Acting 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.

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

Emily McMullen

Hi, my name is Emily McMullen. This is my second 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 1/2

Nikki Matheison 

I have been teaching at Donvale Primary School since 2018 and love working with the beautiful students and families in our school community. When I'm not teaching, I love spending time with my little boy, Harry, our dog, Poppy and my husband, Shaun.

Grade 1/2

Lisa Webster

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

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 4/5

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 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.

Performing Arts

Anthea Keep

I began learning the piano at the age of eight. Throughout my school life I had the opportunity to try the recorder, guitar and flute but the piano is still my favourite instrument.

Over 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.  

Visual Arts

Charlotte Maskell

Hi, I’m Charlotte and I’m very excited to be this year’s art teacher. I am looking forward to joining the specialist team and working with all students across the school.

I have always had a strong passion for art. At Kinder I was nicknamed the ‘Sticky Tape Queen,’ throughout high school I was involved in anything creative and at university I studied a Bachelor of Visual Art and as Primary Education. I have two small children and enjoy playing hockey, seeing friends and family, as well as travelling. My classroom is bright, colourful and fun, where students feel comfortable, safe and engaged. All lessons I plan aim to teach, challenge, and inspire students to love and experiment with art.

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 (Prep - Grade 2)

Jackie Wilkinson 

I’m a passionate and dedicated PE teacher who loves inspiring young students to stay active, build confidence, and enjoy healthy lifestyles. With an energetic and encouraging approach, she creates fun and inclusive lessons that help every child discover the joy of movement and teamwork. Outside of school, I enjoy spending quality time with my young and extended family, swimming, and soaking up the summer sun at the beach.

Physical Education (Grades 3-6)

Marty Rodger

Hi, my name is Marty Rodger and I’m excited to be teaching Physical Education at Donvale Primary School. I love watching my students grow in confidence as they develop their sporting skills, and I’m passionate about helping every child be fit, active, and healthy. My PE lessons focus on having fun, giving things a go, and learning to be a great team member! I'm grateful to be a part of the Donvale PS community and am looking forward to the year ahead.

STEM

Emily Wallis

With over 20 years in child development and teaching, I bring rich experience to my role as STEM teacher. After working as a classroom teacher, I now teach Foundation to Grade 6 students in our dedicated STEM room each week. I'm passionate about hands-on learning, creativity, AI, and supporting neurodiversity. Outside of school, I enjoy playing and watching sport, and spending time with my family.

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.

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.

Education Support Staff

Ursula Cuspilli

Hi my Name is Ursula Cuspilli. This my third 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.

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.

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.