General News
5 August, 2021
Mortlake college student returns home to teach
MORTLAKE’S Nikki Robertson has enjoyed a homecoming this term after accepting a teaching position at Mortlake College, the same school where she was once a student.
MORTLAKE’S Nikki Robertson has enjoyed a homecoming this term after accepting a teaching position at Mortlake College, the same school where she was once a student.
Ms Robertson had grown up in Mortlake until moving with her family to Nathalia, about 30 minutes north of Shepparton, during Year 6.
She said moving back to south west Victoria had long been a goal for her, and the opportunity at Mortlake College P-12 provided the chance to bring the plan forward.
“I was hoping to move back to Warrnambool next year anyway,” Ms Robertson said.
“When this job popped up it was a great opportunity to come back a bit earlier.”
Ms Robertson said it was a “really weird feeling” to now be teaching in the same building she once learned in as a student.
“It’s a bit odd walking around the old playground that I remember playing in and thinking it was the biggest place ever,” she said.
“It’s odd to be back as a teacher, but it’s certainly nice.
“It’s fun because I am actually teaching now with some of the teachers who were here when I was a student.
“It’s funny reminiscing with them about when I was a kid and some of the things that they remember.”
Ms Robertson is currently teaching Year 6 and 7, as well as Year 3 and 4 on a Friday, and has enjoyed getting to know the students.
“It is fun because there is a bit of familiarity there,” she said.
“But it’s just home, and it’s nice to be home.”
School principal Sean Fitzpatrick said Ms Robertson was an exciting addition to staff, and had already shown an aptitude for connecting with students.
“She’s really capable,” he said.
“I have seen some real strength in her practice and ability to connect with students just a week in.
“She comes from a health and wellbeing background, she’s taught overseas and she’s got a fairly loaded CV for someone of her age, so it’s just brilliant we could add her.
“She understands the psyche of what it means to be a student at Mortlake College, and having that understanding is invaluable.”