Mrs Leonie Sutherland first joined the School almost 40 years ago. Mrs Sutherland talks about her experiences as a Physical Education teacher, vertical Home Group integration and her involvement in co-curricular activities.
Teaching was not my first choice. Physiotherapy was but I did not get the marks to get in. Physical Education (PE) teaching was choice number two – I had wonderful teachers when I was in secondary school and I still see some of those teachers around Bunbury to this day. It is definitely not something that I regret at all. On the contrary, I have loved it. I enjoy teaching and coaching the students and getting to know them and their families – something that I feel is very special about Bunbury Grammar.
I started at Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School in 1982 (ouch). A distinct memory of that first year was having to change my clothes every time I taught in a classroom, which was a daily occurrence and often more than once in a day. We had 35 minute periods and I quickly became an absolute champion at changing between ‘regular’ clothes and my sports gear.
After four years, I left to have my children but kept in touch doing relief work during that time. After spending 1993 in Canada while my husband was on a teacher exchange, I returned to BCGS in 1994 as the Head of Learning Area of PE.
When the time came to change our Home Group structure, I jumped at the chance to be a part of this and truly believe that vertical Home Groups are a brilliant idea, and it marries very well with our Boarding structure. Leading Knight House has been a highlight for me and one that I still enjoy.
Travel is a big part of my life, both within school and in my personal life. Sport and travel have often gone together at School – Country Week is always a bonus, swimming trips to Singapore and Queensland, football trips to Melbourne, netball competition on the Gold Coast, ski trips to New Zealand and the Eastern States, safaris in Africa and even trekking in Kokoda, I have been very blessed to have been a part of these.
Other cherished memories I have had at the School are with Outward Bound – I still love it and have missed it very much this year. The many Rottnest Channel Swims were also very special to me. Watching students push themselves physically and mentally is a big part of both of these events.
