At 13, Brigitte Godfrey was offered a role in Aussie TV soap opera Neighbours. However, the Hoppers Crossing talent knocked back this opportunity of a lifetime because of the bullying she received at school. Brigitte's intended role, that of a character named Hannah Martin, ultimately went to Rebecca Ritters, who remained on Neighbours from 1992 to 1999 and later appeared in a 2005 reunion episode... Brigitte’s career aspirations didn’t end there, though. The great-granddaughter of a Victorian premier, she seamlessly transferred her acting skills to the classroom, teaching in places as varied as South Korea, Indonesia, the UK and outback Australia before taking a role in Supported Learning here at Manor Lakes P-12 College... Manorisms is co-hosted by college co-captain Ruby Collins and college writing mentor, author and former journalist Ben Collins. The show is produced by Jamie Canning. Cover art and music provided by Michael Poke.

Primary teacher Gordon Webb proudly served in the Australian Army for 23 years, reaching the rank of sergeant. He first became an air-defence gunner and later worked in administration as a clerk. Most notably, Gordon was deployed to Egypt as part of Operation Mazurka, which oversees the terms of a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, but the task was always fraught with danger… His pre-army journey was a tough one. Gordon repeated Year 12 and wants those facing academic struggles to know that you can still make something of yourself… Although he recommends a career in the army, Gordon reveals the personal toll it can take, along with the crossovers between the military and the classroom, and a treasured memory of guarding Queen Elizabeth II… Co-hosts Ruby and Ben Collins also share their own ANZAC link... The show is produced by Aiden Arandez, with support from Jamie Canning and Jonathan Lynch. Cover art and music provided by Michael Poke.

Music teacher Aiden Arandez is the bass player and backing vocalist in The Teeny Tiny Stevies, the popular children’s music group that won an ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Award) for the best children’s album in 2020. They even beat the iconic Wiggles! ... Aiden is also a member of the band's side project, The Little Stevies, an indie/folk group also fronted by the Stephen sisters, Beth and "Byll" (Sibylla)... He first came to prominence as a member of the backing band that toured with 2010 X Factor winner Altiyan Childs – an experience that provided Aiden with national exposure for the first time... So versatile are Aiden's skills and musical interests that he’s been a fulltime member of 10 bands whose styles have been as diverse as heavy metal, punk and country. He has also been a hired gun for numerous other bands and projects, including musicals... Aiden has previously released two rock/pop solo singles and is now focusing on releasing several more original tracks... He also shares how he met a legend of Aussie rock… Manorisms is co-hosted by college co-captain Ruby Collins and college writing mentor, author and former journalist Ben Collins. The show is produced by Aiden Arandez, with support from Jamie Canning and Jonathan Lynch. Cover art and music provided by Michael Poke.

There are few more engaging personalities at our school than secondary assistant principal Penny Owens. But beneath that bubbly exterior is a woman who has overcome considerable challenges. Born to a Maori mother and a white father in New Zealand, a young Penny faced identity issues as she felt caught between two cultures. Later, in Australia, one of her nine-day-old twin daughters suffered a brain haemorrhage that led to a cerebral palsy diagnosis... We also touch on, among other things, Penny’s status as a fashion icon at the school, and her connection to a couple of former All Blacks rugby union players... Manorisms is co-hosted by college co-captain Ruby Collins and college writing mentor, author and former journalist Ben Collins. The show is produced by Aiden Arandez, with support from Jamie Canning and Jonathan Lynch. Cover art and music provided by Michael Poke.

Scott Dellar has been involved in education for nearly 40 years, working at 15 schools and being principal at eight of them (including ours). So it’s a surprise to learn he became a teacher by accident, initially studying to be a metallurgist before discovering his passion for teaching PE, outdoor education and physics... In an extensive chat, we learn many other things about our new leader: that he was raised in Rainbow, a small country town in the Mallee region, 400km northwest of Melbourne; he has a twin brother who’s also a teacher, a wife who’s also a principal, and he's the father of a teenage daughter; he loves motorsport, watersport, Essendon, ACDC and Marvel characters (especially Iron Man); and he has a weakness for chocolate and Coke. Mr Dellar also shares some leadership tips and reveals why he’s adamant that state schools are “the best by far”... Manorisms is co-hosted by college co-captain Ruby Collins and college writing mentor, author and former journalist Ben Collins. The show is produced by Aiden Arandez, with support from Jamie Canning and Jonathan Lynch. Cover art and music provided by Michael Poke.

Madie Walters has seen Manor Lakes College from both sides of the teacher’s desk. One of our original students when the college opened in 2009, Madie graduated our school as a student in 2017, and now she’s one of our Grade 6 teachers. She also reveals the personal stories behind some of her tattoos, including one that represents her transgender brother... Manorisms is co-hosted by college co-captain Ruby Collins and college writing mentor, author and former journalist Ben Collins. The show is produced by Aiden Arandez, with support from Jamie Canning and Jonathan Lynch. Cover art and music provided by Michael Poke.

Steve Warner has been our executive principal since November 2016 and has overseen enormous growth at our school – but that’s only part of Mr Warner's story. Most notably perhaps, in 1988 he was a “carryover champion” for several successive nights on popular game show Sale Of The Century. In a wide-ranging interview, Mr Warner also discusses the terrible tragedy that opened up a vacancy for his first teaching job; how he’s embarrassed when he reflects on his early teaching efforts; how he once lived next door to an AFL goalkicking legend; his eclectic musical tastes which cover everything from country to punk; his wife Alison’s acting career; how his attempt at honing his son’s amateur boxing skills proved a spectacular fail; his eventful maiden voyage on his prized yacht; and much more. Mr Warner also speaks frankly about how he has tried to lift standards at our school, and he reveals how long he expects to remain in the top job... Manorisms is co-hosted by Year 11 student and secondary school vice-captain Ruby Collins, and college writing mentor, author and former journalist Ben Collins. The show is produced by Aiden Arandez, with support from Jamie Canning and Jonathan Lynch. Cover art and music provided by Michael Poke.

Renee Liprino has been principal of our secondary school for the past six years, and now she’s leaving us to become assistant principal at Melbourne Girls’ College – but not before sitting down for a chat. Ms Liprino opens up about her time at our school; how she introduced the SMOD (Student Management On Duty) program that has been adopted by other schools; how a childhood spent around animals on a Rockbank farm has shaped her dietary choices and overall environmental outlook; how she spoils her bull terriers; her love of Star Trek, karaoke, bushwalking and hiking (including an hilariously embarrassing health issue at Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain); her jaw-dropping "hidden talent", and more. Ms Liprino also pays a touching tribute to a lost loved one... Manorisms is co-hosted by Year 11 student and secondary school vice-captain Ruby Collins, and college writing mentor, author and former journalist Ben Collins. The show is produced by Aiden Arandez, with support from Jamie Canning and Jonathan Lynch. Cover art and music provided by Michael Poke.

Join us as Asunta Majur – one of our African community school liaison officers – shares the extraordinary, emotional story of her journey from war-torn South Sudan. Asunta was born into a well-known family in South Sudan – her late father served as Lieutenant General of Police and Auditor-General and was an heroic figure in a long-running civil war, while her mother is a Christian reverend who raised her children almost single-handedly in the most trying of circumstances. From a young age Asunta was exposed to the horrors of war, and the desperation of growing up in refugee camps (where she met Hollywood star and humanitarian Angelina Jolie), but she emerged from it all with great determination, dignity and grace. The mother-of-four has flourished in her adopted home of Australia and is a highly valued member of our school community... Manorisms is co-hosted by Year 11 student and secondary school vice-captain Ruby Collins, and college writing mentor, author and former journalist Ben Collins. The show is produced by Aiden Arandez, with support from Jamie Canning and Jonathan Lynch. Cover art and music provided by Michael Poke.

This is one of the most amazing and inspiring stories in our school’s 13-year history. Kai Seymon is a Year 9, Supported Learning student who is autistic, dyslexic and battles anxiety. Remarkably, the 16-year-old has had his own business for the past five years. And not just any business, but a successful one that’s changing people’s lives. Kaiko Fidgets creates sensory products that help people of all ages with a range of issues including mental health, anxiety and concentration. Kai’s parents quit their jobs to work full-time in what has become a family business, which has customers all around the world. In 2018, as part of the National Kids in Business Mentoring program, Kai won the Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award. And in 2020 he was the youngest finallist in the Seven News Small Business Young Achiever Awards. Kai's mum Jo is also an occupational therapist, which ties in perfectly with the business – and they both joined us for an enlightening chat... Manorisms is co-hosted by Year 11 student and secondary school vice-captain Ruby Collins, and college writing mentor, author and former journalist Ben Collins. The show is produced by Aiden Arandez, with support from Jamie Canning and Jonathan Lynch. Cover art and music provided by Michael Poke.