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From student to educational leader: a career journey shaped by belonging, opportunity and growth

A Fresh Start: Brayden commenced his Secondary Education at Thomas Carr College after completing Primary School in Point Cook. On Day 1 of Term 1, Year 7, he found himself without the usual connections and friendships from Primary School. Fortunately, there were some familiar faces, as he had attended St Peter’s Primary School until Year 2.

“I was the only student from my primary school that went to Thomas Carr…it was a little bit different because it was like a fresh start for me. I had to build those friendships and reconnect with a couple of students from my time at St Peters.”

Learning Beyond the Classroom

His time at Thomas Carr College was shaped by strong relationships with teachers, lasting friendships and a range of experiences that helped build his confidence and leadership skills. Core experiences included participating in school camps, including the Year 7 camp to Phillip Island and the Year 9 Ski camp. He was also an active participant in the SACCSS Sports program (then called ACS), representing the school in basketball, volleyball and tennis.

“I really enjoyed the sports carnivals at Thomas Carr College, especially when you get to the older year levels like Year 11, Year 12 and the costumes and the colour and the fun of it all.”

The Teachers Who Made a Difference

Health and Business stood out as subjects that he had a natural aptitude for and really enjoyed. Brayden had positive relationships with all his teachers, but two teachers stood out, Dr Guedes (Business Management) and Ms Scalzo (Health).

“I think having those teachers in Year 12 really helps because you know what VCE is like, the stress of it all. And so really having them to support you through that was really beneficial. But I just enjoyed going to their classes. I could see that they wanted the best for us all. They knew it was a stressful time for us and tried to keep us calm, but focused and pointed out to us that if you put in the effort, you’ll see the benefits. Just positive classroom culture”.

During his senior years at Thomas Carr College, Brayden was chosen to mentor and support a Chinese exchange student, fostering a positive and inclusive experience while developing his own leadership, communication and intercultural skills.

“My role involved supporting one of the international students while they were at school, and it was a really special experience. I had to take on a lot of responsibility because I was helping a student who didn’t speak the language, didn’t know where to go, and was relying on me to navigate their
new environment. It was a wonderful opportunity to build my confidence, leadership and communication skills. Looking back, I realise it was a truly formative experience that had a lasting impact on me.”

Answering the Call to Teach

While Brayden felt a strong calling to become a teacher, his mother, also an educator, was mindful of the profession’s challenges and encouraged him to explore alternative career paths. He initially enrolled in a Speech Pathology degree at Australian Catholic University, but soon realised it wasn’t the right fit for him. Shortly after, he transferred to Victoria University to study a Bachelor of Education (Prep-Year 12), which gave him the flexibility to explore different teaching pathways before deciding where he wanted to specialise. The move confirmed what he had long suspected, that teaching was the right path for him. Through placements and practical experience, Brayden gained confidence in the classroom and further developed the skills needed to begin his teaching career.

During his university studies, Brayden worked as a coach within the Physical Education department. The role helped him develop his leadership, communication and mentoring skills while working closely with students in sporting and educational settings. It also reinforced his passion for helping young people reach their full potential and provided valuable experience in building positive relationships and creating supportive environments.

Building a Career in Education

Brayden secured his first teaching position at St Peter’s, where he taught Years 5 and 6. Keen to become involved in the broader life of the school, he joined the literacy curriculum team and took on leadership opportunities as they arose. His contributions were recognised with an appointment as Literacy Leader. The experience gave him the confidence to continue pursuing leadership opportunities, eventually leading him to apply for the Year 5 and 6 Coordinator role at St Clare’s Primary School.

Looking Back

Reflecting on his journey, Brayden credits much of his career progression to a willingness to step outside his comfort zone and embrace new opportunities. In a relatively short period of time, this approach has seen him move through a number of leadership roles, each helping him build new skills and broaden his impact on students and school communities.