JACK Doyle has more in common with his father than have most sons - both became teachers and both have held the same job at the same school.

His father, Owen, was assistant principal at Heidelberg High School from 1975 to 1984.

It amalgamated with Heidelberg Tech and LaTrobe High to become Banksia Secondary College, of which Jack Doyle was appointed assistant principal last year.

Ironically he never wanted to be a teacher because he saw how hard his father worked.

"Teaching was the last thing I wanted to do," he said.

Jack studied science at La Trobe University before joining the army. His science degree made him a natural choice to teach at the signals school in Watsonia.

That was when fate stepped in - Jack decided that he really enjoyed teaching after all and wanted to make it his career.

"I liked the way all these people would sit to attention when I came in," he said. "Of course, I still haven't found a way to make 15-year-olds do that!"

Jack left the army for secondary teacher training. For the past 23 years he has been teaching at schools mainly in the Heidelberg area.

At Banksia Secondary College he teaches maths and science half the time and the remainder is spent on administration.

In 1984, the Doyle father-and-son career paths separated.

After the death of his wife, Owen was ordained a Catholic priest in 1988. Now the father of nine and grandfather of 21 is a parish priest in a small country town.

"I've never had a day when I've woken up and didn't feel like going to work," Jack said. "It's never boring and always challenging."