Staff in the Spotlight

Sub School Staff in the Spotlight 

Throughout term 2 and 3 we will be spotlighting our Middle and Senior Sub School Teams giving our school community the opportunity to find out more about who they are, why they became a teacher/leader and what they love most about their jobs!

This week we are spotlighting Benn Pollock.

Benn is an experienced member of the Senior Subschool Team and this year he is leading the Year 12 cohort. Benn is one of our ‘gun’ VCE teachers specialising in Media and Software Development and is known for supporting students in achieving outstanding VCE results. 

How long have you been teaching?

Since 2011 and all at Wantirna College.

What is your role in Sub School?

Year 12 Level Leader.

Why did you decide to become a teacher and/or leader?

I’ve always enjoyed assisting others and being quite outgoing and social, so I thought why not combine both of these and my love for all things IT and Media? 

What is the best thing about teaching and/or working in the subschool team?

One thing I love about the role is the opportunity to build positive relationships with students with the hope of making their school experience a memorable one. With the current Year 12s, I’ve been their YLL since Year 10, so it’s been fantastic to share the journey with them over their final years.

What has been one of your best teaching moments?

It’s hard to narrow down a singular moment as teaching has provided me with many great experiences and opportunities over my career. I’ve been to the Northern Territory trip three times because it’s such an amazing opportunity to share in the experiences with students. In the classroom, I’ve always enjoyed and celebrated the successes my Year 12 classes over the years. Ultimately, working with students to achieve their goals and seeing them rewarded for their efforts at the end of the year is one of the more enjoyable moments in teaching.

What are three things your colleagues and/or your students would say about you?

I would hope that my students would say that I am very passionate, caring and that I am most possibly ‘chill’ (at times). My colleagues would hopefully say the same about me 😊

What is the weirdest or strangest thing that has happened to you?

As a teacher, we are bound to bump into students out in public from time to time. One year I was travelling Europe and was waiting at the Naples airport in Italy. It was very early morning, so I was still half asleep when suddenly, I hear the words over my shoulder “Mr. Pollock!”. Surely not I thought. I turn around it was one of my Year 10 students I had taught the previous year for Media! We had a chat about our travels and the complete randomness of the situation. I think we both couldn’t believe we would bump into one another other halfway across the world. 

What is your idea of a perfect weekend?

A sleep in, followed by watching the Bombers (win of course), catching up with friends, but ultimately just some time to unwind and relax. This could include playing some video games, jumping into my racing sim, and catching up on a TV show I’m watching or a movie or two.

If you could invite 5 people to a dinner party, who would you invite and why?

Lewis Hamilton – a long-time fan of Formula 1 and he is the GOAT. Would be amazing to listen to his experiences and share his journey.  Matthew Llyod – a long-time (suffering) Essendon supporter. Matthew Llyod was my favourite player growing up.   Arnold Schwarzenegger – an amazing life with plenty of stories to tell and an actor that was a big part of my childhood.    Christopher Nolan – one of the most prominent movie directors of our time. A big fan of his catalogue of films.  Neil deGrasse Tyson – a bit of a space nerd so Neil would be a great person to ask all the big questions.

What is the one piece of 'advice' or the one thing that you always say to your students?

For my Year 12s… Practice exam questions…Do them! Lots of them! They are the best tool in preparing for the end of year exam.