By Cam Lucadou-Wells
What’s the key to not only surviving 55 years at high school, but being a widely-admired teacher?
Dandenong High School teacher Noel Chapple says it’s all about the kids.
Like the student who gave him a hug and started crying at the end of her Year 12.
She was so happy to be the first child in her family to have completed school, Mr Chapple recalls.
“It’s the little things like that which makes it so worthwhile.”
Education Minister James Merlino personally congratulated Mr Chapple for his 55-year teaching milestone in front of proud students on 23 July.
One of his students told him they shed a tear when they saw the scene on a TV news bulletin.
“Some of them were rapt,” Mr Chapple said.
“It’s nice when you think about that recognition but a bit embarrassing.”
In 1963, Mr Chapple started as a student teacher at the former Doveton Technical School – which was considered “out in the country” in those days.
Since then he’s taught art, geometry, PE and most recently woodwork. He was assistant principal as three schools merged into Dandenong High School a decade ago.
In that time, change has crept up on Mr Chapple. Not least the rich diversity of cultures now in Dandenong, as well as the digitising of arts.
Then there is the shock when Mr Chapple realises he’s taught a student’s parent – or even grandparent.
But as time marches on, the premise of teaching remains the same.
Throughout, Mr Chapple has made a point of connecting and building a rapport with his students.
“If they see you as fair, honest and reliable, they’ll trust you. You get that respect back.
“They also keep you on your toes because teenagers are teenagers. Though they think they invented it, they don’t realise you were a teenager before.
“You know all the tricks – there’s nothing new there.”
