Alumni News

Madelyn Foott and Aleisha Lippis (Class of 2022) Return to Pakenham Secondary College as Student Teachers

Madelyn Foott - 2022 College Captain

Madelyn Foott, one of our College Captains from 2022, has returned to Pakenham Secondary College this term, but this time, she's back in a new role – as a student teacher. Currently in her third year at Monash University in Clayton, Madelyn is pursuing a degree in Bachelor of Primary and Secondary Teaching, with her discipline in Literature.

From a young age, Madelyn always knew she wanted to be a teacher. She fondly recalls playing “schools” with her brother, often helping him with homework and other assignments. Throughout her educational journey, Madelyn has been inspired by many exceptional teachers. Among them are Ms Wigsall, one of her primary school teachers who had a profound impact on her, as well as Mrs Duggan, who is highly regarded for her work with Year 11 and Year 12 students. Madelyn also credits English teachers, including Ms Erjavec, Ms Bystersky, and Mr Bhandari, for shaping her passion for Literature, which ultimately led her to choose it as her teaching discipline.

Returning to Pakenham Secondary College has been a heartwarming experience for Madelyn. "It's really nice, a nice environment and nostalgic," she shared. Having spent six years at the school as a student, Madelyn feels comfortable here, but her new role as a student teacher brought some initial challenges. "At first, it felt different being back here as a teacher, especially with all the memories of being a student," she admitted. However, working with Year 7 students, who were not yet here when she was a student, has helped her embrace the teacher mindset. "It's been great seeing the teacher side of things and understanding more of what students go through," she explained.

Madelyn finds that her understanding of students' experiences helps her shape her approach to teaching. By learning what their classes are like and the work they do, she can tailor her lessons to better meet their needs. "It’s been good getting into their heads and using that to gauge what I teach and how I teach," she said.

The journey to becoming a teacher has not been without its challenges. Madelyn recalled her first placement at Timbarra College in Berwick, where she had to adjust to open-plan classrooms. "That was a big change," she said. "With no walls to break up the sound, there were four different classes going on at once and I had to adjust my voice and teaching style depending on what was happening around me."

One of the other challenges Madelyn faced early in her placements was transitioning from the student-teacher dynamic to seeing herself as a teacher. "The mentor-mentee relationship sometimes felt like you're still a student and your mentor is the teacher," she said. "But over time, I’ve learned that we are both teachers, and I’ve grown into that role."

Madelyn is excited to complete her degree by the end of next year, and she’s confident about her future in teaching. "At first, I had imposter syndrome," she admitted. "I questioned why students should listen to me when I wasn't a fully qualified teacher yet. But now, I walk into a classroom with the confidence that I am a teacher, and I know what I’m doing."

Madelyn shared with us a quote by Robert Frost that she believes will help our current Year 12 students in their final year: “In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: It goes on.”

Aleisha Lippis - Our College Dux of 2022

Aleisha Lippis, our College Dux of 2022, is currently a third-year student at Monash University and is completing her teacher placement at Pakenham Secondary College this term. She is pursuing a double degree in Secondary Education and Arts, with a major in History and a minor in Psychology. 

Aleisha has always had a deep passion for history, particularly 20th Century History and Australian History, which she studied in Year 11 and 12. She believes it is important to have a broad understanding of history and its lessons, as it provides valuable insights into the world. Alongside her history studies, Aleisha has also developed a strong interest in psychology, a subject she studied in high school as well. "Psychology is fascinating because you can always relate real-life examples to the content, which makes it even more engaging," she explained.

During her placement, Aleisha has had the opportunity to teach various year levels at Pakenham Secondary College. While her primary focus has been on Year 7 and Year 9 students, she has also worked with Year 8, 10 and 11 classes during her observations and lessons with other teachers.

When asked by students if she had ever been a student at Pakenham Secondary College, Aleisha has received a few familiar responses from students. "They often recognise me from my photo (which appears on our Reception foyer television screens) and say, 'We remember you. We know you!'" she laughed.

Aleisha has greatly enjoyed her time at Pakenham Secondary College, particularly appreciating the sense of community. "As a student, you don’t realise what goes on behind the scenes," she said. "But when you’re in the teaching role, you see all the hard work, the collaboration between colleagues and the learning that happens. It’s an amazing experience and I enjoy applying what I’ve learned in a way that makes lessons fun and engaging for my students."

Reflecting on her own experiences, Aleisha shared some valuable advice for Year 12 students considering a career in teaching. "The most important advice is to have a growth mindset," she said. "Some days will be tough and others will be easier. You’ve got to adapt and keep going. The same applies to Year 12 - sometimes you won’t be able to get everything done, but as long as you get the main things done, it's a win. Don’t be too hard on yourself and make sure to take breaks to focus on your well-being – just ensure you are doing those key things."

Aleisha also reflected on her time working with teachers she had as a student, including Eve Ward, her Year 11 Psychology teacher. "It’s been great working with Eve, as there’s a sense of familiarity," Aleisha said. "But I also enjoy working with Kate Wallace, a Humanities teacher who is my mentor at the College. It’s refreshing to learn new things and approach teaching from a different perspective." Despite the familiarity with some teachers, Aleisha admits it feels a little strange to switch to using their first names. "There are certain teachers, like Mrs Duggan and Mr Bhandari, who I’ll always refer to by their last name. It just feels more respectful."

Looking back at her journey, Aleisha reflects on the advice she would give to her Year 12 self: "I would tell myself to stress a little less. It’s important to take a step back and focus on your mental and physical health. I think I pushed myself too hard back then, and it's important to find balance."

As Aleisha continues her teacher placement and progresses through her degree, she is excited for the future and eager to apply all her knowledge and experiences in the classroom.

We wish Madelyn and Aleisha all the best with the remainder of their degrees and are certain that they will be amazing teachers! We hope to see them back at Pakenham Secondary College very soon.