is Kathy and I feel blessed to work amongst such a dedicated and inspiring team of teachers who strive to make learning rich and meaningful for all our students.
I’ve worked at the school as an art specialist for fifteen years now and have a greater appreciation for the way the arts complement learning, encouraging sensory exploration, emotional engagement and greater self expression. I enjoy challenging and extending the children’s creative ideas and I am often surprised by their imaginative interpretations, and the personal connections and sensitivity which they bring to a task. I am continually reminded of how unique and special they all are.
I have a wonderful family who I love to spend time with. Although my kids have grown up and left home, we still like to get away for short holidays together. Generally we go to places where we can do some hiking and spend lots of time outdoors in nature. I have a beautiful garden which attracts lots of birdlife and other creatures too! I enjoy spending time pottering in my garden when I’m relaxing. Recently I became a gran-gran which has been an unexpected joy and I love spending time chasing my very active grandson around.

Hello, my name is Cathy Turner and I have had the great pleasure of being a part of the Holy Cross community for many years now. Our children at Holy Cross are always at the center of every lesson planned and every decision made and I continue to look forward to learning from them each and every day.

 I feel blessed and so very proud to work in an environment where our dedicated staff are so supportive of each other and provide such rich and authentic learning experiences for our children. Away from school you will always find me walking around our beautiful Macedon Ranges,  in my garden and spending time with my family and friends. 

Hi my name is Leonie and this is my first year teaching at Holy Cross and so far I have loved being here. This is my second year teaching Sport and I love giving every child the opportunity to have a go, have fun and feel successful. Before I taught Sport I was a classroom teacher and have taught all classes from prep to grade 3. I have lived in this area for 5 years now before living in Suburbia so I am loving this tree change and all this wonderful fresh air. I am also teaching Outdoor Education to the years 3-6, and we have been focusing on Orienteering and Scavenger Hunts.
When I am not teaching I love spending time with my family and 2 dogs. We love going on picnics, walks,visiting cafes and visiting new places around this beautiful area. We do enjoy playing a game of Fornite as well.

Hi, my name is Maryanne Johnstone and I work as a Co-Educator here at Holy Cross. My 4 children attended Holy Cross from when it first opened and during their time here I volunteered and helped out in any capacity that was needed. Then in 2008 when my final child was in Grade 6 I was given the opportunity to become a Co-Educator. Fourteen years later and having been involved with many classes and children, I still love coming to Holy Cross and being able to make a difference to our young people. Outside of school, catching up with family is very important to me now that we have 2 granddaughters to cuddle.

Hi, I’m Wendy
I just love my job as a co-educator, getting to work with amazing children, often those with additional needs. Making connections with the children throughout their journey at Holy Cross, seeing them grow, learn and achieve their goals is very rewarding.
I feel privileged to work in such an environment. How lucky we are to have so much open space to use for learning, have access to our veggie patch, chicken coop etc and be surrounded by trees and Mt Macedon.
I am also a family support worker and I have 4 children of my own. When I’m not working I am watching my boys play soccer, roller skating with my daughter, having family game nights, or long lunches with friends. I’m a lover of the outdoors, sports, arts and music.