What is your most fond memory of your time at St Kevin's?

I have many great memories of my days at SKC - inter house competitions (Go Clancy), the teachers who developed my love for English Literature and Art History, Br Sissons dubious bus driving, playing every sport possible and making lifelong friends with both boarders and days to name a few.

What made you choose your profession?

I really feel like my profession chose me. I studied English and Education at Otago and teaching came very naturally as a result. I worked at Kavanagh College teaching English before moving to Queen’s High School as an Assistant and then Deputy Principal before coming home to Oamaru as Principal at WGHS. Since beginning my career in teaching and principalship I have been fortunate to continue my learning. I completed my Graduate Diploma in Counselling and my Masters in Educational Leadership and am currently researching the impact that Positive Education, school culture and sense of belonging have on student well-being and academic outcomes, with the hope of eventually completing my Doctorate. I feel incredibly grateful to be doing what I love every day - I’m always very aware that some people don’t! I love teaching and having the chance to make a real difference in the lives of young people. It’s hard work but incredibly rewarding.

How has the profession changed over the years? 

Teaching is continuously changing to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. This is part of what I love about it; the challenge to always be looking to improve and think ahead about what knowledge, skills and qualities our young people will need to be successful not only now, but in the future. The impact technology has had on my profession has some great benefits but also a few challenges! The most positive change I think is how relational teaching is these days. When I was at school there seemed to be a chasm between teacher and student and now there is greater emphasis on connection and getting to know our students as individuals.

The pressure on teachers is immense and is ever increasing these days. Teachers do so much more than teach; one of the greatest changes - and challenges - over the past decade is teachers have to have the skills and knowledge to support students increasing pastoral needs.

Any information you are happy to share about your family, hobbies, interests etc

As well as being a Principal, I am also a Mum to six kids; four daughters and two sons, aged between 5 - 13. I love both roles and between them, it’s quite challenging fitting anything else in, but when I can it is usually doing anything in the outdoors, usually with kids in tow, or reading. I have a very glass-half-full attitude to life. I like to think that there is nothing I can’t achieve if I put my mind to it and I’m a big believer in making every day count! I feel blessed and grateful to be surrounded by family and friends who support me and believe in me!

What do you think are some of the challenges for young people today and how is it different from your time at school?

Undoubtedly one of the greatest challenges is the negative side of social media and technology, which sadly some young people have unlimited access to, day and night. When I was at school, the only way you could communicate with your friends was if you picked up the landline and called them! It saddens me that many young people today lack interpersonal and communication skills, that they struggle to overcome adversity and that many feel like everyone else has it better than they do. My goal is to inspire young people to develop self belief and confidence to be themselves, to find and do what they are passionate about, to aspire to be their best selves and to be able to pick themselves up from adversity. To develop the same glass half full attitude that I have perhaps! It sounds simple, but unfortunately, they are skills and qualities that are not so common these days.

Article added: Wednesday 22 November 2023