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ST CATHERINE'S LALOR WEST
Principal's Welcome

Justine Sapiano
It is an absolute honour to welcome you to our vibrant and culturally diverse learning community. At St Catherine’s, we are committed to inspiring our students to lead enriching lives and to contribute to the greater good both within our school and beyond.
We are a community of faith, a meeting place for staff, students, families, and the wider parish, where Gospel values are lived out each day. Central to our mission is a deep respect for the dignity of every person, guided by the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Since its foundation, St Catherine’s has been recognised as a community school. While proudly Catholic, we engage in open and respectful dialogue with other faith traditions, reflecting the rich multicultural and multi-faith character of our families.
At St Catherine’s, we view students, parents, and staff as true partners in education. Family engagement in learning is both encouraged and highly valued. We invite families to actively participate in a variety of programs and learning opportunities as both teachers and learners.
Our aim is for every child to flourish and become the very best version of themselves. At St Catherine’s Primary School, we are committed to nurturing a dynamic and inclusive learning community where all students are empowered to reach their full potential. Guided by the values of the Gospel and aligned with the MACS Vision for Instruction and Vision for Engagement, our approach is built upon five key pillars:
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High quality teaching and learning
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Inclusive education to allow students to flourish
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Positive behaviour for learning and an emphasis on wellbeing
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Calm and routine learning environment
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A connected community.
I warmly invite you to become part of our St Catherine’s community, where your child will be supported to flourish in every aspect of their development. I look forward to partnering with you on your child’s educational journey and to welcoming your family into our warm, inclusive, and faith-filled school community.
Many blessings,
Mrs Justine Sapiano
Acting Principal
ABOUT OUR SCHOOL
Get to Know Us
The St Catherine’s Way
At St Catherine’s, Lalor West, we are guided by a clear vision of instruction and engagement grounded in evidence-based practices. We call this The St Catherine’s Way, a whole school commitment to high quality teaching and learning where every student is supported to reach their full potential.
Our approach is underpinned by the belief that every child can learn and succeed. Through evidence-informed strategies, explicit teaching, and data-driven decision-making, we strive to meet the diverse needs of all learners, ensuring progress and growth for every student.

Our approach is underpinned by the belief that every child can learn and succeed. Through evidence-informed strategies, explicit teaching, and data-driven decision-making, we strive to meet the diverse needs of all learners, ensuring progress and growth for every student.
We champion inclusive education, where differences are celebrated and support is tailored to empower students of all abilities to flourish. Learning is personalised, strengths are nurtured, and individual pathways are valued.
Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) is at the heart of our school culture. We focus on building strong relationships, teaching expected behaviours, and reinforcing them in a consistent and respectful way. This fosters a sense of belonging and responsibility in every learner.
Wellbeing is central to everything we do. We know that children learn best when they feel safe, happy, and valued. Our school promotes a nurturing environment where students develop resilience, confidence, and emotional intelligence.
We believe calm and predictable routines create a sense of security and focus, allowing students to fully engage in their learning. Classrooms are structured, purposeful, and welcoming places where curiosity is encouraged, effort is recognised, and excellence is pursued.
At St Catherine’s, Lalor West, The St Catherine’s Way is more than a framework, it’s a shared mindset and a daily practice. Together, we are building a learning community where every child is known, challenged, supported, and inspired to become the best version of themselves.
OUR VISION
The Community Vision at St Catherine’s Catholic School
With the Lord as my light, our community is inspired to live out the teaching of Christ.
We aspire to be confident, active learners who respond positively to challenges and have the courage to be of service to others.
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OUR EXPERT STAFF
Our Team

Mrs Justine Sapiano
Acting Principal

Ellen Kennedy
Faith and Mission Leader/Math Support

Julie Mamo
Medical Officer/Front Office

Olivia Torcasio
Year 1 Teacher

Fotini Lagkadiotis
Year 3 Teacher

Lauren Critelli
Year 5 Teacher

Lina Lauricella
Italian

Claudia Palmisano
E-Learning Leader/Community Leader/STEM

Talia Capasso
Learning Support Officer

Stefanie Bonfante
Learning Support Officer

Lena Palazzolo
Learning Support Officer

Maria Tornatora
Learning Support Officer

Mihayla Nilolovska
Learning Support Officer
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Mrs Kristie Gibson
Acting Deputy Principal-Vision for Instruction and Excellence

Emily Calogero
Student Success Leader

Caroline Cianciosi
EA to the Principal/Finance Manager

Madisyn Huy
Prep Teacher

Demi Popovski
Prep Teacher

Mrs Carly O’Neal-Shipley
Acting Deputy Principal- Vision for Engagement

Tamara Gullifa
Front Office

Jasmin Ferro
Year 1 Teacher
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Louise Rowe
Year 2 Teacher

Martina Tran
Year 4 Teacher

Emma Dove
Year 6 Teacher

Michelle Lepore
STEM/EAL

Joseph Basile
Maintenance

Olivia Esposito
Year 2 Teacher

Caitlin Brasier
Year 3 Teacher

Melissa Cali
Year 4 Teacher

Lauren Gladman
Year 6 Teacher

Jacob Marchett
Physical Education

Rachel Butler
Year 5 Teacher

Daniel Rosano
Year 6 Teacher

Vera Mitchell
Art/STEM

Janan Atto
Learning Support Officer

Lina Caserta
Learning Support Officer

Sandra DeVuono
Learning Support Officer

Michelle DiCello
Learning Support Officer

Angela DeLorenzo
Learning Support Officer

David Massena
Learning Support Officer

Tessa Sciulli
Learning Support Officer

Joanah Kerger
Learning Support Officer

Niki Potenza
Learning Support Officer

Alessandra Bonilla
Learning Support Officer

Lucy Talarico
Counsellor/Student Support

Kyra Correyo
Learning Support Officer/Choir Leader

Mia Torcasio
Learning Support Officer

Brittany Brazell
Speech Pathologist

Valli Della-Riva
Learning Support Officer
CONNECTION TO LALOR WEST
Our Parish
St Clare's Parish Thomastown West
Fr John Magri
3 Harbard Street, Thomastown West 3074
Phone: 9926 2393
Parish Mobile: 0492 883 232
Email: thomastownwest@cam.org.au
Tuesday/Thursday 9:30 am to 12:00 noon
St Clare's Parish Thomastown West


TOGETHER IN FAITH
School Prayer

Dear God and Father of us all,
Thank you for giving us St Catherine of Siena, our patron saint. She lights up our days! Her heart was on fire with Your divine love.
Help us to be brave, honest, and caring like she was.
May we walk in the footsteps of St Catherine by loving God, making good choices and being of service to others.
St Catherine lights the way for us. Inspire and help us to share a Jesus heart with everyone and be His hands in this world.
Saints Catherine and Clare pray for us and may we always remember to pray for one another.
Amen
FAITH, COURAGE, WISDOM
St Catherine of Sienna
“Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire. Let truth be your joy—proclaim it with kindness.”
– St Catherine of Siena
Feast Day: April 29
St Catherine of Siena is the patron saint who inspires the vision and values of our school. A model of courage and authenticity, Catherine embodies the virtues we seek to cultivate in our school community, bravery, truth, and deep faith.

Born on March 25, 1347, in Siena, Italy, Catherine was the youngest of 25 children. At the age of six, she experienced a vision of Christ above the Church, a moment that set her on a lifelong path of devotion. By sixteen, she had joined the Third Order of St Dominic, dedicating herself fully to God.
Catherine was a bold and articulate young woman who fearlessly voiced her convictions, always speaking out for Christ with passion and clarity. She expressed her faith from the depths of her heart, her strength, and her soul.
Recognised as one of the most brilliant theological minds of her time, Catherine’s writings still echo powerfully throughout the Church today. She was named the first female Doctor of the Church and given the rare and revered title, Doctor of Wisdom.
Despite facing resistance from Church authorities, St Catherine stood firm in her pursuit of truth and justice. Her remarkable influence and legacy achieved in just thirty three years, were rooted in her unwavering unity with God.
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