Introducing our Assistant Heads of House

Staff Story

The expansion of our Pastoral team in 2023 has brought six experienced teachers into closer contact with our students from Years 7 to 12. These outstanding teachers and pastoral leaders are helping all our students develop the skills to take safe risks, be resilient in the face of adversity and maintain healthy relationships. They are passionate about supporting, encouraging and empowering young people to reach their full potential by assisting them through challenging life situations and times of growth through their formative years. 

Each Assistant Head of House brings something unique to the team:

Samantha Whittemore, Gunagulla

Samantha is a Japanese and PDHPE teacher with a Bachelor in Human Movement & Health Education, a Diploma in Modern Languages – Japanese, and is currently completing a Master’s in Youth Mental Health. She is approachable and loves learning more about the students in her House, ‘working with them to achieve their goals or manage their problems they are dealing with. Seeing students thriving, enjoying all aspects of school and our Santa community is very rewarding.’ Outside of teaching her two daughters keep her busy and she is always at South Sydney home games.

Michelle Nosworthy, Kurrawa

Michelle is a Science teacher with a degree in Pharmacology and Postgraduate Certificate of Education in Chemistry. She has recent pastoral experience as Head of Year at another school and says, ‘Teaching is different every day – I’m never bored.’ Michelle is also a keen runner and is currently training for the City2surf. She also loves exploring Sydney, her new home.

Lauren Jenkins, Mundawora

Lauren is one of our History teachers with a first class honours Bachelor of Arts degree and Master of Teaching (Secondary). She cares deeply about our students and wants to make a difference: ‘The part of my job that I most love is building positive connections with students. They are intelligent, funny and compassionate, and it is a joy to see them thrive both inside and outside of the classroom’. When outside of the classroom herself, Lauren spends time baking, taking her dog Floyd to the beach and playing and coaching hockey.

Stacey Tse, Teangi

Stacey teaches Design and Technology and Textiles and holds the degrees of Bachelor of Integrated Product Design and Master of Teaching (Secondary). As Assistant Head of House for Teangi she loves being able to build connections with her students every day, ‘knowing that I can be someone that they can rely and turn to for support’. When not teaching, Stacey is out with her family and friends, exploring cafes and restaurants or bouldering – ‘a great way to clear my mind’.  

Argy Asimakoula, Weelya

Argy teaches PDHPE and holds the degree of Bachelor of Human Movement and a Diploma in Education. She has been involved in service work – volunteering in South Africa where she worked to support sick and vulnerable children. Argy sums up the work of all the Assistant Heads of House when she says: ‘I enjoy empowering young people to have agency over their lives through helping them develop their knowledge, skills and understanding of various key issues including building respectful relationships, enhancing personal strengths, promoting health, safety and wellbeing. I am particularly passionate about educating young people about developing their resilience and GRIT, managing challenges and change as well as recognising, supporting and protecting themselves and others in a range of situations.’ Argy spends her time off with her daughter ‘painting, reading books, going to the movies, watching musicals and being active’.

Jacqui Sheehan, Yetinga

Jacqui is a Science teacher with a Diploma of Teaching (Secondary Science and Mathematics) and a Graduate Certificate in Education but is also experienced in teaching Religion, Mathematics, French and TAS. She says our vertical House structure allows each Assistant Head of House and Head of House to follow students through from Year 7 to Year 12, allowing them to really get to know the students as they develop as individuals. She particularly enjoyed transitioning the Year 7 Yetinga girls through their first term. ‘They were an absolute delight to work with and their energy and enthusiasm were very contagious’. Jacqui can often be seen walking the Bay Run and two nights a week can be found at Alliance Française in the city, improving her French.

Victoria Harper
Publications and Marketing Officer