Staff Profiles

The staff at Dominic College are a dynamic, hard working and talented team. Dominic has been fortunate to attract a range of outstanding and experienced educators, leaders and administrators dedicated to our students and to the College.

Generosity and service are key features of the College staff. Each of our staff is invited to model two characteristics that our founder Don Bosco emulated – kindness and cheerfulness.

At Dominic, we actively encourage and support staff to undertake ongoing professional learning and study. The College conducts a program of professional development and a number of our staff enter and continue formal study ranging from Post Graduate university degrees to Vocational and Educational Training.

With our staff modelling the way in a culture of lifelong learning, we hope that this reinforces both the aspirations of our students and an understanding that their learning journey needs to be lifelong as well.

At Dominic College, we believe in being a community where staff, students and parents work together and where everyone undertakes timely, effective and honest communication about issues. Communication with staff can be by telephone, student diary notes, email and especially encouraged through arranged face-to-face meeting.

Email addresses for staff can be accessed below and via the 'Contact Us' page.

Beth Gilligan

College Principal

View the complete Teaching Staff list

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)

Contact

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

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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. Her 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
Peasant Prince - Li Cunxin

Best recent professional learning
2016 Tasmanian Catholic Education Conference

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

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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

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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.

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Jessica Brownrigg

Siena House Coordinator, Teacher - Creative Arts 3-8, 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.

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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"

Contact

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 Palacino

Best recent professional learning
Tony Stead: Improving Outcomes in Literacy

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

Contact

Aaron Davey

Coordinator of Pastoral Care 7-10, Teacher - 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 focusses 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

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Natalie Davey

Bosco House Coordinator, Teacher - HPE and Empower

Natalie completed a Bachelor of Human Movement majoring in HPE and Outdoor Education in 2006. In 2007 and 2008, she taught Middle School Maths and Science at the Fahan School. Natalie then began her time at Dominic College in 2009 in the position of Co-ordinator of Health and PE 7-10, which she held until 2014. She was also Co-ordinator of Siena House part way through 2010 until the end of 2011. Natalie has had some periods of leave throughout the past few years to look after her children and she returned to part-time work in Term 3 2015. At the beginning of 2017, Natalie took up the shared position of Bosco House Coordinator.

Book every child should read
Anna's Story - Bronwyn Donaghy

Best recent professional learning
Rite Journey training

Favourite teaching unit
Relationships – HPE, Body Systems - Sport Science

Teaching motto
"If the child is not learning the way you are teaching, then you must teach in the way the child learns" - Rita Dunn

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