Mr Benjamin Duff has been teaching for 17 years, with over 10 years spent at our School. As a key member of the Primary leadership, Mr Duff reflects on his teaching career and the treasured experiences that have made up his time as part of the School community.
Discovering a passion for teaching
My grandfather was the Head of Primary at Guildford Grammar School. We used to stay with them, at their house on school grounds, when we visited from Victoria. I loved the wide-open spaces of their grounds and the playing facilities that they had access to.
In addition, my year 5 and 6 teachers and my Accounting teacher for Year 11 and 12 were passionate about maths. All made a significant impact on the sort off teacher I wanted to be.
Before beginning at Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School, I taught at Guildford Grammar for six years and Scotch College for two years. I chose to work at Bunbury Grammar due to its superb reputation. It was the sort of school I wanted my children to go to. I also enjoy the country lifestyle and opportunities that living in rural centres offers families. Our environment is beautiful and the access we have to native species is fantastic. Utilising this advantage in teaching is one of my favourite things.
Ten Years in Primary at Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School
Throughout my time here, I have enjoyed the developments of the Speed Centre and the Grammar Garden. In addition, students’ access to large amounts of quality technology has increased amazingly in my time. In a similar vein, the opportunities students have to travel overseas with Round Square and to participate in exchanges with Radford College in Canberra have been great.
I have particularly enjoyed watching the students develop robots and give them names and personalities before battling them in Sumo contests. Every group is different in the way they tackle things. The RoboCup competition is a highlight for me each year.
Getting involved in Positive Education and the development of it throughout the School has been very satisfying. My favourite day of the year is Presentation Night. In particular, I enjoy acknowledging a wide range of students who have worked hard, listening to our Head Boys and Girls speak and watching the performances of our Year 3 to 6 students after witnessing all the rehearsals and organisation required to make this night successful. The variety and professionalism of these class items amaze me every year.
Overall, the relationships that are created amongst students, parents and staff are very special and result in connections that are long-lasting and spread all around the world.
