Where are they now?

My memories of Cecil Hills High School

My name is Priya Anna Datt.  I graduated from Cecil Hills High School in 2013.

In high school, I wouldn’t say that I was the most aspirational person. I did my work to get by but had no big dreams until I started doing Visual Arts in Year 11. I definitely think that Visual Arts in Year 11 and 12 changed my perspective on a lot of things. And I feel like I grew the most as a person when studying the Arts. 

I am now a high school Visual Arts teacher, working for the NSW Department of Education.   When completing my UAC form whilst I was still at school, I had two choices left and didn’t know what to put down. My Art teacher (Ms Chee) suggested that I put down Teaching. I did this, and that was the first course I got accepted into. I took it as a sign and studied a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Education at UNSW. 

Some milestones in my 25 years

After completing my undergraduate degree, I decided to do further study and completed my Masters through Research in Educational Psychology.

I have travelled to India, Japan, Indonesia and Hong Kong since graduating and have had some great experiences.

I taught my first graduating class and have met some brilliant students and teachers!

What I would like to do in the future

• I would like to get involved more with the community to support disadvantaged students coming from lower socio-economic areas.
• I would like to finish travelling the world

Some of my memorable high school moments

• Mr Abdioglu's Maths classes - they were always fun !
• Mr Giugni's Science classes - I am really grateful for his humour, it got me through the HSC
• Ms Wicks (our English class loved annoying her, she was a lot of fun !)

My advice to YOU

Treat every day as a brand new day, because it is.   Take every moment as it comes and always do your best. Your problems today, won’t be with you tomorrow. 

“It all begins and ends in your mind. What you give power to, has the power over you. If you allow it.”

Priya Datt