Our principal and staff
Our school team is committed to every student’s learning, wellbeing and sense of belonging. We work together to create a supportive and inclusive school where every child is set up for success.
Principal's Message
Welcome to Dapto High School, a proudly comprehensive secondary school, providing a first-class education to all learners.
At DHS, our students benefit from a broad curriculum, with a great diversity of subjects available, ensuring there really are options for every student. This includes hands-on, practical opportunities on our fully functioning farm, our state of the art Hospitality, Construction and Entertainment facilities, and a wide range of VET subjects and community partnerships. A key focus of the school is to provide the appropriate level of challenge and support for all learners. Our thriving Learning Support faculty ensures our students who find learning difficult are thoroughly supported through partnerships between school and home. Our high achieving, academic-minded students, enjoy opportunities to study highly rigorous HSC courses, such as Extension II Maths and Extension II English, as well as high levels of Science, Extension History and much more. These subjects build on our STEM elective for Years 9 & 10 students and complement enrichment learning opportunities throughout the junior school.
As a comprehensive high school we also believe in providing a breadth of opportunities beyond the classroom. To cultivate the next generation of leaders we have a flourishing SRC, a Sports Committee and our highly active 'Green Group' who lead sustainable practices through recycling, reusing and reducing waste. In addition, 'Green Group' collect cans and bottles, and in late 2023 passed 250,000 containers collected! Opportunities abound in the Creative and Performing Arts, and our MADD Night is a highlight of the school calendar, with outstanding musical, dance and drama performances from our students. Sport is also an important activity valued by our school community, and students frequently represent the school, district, region and state in a wide range of team and individual sports. Our chess and debating teams are strong, and our Dungeons and Dragons Club adds to the rich tapestry of opportunities available.
At Dapto High School we truly care about students. We have a very strong Wellbeing Team and all teachers support students with empathy and compassion every day. Our Top Blokes program for Year 9 boys has been a long-running and highly successful program, and more recently the Young Women Program has provided wonderful outcomes for our Year 9 & 10 girls. Our Year 7 students engage in a Wellbeing Lesson each fortnight and Year 10 a fortnightly Careers Lesson. Our P & C are active and the members are passionate, generous and dedicated. They are always on the lookout for additional members so if you are interested please see our Newsletter for more details.
Most importantly, our students and staff are happy focusing on teaching and learning at Dapto High School every day.
Thank you,
Joel Burnett
Principal
Our school leaders
Our school leaders, including our principal, guide teachers and students. They help create a school culture where every child is supported to grow and thrive.
Our teaching staff
Your child’s school experience is shaped by the people around them. Our teachers bring experience, care and a passion for learning to every lesson. With a focus on success, they help every child reach their full potential.
Teachers
Careers
Mr Paul Creighton - Careers Advisor
Mr Peter Johnson - Senior Student Mentor
Ms Jayne Creighton - Head Teacher Careers Education Pathways Program
Karen Davies - Admin Educational Pathways Program
Creative Arts
Rebecca Rasborsek – Head Teacher
Mrs Thomas Smith - Music (Rel Head Teacher)
Ms Melanie Lever - Head Teacher Teaching & Learning
Mrs Maria Capilli - Languages/Distance Education
Mrs Angela Smith - Music / L@SSO
Mr Oliver Haise - Music
Mr Shane Wood (DP) - Music
Ms Caitlyn McIntosh
English/ Drama
Mr Mat Rhodes - Head Teacher
Ms Jenni Shaw
Ms Kelly Colquhoun - 2IC / Yr 12 Advisor
Ms Sarah Ulfsonn
Ms Tina Mitchell
Ms Kristy Arntz
Ms Melanie Apps
Ms Chloe Jackson
Ms Ashlea Mitchell
Ms Cass Vodicar
Ms Chloe Tobin
Ms Holly McTrusty
Ms Nadia Mitchell
Mc Chloe Jackson
Technology and Applied Science (TAS)
Ms Melanie Steele - Head Teacher / VET Co-ordinator
Ms Krisharna Leighton - Indigineous Program
Ms Amanda Blasevska - Yr 8 Advisor
Mr Michael Pfeffer - Indigineous Program
Mr Robert Capilli
Mr Alan Whitehouse
Mr Matthew Leven
Mr Robert Petreski
Ms Sara Armstrong
Mrs Rachel King
Ms Lynne McIntoshMs Nicole Roach
Mathematics
Mr Alan Duffy - Head Teacher
Mr Nicholas Batt - Learning Lab & SRC
Ms Amy Boyd - Peer Support
Ms Meaghan Lake - Girls Advisor
Mr Matthew Hands
Ms Vanessa Van Der Merwe
Ms Alison Hopkins
Mr Matt Cosgrove - Paraprofessional
Ms Tyla Evans
Ms Alyssa Milan
Library
Ms Jess MacFarlane - Teacher Librarian
Ms Natalie Brown - Library Technican
Ms Melanie Lever - Head Teacher Teaching & Learning
Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)
Mrs Meagan Gadd - Head Teacher
Ms Annalisa Reeves - Yr 7 Advisor / Sports Coordinator
Ms Chantelle Wilson (HT - Wellbeing)
Ms Jessica Daly - Yr 10 Advisor
Mr Andrew Horsley - Boy's Mentor
Ms Cassidy Morris- Yr 7 Advisor
Mr Rob Neal - 2IC / Sports Committee / Year 12 Adviser
Mr Ryan Trevor - Sports Organiser
Ms Natasha Giorgio
Human society and its environment (HSIE)
Ms Lauren Beckinsale - Head Teacher
Mr Dave Bateman - Green Group Coordinator
Mr Adam Truebody - Yr 7 Advisor
Ms Christina Naydovska - 2IC Administration
Mr Alex Presgrave - Yr 10 Advisor / Homework Club
Ms Lily Ridley
Mr Joel Seibright
Ms Megan Wall - 2IC / Wellbeing / Yr 10 Advisor
Science
Ms Sandra Horsley - Head Teacher
Mr Shane Brown - Agriculture/Farm Manager
Mrs Michelle Gibbs - 2IC
Mr Trent Crowe - Federation Rep / Yr 12 Advisor
Ms Cassie Sweetman
Ms Kelly Mathein
Mr Tom Massarella - Head Teacher Administration/EAU
Mr Joel Trist
Mr Ross Vincent
Ms Gemma Dinsdale
Ms Natalia Apanasenko
Ms Victoria Bromage - SAS
Ms Nicole Roach - SAS
School Counsellors
Ms Katrina Davies
Ms Jill Donnelly
Ms Jen Green
Ms Bronwyn Philps
Senior Psychologist Education
Ms Jane Whittingham
Wollemi (Autism Unit)
Mrs Yvonne White - Head Teacher / ARCO
Mr Sean Ainsworth - 2IC
Ms Kate Boyd
Ms Tori Neilson
Mr Mitchell Cooper
Ms Sally Gallagher
Mr Daniel Cunzolo
Ms Cindy Pryma
Mr Dannie Ristevski
Mr Dave Glover - SLSO
Ms Barbara Robbins-Harvey -SLSO
Ms Judy Neaves -SLSO
Ms Brooke Devine - SLSO
Ms Brinley Paring - SLSO
Ms Samantha Turner -SLSO
Learning Support
Ms Sharon Moran - Head Teacher
Ms Karen Paterson - 2IC / Yr 8 Advisor
Mr Joesph Carolan
Ms Jamie-Lee Calder - Covid Tutoring
Mr Taylor Garner - Yr 8 Advisor
Ms Michelle Cosgrove - SLSO
Ms Karen Davies -SLSO
Ms Kylie Brooker - SLSO
Mr Matt Cosgrove - SLSO
Mr Col Sherack - SLSO
Ms Brooke Wilkinson - SLSO
Canteen
Mrs Tanya McCauley - Canteen Supervisor
Ms Carmen Oyston
Ms Sharon-lee Causer
Our teachers make the difference
Committed to your child’s success
Our teachers ensure every student can thrive. They use proven ways to teach and tailor learning support for their students
Expert, connected and accredited
Our teachers are part of a strong education network. They may hold advanced accreditation. This ensuring high-quality teaching for your child.
Teachers who never stop learning
Our teachers are lifelong learners. They stay current through regular training and keep improving how they teach students.
Teacher–family partnerships
Our teachers build trust through clear communication. Our families know that their child has support and is ready to learn.
Wellbeing and support staff
Our wellbeing and support staff guide student wellbeing, learning needs and inclusion. They work with teachers to make personalised adjustments. This means each child can take part fully in school life. We make our school welcoming and accessible to every child.
Ms. Chantelle Wilson - Head Teacher
Mr. Tom Pearson - School Support Officer
Ms. Eva Ioannoa - Social Worker
Ms. Beth Thompson - Social Worker
Mr. Oran Barraclough - Student Wellbeing Officer
Mr. Darcy Crook - School Learning Support Officer
[Contact our school to learn about our wellbeing and support staff]
Administrative and operations staff
Our administrative and operations staff keep our school running smoothly. They support students, teachers and families every day. You can find them in our front office or on the school grounds.
Ms Tracey Anderson - Business Manager
Ms Alicia Hutchinson - School Administrative Manager
Ms Amanda Trudgett
Ms Anne Martin - Aboriginal Education Officer
Ms Rowie Pestana
Ms Kristie Young
Ms Melissa Tasevska
Ms Rachel King
Ms Lynne McIntosh
Ms Kylie Scerri
Ms Victoria Bromage
Ms Natalie Brown
Ms Nicole Roach
Ms Natalie Meikle
Ms Natalie Cuneo
Mr Adam Toole - Technical Support Officer
[Contact our school to learn about our administrative and operations staff]
Have a question for our principal or teachers?
Our friendly office team can help you get in touch.
Additional learning support
Find out how we support students with disability or additional learning needs.
Stories and highlights
Hear about stories, wins and proud moments from our staff and students.