Since joining Damascus College in 2022, Joe Carmody has brought his passion for sport, health, and working with young people to the Health and Physical Education (HPE) team. With almost two decades of teaching experience and a background in leadership at St. Patrick’s College, Joe has been the Learning Area Leader for HPE for the past four years, guiding both staff and students in fostering a culture of wellbeing and active living.

Joe’s role is a dynamic one, balancing classroom teaching with curriculum development and staff support. On any given day, you might find him teaching junior HPE, leading senior VCE classes, or collaborating with colleagues to create engaging learning programs. Outside of the classroom, he coaches sporting teams and contributes to a wide range of extracurricular activities.

For Joe, the most rewarding part of teaching is seeing students grow in confidence and discover the joy of being active. He values those special moments when students achieve something they never thought possible, whether it’s developing a new skill or simply finding enjoyment in physical activity. “It’s especially fulfilling when students realise that health and physical activity can have such a positive influence on their lives,” he explains.

His vision for the HPE program at Damascus is to continue building opportunities that are both engaging and meaningful. He is particularly focused on strengthening connections between classroom learning, physical activity, and overall wellbeing, while also expanding extracurricular and community-based programs.

Outside of school, Joe enjoys a busy family life with his wife and two daughters, who are both dedicated ballet dancers. Weekends often see him running around Lake Wendouree while his daughters are at practice or coaching the Senior Football Team at East Point Football Netball Club; a role that connects him with many past students from both Damascus College and St. Patrick’s College.

If he hadn’t become a teacher, Joe imagines he would still be working in the sports or health industry as a physiotherapist, exercise scientist, or coach. His lifelong love of sport has given him many memorable experiences, from playing and coaching in successful teams to forging lifelong friendships along the way. And for a fun fact, you might be surprised to learn that Joe has been to Disneyland not once, but twice, and his favourite ride is “Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance”!

At Damascus, Joe continues to inspire students to value health, wellbeing, and physical activity not just during their school years, but as a lifelong pursuit.