Charlene McMenamin

Lourdes Hill College

“All the world’s a stage” for drama students at Lourdes Hill College thanks to Charlene McMenamin’s devotion to delivering the best in performing arts education.

Charlene implemented the ‘Drama Ambassadors’ extension program that allows her students to go out into the community and put their skills into practice – giving them real-world experience.

Colleague Tamara Richardson says Charlene creates many opportunities for students to feel a sense of achievement.

​“Charlene’s passion is to teach with a holistic approach, to make her students feel empowered to take on risks to be creative,” Tamara says.

Students are able to maximise their learning potential through Charlene’s co-ordination of public showcases, and her integration of other key learning areas in Drama lessons.

The ‘Creative Spectacular’, a special project that gives Year 10 students a unique opportunity to explore issues of social or world-wide significance and to communicate solutions artistically and dramatically, is one of Charlene’s most notable achievements during her time at the college.

Now in its sixth year, the Creative Spectacular recognises the importance of the middle years of adolescence and takes creativity and collaboration beyond the classroom. 

It provides students with a rare challenge; committing to a long-term team project. 

Charlene says, "It is a unique forum for adolescents to voice their ideas about the world and put their values into action." 

Charlene encourages deep and rich thinking amongst her students by implementing a range of evidence based critical inquiry strategies in her lessons.

Principal Robyn Anderson commends Charlene on her enthusiastic ability to engage students.

“She has put a great deal of creativity and attention to detail into a variety of programs at the College over a number of years,” Robyn says.

Congratulations Charlene on your nomination.