Introducing Lachlan Cahir – The Man from Barwon River

Welcome to week four of the weekly introductions to members of the east team at anzuk Education. Lachlan Cahir is today’s guest, who will talk all things CRT as well as discuss the Cat’s season so far and his pick for the Tour de France.

Rob: How long have you been working at anzuk for now Lachie?

Lachlan: About 18 months. Boy oh boy wowee that has gone quickly.

Rob: And during those 18 months, what part of the role with anzuk gives you the most satisfaction?

Lachlan: I enjoy helping teachers work in classrooms that they might not have had an opportunity to get to without our work. I also like the fact I get to work with motivated and like-minded people.

Rob: What’s your funniest story from your time working with anzuk?

Lachlan: I enjoy eating bananas in front of you, because I know that peeling the entire skin off before eating it makes you squirmish. And I enjoy that it is catching on in the office and everyone has started doing this in front of you.

Rob: The joke’s on you because most people find your banana-eating method odd.

Lachlan: Most funny moments at work happen in our company wide meetings, when we try and link our Sydney, LA, Geelong, Perth and Brisbane offices – and you guess it – technology fails us and it is a bit of a train wreck.

Rob: True but there’s been a drastic improvement there, credit to the guys for getting that working perfectly recently. What is your biggest highlight from your time so far?

Lachlan: The highlight has been watching us develop over the last 18 months that I have been here – and then looking back and looking at the projects I had some involvement in and feeling part of that success.

Rob: Outside of work, what are your hobbies and interests?

Lachlan: I am a tragic Geelong supporter in the AFL. I invest too much emotion into them and with that comes the roller-coaster every weekend. Mum always asks why I bother – and I say “you just don’t understand mum!”. My friends tell me I am too old to wear Geelong Guernseys to the footy.

Rob: Cats for the flag this year?

Lachlan: As a Geelong supporter, every year there’s a chance, but whatever happens, it’ll be exciting.

Rob: Tiges will win it. What else gets you going?

Lachlan: I stay fit by cycling. I love a mid-week spin class – and nothing beats a pedal on a Saturday morning (weather depending!!). Yes I am one of those annoying cyclists on the road covered head to toe in lycra.

Rob: Who’s going to win Le Tour this year?

Lachlan: It was Richie Porte until the tragic incident two days ago. Now it’s going to be Froomey.

Rob: I’ll be cheering him on until the end. And what else entertains Lachie?

Lachlan: Here’s an obscure one: many don’t know that when I lived in London I was a West End musical fanatic. I saw nearly every show – some twice. I think I have seen Les Mis 12 times. One Day More!

Rob: Ever been tempted to perform yourself?

Lachlan: I wouldn’t put anyone through that. I once played in the orchestra, although this was under the stage.

Rob: Sounds like a positive for the audience. Having been a CRT yourself, in both Geelong and London, what advice would you give a CRT in Melbourne?

Lachlan: From a secondary point of view, I always enjoyed delving into the CRT lesson. It can be easy to play a low key role in the classroom and just make sure the kids are working away. The real fun part is when you ditch the worksheet and try something different – like get the kids to participate in class discussions. Challenge them to share their actual opinions. Put yourself out of your comfort zone as the teacher.

Rob: Nice. What do you see in the future for anzuk?

Lachlan: Just like the Geelong Football Club, it’s exciting. More and more schools are seeing the difference anzuk can make. But more importantly, teachers are finding out how we can play such a fantastic role in their role as educators. Perhaps in the future anzuk runs Summer Camps in Australia so that our staff can work with us year round?

Rob: Love your thinking.

Lachlan joined the east team at the beginning of 2017 having worked in Geelong for the previous 12 months. He has made a fantastic impression on the team in the Melbourne office and prides himself on building positive relationships with all the teachers he registers. He’s had to learn a lot about the Dandenong Ranges and you’ll regularly see him driving up and down the country roads as he visits the schools he works with in the hills.

If you’re looking for some teaching work, or know anyone who is, from Ringwood all the way to Gembrook, then please contact Lachlan on lachlan.c@anzuk.education or 9249 2444 (ext 280)