MEET YOUR SENIOR SCHOOL TEACHERS
Meet just some of our Senior School staff. Our teaching & support staff are experts in their fields.
Their breadth of knowledge and life experiences add a rich and deep level of unparalleled learning that extends well beyond the classroom.
This knowledge and experience is passed on to our students as they are mentored and challenged to think deeply about possibilities and to strive to individually achieve their best.
Jess Bertram
Teacher
Maths
Favourite song: Blackbird by The Beatles
Favourite place: Port Sorell, North East Tasmania
Inspired by: Family, friends and Pinterest
Favourite book: Flowers in the Attic by Virginia Andrews
If you could be any animal? Probably one of my rabbits… they’re pretty spoilt!, or Paddington, our College Therapy Dog.
Why SOC? There is a sense of community at SOC that I have never seen at a school before. The staff, students and families all have the same goal – to have the students grow up to be the best possible humans that they can be.
Caroline Catchlove-Owen
Teacher
Science & Maths
Favourite song: That depends on my mood. Anything from classical to metal.
Favourite place: Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Queensland
Inspired by: Sir Richard Attenborough
Favourite book: Too many to list. “If trees could speak” by Bob Beale?
If you could be any animal? Brahminy kite: freedom of flight, lives by the ocean.
Why SOC? The great sense of community. Wonderful, supportive staff who genuinely want the best for our future leaders – our students.
Carmel Dilger
Teacher
Art
Favourite song: Here comes the sun by The Beatles
Favourite place: Anywhere quiet with a good view of the sky or where I can spend time with friendly faces.
Inspired by: People who have infinite amounts of patience and good humour.
Favourite book: George’s Marvellous Medicine by Roald Dahl. The first ‘long book’ I read.
If you could be any animal? I’d be my dog, because she is living the dream!
Why SOC? I love that it’s a place that is friendly and fun and open to new ideas and challenges. The students are great to work with and we all encourage each student to carve their own path.
Stephanie Morris
Teacher
French
Favourite song: Better Than by John Butler Trio
Favourite place: Home is Western Australia so it would have to be there.
Inspired by: Bethany Hamilton – who after a tragic shark attack at a young age had the strength and determination to achieve her dreams.
Favourite book: No favourite, but I do enjoy biographies.
If you could be any animal? Dolphin – social, intelligent and playful.
Why SOC? We strive to be innovative and provide a safe and supportive environment for everyone. There is a great sense of belonging and opportunities for students to engage with our broader community.
Paul McKendrick
Head of Health and Physical Education & Teacher
Health and Physical Education
Favourite song: Beloved by Mumford and Sons
Favourite place: Croatia as a tourist destination. North Lilydale on a sunny day with family.
Inspired by: Le Bron James, but importantly anyone who truly challenges themselves.
Favourite book: I am a lover of autobiographies- Stan Alves, Chris Judd, Mike Tyson, Matthew Hayden….
If you could be any animal? A wedge-tailed eagle.
Why SOC? After 23 years of teaching & seeing the world, it is great to come back to my home state & an amazing institution. It has an international school feel, where teaching & learning as well as the wellbeing of students takes centre stage.
Nick Bean
Teacher
Maths & Science
Favourite song: Too tough to narrow down to one.
Favourite place: Hobart (Although I shoudn’t really say that!?)
Inspired by: My work colleagues and family are inspiring people – Generally inspired by people who live with purpose and passion.
Favourite book: Nuclear physics for babies is a good read.
If you could be any animal? I’ll stick with human.
Why SOC? SOC is a place that connects simultaneously with local and international communities and the opportunities are far-reaching. If students (or staff) have a passion for academics, arts, sports, etc the College will always support people in achieving those goals.
Julie Heggarty
Teacher
Heath & Physical Education
Favourite song: Too difficult to pick just one, and it depends on my mood!
Favourite place: Antrim Castle Ground, Northern Ireland
Inspired by: My Grandfather, he is 94 and amazing! Kind, loving, positive, energetic, generous, active and fun. He also lives across the road from my favourite place, probably why it is my favourite place!
Favourite book: Again, too difficult to choose! So many! The Harry Potter Series, Atonement by Ian McEwan….
If you could be any animal? A Golden Retriever
Why SOC? Coeducational; passionate, caring and dedicated staff; an excellent variety of opportunities and experiences available; great facilities; wonderful students.
Ian Britcliffe
Teacher
Maths
Favourite song: Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses
Favourite place: Quamby Golf Club
Inspired by: Albert Einstein
Favourite book: The Magus by John Fowles
If you could be any animal? Dog
Why SOC? Friendly, welcoming and supportive community.
Fiona Taylor
Teacher
Science
Favourite song: Lyrical Lawyer by DJ Wince featuring Nicky T (Written and produced by Year 12 Music students in 2017)
Favourite place: Mountain tops
Inspired by: Mother Teresa
Favourite book: Eragon by Christopher Paolini
If you could be any animal? Horse
Why SOC? The fantastic people I teach and work with and the facilities that make anything possible.
Rob Bastick
Teacher
Applied Technology
Favourite song: Luca Brasi’s cover of How To Make Gravy by Paul Kelly
Favourite place: Tasmania’s National Parks and its East Coast beaches
Inspired by: Dylan Alcott
Favourite book: Impossible to have one, maybe Island Home by Tim Winton
If you could be any animal? Wedge Tailed Eagle
Why SOC? A fantastic sense of community, great students and great staff come to mind!
Kyla Thorp
Senior School Head of House (Nance) & Teacher Science
Favourite song: If I Could Turn Back Time by Cher
Favourite place: Swanwick
Inspired by: My children, looking at the world through the eyes of a child makes me wonder and want to learn more.
Favourite book: Tandia by Bryce Courtenay
If you could be any animal? Dog, they find happiness in the smallest of things.
Why SOC? The holistic approach to education, wanting every student to achieve their potential no matter their interests.
Mark Hassell
Head of Experiential Learning & Teacher
Forensic Investigations
Favourite song: Let’s Get Down by Supafly
Favourite place: Anywhere in the bush, but particularly the coast and mountains of Tasmania.
Inspired by: my wife. She’s caring, diligent, funny, intelligent and inspires me to be a better person.
Favourite book: Tribe by Sebastian Junger.
If you could be any animal? Polar Bear. Versatile and efficient on land or water, strong but nurturing, inquisitive and adaptable.
Why SOC? It’s a very positive and dynamic place to work. The students are fantastic, and my colleagues are fun and innovative to work with. The College has a lovely atmosphere about it.
