Staff in the Spotlight 

With so many staff joining our team this year, we would like to give our school community the opportunity to get to know our new teachers in a fun way. Each week we will be spotlighting a new staff member and sharing with you all sorts of fun and interesting stories about who they are and most importantly, why they became a teacher and what they love most about teaching! 

This week we are spotlighting our new Assistant Principal, Natalie Manser. Nat brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge from a range of different schools and educational settings and already she is making a big impact in leading our Learning and Teaching. 

How long have you been teaching?

22 years.

What school/university or organisation have you come from?

I have worked in 4 other state secondary schools and have recently had learning and teaching roles in the Department of Education. I have recently moved to Wantirna from Reservoir High School. 

Why did you decide to become a teacher?

I studied teaching as a mature age student with a young family, having worked and studied in a variety of different settings and vocations. In my first teaching round and very first class I realised I had found my career. Putting all the challenges aside, teaching at its core is dynamic, empowering and very meaningful. I love it as much now as I did when I started in 1999. 

What do you love most about teaching?

There are so many. Student teacher games, performances and competitions. The times when you bump into an ex-student and they tell you how much they loved your teaching and subject. Special students who have achieved great results and have worked very hard. The amusing moments certainly stand out - when students say or do things to make you laugh. 

What are three things you would like your students to know about you?

1. I value kindness, fairness and respect in all interactions with staff and students.

2. I have unusual interests such as - shopping for second hand items, mountain biking and woodworking with my dad in his shed. 

3. I do volunteering in the local community to organise our local festival and market. 

Where's your favourite holiday destination?

Travelling anywhere is a real privilege and I have been very fortunate to travel overseas and around Australia. My favourite destinations so far are, Esperance in WA, France and UK. 

What are tv show/series did you last binge watch?

The Long Call on SBS - I love this genre - crime drama, esp. European crime drama. 

If you could wear Harry's invisibility cloak for one day, where would you go and what would you do?

It's not very exciting I know, but I'd go back in time to my classes as a younger teacher to see how I have changed over the years as a teacher.

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

To receive a free, quality education is a privilege that unfortunately not every child gets - value it and make it count and do your best, especially in class.