Dedication … St Albans teacher Helen Davies has 40 years experience under her chef’s hat.
By Belinda Nolan
IF ANYONE can handle the heat in a kitchen, it’s Helen Davies.
The St Albans woman has been Sunshine College’s resident cooking teacher for the past four decades.
Ms Davies started at the college’s North campus as a bright-eyed 20-year-old during her teaching rounds in 1971.
In those days, female teaching students were required to sign a bond promising not to get married or become pregnant.
“You weren’t supposed to but I was wicked and I got married and had a baby in the first year,” Ms Davies said.
“A lot of the other new teachers were being sent to the country and I told them I was happy to keep working if I could work at Sunshine College, which was close to home.”
With 40 years in the kitchen, it’s no surprise Ms Davies has been a witness to some hair raising incidents.
“We had one student who set a wooden spoon on fire and ran the length of the classroom shouting ‘Look Miss, it’s an Olympic torch’.”
Ms Davies said it was a joy turning students into foodies.
“We’ve got many students from culturally diverse backgrounds and some have no experience cooking at all,” Ms Davies said.
“There was one student who tried to put tomato sauce on his cupcake because he thought it was a meat pie.
“It’s really rewarding watching students grow and learn, gaining more and more confidence every day.”
Although she spends her daylight hours in the kitchen, Ms Davies can’t get enough of cooking and often surprises staff members with home baked goodies to brighten their day.
“I love cooking and I love teaching,” Ms Davies said.
“In 40 years it’s never crossed my mind to do anything else.”
The dedicated teacher this month received an award from the State Government for 40 years of service.
