Helen joined Hume Anglican Grammar in 2019 to work at the newly established Donnybrook Campus. Helen’s role within the School has evolved over time, including positions as a classroom teacher, Head of Performing Arts, and as a specialist teacher.

Last year, Helen had the pleasure of directing the School’s musical production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr. Helen says ‘it was, by far, the most exhausting yet exhilarating experience. Watching our wonderful parents support their children in the arts program was truly heartwarming.’

What do you like most about working at Hume Anglican Grammar?
I have, and still do, genuinely enjoy getting up each morning and driving 40 minutes to be part of this new and vibrant campus.

Initially, the main attraction of coming to Donnybrook was the prospect of teaching in a brand-new school. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching the campus grow, with the addition of a new building each year bringing bright and dynamic learning environments to life.

But it’s not just the physical spaces. What truly sets Donnybrook apart is the staff; they are highly motivated and deeply committed to providing the very best in care and education for our students.

Can you tell us about a project you are currently working on? 
This year, I find myself working with the Preps as a Performing Arts specialist, and teaching other curriculum areas with Years 3, 5 and 6. Each day brings new achievements and fresh challenges. No one could ever say that teaching is boring – one minute I'm dancing the Macarena, and the next I'm experimenting with circuit boards. It's a great job, and I feel lucky to be doing it!

Who has had the biggest impact on your career and why?
It has been an honour to have been mentored for many years throughout my career by Emeritus Professor Frank Crowther. An educator and author, he holds a deep respect for teachers and advocates for parallel leadership within schools to bring about whole-school revitalisation. He showed me how to delve deeper into curriculum development and how to integrate the School’s vision and values into everyday teaching. I have learned so much more from him than I can express and am forever grateful.

Fast Four:

If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
If I could have dinner with anyone, living or deceased, it would be with the Dalai Lama. Thankfully, he is still alive, so I would gladly travel to Dharamsala to meet him. I would sit in his presence and delve into the topics discussed at his annual conferences with scientists who are the greatest minds in their fields. Engaging with him in subjects like cosmology and neuroscience would be amazing. I would also engage in conversations about community, our shared humanity, and the pursuit of serenity.

What is one thing you couldn’t live without?
I can’t live without my family – my two beautiful adult children, my two glorious grandchildren, my partner, and my friends. As the child of Greek parents, whose lives revolved around food and celebrations, I truly believe that ‘family is everything’.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
I would love the power to fly. Imagine just zipping around ‘faster than a speeding bullet’. I would dodge all the traffic and travel the world in an instant instead of sitting on a plane for 23 hours to get to Europe. That would be awesome!

If you could only eat one cuisine for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Having grown up in a Greek household, I’ve always loved traditional Greek food. However, my mother-in-law introduced us to a different culinary experience – Greek dishes infused with the aromatic and exotic blends of herbs and spices from Smyrna, now known as Izmir in Turkey. The food she was taught to cook elevated the flavours of Greece to an entirely new dimension. I am pleased to say that I have many of her recipes.