Welcoming Michele Monti – Our New Head of Languages

April 3, 2025

Meet Michele Monti, our new Head of Languages here at Santa Maria. She brings loads of experience and a genuine passion for Italian language and culture. After more than 20 years teaching around Australia and overseas, Michele’s back in WA and has found her place in our community.

Michele returned to Perth in 2022 where she has now found her place at Santa Maria. Doing what she loves most, Michele is teaching Italian and sharing her passion for language and culture.

A Love of Language (and a Lot of Travel)

Michele is of Italian heritage and has always felt a strong connection to her culture.

“I studied French and Italian at uni, and it just made sense to become a teacher. It was a way to pass on my love of language and culture to others.”

That passion has taken her around the world. Michele has taught in Perth and Sydney and spent 15 years in Singapore working in international education. She’s also visited more than 40 countries!

“Travel’s my favourite thing to do, especially when I can speak the language and immerse myself in the culture.”

Why Learning a Language Still Matters

“People sometimes ask why we need to learn a second language when so many people speak English,” Michele says. “But it’s not just about communication.”

Language learning helps students develop:

Problem-solving skills
Memory and comprehension
Auditory processing
Executive function
And most importantly… cultural awareness!

“It’s also just really fun! I love when students start getting the hang of it and feel proud of what they’ve learned.”

What’s Ahead for Languages at Santa Maria?

Michele is excited about what’s next for our Languages Department.

“Together with my team, I want to create a curriculum that’s dynamic and inclusive. And I’d love to introduce more cultural experiences, where students can use their language skills in real-life ways.”

That might mean excursions, themed days, or language-based challenges that bring Italian and French to life.

A Teacher Who Listens

After teaching in Catholic, independent and international schools, Michele brings a broad perspective to her role.

“I’ve taught students from so many different backgrounds. One thing I’ve learned is how important active listening is. When students feel heard, they’re more confident, and they enjoy learning.”

Outside the Classroom

When she’s not teaching, Michele enjoys yoga, tennis, the gym, and heading to the beach. “The WA coastline is hard to beat!”

She’s also got a soft spot for Italian food and is always up for a conversation about travel, culture and all things gelato.

Welcome to the Community

Michele says Santa Maria has been a natural fit.

“It’s the people and the values. There’s a real sense of community here, and I love how the College supports girls to be curious, brave and globally minded.”

Benvenuto, Michele! We’re thrilled to have you here.

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Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.