Tara Murray
Frank Brancatisano jokes that he will have to be wheeled out of St Albans Meadows Primary School.
Having recently been recognised for 40 years of teaching, Mr Brancatisano still loves turning up to work each day.
“It is very special,” he said.
“There has never been a boring year during the whole time. Every year is different.
“I just enjoy working with the kids and it’s an amazing experience. They keep me on my toes.”
Mr Brancatisano said the key to teaching was not looking too far ahead, as it is always changing.
He said there’s always new ways to learn and the systems are always changing.
Mr Brancatisano started his career at Broadmeadows Primary School, before taking on a different role elsewhere.
He then went to Bunswick North ,which presented a different challenge.
“It was an amazing school,” he said.
“There were 2000 kids there and three mini-schools.
“There were a number of different languages introduced to the school. There were a whole lot of interesting programs running at the time, with the state government running programs to help people who had come from disadvantaged backgrounds.”
Mr Brancatisano took those experiences to his next school, Niddrie Primary School, where he introduced language classes.
He then stepped away from teaching for a number of years.
“I took leave and took a break from teaching,” he said.
“I experienced the business world with coffee and run my own fish and chippery. I came to realise how special teaching was and how I missed it.”
Mr Brancatisano returned to Niddrie where he ‘retired’. As part of the old teaching system, teachers at certain point could retire and then come back on a contract.
It opened up a number of opportunities for Mr Brancatisano to explore.
“I retired on the Friday and they had me back on contract on the Monday,” he said.
“I did PE for a year, library for a year.
“I did more contract teaching in Thomastown, Keilor Views, Essendon North and Sunshine.
“Eventually I arrived at St Albans Meadows.”
Mr Brancatisano fell in love with the school and eventually resumed teaching full-time.
From there, Mr Brancatisano combined his passion of teaching, cooking and gardening.
“It started with an electric fry pan in the kitchen,” he said.
“The kids loved it and I thought why not have a program. I spoke with the principal and administration… I got the support and put in a submission to the Stephanie Alexander Foundation.
“I was lucky enough to be successful.
“There’s a full kitchen, garden program, cooking and dining area. The kids are so wonderful here and it’s a holistic approach.”
Mr Brancatisano said he had tried to keep the children interacted with the program while in lockdown.
He said seeing kids in the classroom was what brightened his day.
As for the future, Mr Brancatisano has no plans to retire – again.
“I’ll keep going as long as the school feels I’m still contributing.
“Whole experience is too good that I don’t want to stay away.”
