Susie Allan

Teacher - Japanese 5-7

In 1984, Susie lived in Japan for 12 months as an exchange student. At this time, she was immersed in the lifestyle of a high school student in rural Japan. Susie experienced a unique and fulfilling introduction to the people, language and culture. On return to Tasmania, she studied Japanese at the Faculty of Arts, University of Tasmania and started work in sectors requiring Japanese language skills. She has worked within Japanese companies who were involved in tourism, hospitality and advertising, and continued studying the language as well as travelling frequently to Japan. Through her love and understanding of Japan, Susie is able to impart knowledge not only of the language but the culture, lifestyle, history and associated information.

Book every child should read
Meiko and the Fifth Treasure

Best recent professional learning
Australia in the Asian Century

Favourite teaching unit
Childrens Day and Jizou, protector of children

Teaching motto
“A different language is a different vision of life.” – Federico Fellini

Anna Attuoni

Teacher - Year 4

Anna completed her studies at the University of Tasmania in 1988 and has been teaching in Catholic Education ever since. Anna has taught all primary grades and brings a wealth of experience to Dominic College. She believes strongly in bringing out the best in her students by providing an enriching and engaging learning environment. Anna also believes in assisting her students to develop not only academically but also ensuring that they continue to grow socially and emotionally within a Christian framework. She joined the Dominic College community in 2017 as a Year 2 Class Teacher (2017-2018) and in 2019 Anna has taken on the role of Year 4 Class Teacher. During her career, some of her responsibilities have included teaching L.O.T.E. (Italian), specialised Art classes for Years 3 and 4, organising and running school Chess Clubs and being a ‘Rainbows’ facilitator, just to name a few. In 2014, Anna was awarded the certificate for 25 years of service in Catholic Education.

Book every child should read
The Peasant Prince - Li Cunxin

Best recent professional learning
2019: Rev. Dr Elio Capra SDB 'The Mission of the Catholic School'

Favourite teaching unit
History, Geography, Art and L.O.T.E.(Italian)

Teaching motto
‘Each child is like a butterfly in the wind. Some can fly higher than others, but each one flies the best it can. Why compare one against the other? Each one is different. Each one is special. Each one is beautiful.’ Author unknown

Jayde Bailey-McSherry

Teacher - Prep

Jayde is an old scholar who attended Dominic College from 2008 to 2011. Jayde completed her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Tasmania in 2016, majoring in Sociology and Aboriginal Studies. She then went on to complete her Master of Teaching in 2018. Jayde's passion lies in early childhood education and giving students the foundations for their future educational endeavours. Jayde believes that positive relationships are fundamental to student learning and aims to foster this in her classroom and her approach to teaching.

Book every child should read
“Matilda” Roald Dahl

Best recent professional learning
ALEA 10 Essential Instructional Practices in Literacy

Favourite teaching unit
Science

Teaching motto
"No matter how much pedagogy we know, no matter how many degrees we have, unless our students know that we care, they will not learn from us."

Daniel Bellinger

Teacher - Year 1

Daniel began teaching in 2011 at St Peter Chanel where he taught Years 2, 3 and 4. During his time there, he was also the school's Positive Behaviour Coordinator, which allowed him to help the school develop ways in which students could take ownership of their own learning and behaviour. In 2016, Daniel completed his Certificate of Religious Education which has helped him to gain a current and in-depth understanding of how contemporary Australian children and young adults view and treat the nature of religion and Religious Education. Daniel believes in ensuring all students can make connections between classroom learning and life outside of school and enjoys engaging students in their learning through stories and hands-on activities.

Book every child should read
There are so many to choose from! I think Peter Pan by JM Barrie, Wonder by RJ Palacio and The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery are must haves as they deal with the importance of childhood, seeing the wonder of the world and accepting others.

Best recent professional learning
Graduate Certificate of Religious Education

Favourite teaching unit
Anything to do with Literacy and Science

Teaching motto
One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world. Malala Yousafzai

Warwick Cardamatis

Teacher – Bosco 3 Pastoral, Religious Education, English and Empower

Warwick completed a Bachelor of Education degree at Sydney University in 1984. He began his teaching vocation in 1985 by working in several schools in the Eastern suburbs of Sydney, mostly, Dover Heights HS, as a relief teacher. Between 1986 and 1991 he taught English and History at Sylvania HS. He was hired to teach English and History at Dominic College Senior Campus in 1992 and remained there until the site was closed at the end of 1994. Apart from a year teaching English to the English in England in 2001 he has been a teacher at Dominic Secondary Campus since 1995.

Book every child should read
"To Kill a Mockingbird"

Best recent professional learning
Youth Mental Health

Favourite teaching unit
"To Kill a Mockingbird" / Causes of WW2

Teaching motto
"Second star to the right and straight on 'til morning"

Stephen Casni

Deputy Principal, Teacher - Religious Education

Stephen started his teaching career at St John Bosco College, Engadine, a Salesian school in the tradition of Don Bosco teaching English, History, Geography and Religious Education, working for three years as English Coordinator from 2007. Stephen also worked as Religious Education Coordinator for three years starting from 2010 being heavily involved with social justice, liturgy, retreats and staff and student faith formation.

Throughout 2013 Stephen spent time at Dominic College as Director of Mission K-10, before returning to Sydney to take up the role of Leader of Learning and Innovation at Caroline Chisholm College from 2014-2017, during this time Stephen focused on developing a culture of growth coaching amongst students to empower them to take ownership and control over their own learning.

Stephen returned to Dominic College as Deputy Principal commencing in 2018. With a passion for encouraging responsible use of technology to enhance student learning Stephen believes students must develop and sustain a growth mindset with which they can achieve anything they put their minds to. Stephen enjoys History, travelling, reading, theatre, coastal walks and spending time with family and friends.

Book every child should read
Charles Dickens: Great Expectations and the entire Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Best recent professional learning
Growth Coaching International - Coaching Accreditation Program

Favourite teaching unit
RE unit - “The Church in History” and Ancient History unit - “Pompeii and Herculaneum”

Teaching motto
“In every young person, a point of goodness is accessible, and it is the primary duty of the educator to discover that sensitive cord of the heart so as to draw out the best in the young person.” -St John Bosco

Benjamin Crick

Teacher - Year 6

After completing a Bachelor of Education at the University of Tasmania in 2015, Ben moved to England to teach in a Church of England Primary School located in North London. Living in London enabled Ben to travel extensively throughout Europe and learn about the history and culture of many countries, a passion of his which he enjoys sharing with his students. Ben is looking forward to starting his journey at Dominic College.

Book every child should read
The Adventures of Odysseus by Daniel Morden and Hugh Lupton

Best recent professional learning
URSTRONG

Favourite teaching unit
English - Persuasive Writing

Teaching motto
“Good, better, best. Never let it rest. 'Til your good is better and your better is best.” St Jerome

Samantha Crust

Learning Support Coordinator 7-10

Samantha began her career in Sydney 20 years ago, she has also taught in Melbourne as well as Kuala Lumpur and Ecuador.She is interested in Project Based Learning and students working in areas of their strength. Sam is a passionate advocate for differentiation and all students learning what they are ready to learn.

Book every child should read
"Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes

Best recent professional learning
Make the most of York Assessment of Reading for Comprehension (YARC)

Favourite teaching unit
Novel study, either "Trash" or "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" or "Of Mice and Men".

Teaching motto
"If you're afraid to be wrong, you'll never do anything creative." Ken Robinson

Sue Cunningham

Coordinator of Teaching and Learning 3-6, Teacher - Year 6

Sue began her career in education in 1988. Since that time she has held a number of positions in the field of education including teaching ESOL, working with special needs students, making high school and university placements for overseas students and of course classroom teaching in Years 2, 4, 5 and 6. She has worked in primary, secondary and adult education. Sue came to Dominic in 2012 after 18 years living in Asia, 13 years in Shanghai, China and 5 years in Taipei, Taiwan.

Book every child should read
Wonder by RJ Palacio

Best recent professional learning
Thomas Guskey: On Your Mark

Favourite teaching unit
History, writing, reading, maths ... - it is too hard to choose one!

Teaching motto
Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right. Henry Ford

Aaron Davey

Coordinator of Pastoral Care 7-10, Acting Savio House Coordinator, Teacher - Mathematics, HPE and Empower

Aaron was a student at Dominic College, graduating Year 10 in 1999. He began teaching K-6 Physical Education during Term 2 in 2006, before being moved to the 7-10 Campus. Aaron started teaching Health and PE, Science and IT, before moving into Sport Science, Athletic Development and Maths. Aaron has been Secondary Sport Coordinator, Health and Physical Education Coordinator, but now focuses on his passion of Pastoral Care. Aaron is a keen athlete, who plays AFL for the DOSA Football Club and loves spending time with his young family.

Book every child should read
Anna’s Story – Bronwyn Donaghy

Best recent professional learning
Discovering Positive Education – GGS Institute of Positive Education.

Favourite teaching unit
Energy and Body Systems – Sport Science

Teaching motto
I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed. - Michael Jordan