In final edition of 'Meet the Teacher' for 2015, we speak with Mrs. Natalie Savage, a member of our Secondary School Teaching Team and Head of Sport.
Name: Natalie Savage – Head of Sport (Secondary) & Secondary School Teacher – Natalie.savage@marymede.vic.edu.au
What is your role at the College?
For the past 5 years I have been a part of the Secondary Health and Physical Education team as a Teacher which has seen me teach Years 7-12 Health and Years 7-10 P.E in addition to coaching several of our sporting teams including Netball, Tennis and Athletics. My greatest success as a Coach at Marymede Catholic College would be with our boys Volleyball team who have won Premierships in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
I have also been a Tutor Teacher as part of the Chanel Guild.
Tell us about an interesting project or topic that you are currently running with one of your classes?
My day is always jam-packed and very busy, usually I’m up at 5.00am to fit in my own training and then off to either swimming training at Mill Park YMCA (Term 4) or at my desk organising the day ahead.
This year I have had the pleasure of teaching Year 12 Health and Human Development as well as the first group of Year 11 VET Sport and Recreation students along with Years 9-10 HPE. As I knew many of the Year 12’s when they were fresh faced Year 7 students, it was an honour to be a part of their journey and to support them in their final year of study at Marymede Catholic College.
Being involved in the HPE and Sport Department means there is always something happening, whether it’s training, match-day or lunchtime competitions, it’s a very fun place to be involved in and extremely rewarding. I am very lucky to work in a team full of passionate, dedicated and enthusiastic Staff who are always keen to get the best out of everyone.
What is the most rewarding aspect of being a Teacher?
There are many aspects of teaching that I find rewarding. I see myself as a role-model for future generations and not just simply a ‘Teacher’, so whether it be students achieving top marks or simply receiving a smile in the schoolyard from students, teaching brings something new, challenging, different and exciting every day.
I always love it when people say “teachers have the best holidays, they get 20 weeks off a year”.
Those of us who are teachers know that those ‘holidays’ never end up being a holiday as there’s usually work on laptops or a bag full of corrections to take home!
Fast Five:
Favourite Food: Avocado (Healthy), Ice Cream (Treat)
Favourite Movie/TV Show: Keeping up with the Kardashians (Allows me to switch off my brain!)
Hidden Talent or Something We May Not Know About You:
- I have represented Victoria in Table Tennis at the National Championships
- I am Level 6 Gymnast
- I have played womens AFL
- I love wakeboarding and skiing
- Have played State League netball for VU in a championship division
- I hold a brown belt in Karate
- Played Grade 1 Victorian tennis
Favourite Sporting Team/Athlete:
This changes often as I generally like to get behind female athletes having a positive impact for all females in sport. For 2015 I would say: Ronda Rousey, Serena Williams, Alana Blanchard, Sally Fitzgibbons and Michelle Payne.
If You Could Pick Any 3 People as Dinner Guests, Who Would They Be and Why?:
My Husband – I never seem to have time to spend with him.
My Parents – They are the best parents anyone could ask for.
Beyoncé – Ultimate girl-power!
Mrs. Savage at the Marymede Catholic College Swimming Carnival