Principal 

Larissa Vesdrevanis

My name is Larissa Vesdrevanis, and I am privileged to serve the Donvale community as the principal this year. With over 25 years of experience as an educator and school leader, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to my role. Originally from Toronto, Canada, I made the move to Melbourne to be with my husband, Phil. Our beautiful daughter, Sophia, and our little dog, Bowie, complete our family.

I am dedicated to fostering a positive and nurturing environment where every student feels supported and encouraged to reach their full potential. Together with our dedicated staff, parents, and the wider community, we are committed to providing an exceptional educational experience for all our students.

Assistant Principal

Michelle Rassias

I have worked in education for over 20 years, with most of my teaching career being here at Donvale Primary School. During this time I have been very fortunate to be part of the learning journey of so many students. Seeing each child grow and develop over their time here at Donvale is a privilege. I am married with two teenage children, Emma and Will. Last year we welcomed our fur baby Leroy, a Pomeranian X Japanese Spitz, into the family. In my spare time I love catching up with family and friends, gardening and watching Melbourne City win. 

Business Manager

Sandy Bryant

Hi I’m Sandy and I have been the Business Manager at Donvale now for seven years.  I love my role and am thoroughly enjoying working at this wonderful school.  I am married with two children, Luke and Bec, and have two grandchildren, Chevy and Cleo.  I have two Italian Greyhound fur babies - Parker and Pearl and my hobbies include playing tennis, cooking, reading and travelling whenever I can.

Office Manager

Sarah Rubython

I love working in the Office at Donvale Primary. It is very different from my past life in stockbroking but so rewarding to help look after the students when they need patching up or cheering up. Outisde work I am busy running around after my two children with their full schedule of activites. 

Foundation

Jayde Valentine

Hi my name is Jayde Valentine.  I am really excited about teaching Foundation and am so fortunate to have such wonderful students. I have two sisters, one being my identical twin sister. I have two dogs, Jack and Daisy who I absolutely adore. In my spare time I enjoy exercising, baking, spending time with my friends and family and travel.

Foundation

Olivia Thomas

Hi! My name is Olivia Thomas. This is my second year at Donvale Primary School. I am very grateful to be teaching Foundation this year, and to have a wonderful class of students. I am excited to fill my classroom with valuable learning and lots of fun. Outside of teaching, I love to play netball, spend time with my family and friends and play with my Spoodle puppy, Cleo.

Foundation Education Support Staff

Toni Grimes

Hi! My name is Toni Grimes and I have supported children in their learning here at Donvale since 2001. I love being a part of a great team and a wonderful school. I am married and have two great sons. I enjoy taking walks with my beautiful little dog called Sally and spending time in the country visiting my mum.

Grade 1/2

Emma Farrington

I have been teaching at Donvale Primary School since 2018. I am very excited to start my new chapter as a grade 1/2 teacher! I have one fur-child named Alfie who I love taking on walks and adventures.  You may see him around the school from time to time.

Grade 1/2

Susan Ciccone
Hi, my name is Susan Ciccone (nee Thomas) and I have been teaching at Donvale Primary School since 2020. I have two children, Olivia and Miles and two gorgeous grey cats, Tyson and Dusty. I am originally from Canada but have lived in Australia since 1996.  My family and I are lucky enough to be able to head back to Canada every second year to see my family. In my spare time, I like to go for long walks and do epilated reformer classes. 

Grade 1/2

Michael Ringin

Hi all, my name is Mr Ringin and I will be teaching 1/2R this year. This is my fourth year of teaching, but my second year teaching at Donvale Primary School. I’ve recently returned from living and teaching in Sale for the past two years and I am very excited to join this new community. When I am not teaching, you can find me playing and coaching basketball, playing video games on my computer, or practising my Scottish smallpipes. I hope to meet you soon and have an awesome 2024!

Grade 1/2 Education Support Staff

Anne Ognenis

Hi, My name is Anne Ognenis and I absolutely love teaching children with special needs. This is my fifth year at Donvale Primary School and I am fortunate to be apart of a wonderful school community. I am married with two children Aiden and Tiana. I love cooking and I barrack for the Navy Blues.

Grade 1/2 Education Support Staff

Tina Cheung

Hi, My name is Tina Cheung. This is my  fifth year as an Integration Aide at Donvale Primary School. I am excited to be back in the 1/2 classroom. I grew up in Hong Kong, then studied in Victoria Canada and Sydney before I moved to Melbourne.  I am married and have an 14  year old son Toby and a Miniature Schnauzer Oreo. I love  swimming, cooking and catching up with friends.

Grade 3/4

Anita Flack

Hi, my name is Anita Flack. This is my second year teaching at Donvale Primary School, and will be my 7th year teaching. I am excited to teach grade 3/4F. I am a huge Harry Potter enthusiast, and I even play Quidditch throughout the year. In my spare time I love to spend time with my family and friends, go to the cinemas and travel.

Grade 3/4

Jonathon Males

Hi, my name is Jonathon Males and this is my first year teaching at Donvale Primary School. This is the third school I have taught at and I am super excited to teach 3/4M. I love playing golf on the weekends and watching the footy as I am a big Carlton supporter. I have a black cat called Midnight and in my spare time I love going travelling and exploring new places.

Grade 3/4

Emily McMullen

Hi, my name is Emily McMullen. This is my first year at Donvale Primary, and I am very excited to be teaching 3/4E! I am originally from the United States, but I have been living and teaching in Melbourne for five years now. Before that, I taught in India, Thailand and the US. 

In my spare time I love going travelling, gardening, reading, and spending time with my adorable kitten, Rosie.

Grade 3/4

Mika Priest

Hi, my name is Mika Priest and this is my first-year teaching at Donvale. I am very excited to start in the 3/4 team, create meaningful learning in my classroom and become a part of this school community. I love teaching and in my spare time,  I really love being with family and friends, and to travel.

Grade 3/4/5/6 Education Support Staff

Lilli Dorman

My name is Lilli Dorman and I have had the pleasure of working as a part of the Donvale Primary School ES team since 2023. I love coming to school, supporting the students to reach their best each day.

I am a mum to 3 busy children who are Connor 13, Lachlan 11, and Evie 10. We have a St Bernard dog, who brings us lots of joy, and lots of hair and slobber.

My absolute favourite things to do are baking, and holidaying with my husband and kids.

Grade 5/6

Sarah Hodgson

Hi, my name is Sarah Hodgson and I’m very excited to be teaching 5/6H this year.  I have four children Oscar, Tilly, Hunter and Tate who keep me very busy with all of their sporting commitments. I have a gorgeous Cavoodle called Storm and a couple of chickens. In my free time I enjoy reading, cooking, exercising and catching up with family and friends.

Grade 5/6

Peter Reiter

Hi. I’m Mr Reiter and I’ve been at Donvale Primary for over 15 years. I love teaching grade 5/6 and helping students get ready for high school. In my spare time, I support the mighty Dees (Melbourne AFL club) and I love keeping fit, especially riding my bike and running. I’ve ridden up all the big mountains in Victoria and recently completed the Cadel Evan’s Great Ocean Road people’s ride, which was 125km long! Music is my other passion and you may spot me playing the guitar at our school assemblies.

Grade 5/6

Michael Hogg

Hello all, my name is Michael Hogg and I feel privileged to be teaching at Donvale Primary School as a grade 5/6 teacher. I have been teaching since mid 2009 and have an astonishing love of sport! I currently play football in the winter and cricket in the summer, but have been known to play other things such as basketball, indoor soccer and baseball amongst other things

Grade 5/6

Harinder Costopoulos

Hello, I am so excited to be joining the Donvale Primary School community. I’m especially excited to be working in the Senior School with the Year 5 and Year 6s. I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching for the past 15 years and look forward to starting my teaching journey here at DPS. I have two beautiful children Louis and Zoe who keep me super busy, I love being their mum! In my spare time I love to spend time at the beach, practise yoga, spend time with my family and friends, listen to music and go on walks with our cheeky pup, Kaya.

Grade 5/6 Education Support Staff

Ursula Cuspilli

Hi my Name is Ursula Cuspilli. This my second year at Donvale Primary School, previously I worked for 14 Years at a school that specialises in Autism. I have been living in Australia for 23 years, originally from South Africa.  I have two adult children. I love travelling locally and overseas with my family.

Grade 5/6  Education Support Staff

Rita Lucisano

I do enjoy working at Donvale and have been here for many, many years. It is always a pleasure being involved with the children's learning and emotional development. I find it extremely satisfying to see a child reach their full potential.

I have four adult children, two boys and two girls. Two who are married and two still at home. I love being active, my favourite sport is soccer, love listening to music and I also enjoy arts and crafts.

Performing Arts

Anthea Keep

I began learning the piano as an 8 year old living in Malaysia. Throughout my school life I had the opportunity to try the recorder, guitar and flute but the piano is still my favourite instrument.

Over the recent years I’ve had the privilege of travelling to Africa a number of times (Rwanda, South Africa and Tanzania) and have had the chance to share my joy of music in a couple of schools in Rwanda.

Teaching at Donvale Primary is a joy and I’m now one of the long term teachers here! It is wonderful to watch children grow in confidence and share their enthusiasm with their peers and school community.

My husband and I are parents to two adult daughters and we love spending time with our five granddaughters whenever we can!

Visual Arts

Debora DeStefanis

I feel extremely privileged to be exploring creativity with all the wonderful children at Donvale Primary. The arts allows students to express themselves in different ways, take risks, make mistakes and allow for great problem solving. They also offer another perspective on the world we live in, through how we view ourselves, our surroundings, different cultural perspectives and contemporary issues.

Prior to teaching I completed a Master of Fine Arts in metals and jewellery which allowed me to participate in exhibitions, venture to other countries to study and really nourish my love for making. At home I have a beautiful husband, two gorgeous children and a cheeky Cavoodle named Ralph.

Mandarin

Rock Kho

Hi, my name is Rock Kho and I love teaching mandarin at Donvale Primary School. I really enjoy  seeing student development of intercultural capabilities. 

Physical Education

Wendy Bos

Hi, I'm Ms Bos.  As a teacher for over 24 years, teaching across early learning to year 12 classrooms within Australia, England and Kenya, I'm excited to join the team at Donvale Primary as PE teacher.

I have been lucky enough to teach in several education systems in my career, and after returning to Victoria from Queensland a couple of years ago, I have enjoyed coming back to the area I grew up in and being closer to family. 

I enjoy all sports and outdoor activities, as well as dancing and singing, and you'll sometimes see me riding around on my motorbike.  

STEM

Emily Wallis

I'm back! 

After spending the last few years at home with my own children, I am back at Donvale to teach STEM. This is my 11^th year in teaching and my 20^th year working with children. When I'm not teaching, I love to learn new things. Recent skills I've acquired are crocheting, beginner Auslan, and Minecraft (thanks to my kids). I also play netball in the same club that I joined at 7yrs old, and I go to watch Collingwood on the weekends with my family.

Library Technician

Mei Lun

I have been really enjoying working at Donvale as a qualified Library Technician since 2015. I always encourage our students to explore our beautiful library filled with care and love by our wonderful Donvale community. I have two daughters who are former students of Donvale Primary. In my spare time, I love writing Chinese Calligraphy and looking after my vegetable garden.