GRADUATION AND AWARDS

Teacher/Trainer of the Year

Celebrating the achievements of our valued students and staff.

Benny Xu

Education Manager/Teacher – Engineering

Benny shows exceptional adaptability in his teaching, effectively supporting both secondary school students in Certificate II programs and mature-age learners in Certificate IV evening classes.

He responds to the distinct needs, motivations and experiences of each cohort with a flexible and student-focused approach. Benny brings extensive industry experience from running his own business and his work in lean manufacturing and continuous improvement at Toyota.

Benny enhances hands-on learning by designing and producing innovative teaching resources, including 3D printed templates that enable students to build solar-powered model cars. His practical approach strengthens student engagement and connects theoretical knowledge with real-world application.


Natalie Gatenby

Teacher – Social Science

Natalie Gatenby is an accomplished lawyer and co-founder of a successful digital content business, bringing depth and authenticity to her teaching in the Diploma of Justice. She consistently enhances learning through strong industry insight and exceeds expectations in supporting student outcomes.

Natalie extends her impact beyond the classroom by offering additional assessment support sessions, ensuring all learners have the opportunity to succeed. She has also developed self-paced online modules that improve flexibility and quality for online students.

Through her professional networks, Natalie creates valuable industry connections, including facilitating access to guest speakers such as senior legal and policing professionals, enriching student learning experiences.


Niki Caramalis

Teacher - Holmesglen English Language Centre

Niki is a highly skilled English language educator with extensive experience across Academic English, ELICOS and AMEP programs, supporting diverse learner cohorts. She brings a confident, knowledgeable and student-centred approach, creating inclusive environments that result in meaningful learning outcomes.

She adapts effectively to varied teaching contexts, maintaining a calm and supportive presence. She has played a key role in strengthening assessment practices, ensuring they are practical, relevant and engaging for learners.

Niki is dedicated to continuous improvement and has made a lasting contribution to her team. She actively promotes pathways to further study and employment, empowering learners to build confidence and pursue future opportunities.

Sandy McCaffrey

Teacher – Hospitality, Cookery, and Bakery

Sandy brings extensive experience across casual hospitality and fine dining environments, both locally and internationally, enriching her teaching with current and practical industry knowledge. She delivers consistently high-quality instruction, thoughtfully adapting lessons to support diverse learners across both small groups and larger cohorts.

Committed to staying current, Sandy actively engages with industry trends and practices to ensure relevant learning experiences. She has also inspired colleagues to pursue further qualifications in vocational education, contributing to a culture of professional growth.

Sandy continually enhances learner engagement, incorporating initiatives such as excursions to deepen understanding and strengthen connections between theory and practice.