STAFF ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

We are fortunate to have a dedicated team of 316 teaching and Education Support staff, 49 of whom are proud McKinnon alumni. This strong connection between past and present highlights the enduring sense of community at our school. 

We reached out to our Committee Members Jess Dixon and Romy Greenberg to reflect on their time as both student and now a staff member. Please enjoy their interviews below.

JESSICA DIXON (CLASS OF 1998)

What are some of your fondest memories from when you were a student here?

School musicals, Winter Concert, Performing at General Assembly,  House events and being a music captain (Go Gilmore!), being a Peer Support leader.

Did you have any favourite teachers who influenced your decision to become an educator?

All of the teachers influenced my decision. I admired the passion that they had for their subjects and it was obvious that they genuinely cared about their students.  

My year 12 teachers for Biology (Karen Romari) and Maths (Effie Avaris -aka Miss Soulis) must have had the most influence as I became a Maths/Science teacher.  My favourite teacher was Miss Pyliotis (now Ms. Tsitas) who taught me for year 12 history.  She is still teaching here and we work closely together in the VCE VM team and share an office.

What was your favourite subject or activity as a student here?

I loved science, especially Biology.  I also loved participating in all things musical.

What inspired you to return to McKinnon as a teacher?

I loved my time at secondary school.  My teachers were so kind and caring and I wanted to give that back to future students.  I was placed at McKinnon on one of my first teacher rounds (under the guidance of Mr Delmar Zachest) and really enjoyed it.  

The staff here are like a family- always helping and supporting one another.  They all have a love of learning and never stop improving their knowledge.    After I finished my degree I saw a teaching job advertised at McKinnon and jumped on it.

How does it feel to work alongside teachers who taught you? (if relevant)

At first it was really strange.  I felt like I shouldn't be in the staff room and I found it difficult to call the teachers by their first names.  Now, it’s wonderful!  When  I was a graduate teacher, they went out of their way to help me and I still work closely with them. 

I also love working with other ex-students, especially my brother, Richard Long, who has always been an amazing support to me. 

How do you think your experience as a former student helps you connect with the current students at McKinnon?

When I first started at McKinnon in 2006 the students would try and trick me about the school rules but, little did they know, I was an expert on the rules that I had abided by for 6 years.

As I see the students sitting in the same classes that I sat in and participating in the same extra curricular activities that I did, it helps me to remember the joys and challenges of being a high school student.

What traditions or values from your time as a student here do you see still being upheld?

Year 12 Assembly, Winter Concert, The Art Show, school musicals, House Musical Festivals, dressing up at the carnivals (Athletics Day, Swimming sports etc).  We still have the formalities of General Assembly where we  “stand for the official party to enter the hall” while they walk down the aisle in their academic robes.  Now, due to the size of the school, General Assembly is live streamed to some year levels in their classrooms.  

What advice would you give to McKinnon students, knowing what you do now as both a former student and a teacher?

Take every opportunity given to you.  Participate in everything.  When you leave school you will never remember doing exercise 4A in maths but you will remember the relationships you had with your friends and teachers and all the extra curricular activities you participated in (but you still need to try your best in exercise 4A)!

How do you balance the nostalgia of your student days with the realities of being a teacher here now?

I don’t balance it very well!  I’m often talking about my time as a student at McKinnon, especially with the staff who taught me and staff who are also ex-students.  There are quite a few of us.

What are some lessons you learned as a student at McKinnon that you try to impart to your students today?

Be involved in all aspects of student life.  The more you put into your schooling, the more you will get out. Take yourself out of your comfort zone and try something new.  You never know whether this will influence your future pathway.   

Helping the school and wider community is very rewarding and helps you grow as a person.  Our school values of Respect, Integrity, Resilience, Community, Creativity & Success and the motto of Wisdom and Service are a great way to live your life, even post secondary school. 

ROMY GREENBERG (CLASS OF 2019)

What are some of your fondest memories from when you were a student here?

I was fortunate enough to participate in the French Exchange program as a student in Year 10, travelling with my friends overseas was an amazing experience. At school, spending every day with my friends having fun in and outside of classes is something I also look back on very fondly.

Did you have any favourite teachers who influenced your decision to become an educator?

I had so many phenomenal teachers as a student at McKinnon that I can't pick just one! I particularly loved all of my English and Humanities teachers over the years and they have definitely influenced me in picking this career path.

What was your favourite subject or activity as a student here?

I loved all of the Humanities subjects as a student! Studying Politics, Legal Studies and History in VCE were highlights and inspired my passion for these subjects today as a teacher.

What inspired you to return to McKinnon as a teacher?

The McKinnon Magic is a very real thing! The culture at this school for both staff and students is so special, my time as a student experiencing this definitely influenced my decision to come back and continue to be a part of the community. 

How does it feel to work alongside teachers who taught you? 

It was definitely a bit strange at first, but a lot of fun! It feels really special to be able to now work alongside people who were such positive influences for me as a teenager. 

How do you think your experience as a former student helps you connect with the current students at McKinnon?

From my own experiences I know that the friendships and memories made for students here are life long. I believe this helps me to encourage current McKinnon students to participate and contribute to the school culture to make their own memories here just as special.

What advice would you give to McKinnon students, knowing what you do now as both a former student and a teacher?

It's all about balance, it's so important to participate in all of the fun stuff as well as spending time on your studies. Looking back now, I have no regrets about every school or social event I participated in! It's cliche, but your ATAR and academic results do not define you, make sure you spend time enjoying all of the fun stuff too.

How do you balance the nostalgia of your student days with the realities of being a teacher here now?

Coming back I was a bit worried that it would feel a bit strange, but being here as a teacher does feel really different. Participating in all of the school events and community as a teacher is so special as I get to see the current McKinnon students making friends and memories in the same way that I did.