In this edition of 'Meet the Teacher' we speak with Ms Judeline Wadhwani, member of our College Executive Team, Secondary School Teacher and Head of Faith & Mission (P-12).
Name: Judeline Wadhwani - Head of Faith & Mission (P-12) - judeline.wadhwani@marymede.vic.edu.au
What is your role at the College?
I am a member of the College Executive, Combined Leadership and Secondary Leadership Teams.
I also teach Religious Education for students in Years 10 and 11. I love teaching both classes. The students are magnificent: very open to exploring issues of faith in contemporary living and to discussing justice awareness responses.
Tell us about an interesting project or topic that you are currently running with one of your classes?
An interesting project which we launched this term is the Year 5 and Year 10 Learning-Teaching Linkage.
This pilot project involved teacher teams facilitating the collaboration between Year 10 RE and the Year 5 Inquiry Learning classes on the topics of Aboriginal History, Spirituality and present day Indigenous communities. The big picture for this learning linkage is to deepen the students’ awareness of the importance of Reconciliation through a considered response as 21st century learners.
Our Year 10 “scholar-teachers” are engaging superbly with their lesson preparation, asking lots of questions and coming up with loads of creative ideas for presentation to our Year 5s. RE classes are abuzz with learning and preparation.
A typical school day for me begin with Morning Prayer in the chapel which provides a beautiful start to the day through colleagues sharing thoughtful prayers and reflections accompanied by soul-stirring music. The school day involves a combination of teaching, Leadership Team meetings and planning with teams of staff and students for the various events that make up a robust spiritual life at the College.
Currently we are busy working with our student leaders at Years 5 to 12 for a “Mission-Action” focus for Marymede Day. All the funds raised from this fun-filled feast day will be donated to a charity that the student leaders nominate. We are also working on our first Year 11 Christian Leadership Retreat in late August and our first P-12 McAuley Guild Mass.
What is the most rewarding aspect of being a Teacher?
Relationships with the students and staff. When the penny drops for the students during the early weeks of learning-teaching that they can achieve whatever they set out to achieve with the “fire in their belly”, a most amazing transformation of capabilities can take place. Students are very generous with their time in serving the school. The 1000-Letterbox drop in the College neighbourhood to raise awareness about Human Trafficking is a fine example of our Year 12 students and their RE teachers going the extra mile to show that thinking citizens are formed in the classroom.
Staff support for one another is at the heart of everything we do. It was a grand experience to be “learners” in classes that our “savvier ICT-savvy” colleagues conducted on our Professional Learning Day.
Fast Five:
Favourite Food: Dosa (thin South Indian savoury crepe) with fresh coconut chutney.
Favourite Movie/TV Show: My Best Friend's Wedding.
Hidden Talent or Something We May Not Know About You: When it comes to displaying team spirit, I will even dance!
Favourite Sporting Team/Athlete: I prefer tennis so don’t have a favourite sporting team. My all time tennis hero – Andre Agassi because he played ace tennis, but more importantly because he was always decent and genuinely decent to the loser. Something Roger Federer could learn!!
If You Could Pick Any 3 People as Dinner Guests, Who Would They Be and Why?:
They have all gone to their eternal rest. Nonetheless, I would pick
Mahatma Gandhi & Nelson Mandela
Mother Teresa
Martin Luther King Jr.
They were people of great hope who were also top champions of non-violent means of attaining peace; something so relevant to our times. Mother Teresa is an unmatchable model of service towards the destitute.
Ms. Wadhwani with Fr. Bob Maguire during his 2014 visit to Marymede Catholic College as part of the Inspirational Catholic Speakers Program.