COLLEGE

10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Each week, we will ask two of our staff members about the changes they have seen since the beginning of their journey at Surf Coast Secondary College in 2012 to now.

This week, we will hear from Marley Dalziel and from a man who needs no introduction, the wonderful Pete Raidme.

Marley Dalziel

What were you doing before you started working at SCSC in 2012? 

Prior to working at SCSC I was employed for 5 years at Point Cook Senior College. 

Before that I was a Membership Director and group fitness teacher for Adults, Children and teens in health clubs across Melbourne for 20 years. I am also a qualified Architectural Interior designer which I competed straight after high school many years ago. I worked in that field designing for a kitchen company a few years while also in the fitness industry. 

What has been the biggest change to the College since you started back in 2012? 

The biggest change was when we started so small, we all knew each other. All the staff and the students knew everyone’s names and families.  As we started in the Primary School Building, we formed closer relationships with the Primary and Secondary students.  It was a really lovely time. 

What has been the most positive or influential moment during your career at SCSC?

My most positive moments is when I see students I’ve supported from year 7 all the way to graduation. This includes my own two grown children who attended SCSC right through to graduation.  Other positive moments are when I see students express how happy they are in what they have achieved.   That sense of pride in their faces. 

How has your time at the College impacted you both professionally and personally?

The College has impacted me greatly as I have learned so much from the students and our knowledgeable teachers.  This has helped me professionally to successfully complete further qualifications in Paediatric and Criminal Psychology. Getting to support students in the classroom and to be supportive of the challenges adolescents face in these years is such an honour. 

What are you looking forward to about the future of SCSC and your role working with young people here? 

I look forward to a future at SCSC where I can continue to support students through their schooling journey.  Especially during this difficult time of home school where some students have struggled emotionally and with school work.   I want them to have hope for a brighter future and enjoy being teens again.  I feel very blessed to have my role in Education Support at SCSC and to work alongside such a caring and supportive team. The staff at SCSC are always trying their best to enable all of our students to thrive to the best of their ability. 

Pete Raidme

What were you doing before you started working at SCSC in 2012? 

I was working at Torquay College P-9 before crossing (as my Primary colleagues said) from the light side to the dark side.  In actual fact, I believe I crossed from the dark side to the light side - I even made a movie about it!  Best career move I ever made.

What has been the biggest change to the College since you started back in 2012? 

I think the biggest change is definitely the size of the school.   We went from one class to 1000 students in a relatively short space of time.  Also before the Dept. of Education's precise zoning rules took place, we had students from as far away as Leopold in Geelong to our East, Corio in Geelong to our North, Winchelsea to our West and Lorne to our South.  One even from near Ballarat to complete Year 12 and a couple from Werribee.  They all picked our College as their school of choice. That’s impressive and a fantastic reflection of SCSC!  This is no longer the case with the stricter zoning rules now applicable for Government schools.  Managing growth has been our biggest challenge which Erin Wright and Scott Diamond along with every member of staff has handled incredibly well!

 What has been the most positive or influential moment during your career at SCSC?

Watching students find their pathway/passion/area of interest, no matter what year level is so, so rewarding.  We’ve had students leave us from Year 9 to obviously Year 12 and it is satisfying to see where life takes them - it certainly brings a smile to the dial!

I must mention one student - our first and only refugee so far who came to our College after every other school had rejected a place for her.  Dolyang Namghal’s journey was quite amazing and her drive for being educated was unbelievably impressive.  I bumped into her at Gordon TAFE this year during an enrolment tour.

Dolyang is still exiled from her parents in Tibet but is following her dream to work in the medical profession.  She heaps praise upon SCSC for giving her the opportunities!  Just warms the heart!

How has your time at the College impacted you both professionally and personally?

Professionally I have enjoyed the opportunity to work in the Primary and Secondary School systems.  I have been able to view nearly the whole educative journey for each student, which has been very rewarding.  

Personally, it has also shown me that the wellbeing of our children is so, so important in enjoying a successful education and I congratulate every parent/guardian and member of staff who are part of helping each student to feel happy, safe and comfortable in our College environment.  Wellbeing is paramount in the education of our students!

What are you looking forward to about the future of SCSC and your role working with young people here?

I am looking forward to seeing a double storey College so that the Wellbeing Office will have an uninterrupted view of the ocean, which is so good for the soul and checking surf conditions for our ‘students’.  A rooftop spa would definitely be an advantage!   Seriously though, I look forward to supporting our students each and every day because it is so exciting and varied and makes me smile.

I work with the most amazing, dedicated, hardworking and fun staff and it so good as a team to assist students in finding their pathway and to feel happy, safe and confident and being an integral part of our wonderful Community!  I feel honoured and privileged to be a part of the most exciting, vibrant and supportive College in the World!