While at Centralian Middle School, your child will have many teachers with specialised subject knowledge. Our Senior Teachers oversee year levels and elective subjects.
School Leadership
Andrew Leslie: Principal
B.Ed (Syd), M.Ed (Syd)
Andrew graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor and Masters of Education. He has been teaching for over 17 years and brings a range of experiences to Centralian Middle School. He has worked as a teacher and senior manager in a range of educational settings and sectors. He has most recently worked in Independent, Government and International Schools.
Andrew is passionate about students achieving at high levels and achieving their personal best. Andrew believes that students learn best in safe and secure learning environments with contemporary curriculum to challenge and engage young minds.
Paul van Holsteyn: Assistant Principal Learning
BA (Melbourne), Grad Dip Ed Sec (Murdoch)
I love working at Centralian Middle School – CMS is rich with the diversity of the students, families and staff that make up the school community.
My focus as a school leader is on developing positive cultures where students are inspired to learn and fulfil their potential. This is achieved by ensuring learning activities are relevant, engaging and offer students frequent opportunities to experience success in their learning. High expectations of all students is key, as well as providing appropriate support to all learners.
Donna O'Brien: Assistant Principal Wellbeing
B.Mathmatics, B.Physics, Grad Dip. Ed
I have taught in: high schools, primary schools, middle schools, remote and urban schools, private and public schools. I have loved all my teaching experiences and enjoy challenge and change. My main teaching area is mathematics which I love. What has always motivated me to teach is the opportunity to help young people achieve their potential, realise they are capable of doing great things and giving them the biggest possible range of choices in life.
Emmalene Ford: Curriculum Manager
B.Applied Science, 2nd Class Hon. B.Education
My focus as a teacher is to provide my students with the skills that will allow them to become lifelong learners. The use of high order thinking skills allow students to develop depth in their knowledge and provide them with opportunities to think analytically about their learning. These skills will allow them to achieve success in whatever they choose to do in the future.
Matt Skoss: Specialist Teacher ICT
Dip.Teach. (ECU), B.Ed. (Deakin)
Matt is delighted to be back at Centralian Middle School in his role of Specialist Teacher-ICT, after 7 years away as a Curriculum Consultant in Regional Office and ICT Pedagogy Manager at Centralian Senior College. Matt is passionate about how Mathematics is taught. He has a strong belief in making ICT accessible to all students, and using resources to academically 'stretch' students. He likes to make powerful, but incidental use of learning technologies and Web 2.0 tools, to amplify student learning, developing a community of learners. He is enjoying his role in coaching classroom teachers in their usage of ICT tools with students. Matt is in strong demand as a Maths & ICT consultant across Australia.
Team Leaders
Mandy Hargreaves: Year 7
B.Arts (Monash), Dip. Ed (Monash) TEP, Level 2
When adolescents feel safe and cared for and are valued as part of their school they are less likely to engage in negative behaviours. I provide opportunities for students to demonstrate competence in a positive classroom environment and to participate in extra-curricular activities such as camps. These serve to develop emotional well-being and promote success and resilience though providing a shared experience that builds connectedness to their peers, school and wider community.
Adam Richter: Year 8
B.Science, Grad Dip. Ed
My aim is to foster a safe and challenging learning environment in which all of our students feel valued and have the confidence required to try their best in all situations. I believe in setting high expectations for academic achievement and behavior while providing engaging lessons that students can relate to. I have taught Science, maths, SOSE, PE in a variety of primary and high schools both in Australia and the U.K and am really enjoying being a part of the wider CMS community.
Cassandra Connelly: Year 9
B.Arts, History & Politics (Vic), Grad.Dip ED, Secondary Education (ACU)
The role of a student is to be able to learn and grow, not only academically but as a whole person. Students are unique individuals who need a secure, caring and stimulating atmosphere where they can grow and mature emotionally, intellectually, physically and socially. It is my desire as an educator to help students meet their fullest potential in an inspiring learning environment. In my role as a teacher I choose to take a modern approach in the classroom. Utilising interactive tools including songs, videos and computer programs to encourage student participation and facilitate an active learning environment.
Karen Shelmerdine: Arts, Design & Technology
B. Education
I am a firm believer in the public education system and I have seen many of my students be extremely successful, both at school and in their future careers. I believe in trying my best and therefore expect the same of the students in my care. The basis of all of my teaching revolves around building mutual respect and a positive working relationship with all of the students and staff with whom I work.
Rachel Helliwell: Learning Support
B.Ed, Grad.Dip.Special Education (NZ)
I have worked across the world in both urban and remote settings and have worked with students from the age of five to eighteen. I have been in the Northern territory for nine years. A large part of my teaching experience has been in the field of special education. I believe passionately in the right of all students to have equal access to education. Our team of dedicated special education teachers work to design individual programmes to achieve the maximum success for these students.