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.