Specialist's Say
Science
Welcome to Science in 2026!
For those I haven’t met yet, I’d like to take a moment to introduce myself. I grew up on a farm in Yeo and completed my primary school years here at St Mary’s, so it is very special to now be part of this community as a teacher.
I’ve been teaching for 15 years, spending much of that time as an Art teacher across the small rural schools surrounding Colac. After having my two sons (Jed, is Grade 1 this year, and Hugo, is at four-year-old kinder) I worked as an emergency relief teacher at Sacred Heart and St Mary’s while they were babies.
I was thrilled to then take on the role of Science teacher at St Mary’s, and 2026 marks my third year in this position. I’m very much looking forward to another year of curiosity, discovery, and hands-on learning in Science.
I’m especially excited to welcome our Prep students this year. They will visit the Science room each fortnight for the whole year. This term, they will be exploring Chemical Science, focusing on what things are made of and using their senses to investigate the textures, differences, and purposes of both natural and manufactured materials.
Our Year 2, 4, and 6 students will join me weekly this term for Biological Sciences, where they will explore the environment and our natural world.
In Term 4, 2025, the Preps studied Biology with me and each planted a sunflower seed. For reasons I still can’t quite figure out, only one seed survived and is still growing near the front gate of our school. Jed and Hugo made sure we visited it at least once a week throughout the holidays, and we’re very excited to see that a flower is finally forming this week! Fingers crossed we’ll soon see a sunflower in full bloom—and be able to harvest the seeds for this year’s Preps to plant in Term 4, 2026!
Jess Parker