STAFF ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

With 49 current staff members who are also Alumni, we reached out to them to reflect on their time as both student and now a staff member.

COURTNEY HUNGERFORD (CLASS OF 2012) 

What are some of your fondest memories from when you were a student here? Definitely the different camps and the sport days. Central and Tassie were two of the best camps I've been on and still look back on fondly. The school athletics carnival and swimming sports always had the best energy about it and was a lot of fun. Being able to represent MCK in various sports was also a highlight!

Did you have any favourite teachers who influenced your decision to become an educator? Hosko and Huddo were definitely two massive influences on me wanting to become a PE teacher. 

What was your favourite subject or activity as a student here? PE!

What inspired you to return to McKinnon as a teacher? MCK always had one of the best reputations and having PE/Sport being such a big area and always celebrated made it an easy decision to come back.

How does it feel to work alongside teachers who taught you? Extremely weird! It's funny to see everyone in such a different manner and to be working alongside them, but it is a lot of fun as well.

How do you think your experience as a former student helps you connect with the current students at McKinnon? I think the students find it amusing when they realise that I was a former student. They love to be able to compare how things are to how they used to be and it helps build that connectionat the start.

What traditions or values from your time as a student here do you see still being upheld? All of them! Celebrating excellence was always a big thing when I was a student, and it is great to see that still being a big part of MCK.

What advice would you give to McKinnon students, knowing what you do now as both a former student and a teacher? Get involved! There are so many opportunities and experiences available and they are the parts that you will remember the most from your time at school.

NICOLE SMOLYAR (CLASS OF 2007)

What are some of your fondest memories from when you were a student here? The first thing that came to mind was the easy access I had to socialise with my friends as well as building connections with teachers. However my all time favourite day every year was school athletics. My funniest memory was helping my twin brother choreograph the dance from the Bonds; kaleidoscope advert for yr 12 assembly day. 

Did you have any favourite teachers who influenced your decision to become an educator? I really did enjoy Mr Sargent's passion for psychology where my interest first started in the area of mental health

What was your favourite subject or activity as a student here? Art and anything sport-related. 

What inspired you to return to McKinnon as a teacher? I have fond memories of McKinnon, nothing but a good school, so coming back as a mental health practitioner is my way of giving back to the community.

How does it feel to work alongside teachers who taught you? It is so lovely to have a blast from the past and see teachers who still remember me and my twin brother and despite the number of students here and the years that have passed, all teachers still remember me.

How do you think your experience as a former student helps you connect with the current students at McKinnon? I have an understanding of the culture of the school although this has changed over time.

What traditions or values from your time as a student here do you see still being upheld?Genuine care for students and strive for high achievements.

What advice would you give to McKinnon students, knowing what you do now as both a former student and a teacher? The world is one small place, first and last interactions of one another are important, always leave off on a good note with everything and everyone as you never know who you might resurface into your life again.

How do you balance the nostalgia of your student days with the realities of being a teacher here now? Accept it for as it is with the positive feelings attached to it.