New Staff 2022

Billy Binedell

Hi! My name’s Billy and I’m the new IT trainee for 2022. I Graduated from St. Joseph’s in 2019 and have been working in hospitality and IT for the past couple of years, as well as becoming qualified in Cybersecurity with Monash in 2019. 

I’ve been around Clonard for many years and was fortunate enough to have the school a huge part of my upbringing, with many teachers having known me since I was very young. Looking forward to this year and the opportunities ahead!

Ruby Galbraith

My name is ruby Galbraith, I’m new to a role in a school, but have been around Clonard for quite some years. I graduated back in 2019 and loved every minute of going to school here. I’m the new Food Tech Assistant, helping out in classes and organising the food. I’ll be there to help out all the students with their worries and questions, as well be a friendly ear. I’m really excited to start a new journey with this job. In my spare time I play netball and cricket, trying to do as much exercise as I can. I also love to do some art projects to get into my creative side.

Natasha Quaresma

Natasha Quaresma is an English and History teacher. She has previous experience in the cultural heritage sector and hosts a history podcast called ‘Looking Back.’ She moved from Melbourne to Geelong to take a post teaching English at Clonard and is already in love with the school and community. She is an (extremely) amateur plant grower, loves to cook and is perfecting a cinnamon scroll recipe. Natasha teaches Years 7, 8, and 9 English.

Kim Nguyen

I was born in Adelaide and moved to Geelong in 2005 where I finished my schooling and bachelor’s degree. I have a Bachelor in Forensic Science majoring in Chemistry and Biology and I worked in a laboratory testing malt products. I taught at North Geelong Secondary College for 8 years, teaching mainly Year 7-10 Science and Maths and Year 12 Chemistry.

Bridget Taylor

I’m Bridget Taylor/Ms Taylor and I am new to Clonard, but I am not new to the Geelong community. I am a strong Geelong Cats supporter and can be found attending most home games. I have a strong passion for mathematics and enjoy working with young people to boost their confidence and knowledge in the mathematics’ domain. My interests include: teams sports, travelling and taking my miniature dachshund, Lola for walks

Samantha Bear

Samantha had the privilege of undertaking her final teaching practicum at Clonard College in Term 4, 2019, so she’s absolutely thrilled to be back as an official staff member in 2022! Having been educated at an all-girls school in Sydney, she sincerely values the unique opportunities afforded by single-sex education, and she is consequently very excited to be a part of the Clonard community again. During 2020 and 2021, she taught Years 7, 8, 9, and VCE Units 1 & 2 English, and Year 10 History at Geelong Grammar School. She is passionate about the pastoral side of education, having been the Assistant Head of Fraser House, one of the senior co-educational Day Houses during her time at GGS. Samantha lives in Geelong with her fiancé, Henry, who is also an English teacher, which makes resource sharing very accessible! Something not many people know about her is that she is an Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance, having completed her Advanced 2 Ballet Examination in 2018 – she hopes to have the opportunity to share her love of ballet and contemporary with the Clonard students.

Liz Sullivan

Liz has been an educator for over 20 years and believes it is a privilege to work with young people. She has a passion for making learning relevant and enjoyable. She is committed to supporting students to grow; in confidence, skill development, understanding of self and others and their faith.

Liz teaches Religious Education and English and loves both. She has been fortunate to have had a variety of leadership roles in her career, including House Leader, English Learning Leader, Head of Learning (7-9) and now is Pedagogy of Encounter Leader at Clonard.

Liz has relocated from Melbourne to Geelong; her last ten years were at Marcellin College in Bulleen. Liz goes for the Tigers and has a dog Buster; whom her Clonard students in Years 7, 8, 10 and 12 have already been introduced to in their first lesson. She is excited to be a part of the Clonard community and looking forward to getting to know students, parents, and staff.

Abbey Blackley

Hi everyone, my name is Abbey, I have just joined Clonard College this year as the new PE trainee. Although I am a new staff member many of the girls would have seen me around the school grounds after completing my last six years of high school at Clonard and graduating in 2021. As part of my role this year I will be involved in assisting in different PE classes, interschool sports and outdoor ed camps. When I am not at work, I am often found playing and coaching netball at the Bannockburn Football Netball club. I am looking forward to meeting many new faces this year!

Delphine Pacifique

Bonjour! My name is Delphine Pacifique and I am very happy to be starting this new year at Clonard College.

I was born in Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. The island had been colonised by the French and British before becoming independent and is mainly bilingual. We have 5 main religious groups – Catholics, Hindus, Tamils, Buddhists and Muslims. Every group is allocated one or two national days per year and the people of Mauritius celebrate together by exchanging food, having backyard fireworks and visiting each other’s homes.

I attended an all-girls Loreto College and went on to complete a Science degree at the local university. I then started working as a Science, Chemistry and RE teacher at my former high school. After a couple of years on the job, I moved to Australia and studied Education at Monash University before securing a job in an all-girls school in Geelong.

This July will mark my 12th year in Australia. Out of these years, I have been lucky to spend 11 in the Geelong region. Upon my arrival here, I immediately joined the Alliance Française de Geelong as a tutor and later a committee member. This allowed to connect with members of the community and fellow French native speakers.

Throughout my career in Australia, I have been lucky enough to take students on trips to France, Reunion Island and Mauritius, and to have hosted Reunion island students and teachers. Teaching French is such a multi-faceted, creative and rewarding job. It gives me great joy to be able to share my mother-tongue and culture everyday and I look forward to getting to know the beautifully multicultural community at Clonard.

Olivia Pearce

Olivia is an English, Literature and Drama teacher. Originally from Geelong, she has recently returned home after 11 years living in Melbourne where she attended the University of Melbourne and taught at Ave Maria College. As well as teaching in the classroom, one of the highlights of Olivia’s career so far has been directing two school musicals. At Clonard this year, she will be teaching Years 10, 11 and 12 English and is one of our Learning Leaders. Outside of school, she is trying to teach herself how to play the guitar (with varying success) and enjoys baking and spending time in her garden.

Stephanie Kljajic

Stephanie is excited to be taking on the role as an English teacher in Years 12, 11 and 9 here at Clonard for 2022. She has come from a Catholic school in Melbourne where she predominantly taught English, Humanities and Literacy across Years 7 to 11. Stephanie is currently living in Melbourne but will be making the move to Geelong in the coming months. Prior to starting her career as a teacher, Stephanie worked as an ABA therapist for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This experience drove her passion for teaching and instilled her belief that success looks different for every student.

Kate Connor

Kate Connor is a familiar face around Clonard. She has joined our community officially after 5 years of completing casual relief teaching. Kate has had vast experience in many schools including schools in Melbourne and Internationally. She comes to Clonard with a variety of leadership experience as she has held positions such as Year level Coordinator, Head of Faculty and Restorative Practice Facilitator. Kate is excited to join the VCAL team this year and has also taken on the role as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Case Manager (ATSI). Kate moved to Geelong 9 years ago with her Husband and has 2 children. She is a keen swimmer and loves spending time with her family on the beach. Kate is looking forward to meeting and working with the families and staff of Clonard.

Joanna Wiltshire

.I am excited to be included in the Clonard Community. This is my tenth-year teaching working across public, private and catholic education. My background is Fine Art, having graduated from VCA Melbourne University in 2003. I use my creative passion to inspire my students about the richness of life across a range of subjects including but not limited to; Visual Arts, Design, Media and Design Technology.

I spend my time with my pack; my husband – love of my life, my three year old son Marlon, my one year old Bloodhound Jimi Jake and my nine year old Golden Retriever Huxley. Together we garden, trek, explore and play. 

I love teaching! ….. And movies, reading, cooking, baths, yoga, roller skating, music, and being out in nature. I am all about a positive drive to enjoy all that we can while we can!

Mahni Beasley

I grew up on dairy farm just outside of Terang in Southwest Victoria. I worked on the farm for a year after high school and throughout school. I then moved to Geelong to begin studying a Bachelor of Health and Physical Education at Deakin. I’m now continuing to study while completing a traineeship here at Clonard in Education Support. Outside of work and study I enjoy going to the gym, running, going to the beach and playing and umpiring netball.