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Staff in the Spot light

After gaining a Bachelor of Science degree with honours and a Diploma of Education, both from the University of Melbourne, Helen Feutrill became head of Chemistry at Methodist Ladies' College, and then moved to the USA, where she taught Mathematics at The Miquon School in Pennsylvania.

Returning to Melbourne, Helen taught Science and Mathematics at Balwyn High School, and then was appointed head of middle school Science at Melbourne Grammar School. At Scotch, Helen teaches Science, Chemistry and ICT Integration.

Interview with Helen Feutrill

What is the best thing about being a teacher at Scotch?

I suppose most teachers would say that they teach because they want to make a difference, and being a teacher at Scotch is no exception. However, at Scotch we benefit from having a clientele who want to learn, are generally well behaved, and strongly supported by their parents, which makes our job as teachers so much easier and more enjoyable.

There is also a strong sense of collegiality and support among the staff. Knowing that your colleagues all share a love of teaching and the desire to help not only the boys, but each other, makes it a very rewarding place to work.

There’s an old saying, ‘when you become a teacher, by your students you’ll be taught’. What have your students taught you?

In these days of increasing use of technology, I have done my best to keep up with innovations, but you can always guarantee that there is one student who knows more about it than you do. As teachers it is sometimes hard to let go and become the learner again, but it is rewarding to see the satisfaction a student gets when he can teach you something, which reminds you that you are never too old to learn.

Scotch is proud of its traditions, some of which date back many decades. How do you think the great traditions of the past are still of relevance or benefit to the students of today?

I believe that the most powerful traditions at Scotch are those which deal with strengthening personal qualities, and these are relevant to all generations. Courtesy and consideration of others cost you nothing but bring huge rewards, and this has been a strong guiding principle at Scotch through the years. Small acts of kindness, sharing, saying sorry, and helping without expecting reward are easily forgotten in this busy world, and reinforcing these can only benefit our students.

What are the major changes/innovative practices in the way you (or the whole School community) cater to the needs of students today?

Without doubt the introduction of technology has heralded major changes in the School environment. As teachers we have access to an up-to-date online profile of every student, which enables us to cater for individual differences from day one in the School year.

In the classroom, students no longer rely on chalk and talk but gain their information through video, audio and the internet. Data show projectors, interactive whiteboards and student response devices give instant feedback, allowing rapid responses in learning situations.

Communication with students and parents no longer stops at the School gate at 3.30pm, with staff expected to be contactable by email after School hours. Mobile phones, iPads and laptop computers have become more commonplace and are increasingly being incorporated into the curriculum. Work is now handed in electronically as the demand for students to be fully conversant with ICT increases.

And let us not forget that in these days of emphasis on legal liability, there is increasing demand for teachers to be first aiders, sports coaches, alcohol, drug and relationship educators, risk managers, counsellors and administrators, as well as being first rate academics. Sometimes we wish there were 25 hours in a day!

What student expressions of personal growth most impress you?

Rising to a challenge is not always easy for adolescent boys, and those who achieve this earn my respect and admiration. It is always impressive to see students who have the strength to change their behaviour in response to being disciplined, attempt and achieve something which is outside their comfort zone; or even just learn to admit that they are wrong and face the consequences of their actions with equanimity.

How do you make your ‘own space’ in the busy School week?

So much of our day is spent in a classroom or in front of a computer, so when I need a break to clear my head, I walk. The grounds at Scotch are superb and walking by the river or down by the ovals stretches all those cramped muscles and gives me time to think. It is amazing how just changing a venue can inspire creative ideas, relieve tension and give you a new lease on life.

Please tell us about some amusing or memorable moments during your teaching career at Scotch.

Boys can be exceptionally creative, and when they get an idea they love, the buzz is infectious. The annual mousetrap racer derby where students build and race mousetrap-powered cars is always a highlight of the year as the boys cheer on their cars. Watching six boys construct and then try to cram themselves into geodesic domes they have built out of newspaper can be exciting and often hilarious.

Updated: Monday 24 June 2013