Welcome to The Staffroom Series, a new feature where we introduce you to some of our teachers and support staff across the College.
Through this series, we will learn a little more about their roles and get to know the people behind the work they do each day.
What is your role at the College and how long have you been here?
This is my sixth year at Thomas Hassall. First and foremost, I am an English teacher, though I also wear a couple of other hats at the College. I am currently one of the Year 8 Advisors, as well as the Liddell House Advisor.
What do you love about teaching at Thomas Hassall?
I get a lot of fulfilment from seeing students encounter new ideas and gradually come to understand them more deeply. It is incredibly rewarding to watch students think critically, debate ideas and push themselves beyond simply receiving information. In an age where technology and artificial intelligence are becoming more and more prominent, I think that kind of deep, independent thinking is more important than ever.
With regard to the College, I have always felt welcome and like I belong. That sense of belonging has come from the students, the staff and the wider community. There is a lot of life at Thomas Hassall, and the longer I teach here, the more it feels like home. I have also had the pleasure of building some lifelong friendships here at Thomas Hassall, which speaks to the kind of place it is.
What is one thing students or staff might be surprised to learn about you?
I am generally an open book, but people who have not spoken to me much may not know that I am a big fan of horror films. Every year during October, I try to watch a horror film every day, which I appropriately call Shocktober. Beyond what we see visually, I think there is a lot we can take from the values, messages and ideas explored in film, and horror is no different. Additionally, I have been writing a novel for over a decade, since I was at university. I hope to publish it in the next five or six years, though it is still in the first draft stage.
If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be doing?
I have recently found a passion for nutrition, exercise and health, so if I were to change careers today, that is the field I would probably look into. Growing up, though, I always wanted to be a professional wrestler - I was and am still, a huge fan of Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Do you have a favourite Bible verse?
Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
This is a verse I return to constantly. I am a very dedicated and goal-oriented person and I do not give up on things easily. This verse is a daily reminder that through Christ, I can face challenges, big or small, with strength and perseverance.
Share a learning moment that has brought you joy recently.
As English teachers, we place a lot of value on guiding students in the development of their analytical writing. As students progress through school, we are constantly trying to strengthen and refine those skills. Earlier this year, while working with Year 10, I was teaching students how to sophisticate and complicate their analytical writing. Sometimes, when there is silence during a lesson, it can go one of two ways: either students are deeply engaged, or they are completely lost. After following up with some of the students after the lesson, it was encouraging to hear that they had mostly understood the concepts and skills we had been working on. Moments like this are particularly rewarding because they show students wrestling with new ideas, trying to make sense of them, and gradually developing greater confidence in their own thinking. As a teacher, it is always joyful to know that what you are doing is making a difference. Teaching the next generation is powerful, but it is also a huge responsibility, and I do not take that for granted.
What is your role at the College and how long have you been here?
I work at the Parent Reception desk in the Main Office. I've been at Thomas Hassall for a year and a half.
What do you love about teaching at Thomas Hassall?
I love working in a Christian environment and being surrounded by such supportive and wonderful colleagues.
What is one thing students or staff might be surprised to learn about you?
I absolutely love spicy food. I can happily eat whole fresh green chillies!
If you weren’t in your current role, what would you be doing?
I'd love to be an audiobook narrator or spend my days writing a kids book or novel.
Do you have a favourite Bible verse?
"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4
Share a learning moment that has brought you joy recently.
In my previous jobs, I always had to work during school holidays, so having school holidays off is something I really appreciate. It gives me valuable time to rest, recharge and spend time with my family.
What is your role at the College and how long have you been here?
I am a Junior School Specialist Teacher (Visual Arts) and this is my third year teaching at Thomas Hassall.
What do you love about working at Thomas Hassall?
I love being able to share my passion for Visual Arts with all the students from Year 1 through to Year 6 and encouraging them to be creative.
What is one thing students or staff might be surprised to learn about you?
Sometimes people are surprised to find out that I have five children, although I’m not sure what’s so surprising. I guess I just like kids. I loved growing up in a big family and wanted my children to have that love and support from each other. My youngest two were born in South America.
If you weren’t in your current role, what would you be doing?
Making art!
Do you have a favourite Bible verse?
Matthew 6:19-21
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Share a moment in your role that has brought you joy recently.
Teaching colour-mixing to our youngest students, it integrates learning across so many disciplines - part science, part maths and a whole lot of intuition and experimentation. They just squeal with delight, “I mixed gold! I mixed pink!”
