Great Scot December 2017 GreatScot_152_Dec_Online | Page 17

Staff in profile
Interview with
Brendan Frost
Brendan Frost and his young family were
welcomed to Scotch in 2016 , with Brendan
undertaking the role of a Year 5 class teacher.
He quickly displayed wonderful personal
qualities, including keenness to take on additional
responsibilities and teaching and learning skills,
and knowledge of a high standard. He has since
been in charge of Bradshaw House, actively
involving himself in a range of sports, and ensuring
the smooth running of the skiing program.
Prior to joining Scotch, he had teaching roles
in Sydney, New Zealand and in parts of Africa,
where he had responsibilities in areas such as
head of inquiry learning, specialist music teacher,
eLearning coordinator, year level coordinator,
boarding housemaster, head swimming coach,
and master in charge of rugby. He has maintained
his connections with the African communities
through charity work and fundraising.
Brendan has a strong belief that engagement
is the most vital component of teaching, and it is
something that he continuously reflects on as an
educational professional. He ensures that boys in
his classroom are enthusiastic, energetic lifelong
learners.
He is also to be commended for his willingness
to collaborate with staff and to provide professional
development opportunities for his colleagues.
Importantly, his students leave his class with a
sense of their role in their own learning and a global
perspective.
BRIAN SAMPSON – DIRECTOR OF STUDIES
What is the best advice you have ever
received?
The most memorable bit of advice came from
my father when he said, ‘Kindness can go a long
way.’ This has enabled me to put myself in other
people’s shoes and to be as empathetic and
understanding as possible towards my students
and members of the school community.
Where has your teaching taken you so far in
your career?
I commenced my teaching career in Parramatta,
NSW, at the King’s Preparatory School 10 years
ago, and since then I have enjoyed the travelling
opportunities that have come from teaching in
different countries. One of my most memorable
moments was getting involved with adult education
in Moshi, Tanzania, and organising English classes
and debating with local Maasai. I also helped to
establish a charity called ‘Team Vista’, which raises
funds for many different projects in Tanzania. I have
been a director of this charity for nine years now.
Most recently I spent three years in rural
New Zealand, teaching at Waihi Boys’ School in
Canterbury. I thoroughly enjoyed how life in New
Zealand revolved around rugby union, and over my
three years I coached many different rugby teams.
There were many evenings and weekends spent
with all of the boarding boys.
What do you like most about your job?
The fact that every day, every month and every
year is different. It is a wonderful job that enables
you to grow and develop continuously as you
seek to try new things and engage the minds of
students in the 21st century. I very much like and
take seriously the role I have to play in encouraging
and guiding boys in their education. I also enjoy
those times inside or outside the classroom where
I can get to know my students to a greater extent.
What do you love about Scotch?
Scotch is indeed unique. I love the staff
camaraderie and teamwork that goes into
teaching and learning across all key learning areas.
Everyone is more than willing to lend a hand,
including boys and parents, and to get involved
with different events and activities. I really like that
Scotch strives to encourage each boy to find his
own passions and create his own imprint of his
time at Scotch.
What story will your colleagues tell about you
at your farewell speech when you retire?
There will probably be many stories to tell in the
coming years. However, they may talk of my terrible
forehand in table tennis or how I am constantly
running around or speaking way too quickly.
How do you make your ‘own space’ in the
busy school week?
Making my own space becomes a bit tricky,
especially when I have a young family at home.
However, it is the family times that I really enjoy. I
love watching my three children grow up. Although
it can be a bit full-on with a two-month-old, a
four-year-old and a five-year-old, it is a blast! I also
enjoy being active, doing my regular weekly jogs
and playing water polo on Thursday nights.
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