Mr Trent Collins joined our School in Term 1, 2021 following completion of a Masters of Teaching. This is his first teaching role and his passion and dedication for the students has really shone through in his first year at our School. He is looking forward to making a further impact on students’ lives as he takes on important new roles next year.
I was fortunate enough to grow up in the wheatbelt, 30 kilometres east of York on a mixed cropping and sheep farm. Like many country kids, my afternoons usually consisted of riding motorbikes with my brother, sheep work with Dad, or helping Mum in the veggie patch and garden. I attended the local district high school up to Year 9, before heading to boarding at Guildford Grammar for my final years of schooling – an opportunity and institution that provided me with the desire to become an educator.
After school, I studied a Bachelor of Agribusiness at Curtin University purely due to my love of agriculture, however I was still directionless in where I saw myself working in the industry. It was not until I got a part-time job in the Boarding house at Guildford Grammar that my interest in teaching came to fruition. It was the place where I had support, guidance, and purpose as a student, and I saw studying education as an opportunity to provide adolescents with the same rewarding experiences I was lucky enough to receive.
I completed my Master of Teaching at the University of Notre Dame and not long after, the opportunity to relocate to the South West arose, which I jumped at. Starting my career at Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School has been both exciting and fulfilling. The sincerity, friendliness, and acceptance of everyone in our School community has been a pleasure to be a part of. Our students have a genuine care and appreciation for each other, the School, and our exceptional grounds. It is so rewarding to see students of various backgrounds and interests thriving in an inclusive environment like ours across a multitude of fields, and I am privileged to be teaching here with like-minded staff.
A role which I have been thankful to hold since Term 3 has been as the School Indigenous Student Co-ordinator. Something I believe our School honours exceptionally is inclusivity and diversity. Being able to provide culturally appropriate support to both students and their families, celebrate Aboriginal cultures, and guide students at school mentoring sessions has been both fulfilling and motivating, and I thank these proud students for celebrating and sharing their culture with me.
Positive Psychology is a passion of mine and I thoroughly enjoy reading about and implementing principles in my classroom and daily activities to build purpose and meaning in students’ lives. I am eager and grateful to be able continue this in my role as an Associate Head of House, Science teacher and Boarding Supervisor in 2022. I look forward to continuing to establish myself in the School community, encouraging students to be the best version of themselves, and seeing what exciting developments our School has on offer for 2022 and beyond.
