Staff
'Shine a Light' on...
‘Shine the Light' on staff is a new addition to the newsletter, which will provide our College community a snapshot into the professional lives of our teachers and what makes them ‘tick’ on a daily basis. Whilst we know that our staff do an amazing job, it is not as often that we publicly acknowledge the work that they do and the many wonderful ways that they contribute to the learning journeys of our students.
This week at the College we are celebrating Design and Technologies and Art week, so this week we have spoken with Ms Camille Riordan and Ms Alana Wright. Alana is a teacher within the Design and Technologies Learning Area and Camille is a teacher in the Visual and Creative Arts Learning Area.
What originally inspired you to become a Visual and Creative Arts teacher and what motivates you now?
Camille: My original motivation for studying Art was to undertake a course that allowed me to express myself visually. I loved the ‘hands on’ nature of creating art, studying the meanings within artworks, the visual storytelling and the links to history and culture. After being employed within other fields of work, I began teaching in my late 20s and I loved seeing students get satisfaction from the art they created.
What motivates me now is seeing how exciting the contemporary art world is and guiding students to use their minds creatively as they develop their own opinions and ideas for their folios.
What is the most rewarding part of teaching subjects within Visual and Creative Arts teacher at Kilbreda College?
Camille: I love seeing all the students’ works on display in our annual Art and Design Exhibition. The pride shown by the students, their friends and families is priceless. Our Visual and Creative Arts students are hard-working and produce amazing work so it’s great to celebrate their talents.
What originally inspired you to become a Design and Technologies teacher and what motivates you now?
Alana: The original inspiration for me wanting to become a Design and Technologies teacher was my Home Economics teacher. Mrs Jackson was a very quirky, engaging and caring teacher, that captivated me, from my first class of spreading butter on bread for sandwiches in Year 7. Her knowledge was immense, and she had such a charming and likable persona and voice. I was enamoured by her and so began the idea that I could do that too!
Later, when I met her at a conference as colleagues, she told me she was beyond thrilled I had chosen this field, as she always saw my passion and connection to not only the subject but the ideals behind it.
That passion is what motivates me now and seeing the pride and connection of “my students” to the theoretical knowledge and the practical components of the subject. I love watching ideas that began as small daydreams, come to fruition in the classroom, and the creativity and individual expression of students being shared through food and cooking.
What is the most rewarding part of teaching subjects within Design and Technologies at Kilbreda College?
Alana: For me, the most rewarding part of teaching subjects within the Design and Technologies Learning Area at the College is the students! I truly feel very fortunate to connect with and witness the commitment and passion of our budding cooks from Year 8 right through to VCE. Kilbreda offers the opportunity for so many co-curricular activities within the Design and Technologies Learning Area also, such as Design and Technologies Week, designing cupcakes and visits from Chefs from Le Cordon Bleu. These set challenges and help develop life skills and moments of joy at school.
I think the gift also lies in the fact that the traditional expectations of some other subjects, which still exist in our Learning Area are disguised in Food Studies classes by creativity, practicality and originality.
Tanya Kolb
Assistant Principal:
Staff