Staff Profile

Hi, I am Ruth Smith, and can I say first up, thank you to the Scoresby Secondary College community for such a warm welcome. The students and staff have been fantastic and the feedback and communications with parents positive.

I started my career off working at The Austin Hospital in Dietetics and Nutrition which together with other tasks involved working with dietitians and chefs to design nutritious meals for all in-patients. This then led to designing and giving educational talks to out-patients and community groups. I’d found my calling – education.

I probably should have seen this career for myself earlier because each member of my family are trained educators – my father was a lecturer at Swinburne, my mother, brother, and sister all primary school teachers! So, after a year doing a graduate diploma of education, I was directed to Melton Secondary College where I spent three interesting years working with three first year Food Technology teachers, plus two very experienced Food Technology teachers – such was the growth in the outer western suburbs. I was then fortunate enough to get a position at Highvale Secondary College where I worked until I started my family (three wonderful boys).

Upon returning to the workforce after 10 years, I worked part-time at Bayswater Secondary College which enabled me to still be close enough to home and be near my boys in case they needed me.

In September last year, I saw that Scoresby Secondary College were looking for a full-time teacher in Food Technology / Studies – an opportunity too good not to apply for. So, with the assurance of my family that they would all help around the home, I accepted the position. The saying ‘the grass isn’t always greener on the other side’ was thankfully very wrong in this case. My only issue is the boys still struggling to ‘help’.

Football and basketball, making things in the kitchen and spending time with extended family and friends is how my down time is currently spent. (Go Cougars, Renegades, Mt. Tigers and Wantirna Wizards - basketball and Falcons - football). As a family we have two quite demanding border collies, so you might see me out walking with them or riding my bike – if you do, please stop me, and say hello.

I am currently teaching Year 8, 9 and 10 Food Technology, Year 11 and 12 Food Studies and Year 7 Health and am looking forward to next semester when the Year 7 students get involved in Food Technology. As of last week, I am also working in the Senior School as a Year 11 and 12 Coordinator, a role I am truly excited about; a chance to really get to know more students and involve myself further within the college.

Mrs Ruth Smith

Food Technology

Year 11 and 12 Coordinator