Teacher Talk- 

Suzie Dawe

After a bit of a hiatus, Teacher Talk is back!  Today we get to know Education Support teacher, Suzie Dawe.

Favourite food: Chocolate

Footy team: The mighty Saints

Favourite band/singer: John Cruz

Favourite TV show: The Heights

Favourite Movie: French Kiss

Ideal Holiday: Anywhere there's a beach

Siblings: 1 sister and 2 brothers

Children: I have 2 adult boys, Ben and Jim

Pets: No pets at the moment

Hobbies: Dragonboating, Cycling, Boogie Boarding and mosaicing

Can you tell us about your role at Carnegie PS?

I am a Teachers Aide in the Grade 3 level where I support the teaching team. I also work with small groups of students supporting them in all aspects of their learning.

You’re one of the staff who has been here the longest. How long have you been teaching at Carnegie PS?

I have been lucky enough to be at Carnegie for 20 years.

The school has changed quite a bit over the years. What would you say have been some of the more significant changes?

The school numbers have grown significantly. When I first started at Carnegie we had 175 students and I knew everyone's name! Also we have had many new buildings as well as classroom upgrades.The new playground equipment and sports oval are fantastic additions to C.P.S.

When you were young, what was your favourite part of primary school?

I liked spending lots of time in the Art Room and also enjoyed interschool sport, Rounders in the summer and Netball in the winter.

I hear you compete in Dragon Boat racing. Can you tell us more about that and where you compete?

I belong to a Dragonboat Club at Patterson River. We  train 3 times a week. There are 20 people in the boat so we need to learn to all paddle together.We have about 6 regattas every summer season and we usually win a few races. I was lucky enough to compete in the world championships in Malaysia in 2011.

Apart from Dragon Boating, what do you enjoy doing on the weekends?

 I love cycling on the weekends.I have some great cycle paths on the coastal foreshore and around the wetlands where I live. I also love working in my garden. I love swimming and walking at the beach which is close by.   

What is something that people would be surprised to know about you?

I volunteer every summer with Disabled Surfers Association Mornington Peninsula to take people with a disability surfing at Point Leo. One little 10 yr old boy told me he had NEVER been to the beach!!

Do you have any special talents you would like to share with the CPS community?

Last year I had 2 exciting adventures. I went White Water Rafting on a raging river in New Zealand.And I went Skydiving over St Kilda on Mothers Day!! Talk about exhilarating!!  

What do you enjoy most about working at Carnegie?

Carnegie Primary School is such an incredible place to work surrounded by happy, motivated students and wonderful, inspiring colleagues.

Thank you for your time!