Welcome new staff: Part 2

More about our new faces 2017

In the last edition, we brought you profiles of some of our newest members of the Northcote High School staff. Here are some more for you to get to know. The next edition of the newsletter will feature the third and final instalment of this series.

David Macindoe

I grew up not far from Northcote, in Ivanhoe and feel fortunate to be living in Melbourne. I studied an Arts/Science degree at Monash, majoring in History, French and Physics, and then completing honours in Physics. During my undergraduate, I took part in an exchange to Quebec in Canada in order to refine my French language skills. In 2016 I studied the MTeach at Melbourne University while working as the resident science tutor at Queen's College. I've loved the very rewarding experience of teaching students who live in the same community as me. Otherwise, I am a keen basketball player and am the vice-president of my high school's old collegians' basketball club. I am most excited about finally beginning my career as a teacher, something I have hoped to do since I myself was in Grade five!

Breanna Flynn

I live in the northern suburbs and graduated Year 12 in 2016 at Lalor North College. I studied Legal Studies, Health and Human Development, Psychology, Literature and English.  After applying for universities late last year, I received a first round offer into RMIT for Criminal Justice, which I have deferred for a year. Wanting to further my education without going straight into secondary study I opted for a year traineeship in which I will receive a Certificate 3 in Business, hence my position at reception in Northcote High School. Received with respect and friendly staff I am enjoying my position so far and hopefully will for the rest of the year.

Ben Orphin

I was born and raised in Milton, a small coastal farming town on the south coast of NSW. My secondary education was at Ulladulla High school, a large co-ed school with a diverse student population. I was lucky enough to be mentored by a number of young teachers who eventually inspired me consider a future teaching career. I spent a 'Gap Year' working in hospitality, ski instructing and backpacking around South East Asia and studied Health and Physical Education at the University of Wollongong. During my undergraduate I also studied on exchange at the University of Alberta in Canada, where I pursued my interests in Outdoor and Environmental Education. Shortly after graduating I started my career Outdoor Education at Optimum Experiences. Here I worked in many roles over a number of years, while casual teaching. 

In 2014 I moved to Melbourne and worked as a CRT at Princes Hill SC and Melbourne Girls’ College. In 2015 I started at Melbourne Girls’ College, teaching Health, PE, Sport and Outdoor Education for two years. In this time I had the opportunity to assist in coordinating the rowing program, sport program and lead a group of 31 students on the ‘Great Victorian Bike Ride’. 

My first impression of Northcote High School is that it is a vibrant and supportive school community. I very much look forward to being a part of the Northcote High School community and working with mixed gender classes again. 

Michelle Shen

I am a former student of Northcote High in 2008. I have a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in mathematics and a Master of Teaching degree from The University of Melbourne. I have been working at Reservoir High School and Yarra Hills Secondary College in recent years.  Maths is my strength and I had opportunities to teach Further Maths, Maths Methods, Specialist Maths and VCAL Maths. I am looking forward to participating in both Maths programme and broader school programmes.