Our Staff
Tennielle Aleksovski
Grade Prep Teacher
Tennielle began teaching at Doreen Primary School in 2008. Since then she has taught in many different areas, including the Junior Years, Music, Auslan and Student Wellbeing. Over the years she has taken some time away from teaching at Doreen to have and raise her family, but she has returned to a full-time teaching role this year to teach our Prep class. Tennielle has a degree in behavioural science and is passionate about mental wellbeing. Her strength is understanding each student as a whole, in order to cater to their individual learning needs. She really enjoys the energy and enthusiasm shown by students in the junior years. In her spare time, Tennielle enjoys music, dance, and craft and baking, but her favourite thing is spending time with her husband and two boys.
Jenny Barnes
Grade 3 Teacher
Jenny has been teaching at Doreen Primary School for the last 10 years where she feels she has found her niche. She has taught in the middle and upper levels at Doreen. She came to teaching after many years in corporate enterprise and preventative health care fields. Prior to completing her teaching qualification she spent several years teaching and training adults. Jenny has a real passion for teaching kids maths and science and loves incorporating technology in the classroom. Often drawing on prior studies in science to help engage her students. She is a big kid at heart and loves teaching through game and thus has a huge range of games in her repertoire. On the weekends and after school her family keeps her busy. Coordinating a busy household with two young adult children, the eldest of whom has recently married and flown the coup.
Rachel Blake
Music Teacher
Rachel has taught music for 25 years, she originally trained as a classical violinist and in more recent years has turned her attentions to guitar and vocal music. Her life experience in Australia and overseas in making her own music with talented artists, has developed her skill level and opened her mind to many cultural styles and folk traditions. Rachel brings a balance of technical knowledge and creative energy to the music program at Doreen. She believes everyone can be musical and aims to create an environment where her students experience the joy of sharing music together, and are equipped with the skills to make their own music throughout their school life and beyond. Outside of school Rachel enjoys spending time with her family, playing music with fellow musicians, and hiking, running, and learning to surf.
Kelly Dunt
Admin/Education Support
Kelly has been a valued member of the Doreen PS community since 2004 when her eldest child began his Prep year. She was employed as an Education Support Officer at DPS in 2006 where her work in the classroom consisted of assisting individual children, classes and helping specialists run their programs. All 3 of her now adult children went to DPS and her dedication to making Doreen a good place to be (was and still is) evident in her participation in many extracurricular events. Some of these include being part of the DPS School Council for over 10 years and attending over 15 DPS school camps. Kelly has given her time to complete PD’s to further her role in administration, helping Lisa run the school office and also become the school’s OH&S Officer which is a consuming and demanding role. She is a trained First Aider and now works mainly in the Office Admin Department communicating to families via Compass, our weekly newsletter and notices and appreciates the importance of being a part of a small school. She can still be found in the classroom when an extra hand is needed. Outside of school Kelly loves gardening, cooking and travelling with her husband to Bali and caravanning to different places in Australia.
Teesha Garriga
Grade 4 Teacher
Teesha joined the Doreen Primary School team in 2022. Within her Grade 4 classroom, Teesha enjoys teaching all subjects, especially numeracy. Teaching numeracy through interactive games, hands-on activities, and real-world applications, extending learning beyond the classroom is always a great way to engage all students. Teesha aims to always make numeracy lessons practical experiences like cooking recipes, crafting slime, or exploring the school grounds to measure and convert lengths.In 2024, Teesha became the Disability Inclusion Coordinator driven by her dedication to fostering an inclusive whole school environment. With a passion for ensuring every student, regardless of ability, feels valued, supported, and a vital part of the DPS community. Beyond the classroom, Teesha values family moments, often spoiling her nephew, Leo, and niece, Honey. She loves to be outdoors with her kelpie and husband, taking weekends down the beach or running along the Diamond Creek Trail.
Janine Green
Grade 6 Teacher
Janine, a devoted Grade 6 teacher, has been part of the Doreen Primary School team for over 14 years. Though initially part-time, she transitioned to a full-time role two years ago, bringing her passion for teaching to the forefront. Her passion for teaching shines through her genuine love for the profession, particularly in teaching Maths, fostering a love for the subject, and extending students' capabilities.
Outside the classroom, Janine takes on various roles and responsibilities. She coordinates programs such as the Grade 6 Leadership Program and the prep buddy program, guides the Grade 6 Junior School Council, organises student fundraisers, and oversees Grade 6 graduation events.
A dedicated sports enthusiast, Janine actively participates in Doreen Primary's sports programs, serving as the coach for the interschool football team and supporting all the school's sporting programs. In her free time, Janine enjoys working on her hobby farm, complete with animals and a large garden. Camping and traveling adventures are among Janine's favourite activities. With four adult children, she relishes an active family life. Janine captures the spirit of teaching and community both inside and outside the classroom.
Scott Hayward
Grade 2 Teacher
Scott is new to Doreen Primary School in 2024 but has taught in our school before, way back in 2000. He has been a classroom and music specialist teacher for 29 years and has spent the last 23 years just down the road at Mernda Primary School. Scott has a passion for engaging students in their learning through music, art, literature and practical problem solving. When he grows up Scott would like to be a rock star, he has a daughter and a son who are big grown-ups. In his spare time he enjoys kayaking and playing guitar (but not simultaneously).
David Jovanovski
Principal
Dave is the current Principal at Doreen Primary School and is a big advocate for small schools. It’s at Doreen Primary School where you’ll find students and teachers immersed in education as one big family. Outside of school, Dave is married, has two young girls with a third child on the way. He loves taking his girls out on adventures, especially to soccer fields and cafes and loves to travel with his young family. He is a local to our community and enjoys seeing the smile of students faces when they come across him in the community.
Bernie Kendall
Education Support/Teacher Aide
Berni has had an interesting and varied career including working at GTV9 for 23 years. She changed direction and began working as an Aide in 2007. She joined the team at Doreen in 2013, working in Education Support. Berni's strength is around language and helping children who need that extra bit of TLC. She has a patient and kind nature that has made her an important part of the integration team. Berni is a proud mother of her son Jack, who is a Paramedic with Ambulance Victoria. Her happy place is the beach, particularly the Mornington Peninsula.
Ben Miller
Grade 5 Teacher
Ben started teaching at Doreen Primary in 2008. He currently teaches grade 5. He has a passion for ICT and has incorporated this into his classroom in the form of coding and STEM activities. He has helped the students create video games which they entered, and won, several competitions. Ben is married and has 2 teenage children who both attended Doreen Primary. In his spare time, he enjoys reading books, learning new skills and playing guitar. He strongly believes that fun should be a key component of developing a lifelong love of learning.
Helen Mollard
Grade 1 Teacher
Helen has been working at Doreen Primary School since 2010. Before starting full time, she worked as a CRT in many local schools working with both the Upper and Junior school areas. Currently Helen is thoroughly enjoying her time in the Junior school with the Grade 1s. She is passionate about ‘The Resilience Project’ program. This program offers emotionally engaging programs and provide evidence-based, practical wellbeing strategies to build resilience. She is the school’s ambassador and contact person for this program. Helen supports the staff involved and any children when needed as the Welfare co-ordinator. She has a passion for books and loves sharing her enjoyment of reading to her grade. Before teaching, Helen worked in the Commonwealth Bank as a Customer service officer and Lead Teller for many years. She enjoyed chatting to the customers and getting to know them. Helen is married and has two adult children and a beautiful labrador, Bonny. When she is not at work, Helen enjoys spending time and making memories with her family and friends. She loves going to concerts and throwing a ball with her dog on weekends.
Cinthia Quinn
Integration Aide
Having worked in corporate management for 25 years, it wasn’t until Cinthia’s children started school that she developed an interest in education. After volunteering and helping in the classroom and with the Perceptual Motor Program, she began her career in education in 2006. She completed a Course In Education (Integration Support) in 2007 and has since completed numerous Professional Development sessions to enrich her knowledge and training. She joined the Doreen Primary School team as a Teacher Aide in 2013 assisting teachers and children across all year levels and in specialist programs including Art, LOTE, and PE. In 2019 she extended her role as Intervention Officer providing extra support to children with specific learning challenges in Literacy and Numeracy. She brought a fresh new approach to the Intervention Program by designing new guidelines, templates and resources. Cinthia’s energy is evident in the way she constantly reviews and extends her program to address individual needs. She is passionate about ensuring all children are supported in a positive, engaging and nurturing environment so that they can reach their full potential.
Outside of work, Cinthia enjoys travelling, live music and spending time with her family and friends. She also enjoys entertaining, good food and the occasional glass of red.
Elise Scicluna
PhysEd Teacher
Elise has been teaching since 2012. She first started teaching in the Prep and grade 1/2 classrooms in Craigieburn which she really enjoyed. She then started a family and began to do Casual Relief Teaching in Doreen. Elise worked in a few schools teaching from years Prep to twelve. She worked at Doreen Primary School once and then she absolutely fell in love with the school and never left! She loves the beautiful community of the school and its gorgeous country setting. She has now been appointed the PE teacher and is loving every minute of it. Elise is extremely passionate about health and fitness. In her free time, you will see her spending time with her family and chasing after her three young kids. You can also find her running at parkrun on Saturday mornings or see her at the gym at 6am every other morning. She would love to run a marathon in the future. Elise is also very passionate about students with special needs as she has a son with Autism named Xavier. She has a kind and nurturing nature and loves helping kids.
Linda Thomas
Grade 1 Teacher Aid
Linda started at Doreen Primary School as Education Support in the Prep room in 2017. This is Linda’s 29th year working in this field which has also included Integration Aide to Administrative duties at a previous school. Linda is an asset to the Prep room, sharing her experience, warmth, and sense of humour with the class. She challenges, supports and encourages students, enabling them to achieve their best.
When not at work Linda enjoys weekends away with her husband and loves spending time with her many grandchildren.
Lisa Welch
Business Manager
Lisa has been the Business Manager since 2001 when Doreen Primary school had only 2 teachers and a very small country style environment. The school has grown considerably since then, but she still nurtures the small school friendly atmosphere, and is the welcoming face that greets people when they arrive. Her duties are varied because small schools require staff to be multi skilled and flexible, and this is her forte. She taught herself web design and took on the school website in 2005, and takes responsibility for maintaining and upgrading our operating and reporting systems. She also helps with technical issues in the classroom to support the teachers. She has spent 14 years as Secretary on the school council, and outside of work she is a wife, a mother of three, a grandmother of three, and an avid gardener.
Di Zobel
Art Teacher
Di is a practising artist who brings many different interests and passions to the art program at Doreen. She has illustrations and photographs published in primary textbooks, and has exhibited in Melbourne and New Zealand. Di has taken art and animation projects from Doreen to share and work collaboratively with students from different cultures. Including Italy, China, South Africa and at two Indigenous schools in north-eastern Arnhem Land. She enjoys teaching people of all ages, from primary school to adult education where she has taught Art, Italian and Literacy. Before teaching, Di worked in an advertising art department in at Latrobe Colourlab, as well as in theatre productions on sets and scenery. Outside of school Di loves to spend time with her grandchildren and enjoys drawing, photography and animation. She finds inspiration from working collaboratively with other artists and travelling. Most recently she photographed the landscapes of Uluru in Alice Springs.