In this edition of 'Meet the Teacher' we speak with Ms. Tracey Kift, our Deputy Principal - Learning and Teaching P-12.
Name: Tracey Kift – Deputy Principal - Learning and Teaching P-12 – tracey.kift@marymede.vic.edu.au
What is your role at the College?
I am Deputy Principal – Learning & Teaching P-12; I oversee the development of the curriculum from Prep to Year 12, professional learning for the teachers, the development of the timetable and lots of other interesting things. I also teach one class; this year I am very lucky to be working with the extraordinary Year 8 Extension Mathematics class.
Provide us with a 'snapshot' into your daily routine at the College:
There is no such thing as a normal day in my role – every day is very different and offers new challenges. Often my days have lots of meetings – with teachers, students or different teams and committees – and a lot of time spent working at my computer on developing plans for new initiatives and programs for our students. Other than the time I spend in my classroom teaching, my favourite part of the day is when I go out onto the Primary yard in the morning before school and get to enjoy the energy and enthusiasm of our students as they arrive for each new day at school. Even when I’m feeling a bit tired, the excitement of the primary students helps to kick start each day.
What do you love most about working at Marymede Catholic College?
I love the challenges of my job and the chance to be creative, to build relationships, to problem solve, to teach, and to always keep learning. It is so fantastic to work in a school that is vibrant and enthusiastic about new ideas; I’m excited to be a part of helping to realise the huge potential that Marymede has.
Fast Five:
Favourite Food: Cadbury Chocolate, anything made of potatoes, fresh bread, doughnuts …anything that’s sugary or full of carbohydrates!
Favourite Movie/TV Show: At the moment, Grimm and Suits are my favourite TV shows.
Hidden Talent or Something We May Not Know About You: I sing and have played the piano since I was 6. One of my many jobs when I was at university was singing and playing piano at the Warrandyte Hotel.
Favourite Sporting Team: I don’t follow any sport. But my 6-year old son is a Magpies supporter and my 7-year old son barracks for Bulldogs. So I probably either barrack for the Magdogs or the Bullpies.
If You Could Pick Any 3 People as Dinner Guests, Who Would They Be and Why?:
The thing that I enjoy most is seeing my sons enjoying themselves and exploring new ideas. Through helping them pursue their interests, I have learned so much and become interested in so many new things. So my 3 dinner guests would be people my sons would love to meet:
Brian Cox (Professor of Physics and Astronomy): To talk with them about space.
Andy Griffiths (Author of the Storey Treehouse Series): To talk to them about books and silly, fun stuff!
Adam Spencer (Comedian and Author of The Enormous Book of Numbers): To chat about all the cool/fun things about Mathematics!
