Kellie Lohrey Head of Christian Studies

In her own words.

I am the Head of Christian Studies (CS), a subject undertaken by all students from Years 7-12. Our CS curriculum delivers many exciting opportunities for learning starting with an introduction to Christianity and the story of Martin Luther in Year 7 to the exploration of the New Testament and Easter story in Year 8.

In Year 9 students undertake the yearlong Rite Journey Program, designed to support their development, create self-awareness, responsibility, respect, resilience and resourcefulness.

In Year 10 students explore concepts like what does it mean to be human? They also focus on faith in action with homelessness, Census 10, poverty and the work of the Australian Lutheran World Service.

The senior years program offers Year 11 students the opportunity to choose two religion-based electives and in their final year of school, Year 12 students undertake a discussion-based subject aimed to support them through their VCE journey with a focus on mindfulness and spirituality. Students at Luther are from a range of religious and non-religious backgrounds, and they bring to CS a wide range of understandings and experiences embodied in differing worldviews. This diversity is valued and accommodated through our curriculum and programs.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I have been at Luther College since 2010, prior to that I worked at an inner-city girl’s school where I ran Religious Education and pastoral care programs and developed a Tongan exchange program. I have also worked in church youth ministry and camping programs. At Luther, I teach Christian Studies, Food Technology and Aboriginal Studies.

I enjoy being in the classroom and working with students – I value the opportunity to teach students about the Christian story and challenge them to think deeply and reflect on the bigger questions in life. I enjoy teaching the Biblical stories and helping students to reflect on how stories provide meaning for our lives. I am grateful for the opportunity to build relationships with young people, to support and encourage them and make a difference in their lives. I particularly value the ‘aha’ moments in teaching when sudden insights or discoveries are revealed for students. I aim to create safe, welcoming, and inclusive classrooms where all students can belong and be valued.

During my time at Luther, I have established the Building Bridges Interfaith Schools’ Program – I have volunteered as the Eastern regional coordinator (overseeing 8 schools) for the Building Bridges program for the past 10 years. The program brings together Year 11 students from Jewish, Muslim, and Christian schools and establishes understanding between the religions. Students and staff develop relationships and learn about each other’s lives and religions. Despite Melbourne being the most multicultural city in the world, we often live in silos and lack understandings about those different from ourselves. This incredibly important and valuable program offers students an opportunity to break down barriers, misconceptions, and stereotypes. It mitigates against ignorance and promotes peace and respectful relationships. Students learn that there are many more things that connect us than divide us.

Another program I have established at Luther is Aboriginal Studies. There are very few schools who run dedicated Aboriginal Studies subjects and I am indebted to the college for their insight in supporting these subjects. Whilst I am not Aboriginal, I am passionate about teaching students the history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. I believe it is important for students to deepen their knowledge about the history of Australia and to begin to develop and understand cultural differences, sensitivities, and respect for diversity. We have embedded the Year 11 Central trip into the curriculum and students now participate in a six-month long program called Year 11 Aboriginal Cultural Studies, which involves learning and experiential education.

Recent proud moments?

The CS staff team are an amazing, dedicated team of professionals who are each committed to their Christian faith, and they bring a rich variety of denominational backgrounds. CS is a complex and challenging subject area to teach well. Together we are regularly reviewing curriculum and developing new programs and activities for students. I am proud that over the past few years we have significantly evaluated, and documented curriculum and we provide a contemporary program that is inclusive and rigorous.

Fav book

The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku & I Shall Not Hate by Dr Izzeldin Abuelaish

Fav movie

Forrest Gump

Fav Food

Too hard for a Food Studies teacher – I love all things food!

Fav travel destination

Anywhere with diversity, good food, warm weather and where I can learn stories of culture and life.

Best advice you have received

Often people will forget what you said, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

I am indebted to the CS staff for the support they offer me and also the programs we run – it is because of them we are able to offer so much to our students.

What are you excited about?

I am super excited about the ongoing development of CS. We are currently working hard to connect CS with Service Learning and incorporate practical aspects into the CS curriculum and programs. We have also begun cross curriculum work where CS is being supported and incorporated with other subject areas.

Sean Weatherill Head of Mathematics

In his own words.

I am the Head of Mathematics at Luther College, where I lead mathematics across Years 7-10, including our Challenge and mastery classes, and then the three different VCE levels with General, Methods and Specialist.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m new to Luther College this year and have so far thoroughly enjoyed myself. It’s been exciting to get to know students and staff and their interests and to share my passion for mathematics.

I’ve been a teacher for close to ten years, having taught both middle (7-9) and senior (10-12) mathematics. Over the past three years I’ve also enjoyed a coaching role, working closely with and mentoring teachers. This gave me the opportunity to jump between classes, partnering with teachers, supporting, and developing their skills in the classroom. I was fortunate to do this because it opened my eyes to all the different and exciting things students can be part of each and every day, and it’s improved my own teaching methodology.

I enjoy what I do because of all the little connections that exist in mathematics and while all subjects have those ‘ahh’ moments, I believe mathematics does it the best, that moment when you see a student understand exactly what you have taught them. Planning a journey for students to take, setting them up for success and ensuring they get every opportunity to learn and discover these connections for themselves is nothing short of magical.

And your goals for the Mathematics program?

My goal for the Mathematics program is to see every student fulfill their potential in their maths classes. We want every student to have that feeling of success in mathematics, to know how useful their number skills can be in their everyday life and be confident and able to use them in a variety of settings, not just for the shortterm future, but for the rest of their lives. In a similar vein, I’d like to see students experience a range of different classroom activities over their time at Luther College that develop a wide range of problemsolving skills that can be used not just in situations involving mathematics, but all life situations.

Recent proud moments?

I’m proud of how readily our mathematics teachers are to help and support one another, there is genuine camaraderie. It seems there isn’t a day that goes by where there isn’t some resource, activity or idea that is being shared between us all. Everyone in the team is so passionate about what they do, and it’s been a pleasure to see just how eager everyone is to see all students succeed.

What are you excited about?

I’m excited to see the Luther mathematics program continue to grow and provide

Fav book Temple by Matthew Reilly

Fav movie

Inside Man (who doesn’t like a movie where the bad guys win?)

Fav Food

Sticky date pudding

Fav travel destination

Japan – it’s one of the few places I’d go back to.

Best advice you have received innovative pathways for students and to see the work they do connect with their day to day lives. Everyone has this innate sense of how important mathematics is (that’s why people get so nervous about maths classes!) and we’d like every student to leave with confidence and success. We already have so many exciting ways that we do this (everyone remembers the Game of Life project in Year 8!) and we’ll be looking at all the ways we can add to and extend these opportunities.

Students will forget what you teach them in day-to-day lessons, but they will never forget how you made them feel.

Fav thing about working with young people?

My favourite thing about working with young people is seeing the transformation that takes place over their time at school. When students start high school, they’re still children and are entering the next exciting phase of their lives. By the end of their high school journey, they are young and (mostly) mature adults, and it’s a pleasure to see the impact you have had on students making that journey.