Alumnus discovers passion for teaching and learning

October 2007

As a teenager, Alan Hutchison (MEdSt 1993) hoped to pursue drama and theatre studies but fell in love with teaching on his first day working in a school. Now at Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar, Mr Hutchison is a leader in his field and one of only a handful of male deputy principals in Australian girls’ schools.

After completing school, Mr Hutchison was disappointed to discover that, at the time, his university of choice did not offer drama and theatre studies. Instead, he enrolled in teaching, which enabled him to combine the studies he really wanted.

“I wasn’t driven to be a teacher during my undergraduate time but loved it from the moment I was given my first class. I was overcome by a feeling that ‘these are my kids and they depend on me,’” he said.

Mr Hutchison has since worked at several prominent independent schools including Mount Scopus Memorial College, Caulfield Grammar School and St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School.

In his current role as deputy principal and head of senior school at Ivanhoe, Mr Hutchison manages a portfolio that includes major school events, pastoral care, public relations and human resources. He also teaches Year 12 English Literature. His favourite responsibility is overseeing the school’s pro-active pastoral care (student welfare) program:

“Supporting somebody who’s finding the going tough is rewarding. At the end of Year 12, you see them graduate and realise the school played its part to assist them,” Mr Hutchison said.

Mr Hutchison completed his Masters in 1993, focusing on gender studies in education. His thesis found that while only a small proportion of students who enrolled in Engineering courses at Monash were female, there was a high representation of girls from single sex schools.

Mr Hutchison certainly lives by the Monash motto “Ancora imparo: I am still learning”. He is currently undertaking a University of Melbourne doctorate examining parallels between government education reforms in Victoria and the UK.

Mr Hutchison has two sons who are also Monash graduates – Gavin (BCom 2000, BEc 2000) and Blake (BA 2002).