Staff Welcome

Welcome

STAFF

JENNY HOWARD-MERRISON

Reception

My search for a Catholic school with a warm community has ended, St Aloysius ticks the box for me. I realised this in my first couple of weeks with the school. I have been made to feel welcome.

I was born in Melbourne (not sharing the year) and spent my school years in Preston. My favourite school subjects being Biology, Home Economics and Drama – quite an odd mix! I also had another passion: singing. I have sung with the Melbourne Opera Chorus and performed in several operas with them, but my passion would be musical comedy. I am a Rogers &

I am delighted to be teaching Literature at St Aloysius. It is a lifelong passion for me and it is such a joy to work with students who respond with equal passion and engagement. Joining just days before yet another lockdown was interesting to say the least but made so much easier by the goodwill and help extended. Apart from the sheer love of a good book to curl up with, I have enjoyed teaching IB Literature and Theory of Knowledge. Managing the Diploma Programme in various schools was an education in itself which I share with other educators in workshops and consultancy assignments. I am, therefore, very interested in the implementation of the ULP at St Aloysius. Hammerstein geek and just love the lyrics and music.

COVID-19 has taken the joy of performance away from me so I hope when the situation arises, I can again sing with gusto and not just in the shower. Until such time I will of course welcome any requests for a rendition of that birthday song when required!

I have many other interests, including cooking, gardening, reading biographies, politics, listening to classical music & decorating (I like to zhoosh).

My education has been somewhat checkered, moving schools every couple of years – the life of a third culture kid. The thread that held it together was studying in Catholic schools and eventually a Catholic college at university for an honours degree in English. I still feel compelled to re-use envelopes by steaming them open and I can never ever waste a single line in a notebook!! I completed my education with an M.Phil from the University of Hong Kong writing a thesis on post-colonial and feminist literature.

My other interests are slow cooking, leisurely rambles with my dog, and Iyengar yoga.

KAVITA MATHAI

Strive for Higher Things