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 Senior Sub School Leader, Andrea Loving and Year 11 Learning Community Leader, Steve Fenwick:

Andrea Loving

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

Before becoming a teacher I worked in colon and gastric cancer research at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research. It was here that I found my passion for teaching via the training of work experience and honours students in the laboratory. 

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

Definitely the size! We started with 200 students and now have almost 1000! We used to be able to have staff briefing in a small circle and now we can barely fit in the staff room. 

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

Taking a group of Year 10 and 11 students to Nepal in 2018 was definitely one of the most incredible experiences I have had as a teacher. I was so proud of what my students achieved, helping a small school build a playground and trekking around the Annapurna foothills. 

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

I love working at Surf Coast, the staff and students here are wonderful, supportive and caring. The staff are always striving to achieve their best and the best from their students. I have had so many opportunities at Surf Coast that have developed me into the person I am today. 

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

"I am looking forward to continuing to form great relationships with our students, we really do share positive and connected relationships here which helps to develop success for our students and their future." 

Stephen Fenwick

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

I was employed by Torquay College and moved across to SCSC when the schools split.

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

When SCSC started we shared a site with Torquay College Primary school. Some teachers at the primary school and some members of the community did not want a secondary school and struggled to accept us. The biggest change has been our growing acceptance in the community as well as the extra 800 students we now have enrolled! 

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

Moving across from the shared primary school site to our new facilities was very exciting and gave the whole school community something to be proud of. 

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

SCSC has always been an ambitious school and in the early years we worked hard to demonstrate that we were the best secondary school option for young people on the Surfcoast. With this came a real scrutiny of our practice, a desire to improve and a willingness be innovative. Teachers at SCSC, including myself, have become better teachers through this process.

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

"The 10 year anniversary allows us to reflect on our successes. With students, schools and the values and expectations of society constantly changing, I look forward to finding better ways of catering to the needs of our current and future students."