Teacher Profiles

Our excellent teachers are the backbone of our school. Each Inspirations we will be highlighting two of our teachers, getting to know their inspirations. This issue, we feature Junior School teacher Liz Hender (Music) and Senior School teacher Olivia Samachetty (Science and Maths).

Liz Hender Music

Q: Why did you become a teacher?

I’m the eldest of five children and teaching always came naturally to me. I started teaching piano when I was 14 years old and loved working one-on-one with students. In 2015 while working as an instrumental teacher at KDS, I enrolled at uni to get my classroom qualifications and now it’s the bulk of my work.

Q: What is your favourite part of teaching?

Seeing the “ah-ha” moment on a student’s face when they’ve made a connection. I also love seeing the happiness of students when making music together.

Q: How long have you been teaching at King David?

Over seven years now! I started in 2015.

Q: Where did you teach before King David?

I ran my own business teaching piano to students and worked as an accompanist.

Q: What drew you to music?

At the age of six I heard a little girl playing piano and I wanted to learn. I taught myself to play nursery rhymes on a small toy piano. My parents finally signed me up for lessons when I was 11.

Q: What instrument/s do you play?

Piano is the main instrument I studied at university but I also played the violin growing up. As an adult I’ve learnt to play clarinet and a couple of other instruments to a basic level (It’s never too late to learn an instrument!)

Q: What’s your favourite instrument to teach?

I love teaching piano to students but I also enjoy working with students in choir and developing their singing and voices.

Q: What do you like about teaching at King David?

I love the connection I feel to Israel. I was born in Haifa but we left Israel when I was 4 and I didn’t feel like I had a strong connection with my background until I started working at KDS.

Q: What is your favourite memory from teaching at King David?

There are plenty! Some of my favourite memories are towards the end of the year putting on shows with the students and hearing them perform and display the work they’ve completed throughout the year.

What are your hobbies outside of school?

My hobbies have changed a lot since having a baby last year and now I spend most of my time with my daughter, husband and Kenny (our golden retriever who works as a therapy dog at school with me). I love to run and bake when I can fit it in and I’m passionate about volunteering with Seeing Eye Dogs.

Q: What’s something that might surprise us about you?

I grew up on a dry fruit block in Mildura. I’m a country girl through and through!

Olivia Samachetty Science & Maths

Q: Why did you become a teacher

I have a passion for education, particularly in the areas of science and mathematics.

Q: What is your favourite part of teaching?

Being able to facilitate my students on their individual learning journeys.

Q: When did you start at King David?

The beginning of this year.

Q: Where did you teach before King David?

A few schools around Australia and England, including the Jewish Community Secondary School JCOSS (England) and Mackay Christian College (Queensland).

Q: What drew you to Science and Maths?

During my own secondary schooling I didn’t particularly enjoy Science and Mathematics. Towards the end of my schooling and into my tertiary studies I enjoyed the area of numeracy and the various branches of science - in particular, food science and combining food with Mathematics!

Q: What do you like about teaching at King David?

I love the inclusive environment and have been inspired by many of my students! I love how passionate many of our students are about various areas of Science! All of the staff across the School have been very welcoming too.

Q: What are your hobbies outside of school?

Boxing, travel, spending time with family and friends, and I am a massive foodie!

Q: What’s something that might surprise us about you?

I can speak three languages, including French!