Jessica Agius

Learning Support Teacher 7-10, Teacher - English

After completing a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in History and Classics, Jessica began teaching in 2001 as an English and History teacher in both private and Catholic high schools in NSW. While completing her Grad Dip Ed, she returned to Tasmania and began work in the Catholic system at St. Brendan-Shaw College. Her subject specialisations; English and SOSE, evolved into a Middle School integration program, where all core subject areas were taught. Jessica returns to Tasmania after a second teaching period in NSW, in the public high school sector, having completed her Masters of Education, with a passion for curriculum differentiation and subject integration.

Book every child should read
Michelle Paver's Wolf Brother series

Best recent professional learning
Education of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (University of Wollongong)

Favourite teaching unit
Ancient Rome Integration Unit

Teaching motto
Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty. (Mother Teresa)

Susie Allan

Teacher - Japanese Years 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 2

Anna completed her studies at the University of Tasmania in 1988. She commenced her teaching career in Kingston, at St. Aloysius School (P-6), as it was known then. The school grew to a K-10 co-educational Catholic College which Anna was excited to be a part of. There she remained as a full-time classroom teacher. Anna has taught all primary grades and brings a wealth of experience to Dominic College. She joined the Dominic College community in 2017 and is very pleased to continue as Year 2 Class Teacher in 2018. Other roles during her teaching career have included teaching L.O.T.E. (Italian), specialised Art classes for Grade 3 and 4 students, organising and running the Chess Club and ‘Rainbows’ facilitator, just to name a few. In 2014, Anna was awarded the certificate of 25 years of service in Catholic Education.

Book every child should read
The Peasant Prince - Li Cunxin

Best recent professional learning
2017: In Search of a Poet’s Heart Alan J. Wright

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

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

Brian Brennan

Teacher – Guzman 3 Pastoral, Mathematics, Science and Religious Education

Brian went to the University of NSW completing a degree in Metallurgical Engineering. An accident resulted in a change of direction. He worked briefly in the NSW Education Department then in Catholic schools in Sydney. In 1981 he moved to Hobart and took up a position in the then Senior Campus (now GYC) of Dominic College, where he held many senior positions including Year Co-ordinator, Time-tabler and Deputy Principal. In 1995, with the formation of GYC, Brian remained with Dominic College, moving to the current Dominic Campus. He served as Deputy Principal for 8 years, including one term as Acting Principal. He has been deeply involved with the sporting program within the College coaching Softball, Basketball, Volleyball, Rowing and Badminton over the years.

Book every child should read
Aldous Huxley- Brave New World

Best recent professional learning
Using GeoGebra, a computerized graphical/space program for teaching shape and form.

Favourite teaching unit
Mathematics (Algebra)

Teaching motto
Use it or lose it.

Jessica Brownrigg

Siena House Coordinator, Teacher - English and Empower

Jessica completed her Theatre Degree and her Bachelor of Teaching in 2009. She has worked at Launceston College and The Port Dalrymple School before taking her place at Dominic College in 2013. Jessica is passionate about Arts Education and meeting the individual needs of her students by creating dynamic and student focused learning environments. She has worked as a theatre technician, stage manager and established and run her own Theatre company alongside becoming a teacher.

Book every child should read
The Book Thief - Markus Zusak, Tuesdays with Morrie - Mitch Albom, The Fault in our Stars - John Green

Best recent professional learning
The best professional learning is always the chance to discuss and plan with my colleagues. Every day is the best professional learning experience at Dominic College as we exchange our ideas and methods for the classroom!

Favourite teaching unit
Shakespeare's Macbeth-Year 10 English

Teaching motto
Every child deserves a champion; someone who will not give up on them, who knows the power of connection and insists they be the best they can be- Rita Pierson- educator.

Warwick Cardamatis

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

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"

Madelyn Carver

Teacher- Year 1, Literacy Support

Madelyn, an Old Scholar, has completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Tasmania majoring in Gender Studies and Sociology in 2015. She furthered her studies by graduating with a Master of Teaching degree in 2017. Madelyn is passionate about teaching young children and preparing them to be successful in their future endeavours. Madelyn continues to strive to develop her teaching pedagogy which is why she is currently completing her honours in Early Childhood Education as well as a Graduate Certificate in Religious Education. Madelyn is thrilled to begin her teaching career at Dominic College.

Book every child should read
The Very Hungry Caterpillar - Eric Carle

Best recent professional learning
Graduate Certificate in Religious Education

Favourite teaching unit
Science

Teaching motto
"Every child deserves a champion – an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be." - Rita Pierson

Stephen Casni

Deputy Principal

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

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