Meet our Staff

‘I like to think that I am supporting young women to empower themselves, work in teams and develop personal discipline.’

NESS ALEXANDRA

Ness has been Fintona’s Head Netball Coach since 2019, and during that time the number of netball teams has increased from six to twelve. Not only does Ness have an impressive list of coaching credentials but she also has an interesting background as a filmmaker and artist. Ness recently achieved her Advanced Coaching Certificate through Netball Australia and has been appointed the Coaching Director of Boroondara’s Representative Netball Program where she oversees the coordination of 500 players.

You have a background in the Arts, can you tell us more about this? I completed an Arts Degree at La Trobe University, studying cinema studies and drama. As part of my final year of drama, I wrote and produced a stage play that was then accepted into an international playwright’s festival. After travelling overseas for a few years, I completed a Diploma of Video Production which was a hands-on learning experience and gave me the industry connections I needed to get started. I won a Dendy Award and National Geographic Best Documentary award for a film I made for SBS in 2000. It was a film called ‘The Last Pecheniuk’ which focused on my aunt who had been missing for over 20 years, my Russian heritage, and the events that led to changing my name.

After starting a family, I studied Fine Art at Swinburne and as part of the course, I volunteered at an art gallery which then led to a permanent job. As an artist, I had three sell out solo shows, which was both confronting and exciting all at the same time. I mostly made works that involved mixed media and sculpture focused on feminism and how the female form is perceived.

How have the skills you developed in the arts benefited your coaching? I believe creative thinking and expression has helped me empathise with netball players as well as find new ways to teach a skill. Working with teams of people for a singular goal is a big part of filmmaking and applies to coaching. Organising my time and clear communication have all been things I have used as a netball coach too. What sport did you enjoy at school? Growing up I learnt ballet which I loved for its creativity and physical challenge. I played netball as well and although I was good at it due to my height, it wasn’t until I returned to the sport as a social and fitness activity as an adult that I really embraced it.

What do you find rewarding about coaching netball? Seeing a player apply what you have been teaching is very rewarding; the ‘aha’ moment. I love it when players turn and look at me during a game with the ‘I get it’ facial expression and when they enjoy and share my passion for netball. I like to think that I am supporting young women to empower themselves, work in teams and develop personal discipline.

Are you involved in sport outside of Fintona? I am a Coach Director for Boroondara Representative Netball, the coach of the Express Talent Squad for Boroondara Victorian Netball League and for Netball Victoria’s Talent Academy. This year I was also the coach of the Chisholm Open team for the State Titles.

As Music Teacher, Ben coordinates and teaches Fintona’s music program for students in ELC and Junior School, and teaches music in the Middle School. Ben’s passion for music extends well beyond teaching as he is also a professional musician performing in jazz groups as a double bassist. Ben sings and plays the electric bass and guitar and has played professionally in Australia, Italy, Germany and India and also live on radio and television. What music did you learn as a student? My first love was classic rock. I spent hours upon hours learning Rolling Stones, Beatles, AC/DC, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin music. I was the stereotypical teenager jumping up and down on my bed with a guitar playing along to music as loudly as possible. In Year 11, a teacher introduced me to jazz music which has since become my primary musical love.

What skills are important to be a successful music teacher? Music education requires a deep understanding of the mechanics of music: rhythm, harmony, melody, skills on a range of instruments, strong performance skills and a solid understanding of vocal technique. But, perhaps more importantly, is the ability to convey and facilitate the learning of this information in ways developmentally appropriate for students. Employing a range of strategies to build a student’s performance confidence is also critical. As I’ve become more experienced as a teacher, I’ve realised that every student’s journey is very different; understanding their individual motivations and developing a supportive culture conducive to create risk-taking and exploration are vitally important.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? It is an absolute joy working with students across all age groups. The enthusiasm of younger students is wonderful and inspiring. It is a privilege to be able to introduce students to songs, dances, instruments, and genres of music at a younger age and see this blossom into a love for music. For senior students, I love witnessing the growth of their skills and the emergence of talented, motivated musicians and artists. I am regularly blown away by spectacular virtuosic classical performances, expressive rock and musical theatre performance, beautiful songs written by students and incredible compositions.

Has it helped in your teaching being a professional musician? Probably the main area of experience I draw on are the strategies I’ve developed to overcome performance anxiety. I’ve prepared for many stressful and at times intimidating performances and recording dates. I draw from my own experience when creating individual strategies with students but also try to replicate the culture of support, joy, and friendship that I’ve felt when musical projects have been at their most successful.

‘I love witnessing the growth of their skills and the emergence of talented, motivated musicians and artists.’