Faces of Clonard
Ms Sarah Ellmer has been a part of the Clonard College community for some time as a student, Old Collegian and currently as a teacher. In her 7th year of teaching Ms Ellmer leads the Food Studies team, teaching VCE and Year 10 Food Studies, Year 10 PreCAL and is also the Year 11 Wellbeing and Community Assistant.
Ms Ellmer oversees the planning, curriculum and running of the Food Studies kitchens at all year levels. Ms Ellmer is also a keen Finian House representative and actively supports Finian House leaders at House events and assemblies throughout the year.
In her role as WELCOM Assistant, Ms Ellmer works together with the Year 11 WELCOM Leader, Justine Fitzpatrick. Ms Ellmer says ‘I am really enjoying working with the team of teachers we have this year. Following the Year 11 students up from Year 10 is fantastic because we worked hard last year to establish great relationships with the cohort and now we can continue for those to grow. This has always been one of the best things about Clonard since my time as a student and now a staff member. Community and relationships’.
Mr Lance Houlihan began with us in 2020 as the Year 7 Wellbeing and Community Leader. Mr Houlihan’s key duties include working with the Year 7 Wellbeing Team to implement the Wellbeing curriculum, coordinating Year 7 events and activities and supporting Year 7 transition from Primary to Secondary School.
After missing out on so much last year, including camp, Mr Houlihan really enjoyed and embraced the Lake Dewar Adventure Day at the end of the last year and getting to know as many students as possible – in person! Connecting with families is one of his favourite duties and helping make the transition for the students from primary to secondary school as smooth as possible.
After teaching for 30 years in various Catholic Primary Schools, Mr Houlihan feels so lucky to be part of the Clonard College community, returning to Brigidine values after attending Primary school at St Joseph’s in Rochester just a few years ago.
