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Two public school teachers tell their stories of unlikely moves from the lush north coast of NSW to the red, sandy country of Sunraysia, in the state’s south-west.
Public school teachers Kathryn Steward and Michael Coleman.
Michael Coleman, executive principal at Dareton Public School:
This is my 27th year with the department and my fourth year at Dareton. I moved to the far south-west from Byron Bay, where I’d been principal since 2010. I’ve always had a deep connection to First Nations people’s dance and culture, particularly since being involved with it at the 2000 Olympics. I specifically wanted to work with Indigenous students and it has been extremely rewarding.
Our students are such incredible young people, many of whom overcome hurdles just to get to school each day. The stories of generational trauma that impact them and their families often brings me to tears and it is through that lens of compassion and connection that we have transformed our school.
As a principal in five schools I’ve had to deal with everything from getting frogs out of the girls’ toilets to snakes living in the roof of classrooms and even frozen pipes. I don’t see my work as a job, but more of a vocation.
I had taken a few years to finish my degree in my 20s as I tried many other things including acting, dancing, aerobics and gym instructing, and was even part of the bronze medal-winning team in the Australian Step Reebok Championships in 1992. I’ve managed cafes and retail, been a goat and beef farmer, and a landscape gardener.
I find teaching a noble and rewarding career. You make a difference in the lives and futures of the children. It’s also one of the hardest careers. Your work is never finished; there is always more preparation you can do, more data to analyse and more extracurricular activities you can take on. You have to love kids, love learning, be super-organised and relentlessly positive. It’s all about connection.
Kathryn Steward, executive principal at Coomealla High School:
After growing up in rural, remote South Australia, completing my schooling and attending university in Adelaide, I have worked for over 30 years across public schools in western Sydney, the Coffs Harbour area, and now Coomealla.