Carine Senior High School

By Kristine Simpson

Growing up with hit bands such as the Beatles, Abba and Sky Hooks, it was kind of a COOL era to live in. But why did one of our current staff decide that, having made teaching his profession, he'd like nothing better than to return to his old school?

STARTING OFF SMALL

While attending the new Duncraig Primary School, and being the first group of year sevens to graduate, the area was fairly undeveloped.

Then, just as we did, Michael heard many horror stories about high school when he was in Year 7. Finally, 1978 rolled around and he started at Carine in Year 8 where he was one of the smallest and youngest students, being one year younger than most.

UNIFORM CRIMES

Most of today's school students would have had detention for either hair length (boys had to have short hair) or wearing shorts (girls had to wear skirts) or cords. And don't forget the CANE was still in use. Michael, like others at the time, thought ABBA were pretty grouse, but that was in Year 8 and by Year 12 Jimmy Barnes was becoming a smash hit. He also enjoyed many science fiction movies such as Battle Star Galactica and the 1977 screening of Star Wars.

Ask any student what they want to be after school and 25% most probably won't answer... If you'd asked Michael it would have been Biologist, Botanist or Zoologist. Ask him if he thought he'd be back teaching at Carine 15 years later, he would probably have said NO WAY! So how did he finish up where he began? Michael explains that he started his interest in nature while attending a Gould League camp at Point Peron in Year 8. Seeing a strange bird through binoculars and trying unsuccessfully to name it (everyone else knew it was a shag...) made him determined to learn more. He soon became a "twitcher"... or spotter of birds.!.

During Uni days he became involved in tutoring and realised the work suited him well, and after teaching in the North West and South West he happily returned to Carine. Michael has lost contact with many of his school friends and recommends that you always keep in touch with your friends. However, when asked about his most important values he had no hesitation in saying his wife Jaye and newborn son Peter had top priority.

In case you were wondering what Michael teaches today... it's science and he still has his love of Biology.

Thank you Mr Denby for a look into your past!