Meet Our Staff

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[team name=”Paul Ryan” job=”Principal” image=”https://www.peterlalor.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/paul.jpg”]
[content]I have been a teacher for over 30 years and have worked as a principal for the past 12 years. I arrived as principal of Peter Lalor College six weeks into its re-birth as a senior vocational college. I have previously worked as a Principal at the former Lakeside Secondary College, Deer Park Secondary College and Kensington Community High School The future of our world hinges on the formation and education of our young people – my passion has been to make a significant contribution to this through my teaching and leadership. I believe strongly in the value of VCAL and applied technical learning as a better pathway than VCE for many of our youth – preparing them to be positive contributors to the workforce and our society.[/content]
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[team name=”Rod Sheehan” job=”Assistant Principal” image=”https://www.peterlalor.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/rod.jpg”]
[content]I have been a passionate VCAL teacher and ambassador since I commenced teaching. Being recognised as VCAL Teacher of the Year in 2011 and also winning a National Excellence in Teaching Award for Inspirational Teaching in 2012 were career highlights. I ensure quality VCAL programs operate throughout the state by lecturing at Deakin University in Applied Learning, present at local and national conferences, and I am a member of the VCAL QA Panel. Additionally, I had the privilege of writing both the current VCAL PDS and WRS curriculums in conjunction with the VCAA. I believe that students have different learning styles and when presented with the right style and teacher, a student can excel and demonstrate skills and knowledge beyond what was thought possible.[/content]
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[team name=”Vicki Masalkovski” job=”Business Manager” image=”https://www.peterlalor.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/vicki.jpg”]
[content]I have held the position of Business Manager at the College since 1999. I have worked at the College for a total of 25 years and have seen all the changes that have happened in that time. I enjoy working at the College. I feel privileged to watch the students who come through the college and the support they are given by the great team that work here.[/content]
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[team name=”James Gray” job=”VASS & Numeracy Coordinator – VCAL Teacher” image=”https://www.peterlalor.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/james.jpg”]
[content]I have been teaching Numeracy in the western and northern suburbs of Melbourne for over twenty-five years, predominantly as a mathematics, chemistry and science teacher. For the last thirteen years I have been at the forefront of delivering the competency based VCAL program. I have presented numerous VCAL workshops, been involved in VCAL curriculum development and I am also currently a VCAL Quality Assurance panel member. VCAL has provided me the wonderful opportunity to really get to know students and help them along their learning journey.[/content]
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[team name=”Melanie Brooks” job=”Foundation & Intermediate Student Manager – VCAL & VET Teacher” image=”https://www.peterlalor.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/melanie.jpg”]
[content]I have had 20 years of experience in secondary schools, TAFE’s and community education settings. In that time my work has revolved around VCAL, pre-vocational education and student transition into employment and further education and training. I have a strong passion in preparing students to be “work ready” and to help them to become lifelong learners. I believe in developing rich integrated project based activities that start where the learners are at, give students the ability to work through problems, find solutions, create and develop ideas and work in collaboration with each other, the community and their environment. I believe good teachers should build rich stimulating tasks and give students a large amount of scope to solve problems make mistakes re evaluate and find solutions for themselves.[/content]
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[team name=”Michael Courts” job=”VCAL Teacher” image=”https://www.peterlalor.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/michael.jpg”]
[content]I have been teaching for the past 20 years and joined the college 2 years ago as a Leading Teacher. I currently teach Work Related Skills at Peter Lalor Vocational College. I am also the Manager of Outer Northern Trade Training Centre.[/content]
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[team name=”Peter Akbiyik” job=”ICT Teacher – ICT Coordinator” image=”https://www.peterlalor.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Chimp.jpg”]
[content]I am a graduate from Prahran College of Advanced Education (under the guidance of Athol Smith, Paul Cox, and John Cato). I also owned & operated award-winning studio in Prahran. I’m currently teaching ICT, VET Multimedia and VET Digital Imaging here at Peter Lalor Vocational College. My responsibility as a teacher is to continuously provide students with the tools and resource to become successful citizens. I’m committed to the expansion of my knowledge, and to constantly learn and improve both personally and professionally.[/content]
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[team name=”Denise Camenzuli” job=”Integration Aid” image=”https://www.peterlalor.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/denise.jpg”]
[content]I have been an Integration Aide for 17 years at both primary and secondary levels. During this time I have seen many changes in education. I believe that students should have the opportunity to work at their own pace and take responsibility for their learning. I would like to continue to see Peter Lalor Vocational College grow and develop due to the innovative and relevant programs that are offered. I am committed to vocational style learning and support the VET programs within the school and through our partnership with ONTTC.[/content]
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[team name=”Tracy Cooknell” job=”VCAL Teacher – Careers Assistant” image=”https://www.peterlalor.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/tracy.jpg”]
[content]I have been teaching at the College for 6 years, and have been a teacher for 8 years. I teach Intermediate Numeracy and Personal Development Skills. I believe that education is a two-way proposition. The students’ responsibility is to come to class prepared to learn, and my responsibility is to create an interactive environment that engages the student in the learning process.[/content]
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[team name=”Kathleen Fogarty” job=”Senior Student Manager – VCAL Teacher” image=”https://www.peterlalor.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/kathleen.jpg”]
[content]I am a VCAL Teacher and also work as the Senior Year Level Coordinator. I have been teaching for 15 years and have been at PLVC for 4 years. I believe in encouraging active learning in my students. My role is to help students develop skills and become participants in their own learning.[/content]
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[team name=”Mary Kyriakou” job=”Integration Aide” image=”https://www.peterlalor.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/mary.jpg”]
[content]I have been at Peter Lalor since 1982 when it was a technical school. I have seen many changes in my time here but it has always had a hands-on approach to teaching and learning. I have now even seen many students who’s parents came here themselves. I believe that students work best when they have a good rapport with both teachers and the support staff in the classroom. It is important to have a united approach within the classroom.[/content]
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[team name=”Paris Mantz” job=”Literacy Coordinator – VCAL Teacher” image=”https://www.peterlalor.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/paris.jpg”]
[content]I became a qualified teacher 15 years ago. I was previously employed at Peter Lalor Secondary College and returned to the college when it became a Vocational College and became a VCAL teacher. I have specialised in Literacy for most of my teaching career and have been fascinated with how language works. I am also a member of the School Improvement Team working towards creating an engaging integrated curriculum for our students. I believe that all students have the capacity to learn; it is the teacher’s role to help them find how they learn best. Our role is to facilitate students’ learning according to their interests whenever possible and to foster life long learners.[/content]
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[team name=”Stephen Masalkovski” job=”Grounds / Maintenance” image=”https://www.peterlalor.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/stephen.jpg”]
[content]I started at the College in 2014. I love working outdoors in a creative way, particularly passing on skills and knowledge to the students who work with me around the school. I believe that education outside the classroom is equally as important as what is taught in classrooms. I often have students assist me in larger projects and maintenance initiatives.[/content]
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[team name=”Alex Messinis” job=”IT Support” image=”https://www.peterlalor.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/alex.jpg”]
[content]I started at the College in 2013. I feel a deep connection with the school as my father worked here, retiring in 2006. I have joined the team as an IT Support to assist with software and hardware troubleshooting. I enjoy working with both staff and students and providing and maintaining ICT equipment to a high standard to ensure quality teaching and learning.[/content]
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[team name=”Lisa O’Flynn” job=”Assistant Business Manager – Transition Pathways” image=”https://www.peterlalor.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/lisa.jpg”]
[content]In 2000 I began working at the College as a trainee through Apprenticeships Plus doing a Certificate III in Education (Office Stream). After my traineeship was complete the school offered me a position. I left in mid 2010 to work at another secondary college. I then returned to Peter Lalor Vocational College as a position became available for an Assistant Business Manager/Transition & Student Pathways Support. Since returning to PLVC I feel like I am back home after being on away for the past 3 ½ years.[/content]
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[team name=”Mustfa Ozal” job=”Maintenance Cleaner” image=”https://www.peterlalor.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/mustfa.jpg”]
[content]I started at the College 15 years ago. There have been many changes in the College since then. I clean and maintain the College buildings. I love interacting with both staff and students each day.[/content]
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[team name=”Gabby Panozzo” job=”Community Links Broker – Teacher’s Assistant” image=”https://www.peterlalor.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/gabby.jpg”]
[content]The reason I was so attracted to the school is that it values the development of skills for young people. It has a hands on approach to learning and it values and promotes resilience and personal ownership over education. This philosophy fits perfectly with the way I have always worked with young people. The school environment offers more time and more creative ways to engage with young people and the chance to see outcomes of the work that we do.[/content]
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[team name=”Rachael Philp” job=”Integration Aide” image=”https://www.peterlalor.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/rachel.jpg”]
[content]I joined Peter Lalor Vocational College in July 2014. I have been an integration aide for 4 years, prior to this I raised my own family. I enjoy working closely with students of all abilities to help them achieve their full potential. I was particularly attracted to Peter Lalor College as it has great vocational opportunities.[/content]
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[team name=”Petronella Sampson” job=”Education Support Officer – Administration” image=”https://www.peterlalor.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/petronella.jpg”]
[content]I left school in year 11 starting as a receptionist/office worker and worked my way up to a Private Secretary. Part of my duties was answering the phone, a plug and cord switchboard. (I am sure the younger generation of today would have a good laugh if they know what one of these were). After staying home for 14 years being a Mum, computers came in and I had to learn how to use a “mouse”. I re-entered the work force and started at the College six years ago. I can be found in the office promoting the school.[/content]
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[team name=”Tome Tolevski” job=”Cleaner” image=”https://www.peterlalor.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/tome.jpg”]
[content]I have been working at the College since 2013. I love to come to work and have a laugh with both the staff and students.[/content]
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[team name=”Russell Willis” job=”Counsellor” image=”https://www.peterlalor.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/russell.jpg”]
[content]I work throughout the Northern Region as a counsellor in a number of schools. I have been working in the Northern Region for more than 10 years. I have been working at the College for the past 5 years and have built great relationships with both staff and students. I am of the belief that applied learning can be of great benefit to address a variety of student learning preferences to create engagement in life-long learning. I feel privileged to be involved in the ongoing development of the college community.[/content]
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[team name=”Wafa Zaza” job=”IT Technician” image=”https://www.peterlalor.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/wafa.jpg”]
[content]I have developed the college’s ICT systems and have worked on continuous improvement. I have been working with the college for the past 8 years. I have a great attachment to the college as a former student who graduated in 2001.[/content]
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