Insight

COMMUNITY

STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Mr Seth Mayo, ICT Operations Manager

As a former student of Toongabbie Christian College, my passion for IT in education began when I helped the then librarian, Jenny Walker, maintain the few College computers during lunchtime. In 2016, Michael Playford, the IT Technician hired just before I graduated, invited me back to this community as a member of his team. Today, I lead an outstanding technical team that enhances the education experience for students, parents/carers and staff by using technology to consistently intensify results. Since returning to the College, I have been reminded of the unique ability we have to show students Christ's love through education. It is a privilege to work in a community where parents/carers, staff

and students all see the importance of faith being interwoven into the curriculum.

Day-to-day, my work aims to support this by streamlining business processes, minimising teacher administrative overhead and improving the visibility of data in teaching. I am particularly passionate about using technology to work smarter. I contribute to the College’s overall impact by helping it approach data management and system functionality in a sustainable and ever-growing way. This goal requires close work with leadership to embrace each opportunity to refine and enhance what the College achieves through the use of technology.

Mr Seth Mayo ICT Operations Manager

Mrs Alison van’t Spyker, Acting Head of Faculty Visual Arts and Languages

Teaching is a passion and a privilege. Schools like Toongabbie Christian College have a unique opportunity to feed into the lives of young people equipping them with tools to navigate their world, from a Christian perspective. We are privileged to be in a position to help students develop attitudes and values that will set them up to be positive impactful ambassadors for Christ in their whole lives. I began my teaching career 28 years ago in a Parent Controlled Christian School with an excellent grounding in the value of Christian education and how important a Biblical Worldview is when working with teenagers. I taught English and History as well as starting my career in student wellbeing. After having my children, I moved to a large Anglican school where I was heavily involved in student welfare, leading wellbeing programs in the middle and senior school as well as developing and implementing whole school programs. During this time, I was involved in caring for Solomon Islands scholarships students. This led me to attend, and then lead, many school mission trips to the Solomon Islands. During these trips,

God opened my eyes to the desperate need for teacher training in the Solomons. I returned passionate about developing teaching training programs. My plan for 2024 was to move, with my husband, and work in the Solomon Islands. Due to a few factors, God closed some doors and I was led to Toongabbie Christian College. Starting at the College felt like coming home. The deep commitment to Christian education and a Biblical Worldview was so refreshing and a much-needed reminder of my purpose in coming into education. My role at the College is an acting role where I am using my many years of management experience to lead the Visual Art and Languages faculties. I am particularly passionate about student wellbeing and how we can help young people flourish not just at school but in life beyond school and I am keen to see where God leads me to use my gifts and talents to serve Him and His kingdom.

Mrs Alison van’t Spyker Acting Head of Faculty Visual Arts and Languages

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Toongabbie Christian College