5 minute read
Staff
STAFF PROFILES
One story at a time, meet the staff who make up the KWS community.
Jessica Shanahan English Teacher
Jessica grew up on a small farm in Tamworth, NSW, and went to a boarding school in Armidale. For Jessica there was much excitement and adventure growing up as her Dad trained horses for a hobby and therefore each weekend Jessica and her family would traverse country NSW to attend race meetings.
Having travelled to over 20 different countries, Jessica lived in England for a year where she taught in a school, prior to living in Sydney for six years where she also taught ESL to newly-arrived refugees. As for many, choosing to study at the University of Sydney helped Jessica to become a critical thinker in a way that school could not and for that she is able to view the world much more generously.
Perhaps these skills helped Jessica to overcome the challenges of organising a musical festival for over a thousand people. While she was in way over her head, it all came together and Jessica has embraced what was to become a maxim that would guide her life: “Just say yes and you’ll figure it out afterwards”. (Tina Fey).
When the busy English teacher is not reading five different class novels and researching five different author contexts at the same time, Jessica is working on a number of her own narrative essays, saying “I want young people to realise before the age I did, that life is not a map to follow. It is good to be bold. And there is no better tool for innovation than a pen”.
Liam Callaghan Geography Teacher
Liam has been fortunate enough to pursue a teaching career as a Geography specialist but he has taught all of the Social Sciences (Commerce, Business Studies, Economics and Geography). Born in Orange, Liam studied a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters of Teaching at the University of Sydney before returning to his hometown. Liam says that “my decision to pursue a career in teaching has enabled me to share a number of my passions with students and as a result, I have remained enthusiastic about my work, not only as a teacher but also as a Rugby coach”.
Liam’s enthusiasm for the outdoors and being active is not limited to his career choice. Liam has always enjoyed playing sport and has spent plenty of time in the Snowy Mountains, where he thoroughly enjoys going fly fishing and mountain bike riding. In fact, Liam has travelled to New Zealand 15 times for fly fishing and is a member of the Orange Trout Acclimatisation Society, which is the oldest Acclimatisation Society in Australia.
A self-proclaimed cook, Liam gets a huge enjoyment out of food…eating and cooking it. “It is safe to say that next time I travel to Italy, I will make sure that I am fully prepared to speak the language and that I eat my way through the country.” While his three children demand his attention, making it difficult to find spare time, Liam enjoys making sausages and salami and is currently spending a lot of time on smoking different meats.
STAFF PROFILES
Rebecca Essex Preparatory School Teacher
Rebecca Essex is a dedicated teacher at Kinross Wolaroi Preparatory School. Having travelled across Australia in an HG ute with her husband and his dog, Rebecca is always willing to experience new adventures.
Growing up for Rebecca involved lots of outside play with her sisters and brothers, organised sport and spending time with friends. Since then, Rebecca still finds enjoyment in spending time with her family and friends, as well as sewing and reading. In fact, Rebecca is a member of a book club that has been together for 11 years.
While at Kinross Wolaroi School, Rebecca has proven her leadership ability. She recently joined the National Excellence in School Leadership Initiative (NESLI) Leading Teachers Colloquium program that is being offered to enhance the professional learning opportunities for staff at KWS. Juggling this, Rebecca also runs the Student Representative Council in the Preparatory School, which allows children to voice the ideas of their peers and to action projects.
Rebecca studied a Bachelor of Education Early Childhood at Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, and has certainly grown into the job. “Children are fun to work with. It’s nice to know that you are making a difference to their lives, not just academically but by helping them understand themselves and the world they live in a little bit better.” Having lived in Sydney, Wingham and Bathurst, Rebecca sees herself continuing to reside in Orange, feeling all the richer for the family, friends and experiences she has had.
IN MEMORIAM
John Wenham Former Head Chef
John passed away after a short battle with cancer in Orange on 15 May 2016. John worked as the Head Chef at Kinross Wolaroi School for 27 years and was a much admired and respected member of the School and wider community. In his role, John led his team in supporting the thousands of boarding students who have passed through the School over the past quarter century by providing that most essential of “home comforts” – a warm meal prepared with love and attention.
In recent times, John had enthusiastically embraced the reforms to catering services that have been implemented and took the lead in designing and project managing the installation of the new kitchen facilities at PLC. He was very proud of the service that was being delivered and was working hard to develop new and innovative menus for “his” boarders. The kitchen will stand as a permanent legacy to John’s dedication to the School and to all the staff and students who have passed through the campus during his 27 years here.
John leaves behind best friend and wife Fiona, seven children, 12 grandchildren and many friends in both the School and wider community.
