You may recall that when the SCEA Strategic Plan (2025-2030) was unveiled at the SCEA Celebration Day earlier this year, one of the exciting initiatives outlined for the next season of SCEA was the advent of the CHARIS Teacher Training School (CTTS) – a facility that will equip teachers and Christian staff to work in our SCEA schools.
With the CTTS due to open in 2027, groundwork begins in 2026, and the Head of the CCTS, Mrs Mel Meloni, is being named this week!
We caught up with Mrs Meloni as she readies herself for this new challenge.
The Training School is currently in its inception phase. How do you take an idea and make it a formed reality?
Well, it is a privilege and honour to be part of this new initiative by SCEA as Head of the CHARIS Teacher Training School (CTTS).
This is an undertaking I have considered prayerfully before ‘setting my hand to the plough’.
I thrive in roles that develop belonging in schools for both staff and students.
I have been blessed to live and work in diverse contexts and communities and in diverse roles in schools from the Wheatbelt to Peel and Metro areas, supporting staff and students to grow in their identity and vision for their greater life goals and journey.
Having a ‘few runs on the board…’ at my age, I know life presents us with many challenges and I have found it humbling to personally experience the consistent provision and comfort of a loving Father in many changing seasons; knowing God has a plan and purpose for my life, and each of our lives is a cornerstone of my worldview, and being able to put my trust in Him in all things, is something I very much value.
Tell us a little about yourself, and your motivation for joining SCEA in this pivotal role…
I am a child of the 70’s, born to immigrant parents with mixed Indian and European heritage.
We value the three F’s – Faith, Family and Food!
We love spending time with our very busy kids and grandkids and cooking for and feeding our friends and family!
I am a bit of a runner and swimmer, recently completing the City to Surf.
I am passionate about literature, good films, (…also a Star Wars fan!) I enjoy live music and theatre, and the power of ‘story’, always being a true English teacher at heart.
Tell us about your journey working in education so far….
In working in education over the last 30 years, there have certainly been a great many changes in curriculum and in delivery modes, now with AI and digital approaches impacting significantly on every sphere of modern life – this is a far cry from the blackboard and chalk days that I started with, all those years ago!
I have served at the forefront of pastoral care as a Chaplain, Class Teacher, Head of Year, Head of Middle and Senior School, and, most recently, as Principal.
As Christian educators, we also need to be able to provide relevant biblical commentary and perspective on current issues of values and morality, or ‘right-ness’, raised by our young people, who are genuinely searching for purpose and meaning in their lives in a world of many contradictory voices.
This is no small task.
What’s your vision for the CHARIS Teacher Training School?
It is my ‘deep hope’ and vision for CTTS, that this ‘Third Space’, would be a meeting of roads or ways, so to speak.
To be an intersecting place for educational theory to meet with Christian pedagogical practices and rhythms, our trainees being planted in an authentic and supportive Christian community.
As the famous words of Parker Palmer state, ‘We teach who we are…’ and we seek for every teacher in training to grow in their own Christian formation, to have a strong sense of their calling and giftings and to sow diligently into their own biblical literacy, personal relationship with God, to live out a compassionate Christian response in our world.
We look forward to welcoming Mel to the SCEA team in January 2026 !