New Staff 2018 (1 of 2)
Introducing our new staff...
As we start the new year - there are many (many!) new Staff joining the BHCS Community this year.
We are thrilled to welcome the following to our team - please say hello and make them feel welcome....in no particular order....
Bethany Leak
What are you teaching/excited about this year?
This year I'll be working with a Year 10 class as a learning assistant. I'm really looking forward to meeting all the students and getting to be a part of their high school journey. I know I'm going to learn a lot!
What did you do previously?
Up until last year, I was a uni student - I graduated from a Bachelor of Professional and Creative Writing in 2016. Last year I continued with something I've been doing for a few years now - tutoring English. That's partly what made me interested in working as a learning assistant.
What do you do for fun?
I love going on road trips with friends whenever I get the chance. Other than that, just the regular stuff - reading, writing, playing piano, watching movies. And eating gelato!
Aimee Stewart
What you are teaching/excited about this year?
I'm excited about teaching Yr 11 and Yr 12 English Language! I'm fascinated with the words that people use and how they build relationships, convey our hearts and construct our identities. English Language teaches students to analyse the words we encounter in everyday life and to use them powerfully.
I'm also looking forward to teaching Yr 9 English. We will be looking at some pretty big themes this year and developing our capacity to persuade, to analyse, and to share our stories.
What did you do previously?
Before going into teaching, I completed an Arts Degree majoring in Creative Writing and Australian Indigenous Studies. I started teaching English and Humanities at Stawell Secondary College in the Grampians and have spent the last few years teaching these subjects at Flinders Christian Community College in Carrum Downs.
What you do for fun?
I love to immerse myself in beautiful places, whether it is the beach, sitting by the lake near my house, or a coffee shop. I love creating beautiful spaces, writing poetry, reading, and running. I've just started learning a bit of calligraphy and have high hopes of becoming proficient at standing up on a surf board!
Dr Emily Roberts
What you are teaching/excited about this year?
I am teaching Physics this year and I am really looking forward to being a part of the Belgrave Heights Christian School community.
What did you do previously?
I taught in the science department at Monash University before taking time off to have 4 children.
What you do for fun?
For fun I play the occasional game of hockey, and go out for coffee with my husband.
Shaun Doherty
What you are teaching/excited about this year?
I'll be teaching Year 11 Health & Human Development, Year 10 Health, Year 7 PE, Grade 6 PE, Grade 4 PE, Years 5-10 Sport and the Year 9 Program.
Having such a varied allotment, I'm really excited about having the opportunity to teach across the school and building relationships with students of all ages. I'm also really excited about being a part of the Year 9 Program as I have heard amazing things about what students are exposed to and the growth and development they experience. Finally, I am excited about working with such a committed group of staff and being part of such a close knit community.
What did you do previously?
Prior to BHCS, I taught at St Helena Secondary College, a school of 1600 students in Eltham North. Here I was a Year Level Manager for 3 years and a PE/Science Teacher. I have also taught at Wheelers Hill Secondary College and Swan Hill College, where I have had Year Level Manager and Sport Coordinator roles.
What you do for fun?
Outside of teaching, I really enjoy the outdoors so things like swimming, running, playing tennis, hiking and travelling. Health and Fitness is a huge passion of mine so training in the gym and running bootcamp sessions. Then there's quieter pursuits such as reading or listening to a podcast I also find really enjoyable. Spending time with my wife and friends and doing life together is another big focus, which I get a lot of fun out of.
Tara Chukwuweonu
What are you teaching/excited about this year?
This year I am teaching 9-11 Mathematics and 7 + 10 Science. I am excited to meet all of my students and to start to get to know them.
What did you do previously?
I completed my first year of teaching at a large school in Brisbane last year.
What you do for fun?
I love to bake. But relaxing with family is my number one way to unwind.
Rosie Hargrave
What you are teaching/excited about this year?
I am teaching year 10 English, Year 8 Media and Year 7 Maths. I am excited about all my classes and looking forward to meeting my students!
What did you do previously?
I have taught in other schools and worked as a Veterinary Nurse.
What you do for fun?
I love spending time with my family, friends and pets. I also teach puppy pre-school and love it! I am a powerlifter so you will often find me in a gym!
Hannah Cole
What you are teaching/excited about this year?
I am teaching Outdoor Education, Environmental Studies, Geography, English, History, PE and the Year 8 Push program. I am really looking forward to all of it! Most of my time will be with Year 8's but I will be teaching all years up to Year 11. I think it'll be awesome to be working with so many year levels. I am always excited about any time outdoors - camps, field trips, working in the BHCS garden and just general adventures!
What did you do previously?
I have worked in Outdoor Education for the last eight years taking school groups from around Victoria away for their school camps. I have worked as a specialist in rafting, canoeing, caving, biking and bush walking but did heaps of other fun things as well. Most recently I worked as a Program Manager which meant I had to do a lot more admin, staff and student support, food and gear logistics, driving heavy vehicles and trailers, and all those behind-the-scenes kinds of tasks, but I still got to do the 'fun' stuff too! Phew!
What you do for fun?
In my spare time I like to do a little bit of most things. I love rafting, ocean and pool swimming, bush walking, reading, caving, running, drinking chai cooked up on my stove, philosophising with friends, fiddling on my guitar, and of course eating great food (eating is a hobby right?)
Jane Sheppard
What you are teaching/excited about this year?
I'm feeling very privileged and thankful to God for this opportunity to join the Junior School team as the Learning Enhancement Specialist. I am most looking forward to getting to know and journeying with the students and teachers at this amazing school through learning, personal development, and a lot of fun! I've been told that this is a community that enjoys a good hearty laugh!
What did you do previously?
Over the past 17 years I have worked in a variety of school contexts as an educational Speech-Language Pathologist providing learning support and training. I have always preferred working in schools because I love helping students develop an interest in learning and experience "Ah-ha!" moments through day-to-day experiences.
What you do for fun?
I love being in nature and seeing God's fingerprints in the environment around us - which is another reason I'm so thankful to be working at BHCS! My 'happy place' is looking up into a great big tree with branches that stretch wide above my head. Also, being entertained and smothered by our two fur-babies (dogs!), Nugget and Skye! Spending time in their presence with my husband is always fun as they have a special way of bringing joy into any situation.
