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ST CATHERINE'S LALOR WEST

Principal's Welcome

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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:

  1. High quality teaching and learning

  2. Inclusive education to allow students to flourish

  3. Positive behaviour for learning and an emphasis on wellbeing

  4. Calm and routine learning environment

  5. 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.

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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

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

Our Team
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Mrs Justine Sapiano

Acting Principal

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Nigel Maloney

Math/ Religious Education Leader

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Tamara Gullifa

Front Office

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Jasmin Ferro

Year 1 Teacher

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Louise Rowe

Year 2 Teacher

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Caitlin Brasier

Year 4 Teacher

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Penny Vouziotis

Year 5 Teacher

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Lina Lauricella

Italian

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Vera Mitchell

ART/STEM

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Lauren Critelli

Learning Support Officer

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Lena Palazzolo

Learning Support Officer

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Maria Tornatora

Learning Support Officer

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Kyra Correyo

Learning Support Officer

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Mrs Kristie Gibson

Acting Deputy Principal/Learning and Teaching/Literacy

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Mrs Emily Calogero

Acting Learning Diversity Leader/Intervention

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Zoe Chapman

Prep Teacher

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Olivia Torcasio

Year 1 Teacher

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Fotini Lagkadiotis

Year 3 Teacher

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Melissa Cali

Year 4 Teacher

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Radhini DeSilva

Year 6 Teacher

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Michelle Lepore

Italian/STEM/EAL

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Janan Atto

Learning Support Officer

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Sandra DeVuono

Learning Support Officer

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Niki Potenza

Learning Support Officer

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Lucy Talarico

Learning Support Officer

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Alessandra Bonilla

Learning Support Officer

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Mrs Carly O’Neal-Shipley

Acting Learning Diversity Leader/ Wellbeing/Counsellor

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Caroline Cianciosi

EA to the Principal/Finance Manager

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Demi Popovski

Prep Teacher

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Olivia Esposito

Year 2 Teacher

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Lisa Tsobanopoulos

Year 3 Teacher

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Rachel Butler

Year 5 Teacher

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Daniel Rosano

Year 6 Teacher

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Jacob Marchett

Physical Education

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Joseph Basile

Maintenance

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Joanah Kerger

Learning Support Officer

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Mia Torcasio

Learning Support Officer

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Stefanie Bonfante

Learning Support Officer

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Melanie Raffa

Speech Pathologist

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

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OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS

Policies

TOGETHER IN FAITH

School Prayer

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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.

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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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