Our Star: Mr Brown

A Parting Interview with Mr Brown, Head of Plenty Campus

By Avriel Das, Year 10, Plenty Campus and Vangelis Matheou, Year 10, The Ridgeway Campus

We hope you enjoy this video interview.

If you didn't watch the video, here is a summary of the interview. But the interview is definitely worth watching!

Vangelis Matheou: For those that don’t know you well, describe yourself in 1 minute.

Mr Daniel Brown: I was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and came to Australia when I was twelve years old. I’m married and I have three kids and two fluffy dogs. 

I’m a passionate educator that has always wanted to be a teacher. When I lost my mother at the age of 14, teachers were instrumental in supporting me during that time. I’ve always wanted to be a principal, the main reason being to ensure there are great opportunities and support for all students, just as when I was a student myself.

VM: What was your dream job when you were in high school?

DB: My dream job was to be a teacher, as I take joy from interacting with young people. I’ve always been a ‘people’ focused person and thought I should choose a career that suited my strengths. Being a teacher is a fulfilling career, as I support young people to achieve their goals and will always be surrounded by their happiness and joy. 

Avriel Das: Who is your biggest idol and why?

DB: Ayrton Senna, the Brazilian Formula 1 driver was my idol growing up, who tragically died when I was in Year 12. The reason he was my idol was because not only was he passionate about what he did, he was at the same time very honest. He also had high moral and ethical values and was very determined about his goals and what he wanted to achieve. 

In the education sphere, some of my idols have been my mentors (people that I've worked for) because they’ve been supportive of me and have helped me achieve my goals.

VM: What does your daily routine look like as the Head of Plenty Campus?

DB: I try to get to work by 7:45 to 8:00, sometimes having the joy of taking my own three children to school. Usually I’ll spend some time drinking coffee (long black with a little bit of cream). When the computer is activated, I’ll check my emails, then try to spend some time with students in the yard. Mostly the rest of the day will be a combination of teaching my Business Management class, lots of meetings and lots of engagement with students and teachers.

AD: What are your favourite hobbies?

DB: I’m an explorer. I’m a bit of a 4-wheel driving fanatic. I like to go out into the bush. I’ve travelled to a few places such as the Simpson Desert, Fraser Island and Uluru. I’ve driven all the way from Melbourne to Cape York, which is the Northern tip of the country, and have even driven the border track between Victoria and South Australia. I like exploring because I leave technology behind, spend time with my kids and get to enjoy this beautiful country.

I also enjoy mountain bike riding with my kids, as I live near the Plenty Gorge, as well as watching motor racing.

VM: What would you say is the most memorable event at Ivanhoe during your time as head of campus?

DB: The most memorable events during my time at Ivanhoe have been the little things - talking to the students in the yard, the moments during Saturday sport where we laugh, getting to know students and building relationships with them. These are the moments I treasure and will regard as the joys of my time at Ivanhoe.

AD: What is something you regret not doing at Ivanhoe?

DB: The last 18 months because of the lost experiences, lost moments. It was very hard last year to see the things missed by the Year 12s especially as they graduated. I feel for students such as the Year 10s, having had their camp cancelled. I remember going to the Year 10 Ski camp in 2018, and remember all the time spent with the students and the relationships made, it was fabulous.

I like being involved with everyone at school and not having the opportunities to interact with the students has been tough.

AD: What has changed at Ivanhoe during your time here?

DB:  I hope a hallmark of my time has been an increase of warmth, connection and importance of  community; and an investment in opportunities for students and families to connect to the School.

VM: What would you like to see change if you were to stay for another 4 years?

DB: What I would like to see the continuation of a ‘one school’ approach where the relationships between the two campuses continues to be strengthened. Looking to the future, I would hope Plenty Campus will become more connected with The Ridgeway Campus, so students will have a unified Ivanhoe experience. One of my wishes is to have just one valedictory, one formal, one Ivanhoe experience, built upon relationships created at University Campus - without diminishing the unique experience of each campus.

AD: What will you miss most about Ivanhoe?

DB: I will miss the people. I’ve been blessed to have such wonderful staff that have really embraced and supported me, and I hope that has been mutually received. I’ll miss the colleagues I regard as friends and the students who I’ve been fortunate to meet and know. My new school will be the sixth school I’ve worked at, and there’s always a bit of grief moving schools because you don’t get to see students through their journey to Year 12.

 It's tough for me to see the Year 11s, nearly at the end of their school journey and not being able to see them finish their schooling.

VM: What is one piece of advice you would give all students at Ivanhoe?

DB: I’m going to give you two pieces of advice. I firmly believe that if you are in the pursuit of a dream, make sure you fully believe in yourself and work hard to truly achieve your goal. Always believe in your dreams. 

Connected to that, you’re given so many opportunities at Ivanhoe that you must invest in by trying everything out. Particularly for the youngest students, you can’t say you don’t like something if you’ve never tried it. 

VM: In your opinion, what is the most important Ivanhoe learner attribute?

DB: I think it's being courageous. Being courageous as a fundamental attribute has so many benefits to you such as physical courage, performance courage and social courage.

AD: What is it like teaching business management?

DB: I love the real world application of business management. Particularly at Plenty Campus, many parents are entrepreneurial based or want to pursue their own business career so I like it because of its current and real world applicability.

VM: What performing arts events do you enjoy best and why?

DB: I would have to say all of them. They are the series of events I enjoy the most because there is just such a broad range of talents. When I attend the events I can’t help but smile because I see the incredible talents students have at music soirees, the shakedown concert, production, the performing arts concert and even the art exhibition. It enables students to showcase their talents which is a point of celebration.

The Piano and Soloist Competition can be a challenge to watch as its cross campus, but I’m always impressed by pianists of all ages.

VM: What’s something unique about Plenty Campus?

DB: Plenty Campus is very unique, and very special because of its size. At  Plenty Campus you’re able to build strong relationships and get support from teachers particularly at VCE, as you already know many teachers from previous years at school. You also know students from other year levels being involved in co-curricular activities such as the annual productions.

AD: What are you looking forward to in your next job on the Gold Coast?

DB: One word: sunshine. We’ve loved our time in Melbourne, but we’ve missed our friends and family in Queensland, having lived there for six years before moving to Melbourne. I’m going to a wonderful school, and I’m excited to be joining a new community with challenges for me socially and professionally.

VM: Describe your dream life in the Gold Coast.

DB: It would be a 5-6 bedroom home, very close to the beach. Being a ‘car man’, there will be a 12 car garage with a variety of vehicles I could select from. I would still like to teach and be a principal - it’s what I love doing and nothing will change that.

VM: As a closing question, what are some things you will miss in Melbourne?

DB: I will miss the Grand Prix and the sporting events. I knew nothing about AFL before I came to Melbourne, but now I love it. I was a North Melbourne fan and didn’t like losing so I switched teams to support the Brisbane Lions. I will miss the friends and professional connections I hope to keep in touch with. I hope people will like to come visit us in the Gold Coast in the future.