Meet the Teacher - Mr. Derek McConn

 
News date: 
12/11/2015

 

In this edition of 'Meet the Teacher' we speak with Mr. Derek McConn, a member of our Secondary School Teaching Team and Head of Health and Physical Education.

Name: Derek McConn – Head of Health and Physical Education (Secondary) & Secondary School Teacher – derek.mcconn@marymede.vic.edu.au

What is your role at the College?

I am the Head of Health and Physical Education (7 – 12) and I also currently teach Years 7-10 Physical Education, VCE Physical Education and Sport.

My role here at Marymede Catholic College is to facilitate the delivery of a broad and inclusive physical education program for all students in Years 7-12.

Tell us about an interesting project or topic that you are currently running with one of your classes?

Currently, the Health and Physical Education (HPE) team are working on the development of a VCE Concept Program (Years 7-10) in Physical Education which is to be introduced in 2016.

Simply put, our students will be introduced to VCE concepts from Year 7 accelerating their learning in a practical setting. For example, rather than a student in Year 7 just completing an athletics unit, in 2016 they will gain an understating of the concept of ‘Energy Systems’ through the medium of athletics. We will be introducing several VCE concepts to our student cohort in this manner across the Years 7-10 Physical Education program.

We believe this will give Marymede students who wish to study subjects in the HPE domain a significant advantage as they enter their VCE program in the coming years.

My day is broken up between teaching and facilitating the design and delivery of our outstanding Physical Education program at the College. This requires regular meetings with Staff, collaborating on the creation of new ideas, making relevant bookings for external coaches and events, researching and planning new ideas for curriculum development and setting a plan in place where these new ideas can be delivered effectively and on time.

What is the most rewarding aspect of being a Teacher?

Researching and introducing innovative new approaches to developing our program is extremely enjoyable. The real reward is seeing our students engaged on a level which surpasses even their own expectations.

Additionally, working with a team who share the same vision, passion and values makes every day an enjoyable experience at Marymede Catholic College.

Fast Five:

Favourite Food: Fajitas (Mexican Irish Food!)

Favourite Movie/TV Show: Game of Thrones

Hidden Talent or Something We May Not Know About You: I love to make homemade wine.

Favourite Sporting Team/Athlete: Arsenal FC – I’m a ‘Gooner’ (Nickname used to describe Arsenal fans – derived from the team’s nickname ‘The Gunners’)

If You Could Pick Any 3 People as Dinner Guests, Who Would They Be and Why?:

Dennis Bergkamp – Arsenal Football Club great!

Joe Cooney – An Irish hurling legend.

My Mum – I haven’t seen her in ages!

 

Mr. McConn with members of the 2015 Marymede High Performance Academy.