Mrs Kathy Chiera joined the School community 22 years ago in the Science department and this year takes on the role as the new Head of Secondary. Her passion for students remains unwavering as she continues to guide and inspire them to discover their individual pathways.

I think teaching and education is in my DNA! I come from a family of teachers and scientists and education was always very important to our family. I studied for an Honours degree in Biology at Manchester University after leaving school, and it was then I realised that, whilst Science and particularly Biological Sciences fascinated me, I was not meant to be working in a laboratory. I wanted to work with people and teaching seemed to fit the bill.

I completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Education at Oxford University and soon realised that this was the right career for me. Those ‘ah ha’ moments with students, when that complex idea suddenly becomes clear for a learner, are magical and never fail to inspire and motivate me as a teacher.

I taught in three Secondary schools in Oxfordshire for 12 years, finishing in the UK as Head of Science in a co-educational Church of England Secondary School in Henley on Thames, before emigrating to WA in 1997. I had taken part in a Commonwealth Teacher Exchange to Swanbourne Senior High School in 1993 and I was keen to come back to Australia to continue my adventures! I did not expect to still be here nearly 25 years later!

I joined the staff of Bunbury Cathedral Grammar in January 1999. During the intervening years I have had the opportunity to work as a Science teacher, to lead the Science Department and to work within the Wellbeing team. In 2008 I first stepped into the role of Deputy Head (Academic) and I was thrilled to be given the permanent position at the beginning of 2011 when Dr Carol Hogan retired.

Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School means a lot to me; I am passionate about our School and the opportunities and connections it provides for the entire community. I continue to love working with students, watching them mature and move into their life as young adults. There is nothing more satisfying than helping a student grow, learn, overcome challenges and celebrate successes as they develop during their High School years, which I am sure is a feeling we all share.

Our School has always been staffed by inspirational teachers and I have learnt so much from so many of them. The fun and joy that has been at the heart of the Science team, and my colleagues in Administration, is also something that has sustained me over many years! I have found the School community to be welcoming and supportive, and the kindness and friendliness of the whole community, makes our School a very special place.

My new role as Head of Secondary is of course a huge challenge, but also a wonderful opportunity to work with everyone to continue to provide excellence in all we do, preserving the core ‘DNA’ of our School as we simultaneously evolve to meet the needs of our students, the new decade and our evolving community.

I am very much looking forward to a great year ahead with new students, a number of new members of the teaching staff, a new Master Plan which will begin this year and of course the arrival of the England team for the Ashes at the end of the year!