Meet a Staff Member

10 minutes with…. 

Mhairi Shepherd

Title: Teacher at Marian College

How long have you been at Marian: 

I have been at Marian, since the start of this year, though I have been teaching for a while now!!!

1.      Tell us a little about your life outside of teaching/working? Eg. Family, hobbies. Passions 

I live here in the inner west and my husband and I enjoy all it has to offer: amazing diverse food, parks, markets and movies at the Sun Theatre. 

My family lives in the Bellarine Peninsula, so I often spend weekends down the coast catching up with my parents, my 94-year-old grandma, having coffee with my sister and in summer, lots of days on the beach with my nieces and nephews. 

I love yoga, swimming, dancing and going to the theatre. 

2.      How did you end up teaching/ working at Marian College?

Last year I saw the ad online and I had already been working at another school nearby, so knew the area and was very excited about the opportunity to teach in an all-girls school Fortunately, I completed the employment process and I got the job!!

3.      What do you like most about teaching/working at Marian College?

Each day is different. In the Drama room, students create and make worlds both near and far. Seeing students realise their ideas through performance is wonderful. I love the power that Drama and Theatre can have on a student’s life. Seeing someone so proud after performing to their peers or watching a play that creates debates and discussion is highly rewarding. Working in a school that has students from so many different cultural backgrounds brings a uniqueness and richness to the performing arts also. 

4.      What are the biggest challenges facing teachers today?

Teaching has changed so much over the years, communication via digital platforms has increased and sometimes the art of face-to-face communication has been lost. Teachers are accountable for everything we do and the paperwork that comes with this can be never- ending. 

5.      What are the biggest challenges facing teenage girls today?

Not only does the representation of women in the media affect teenage girls and their identity, but it is also the behaviour and response to this that has such a great impact. Friendships are conducted online and often a text, or a post can be misinterpreted causing conflict. Girls must navigate their online life and their real life!! 

6.      Favourite food & drink?

 I love Linguini Marinara. Drink wise, I love a good coffee, especially at the V- Cafe here at school. 

7.      Favourite holiday destination?

Thailand.

8.      Favourite TV show & Movie?

This is a tough one. As a Drama and Media teacher I watch a lot of film and tv. I was born in Scotland and I do like to stream a good British Period Drama filled with moments from history, castles and opulent costumes. 

I am going to pick an Australian movie to support the Australian film industry. I am picking an old film called ‘Muriel’s Wedding’. I have also seen the musical theatre adaptation and I just loved it. I think this is a great coming of age story that is still relevant today.  

9.      If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be?

I’d love to work in Entertainment: Radio Host, Voice Over for Audible books or a Weather girl! Hah! 

10.  Which 5 people in history would you like to invite to a dinner party?

Cate Blanchett, Princess Diana, Beyonce, Australian playwright Angela Betzein and Julia Gillard.