What did I do directly after school?

I was fortunate that I knew I wanted to be a primary school teacher since year 5 with Mr G so I went straight to university to start my studies after school.

What did I study at university?

I was trying to decide between becoming a primary, high school or hpe teacher. I went with what j had always wanted to do and completed my bachelor in primary education.

What were my interests during school?

My biggest interest during school was swimming which I represented the school in every year from year 4 - 12. I continued swimming competitively for a couple of years after school before choosing to focus on my studies instead. I also was involved with music during my primary middle school years. I played the flute and was in the wind ensemble before stopping to focus of swimming around year 9.

What are my long term goals now that I have graduated?

So far I have been very lucky to achieve my goals. I wanted to experience teaching in a remote community which I did by teaching a 4/5/6 class on the tiny island in the Torres Strait called Masig island. I am now continuing my remote experience by teaching a Year 5 class (shout out to Mr G) on Thursday Island. I hope to continue to become a better teacher and eventually relocate back to the Sunshine Coast and work in a primary school classroom.

What challenges did I face post school and post uni?

I actually felt a very smooth transition from school to university. I felt very prepared heading to uni from St Andrew’s and found myself managing it well. I stayed on the coast during my studies so I found having my support network around me very helpful. My biggest challenge was leaving that support network to live and work remotely by myself.

What are my highlights from school?

I honestly loved school so much and I credit my love for school as to why I became a teacher. I still tell people and my students today that when I was in year 5 with Mr G, I loved school so much that I didn’t want to go on holidays! I still remember thinking to myself that in that moment that if I can love coming to school every day then that is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I wanted to make other kids feel the way I felt in that classroom which I hope I am doing today!

My other highlights include of course: geography with Mr Bart, drama with Miss Mackie, all of the school camps, sports days, the Heron Island trip with Mr Spring and the diamond dash!!!

Do I keep in touch with any school friends?

I sure do! One of my closest friends now is one of my friends I met in Year 1 at St Andrew’s which I think is pretty special.