School's Out: Camberwell Girls Grammar School's Head of Service Learning Liss Campbell

Liss Campbell’s career has been a caring and creative one, leading her from working with World Vision Australia to Head of Service Learning at Camberwell Girls Grammar School. Through her work, she has taught many about the disadvantages people face in local, national and global settings.

Where did you go to school?

I’m a country girl. I grew up on a farm in central Victoria attending a very small Devenish Primary School (40 students) and then Benalla High School. I studied a Bachelor of Arts at Ballarat University followed by a graduate diploma in education at Monash University.

What sort of student were you?

I was good at art and design as it required me to use my imagination and create. I have a hearing problem and missed a lot in other classes but did well in the art room.

How did your work at World Vision influence your teaching career?

I was a graphic designer and illustrator for World Vision Australia (WVA) for many years. Although I started at CGGS as an art teacher, my passion for equality and global issues didn’t take long to come out. Working at WVA was eye-opening – the scale of poverty, the ugliness of it, the repeated disasters that usually affected those less fortunate and the contrast with the society I was living with was stark. You can’t see photos and hear stories of those who suffer needlessly and not be changed by it.

Who inspired you to become a teacher?

My husband Matt (he is Trinity Grammar School’s senior chaplain). I’d had enough of freelancing as a graphic designer and was ready to get back into a team environment. It became clear that working in schools was a chance to use my professional background and voluntary experience mentoring young people. As a Christian I have always wanted to do good things in the world and make a difference. Being a teacher allows me to do this.

What does your role involve?

I like being behind the scenes, inspiring others to lead, so being the Head of Service Learning wasn’t something that I aspired to, it just happened. I currently lead service and justice activities in the school, teach visual communication design, and run classes for service learning. I have developed a framework for service across the school. I have also developed curriculum for years 8 to 10, learning about at issues that affect indigenous Australians, those experiencing homelessness, local disadvantage and global issues for women.

You travel to Cambodia each year with students – what do they learn?

We spend most of our time in Cambodia with the Green Gecko Project. The project supports more than 70 children who previously lived and begged on the streets of Siem Reap. It also supports the children’s families and the broader community through longterm health, education and training initiatives. Spending time [there] is an awesome education for us all.

What do you love about working in an all-girls school?

I love the freedom to speak openly about difficult issues that affect women. I believe the discussion with them can happen more easily when we talk about the complexity of things like homelessness, menstruation for girls in the developing world, gender inequality, domestic violence and stereotypes in culture. I live in a household of boys, which I love, and working with girls is a great balance. I honestly love the girls at CGGS.

Tell us a bit about your family

I live with three of the most amazing and inspiring people. As a chaplain, my husband Matt serves with his whole heart including helping people through tough times. Our eldest son Will is 16. Having the parents that he does, I think the passion for social justice has rubbed off. He currently wants to make a difference in the world through being a barrister or in politics. Our youngest son JM (John Michael) is 11. We adopted him from the Philippines when he was almost three. Will was seven at the time and we brought him along during the long process. On the day we met JM, Will wanted to sign the adoption papers, so we quickly made a space for him to sign along with his parents. They honestly have been best friends ever since, they adore each other.

Camberwell Girls Grammar School, 2 Torrington Street, Canterbury.

• 03 9813 1166
• www.cggs.vic.edu.au