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Allan Hamdan

from Police Officer to Classroom Teacher
I assist students in achieving their NTCET and school-based apprenticeships
School
Darwin High School
Job Level
Senior

Ask me about

  • Turning a love of travel into a teaching career
  • School-based apprenticeships, traineeships and VET pathways
  • Studying creative arts before becoming a teacher
  • Teaching and working with South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Australia

About me

  • International Experience
  • Regional Background

My journey into education began unexpectedly when a desire to travel led me to accept a teaching position in South Korea. What started as an overseas adventure quickly became a rewarding career, inspiring me to complete a Master of Education (Education Technology), which combined my creative arts and digital media background and ultimately led me to qualify as a secondary teacher in Australia.

Working in South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Australia strengthened my belief that diverse learning environments foster collaboration and innovation. Today, I teach and case manage students in the Centre for Skills and Training at Darwin High School. As the elected Health and Safety Representative, I also promote workplace safety while preparing students for vocational pathways. Helping young people complete their NTCET alongside apprenticeships or traineeships is my greatest motivation.

About my role

  • Analytical
  • Logical
  • Meticulous
  • Reliable
  • Thorough

At Darwin High School, I work as a teacher and case manager in the Centre for Skills and Training (CST), supporting students who want to fast-track careers in trade and skills-based employment. The program helps students complete their Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (NTCET) while undertaking Vocational Education and Training in Schools, a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship, or paid employment. Students entering the program in Year 10 generally apply for VETiS through their previous school during Year 9. My role involves teaching compulsory subjects, monitoring student progress, helping students balance school, VET and workplace commitments, and assisting them with work experience and school-based apprenticeship or traineeship applications. The CST provides a flexible timetable that allows students to attend work or training on multiple days each week. Rather than completing regular school electives, students focus on Stage 1 Essential Mathematics and English, Exploring Identities and Futures, Workplace Practices and their vocational pathway.

Education

  • Master of Education (Education Technology) - University of Southern Queensland
  • Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary) (Honours) - Monash University
  • Cambridge CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) – 2008
  • Cambridge Examiner (A1-B1 Levels) – Cambridge Assessment English
  • Registered Teacher – Full teacher registration in the Northern Territory, Victoria, and Ontario (Canada)

Subjects

  • Art
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • English
  • General Mathematics (Maths A)

Hobbies

  • Beach adventures
  • Gym
  • Renovating
  • Travel

My career journey

Curious to know how I got here? Here’s a snapshot of my career pathway.
  1. Started my career as a police officer after leaving school
  2. Studied Fine Arts and worked in digital media training
  3. Moved to South Korea to teach and travel overseas
  4. Completed a Master of Education and became a secondary teacher
  5. Taught internationally before supporting vocational pathways at Darwin High School

My typical day

My school

Darwin High School is a leading Northern Territory senior secondary school that provides academic, vocational and leadership opportunities to help students achieve success in further education, training and employment pathways.