By Alesha Capone
Three generations of the one family share a strong link with Derrimut Heath Primary School in Hoppers Crossing.
Debra Bennett has been a teacher at the school, part of Baden Powell College, since it was established in 1992.
Her two children, Braden and Kate – who are now aged in their 30s – were both pupils at Derrimut Heath.
In addition, Mrs Bennett’s husband Peter has also taught at the school for nine years.
Last Thursday, Braden’s daughter, five year-old Aria, started her first day of grade prep at the school.
Along with Braden, Aria’s mother Ellie Harvey and six-week-old sister Noah accompanied her on the way to her first day of school.
Braden said he could remember playing sport, including football and basketball, during his time at Derrimut Heath.
He also recalled spending a lot of time after school in the visual art room, while his mother attended staff meetings.
Braden said that when he was younger, if someone had told him that his daughter would one day attend the school, he “probably would have laughed”.
Mrs Bennett, who is teaching grade 2 this year, said that education has changed since she first started in the field, with new curriculums, technology and learning strategies for pupils.
Baden Powell’s second campus, in Tarneit, opened in 2008.
Mrs Bennett said the second campus has brought a different dynamic, combining two campuses into the one school.
She said she enjoyed working at the school because it provided a supportive environment.
“It feels like family, everybody looks after each other and everyone knows each other.
Mrs Bennett welcomed Aria with a cuddle before she went into her classroom last week.
Aria said that on her first day at school, she enjoyed playing with the Beanie Kids toys in her classroom.
“I did drawing, also cutting and broke up pieces of my name and put them on puzzle pieces,” she said.
