Celebrity Teachers

We asked teachers to send their replies to the following questions and hope you enjoy reading their answers....

Mrs Angela Pollard

Principal

What has been your favourite memory of the 2017 year with year 7 and 8 students?

Their positive, friendly and polite attitude to all they do!

Who is your inspiration and why?

My mum, Elizabeth. At 88 she is healthy, fiercely independent and a wonderful role model for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Do you have a favourite subject to teach?

I always loved teaching Maths, and now I love teaching staff about high quality teaching!

If you weren’t a teacher, what other career would you enjoy?

I would be an architect or interior designer.

What do you hope Santa will leave under your Christmas tree this year?

My children and grandchildren happy and healthy and there to celebrate with me.

Ms Sue Holderness

Arts Teacher

What has been your favourite memory of the 2017 year with year 7 and 8 students?

Making the Kimmy Cantrell ceramic masks with my semester two art class. They ended up being the best work l have ever seen from year 8’s.

Who is your inspiration and why?

My dad because he inspired me to follow my dreams, live healthy and enjoy life.

Do you have a favourite subject to teach?

ART of course, it’s the best subject in the school.

If you weren’t a teacher, what other career would you enjoy?

I would like to be a designer in an art gallery or a landscape designer.

What do you hope Santa will leave under your Christmas tree this year?

As l will be living in a tent for Christmas in NSW, it will have to be small. Any kind of jewellery would be nice :)

Mr Graeme Ferguson

HOL Teacher

What has been your favourite memory of the 2017 year with year 7 and 8 students?

The Hands on learning Billy cart race day.

Who is your inspiration and why?

David Beckham. His dedication to train long and hard and never give up and that Family come first in life.

Do you have a favourite subject to teach?

VCAL/HOL/IDEEA Lab

If you weren’t a teacher, what other career would you enjoy?

Professional Soccer player

What do you hope Santa will leave under your Christmas tree this year?

A Harley Davidson (FAT BOB) Please.

Mrs Penny Hammet

Student Leadership/

Science Teacher

What has been your favourite memory of the 2017 year with year 7 and 8 students?

Every class with 8D in Science because they're all winners.

Who is your inspiration and why?

Maya Angelou because she was a strong voice for women with a poetic wisdom. She said things like "I've learned people will forget things you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

Do you have a favourite subject to teach?

Science is life, what other subject is there?

If you weren’t a teacher, what other career would you enjoy?

A viking shield maiden

What do you hope Santa will leave under your Christmas tree this year?

A mermaid tail.

Ms Karin Hall

Steiner Teacher

What has been your favourite memory of the 2017 year with year 7 and 8 students?

Going into the city with my class to the NGV.

Who is your inspiration and why?

I'm inspired by artists and free thinkers like Rudolf Steiner for sure, but modern day bohemians and defenders of mother earth that live their lives simply and with creative authenticity constantly inspire me.

Do you have a favourite subject to teach?

My favourite subject is art closely followed by history.

If you weren’t a teacher, what other career would you enjoy?

If I wasn't a teacher I would be a full time artist or a baker of bread...I love to feed people.

What do you hope Santa will leave under your Christmas tree this year?

My secret wish is for a fully equipped studio with ceramics kiln.

Mrs Cath Scott

Science & Maths Teacher

What has been your favourite memory of the 2017 year with year 7 and 8 students?

Having my year 7 classes ask to play times table bingo! And watching them grow and make progress in their learning over the year.

Who is your inspiration and why?

Anybody who challenges me to be better.

Do you have a favourite subject to teach?

Science – especially Biology. But I like to teach Maths too.

If you weren’t a teacher, what other career would you enjoy?

I would like to be a research scientist and discover something amazing.

What do you hope Santa will leave under your Christmas tree this year?

A foldoscope (a portable microscope)

Mrs Irene Treadwell

GL, GLT & EAL Teacher

What has been your favourite memory of the 2017 year with year 7 and 8 students?

The excursion to Point Nepean was magical. We were blessed with a glorious day, the bay a glimmering mirror reflecting the bluest sky blue, the water on the ocean side a stampede of thundering waves. The year 8 students were a credit to the school, inquisitive and thoughtful at the same time, exploring and enjoying but also treasuring and looking after this amazing wilderness so close to home.

Who is your inspiration and why?

I find inspiration in every human being, small and big, the tinkling laugh of my baby god daughter, the earnest discussions with my five year old free spirited neighbour girl, being with my beautifully quirky, clever and kind year Seven and eight students or listening to the adventures of my now all grown up son living on the other side of the world.

Do you have a favourite subject to teach?

I love teaching and learning about languages: English, German, French….. anything goes.

If you weren’t a teacher, what other career would you enjoy?

My grandma used to be a village midwife. I never met her as she died when my dad was still a boy but the stories of the selfless work she did, looking after mums and delivering their babies, made me want to become a midwife too until I changed my mind!

What do you hope Santa will leave under your Christmas tree this year?

On his way from the North Pole, I would like Santa to make a stop in Denmark and pick up my son and his beautiful Viking girl friend.

Mr Rob Railton

Sports Teacher

What has been your favourite memory of the 2017 year with year 7 and 8 students?

Summit Camp and connecting through sport and physical activity.

Who is your inspiration and why?

My Children. Everyday, ordinary people who through their actions and behaviours, care and try in their little part of the world to make it better. (the daily grind is seldom acknowledged!)

Do you have a favourite subject to teach?

Physical Education

If you weren’t a teacher, what other career would you enjoy?

Coaching in some capacity

What do you hope Santa will leave under your Christmas tree this year?

A good non fiction book.

Mrs Marcia Claringbold

GL & Food/Health Teacher

What has been your favourite memory of the 2017 year with year 7 and 8 students?

The breakfast bowl challenge with my year 8 food classes- they made amazing food and it was so much fun watching them cook and present their food.

Who is your inspiration and why?

My Dad- even though he has been gone for 35 years I still draw strength from him- he was a beekeeeper, sustainable farmer and a pioneer . His hard work, determination and generosity are values I try to live my life by.

Do you have a favourite subject to teach?

I really enjoy teaching health but I also love working in the creative subjects such as food and textiles- If I had to choose I'd say textiles is my favourite - kids do things they don't get to do in other subjects and it is wonderful to see how creative they are and to help them learn new skills I know will be important in their life later on.

If you weren’t a teacher, what other career would you enjoy?

I would love to be a farmer or landscape gardener - both jobs are close to my heart and so important to our sustainability on this planet.

What do you hope Santa will leave under your Christmas tree this year?

A really good book or a birdbath for my front garden

Mrs Danni Vaughan

Assistant Principal

What has been your favourite memory of the 2017 year with year 7 and 8 students?

Teaching Global Literacy. I have only ever taught Year 7 once before in 17 years of teaching – they have been an absolute pleasure.

Who is your inspiration and why?

I’m not sure I have one. I am inspired by anyone who is trying to make a difference and be the best version of themselves. I was inspired greatly by Ange Connelly and the students I shared a trip with to Tanzania this year.

Do you have a favourite subject to teach?

I love teaching English. I think it allows flexibility to teach a lot of other subject areas, particularly Psychology and History –which I like to teach as well.

If you weren't a teacher, what other career would you enjoy?

Corporate psychologist

What do you hope Santa will leave under your Christmas tree this year?

Just time with my family