LIHS Student News Team

Tony Hicks

What is your role or teaching subject at Lake Illawarra High School?

Principal, as well as a trained P.E. teacher.

What inspired you to become a teacher?

I always loved sport and wanted to teach kids about sport.

How long have you been teaching and have you taught at places other than LIHS?

I've been teaching for 32 years and I've worked in many other schools. Including, Canberra, Griffith, and Broken Hill.

What are some of your hobbies or interests?

I love Richmond Football Club and horse racing. 

What do you like most about your job?

Meeting so many wonderful students and teachers.

Jess O'Dea

What is your role or teaching subject at Lake Illawarra High School?

I am a PDHPE teacher.

What inspired you to become a teacher?

I like being around people and teaching students about healthy behaviours. I hope I can inspire kids to make good choices. I also like to be active and healthy myself.

How long have you been teaching and have you taught at places other than LIHS?

I have been at LIHS 1.5 years and have also taught at Illawarra Sports High for 4 years, and Kiama High six months before that.

What are some of your hobbies or interests?

Running, tennis, Oz Tag, surfing and painting

What do you like most about your job?

The nice people I work with and the opportunity to do creative and interesting teaching.

Larelle Gorman

What is your role or teaching subject at Lake Illawarra High School?

English teacher, Year 11 Adviser, and the Learning and Support Co-ordinator

What inspired you to become a teacher?

I had an amazing English teacher in Year 12, who inspired me to read beyond my favourite genres. I felt like I wanted to inspire others to enjoy literature and drama.

How long have you been teaching and have you taught at places other than LIHS?

I have been teaching for 12 years at LIHS and Wiley Park Girl's School.

What are some of your hobbies or interests?

Cooking and one day becoming a contestant on the TV show, Survivor.

What do you like most about your job?

Everything! Watching students grow and become confident.

Tom Shannon

What is your role or teaching subject at Lake Illawarra High School?

I am a Harbour Centre Teacher.

What inspired you to become a teacher?

My dad is a teacher and I was inspired by his passion for the job.

How long have you been teaching and have you taught at places other than LIHS?

I have been teaching for 6 years and am a qualified Primary School teacher. I have taught at numerous primary schools, such as Lake Illawarra South PS. I have now made the transition into high school.

What are some of your hobbies or interests?

I love sport, particularly soccer.

What do you like most about your job?

I enjoy working with the dedicated staff at LIHS and I am excited to undertake the opportunity of year adviser in 2021.

Shannon McLoughlin

What is your role or teaching subject at Lake Illawarra High School?

I am an English Teacher and the Year 10 Adviser.

What inspired you to become a teacher?

Ms Nicholson actually inspired me! We were finishing up our Bachelor of Arts at UOW and she was applying for a teaching degree the following year, so I signed up too and I've loved it ever since!

How long have you been teaching and have you taught at places other than LIHS?

I have been teaching for 7 years in total and at LIHS for 6 years. Before that, I taught in the Illawarra, as well as London, England while I was living overseas.

What are some of your hobbies or interests?

I love art, particularly drawing and painting. 

What do you like most about your job?

I love working with the staff and students at LIHS. I also like working with my year group.

Michael Gillespie

What is your role or teaching subject at Lake Illawarra High School?

I am a Maths teacher, with a Science class, and the Year 8 Adviser.

What inspired you to become a teacher?

The job of a teacher always seemed appealing. 

How long have you been teaching and have you taught at places other than LIHS?

I have been teaching for 17 years. I taught at Corrimal HS for a year and Heathcote HS for ten years, before coming to LIHS.

What are some of your hobbies or interests?

Soccer, and most sports, as well as gardening.

What do you like most about your job?

The students really make the job enjoyable.

Owen Hastedt

What is your role or teaching subject at Lake Illawarra High School?

I am a Science Teacher and teach Junior Science. as well as 11-12 Physics. 

What inspired you to become a teacher?

I get to help people in my job and mentor young people. I also get to instil knowledge and support students.

How long have you been teaching and have you taught at places other than LIHS?

I have been at LIHS for 22 years. I also worked at other schools such as Plumpton HS, Mt Druitt, and in Sydney.

What are some of your hobbies or interests?

I love music and play numerous instruments. I also enjoy fishing and spending time with my family. 

What do you like most about your job?

I like that while I'm working I am helping people learn and supporting students.

Shane Nairn

What is your role or teaching subject at Lake Illawarra High School?

The LIHS librarian.

What inspired you to become a teacher?

Mr Doran, one of my teachers at school,  inspired me to become a teacher and I aim to inspire others to do the same.

How long have you been teaching and have you taught at places other than LIHS?

I have been teaching for 10 years, both at Broken Hill and LIHS.

What are some of your hobbies or interests?

I love Dungeons And Dragons, tennis, table tennis,  reading, and computer games.

What do you like most about your job?

I like being able to help students and have a positive impact on other people.

Jake Barracosa

What is your role or teaching subject at Lake Illawarra High School?

Maths teacher, LIHS basketball coach, and the Year 12 Adviser.

What inspired you to become a teacher?

I really like helping people and decided that a high school would be a good place to work. I am able to explore areas in Maths and Science, as well as getting involved in sport and a number of other exciting activities within our school.

How long have you been teaching and have you taught at places other than LIHS?

I have been teaching at LIHS for 5 years and I love my role within the Maths faculty and working as a Year Adviser.

What are some of your hobbies or interests?

I love sport, particularly basketball, tennis and golf. I also enjoy film making and surfing.

What do you like most about your job?

I like getting to know the students and turning the classroom into a fun and enjoyable place to learn.

Adriana Hartas

What is your role or teaching subject at Lake Illawarra High School?

PE teacher and sports organiser.

What inspired you to become a teacher?

I want to teach young people about the importance of health - like eating healthy, exercising, and mental health.

How long have you been teaching and have you taught at places other than LIHS?

I have only taught at LIHS and I have been here for 7 years.

What are some of your hobbies or interests?

I love sport, especially soccer. I like to exercise and go to the gym. I also like cooking.

What do you like most about your job?

I love seeing my students every day and seeing how much they enjoy my activities.

Wendy O'Malley

What is your role or teaching subject at Lake Illawarra High School?

I am a Science teacher and the Head Teacher of Wellbeing.

What inspired you to become a teacher?

I had some wonderful teachers during high school and they inspired me to teach. I find Science fun.

How long have you been teaching and have you taught at places other than LIHS?

I have been teaching for 16 years and have only taught at LIHS.

What are some of your hobbies or interests?

I like to read, walk my dog, go camping. I also like to skydive.

What do you like most about your job?

I really like when students enjoy Science and I like that every day is different.