Great Scot December 2019 Great Scot 158_December_ONLINE | Page 40

STAFF IN PROFILE College (six years), then Melbourne Girls Grammar (eight years), and the last five years here at Scotch. Despite growing up in a family where my father was a mathematics teacher and school principal, I never thought I would end up in teaching. What are your roles at Scotch and what do you enjoy most about your work? My role at Scotch is Head of Psychology within the Science faculty. I love teaching the boys all aspects about the brain and how it impacts on our mental health, physical health, emotions and overall behaviour. I firmly support the fact that Psychology belongs to the Science domain, due to the importance of neurochemistry and the brain. This year I have also had the privilege to be involved as the TIC of the Year 11 Immersion Program. I found this rewarding to be part of overseeing the integral part of service-learning that the boys experience. Interview: KERRIE ARDLEY Head of Psychology What inspired you to become a teacher? I have always loved Science as a subject and competing in any form of sport, so I was originally interested in going on to study Physiotherapy to combine the two. When I was completing my Science degree at university, with the thought to specialise after the three years in Physiotherapy, I had to pick up an extra subject during my first year – and Psychology was an option. Psychology was not a subject on offer at my secondary school, so I thought that it sounded interesting. Although I loved 40 Great Scot Issue 158 – December 2019 studying anatomy, genetics and physiology at university, I was drawn to the brain and aspects of how mental health is of utmost importance to the overall health of us all. So I ended up specialising in Neurobiology and mental illness within the Psychology field. With mental health a huge societal issue, and having personally been affected by close friends who lost their battle with mental illness, I decided that it would be an amazing opportunity to be able to educate others and combine my love for Science and Psychology in the form of teaching. I have spent a total of 19 years teaching, starting off at St Bede’s What student stories impress you? The student stories that impress me are when I hear about how students can build on their resilience to cope and deal with life struggles, at the same time as they are expecting to learn and develop within a school environment. I love hearing about the students who find their passion in life, beyond the school gates; whether it be pursuing their sporting dreams or volunteering abroad and advocating for those who cannot advocate for themselves. What is your favourite place at Scotch? The rooftop garden on the Science building is a place for contemplation and reflection after a hard day’s work. What advice would you give to students as they leave Scotch? To find their passion and to be empathetic to others. What do you do to relax, away from Scotch? On the weekends I love spending time with family – especially my three nieces and two nephews (all aged under 10). Most weekends during the football season you will find me at an Essendon home match, cheering on the Bombers. Throughout the week I go to the gym to keep fit, and one night a week I play competitive basketball.