The Teacher Feature is meant to highlight two of our current teachers. We have an amazingly diverse staff and we encourage you to get to know them!

Gaynor Blake

1. What class or classes do you teach?

I teach Prep, the area where we have the most fun!

2. How long have you been working at Northpine?

This is our 4th year at Northpine.

3. How did you first discover you wanted to be a teacher?

Helping out with teaching in the children’s divisions at our church when I was in my teens gave me the thought that it would be a rewarding career where I could be of service to people.

4. Where are you originally from?

Pretoria, South Africa

5. What might we be surprised to know about you?

I have a terrible fear of flying and try to avoid it at all costs. I like my feet firmly on the ground.

6. If you could time travel, where and when would you go?

I would probably like to go back to my childhood days as they were happy times in South Africa with a very loving and caring family.

7. What’s one great book or movie you’ve read or seen recently?

We recently went to see Hidden Figures, which I loved because it was a feel-good movie where three women overcame racism and prejudice. Being a true story was a bonus as I love reading books about real people’s lives and seeing movies about reality.

8. Which person, directly or indirectly, has inspired you the most?

My Father, as he was the most gentle, loving and spiritual person who was a great example to me in all aspects.

9. What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?

Cape Town with Table Mountain in the background. It is called “The Fairest Cape in all the world.”

10. What is the best advice that you can give to your students?

As I teach in the Infant School, I often tell my students to just ‘Have a go’ and give new things a chance, you never know you might just like it or it may be right!

Ian Baskin

1. What class or classes do you teach?

Study of Religion Year 11 & 12, Biblical Studies Year 10, Communication English Year 12.

2. How long have you been working at Northpine?

Since the middle of 1999.

3. How did you first discover you wanted to be a teacher?

I guess teaching was in the mix of things when I was a teenager. I also wanted to be involved in Christian media and the two tussled it out for more than 10 years of my adult life. Teaching won.

4. Where are you originally from?

“Original” is a difficult term—from my mum and dad, hopefully the mind and foresight of God!  I was born in Gippsland, (Traralgon) Victoria. I grew from about 4 to 9 years of age around Moe, then lived around Avondale until I finished high school.

5. What might we be surprised to know about you?

I have few surprises.  The best thing about me is Jesus. I trained as an English teacher, and actually studied less religion in my Avondale degree than most teachers.

6. If you could time travel, where and when would you go?

To heaven!

7. What’s one great book or movie you’ve read or seen recently?

This might seem like a cute response, but I actually love reading the Bible!

8. Which person, directly or indirectly, has inspired you the most?

That is easy, Jesus! My mum and dad have been pretty special as well.

9. What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?

In love! I think I am still living there!!!

10. What is the best advice that you can give to your students?

In everything you do acknowledge and include God. I often say, “blame God for everything that happens to you,” that way we can remember he works through the good things and the bad things when we love him.  You can’t find a better friend than that!