At the end of this year, we will farewell some of our staff who have decided to move on to the next chapter of their lives in another school or in another role.

It is always sad to say goodbye to staff who have given so much to our school but we wish them all the best for what comes next.

I hope you enjoy reading their reflections on what they remember about working at JFC.

Lisa Vinnicombe

Executive Principal

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Mr Graeme McKee – Health and PE, Music, Humanities

After 38 years of teaching (6 years at St Arnaud High School and 32 years at Fawkner Secondary College/John Fawkner College) I have decided to retire at the end of the 2022 school year.

Over the last 32 years I have witnessed the physical structure of the school change dramatically. During that time there has been the building of a new canteen, new student toilet block, learning centre, artificial soccer pitch, multi-purpose sports court and the re-organisation of classrooms, staff rooms and administrative areas. Physically, John Fawkner College in 2022 is a very different building compared to when I first started in 1990.

During my time at John Fawkner College I have been fortunate to work with a number of excellent principals including Mr Joel Blackburn, Ms Kate Long, Ms Kerrie Heenan, Mr Gus Napoli, Mr Mark Natoli and our current executive principal Dr Lisa Vinnicombe. All these principals have shared a common vision and worked tirelessly to improve the educational opportunities for students at our school.

As well as working with the above outstanding principals I have also been lucky to work with many dedicated and passionate teachers whose number one motivation has always been to provide the best learning outcomes for our students and also to contribute to the development of responsible future citizens.

Working at John Fawkner College has also given me the opportunity to meet a number of special guest speakers who have visited our school. These include Robert (Bob) Hawke (visited our school in 1990 when he was the current Australian prime minister), Joan Kirner (former premier of Victoria), Cecil Exum ( American professional basketball player), Azumah Nelson (2 weight world boxing champion widely considered one of the greatest African boxers of all time), Merv Hughes (Australian test cricketer), AFL coaching legend Tom Hafey, AFL players including Tim Watson (Essendon), Glen Manton (Essendon), Scott Pendelbury (Collingwood), Andy Collins (Hawthorn) as well as a number of other leaders in their fields of literature, business and motivation

However, the thing that I will remember most about my time at John Fawkner College is the students. From my very first day back in 1990 up to 2022 I have always found the students to be welcoming and friendly. I have particularly enjoyed my involvement in organising school athletics and swimming carnivals as well as the numerous interschool sport teams that I have coached. I also enjoy meeting and sharing conversations with ex-students I have taught in the past about how they are going and what vocation they are currently pursuing and I would like to take this opportunity to invite students to come up and talk to me if they see me in the future as I will always be keen to be kept up to date on their personal journey.

I would also like to acknowledge the large number of parents I have worked with over the years in my roles of classroom teacher, year level co-ordinator and student management leader. Whilst working in these roles I have always found the parents of John Fawkner College students to be supportive and keen to work together for the benefit of their children.

Whilst I am leaving the school, I will continue to take an interest in how the school and students move forward in the future. We have been fortunate to be given a government grant to make major upgrades to our school buildings which will undoubtedly improve the learning opportunities and outcomes for our students. I am very confident that our current school leadership team of Dr Lisa Vinnicombe and assistant principals Maria Hristova and Cemal Hakki are great assets to our school and will continue their dedication to the school and will play a major role in the successful future of John Fawkner College.

In conclusion, I would again like to thank all members of the John Fawkner College community for their support over the last 32 years which have been an enjoyable teaching and personal experience. I wish everyone the very best for the future and I will think back at my time at John Fawkner College with fond memories.

Yours Sincerely

Graham Mckee

Mr Sam Wasser – Humanities, English, PE, Sport

This is not a farewell, rather just taking up an invitation to reflect on an eventful and rewarding year, ahead of some time off travelling overseas.

Embracing change as opportunity is a mindset that I will always value and encourage. Change is a chance to experience all that life has to offer as we continue growing and learning. This year has been a time of change here at JFC and it is exciting to envisage the growth and learning that is ahead of us.

I’m most excited by the presence of so many dedicated, skilled and determined staff here at JFC. This is what keeps me motivated and keen to dive in to every day with optimism. I genuinely believe that the core of staff at our school bring a value to our community that is unique and special – we are so lucky to have you at JFC. Thank you for being here!

What has impressed me most this year and what I look forward to everyday is the cheerful and sociable nature of our students. From kids calling out as I’m riding my bike down Jukes Road, to affable chats in the school yard, our students at JFC bring a positivity and warmth that deserves to be celebrated.

These are the things that I have enjoyed the most and will miss. But also what I’m looking forward to most when I see everyone again.

Ms Kayla Stokes – Music/Drama

As some of you may know, this was my first year of teaching, and when reflecting upon my time at John Fawkner College, I thought back to my first few weeks of classes during Term 1 and realised how much I have grown over this past year. The students, colleagues, and community have taught me so much and I will be forever grateful. I was fortunate enough to have been given the opportunity to lead the instrumental program this year, and it has been an absolute joy getting to know the talent we have amongst our students, and so rewarding being able to watch them all flourish, gain their confidence, and see them develop into the young musicians they are today. A highlight of my year has been able to perform at the Fawkner Youth Festival, where the school rock band performed a full set of music in which they dedicated all their hard work and time into creating an amazing performance. I hope the music program at John Fawkner College continues to grow in my absence, and I wish all the students and staff the best in the future.

Ms Stephanie Konstandinitis – Health and PE

My time at JFC has been short, yet extremely memorable. Throughout my journey at the college I have crossed paths with many amazing students and staff who have constantly influenced and supported me in the beginning of my teaching career. With the support of my colleagues, I have had the opportunity to be the college sport coordinator for 2022. This opportunity has allowed me to continue my passion for Health and PE, where with the help of the staff, many students were able to unite and represent JFC throughout the year.

The students at JFC have always been able to brighten each day with their unique personalities and quirks. Each day at JFC is never the same, each new experience has been able to bring excitement and enjoyment to my day. It has been a privilege to see my students grow and reach their full potential throughout my time at the college. The students have taught me many things, which will forever guide and influence me in my future career. I will forever cherish the memories formed with the students that I have had the pleasure of meeting. I wish the students at JFC the very best with the future and am thankful for my experiences with them.

The staff that I have crossed paths with throughout my time at JFC have played an integral role in the success that I have experienced. Despite any challenges that I have faced on my journey, there has always been a strong unity of support and genuine care from the staff. This support and reassurance that I have received has allowed me to continue to strive to be a better teacher, to provide the best learning experience for my students. I have learnt so much from my colleagues and am forever grateful for the ongoing support that I have received and the memories that have been made.

John Fawkner College will always hold a special place in my heart, I am beyond grateful for being able to begin my career here. I wish all of the staff and students the very best with their future endeavours and hope the future of the college continues to flourish.

Ms Beverley Hardi – Chaplain

My Wellbeing role at JFC began at the start of the Pandemic and I have experienced the different changing aspects of the school cultural and way. What I have loved at JFC is seeing all the staff work together to make this school a safe and interesting place for students to develop and learn in all they do! As well, I have enjoyed the weekly breakfast club and connecting with all the students who attend. In addition, I’ve loved implementing the foodbank food options and support for Students, Families and Staff. On most days there is fresh fruit, healthy snacks and cold milk in the fridge available for students, for energy and brain function to thrive during the day. JFC has been through ongoing change both structurally and leadership and I will miss seeing the school development in a new direction under an amazing School leadership team. Lastly, I will miss the wonderful staff I have worked with on this journey!

Mrs Kate Peach - Science

Challenges in life allow us to grow. Even as adults we feel that we don’t always succeed, we even fail. But it’s how we get up, dust ourselves off and use our new-found knowledge to try again that allows us to move along the path to our success. The students and educational professionals at JFC have been the catalyst for my growth towards my success and I feel I am ready for my next challenge.

I look forward to seeing all your success in the coming years and wish you well on your path, whatever that looks like.

Ms Seri Pitman – English and EAL

Reflections on my time at John Fawkner College

I began teaching at John Fawkner College in 2018 and it was my first full time teaching role after finishing my Masters. I had fortunately had a range of experiences at different schools during my study from adult education to private girls’ schools. My first year was certainly a trial by fire as I was completing my VIT while teaching very challenging year 9 and 10 classes and I felt overwhelmed many times. Fortunately I learnt quickly that one of the fantastic things about JFC is that the teaching staff are incredibly supportive of one another. I was given many pep talks and lots of assistance from those around me, special mention here to Gulsen Tankir, Maria Thrasivoulou, and Katie Neocleus who were teaching in my domain and helped me hugely.

I will certainly be leaving with many wonderful memories of my five years teaching at this school. There have been several cohorts of students that I have bonded with along the way and particularly the small group of EAL students I taught in 2019 and 2021. I was so proud to see them graduate last year and to celebrate with them at the formal. Some of that same graduating group said some very heart-warming things to me at the formal about their memories of me teaching them in year 9. It really showed me that sometimes when you feel you are not making a difference as a teacher, you are actually having a really positive impact on the lives and education of students in ways you cannot foresee.

I have witnessed a lot of teachers and students come and go in my five years at John Fawkner and I will miss plenty of people, both staff and students. I will miss Zlata’s morning tea’s and playing music in Kylie Brickhill’s office. I am sure that there are many more big changes ahead for the school and the new buildings and new group of year seven’s will be an exciting time for everyone. I hope most of all, for all the students at John Fawkner College that they can make some lasting friendships and discover their own potential for greatness. This school has helped me to become the teacher that I am today and I am deeply grateful for that. The memories will last a lifetime.

And finally, from Mrs Neocleus, who retired in term 1 after many years at JFC.

“Reflections of a long, successful teaching career at John Fawkner College”

Dear JFC community, students, parents, guardians and colleagues.

It has been a privilege and an honour to serve as an educator at John Fawkner College.

It has been an exceptionally long and successful career.

I vividly recall in 1986 entering the school gates of Fawkner High to eagerly undertake the duties of a substitute teacher. There were over eight hundred students shuffling through the corridors at recess and lunchtime. Instructions, diagrams, tasks spread across chalk boards, overheated portable classrooms were crammed by students with textbooks and over one hundred teachers loudly bursting in and out of the main staffroom, busily teaching their classes and sharing momentous student achievements and providing time and support as needed. The following year I was employed as the teacher of Modern Greek and Social Studies. The student population compromised largely by Italian and Greek speaking students. The continual enthusiasm and commitment of the Greek parents’ Association created a welcoming and supportive environment.

Juggling and balancing my family commitments with my teaching career became a priority. After taking family leave to care for my young family I resumed teaching at Fawkner Secondary College. Classroom walls had been removed, open classrooms, new routines, and goals, were created. Student needs and demographics had changed.

School transformations continued, the school became John Fawkner College beginning with the closure and re-opening of the school under the phoenix logo, new uniform, new leadership implementing policies and strategic plans.

As the Humanities coordinator, although many challenges were constant, working with the humanities’ team to maximise student engagement and experiences in humanities remained rewarding. The annual Kryal Castle excursions, court visits, city experiences, debates, class elections, market days, charity events, model displays of Medieval castles and Viking longships as well as, the success of cultural days made possible by our community of students and parents who enthusiastically and proudly presented platters of their favorite treats, remain as some of my fondest memories.

My most cherished teaching and learning moments in the humanities classes have been student interactions and discussions, when students have allowed their curiosity and critical thinking to guide their questioning to unfold their learning. What sometimes started as chaotic and irreversible behaviours geared by single minded focus and passionate outbursts gradually morphed into sporadic listening and eventually developed into an understanding of different perspectives. In a world propelled by trends, immediate gratification, and dominated by social media, the development of skills in humanities is imperative for students to navigate and evaluate the explosion of excessive information and opinions often disguised and presented as facts.

Needless to say, the best teaching plans and strategies cannot predict and capture the spontaneous learning opportunities presented and altered by class dynamics and student curiosity.

Teaching has taught me patience, resilience, adaptability and to be the calmest person in the room and of course, to remain observant and curious.

I hope every student embraces their educational opportunities to achieve personal development and continual improvement, as I did. As a newly arrived Greek immigrant who was the first female of my generation from my village to complete tertiary level education, I’m grateful for the sacrifices my parents made. My awareness of the struggles and lack of opportunities of the women before me have provided me with the strength and resilience required to pursue my goals and to proudly acknowledge a long lasting and successful teaching career.

I look forward hearing about student choices, achievements and pathways and I’m always happy when ex -students call out across the street or quietly express their feelings and share “Mrs. Neocleous remember me? Or Sorry I was a pain in your class…. Or I loved your class or you gave me detention for…. Or I remember when …. or I’m a tradie, or bridal designer… or I’m training with the Aleague team…. or I’m at TAFE/Uni….”

We definitely have the friendliest students.

“May your choices reflect your hopes not your fears” Nelson Mandela

Best wishes to all.

Mrs K. Neocleous

John Fawkner College Newsletter

Aspire & Achieve

Issue 3 · 07 Dec 2022

In this issue