Spotlight on a 

Staff Member

For this edition of our newsletter, we interview Ms Welfare, who has so many roles at JBHS. 

What roles do you have at our school? What's the best part?

At the moment I am relieving English/ LOTE Head Teacher for 2 days a week, I am the Coordinator of Girls Education, School Photo coordinator, Coordinator of TODA visits. The best part is teaching great students and that lightbulb moment when they “get” something.  I have enjoyed building relationships with students and their families over the years - now I am teaching the children of students I had in my early years here.

How long have you been teaching? Have you enjoyed it? 

I have been teaching at JBHS since 1996. I was sent to JBHS as part of a scholarship I had at uni - I had to work for 3 years in the school they sent me to and it could have been anywhere in New South Wales. And I’m still here! The great people I get to work with everyday, the trip to Japan in 2019 with students from JBHS and Lurnea High School through Liverpool Council was definitely a highlight.

What do you like best about our school? 

I started here in 1996 fresh out of university. I like helping students and teaching them. Someone told me once that students learn so much at school - and it’s not just the academic stuff. I like being able to provide students with opportunities and being a positive role model too.

What changes have you seen during your time in this school? 

Lots has changed - staff have come and gone, the uniform and logo have changed and the school is much nicer looking now, the old library was where the C Block is - the HSIE staffroom and C4 combined, there was no gym, volleyball courts, COLA or shade shelter. I have been here for basically half my life! I have gone from being a uni graduate to a parent of 2 children - I feel like I have grown up at James Busby to be honest!

Do you like those changes? 

Yeah! Now when I look around the school, I see all the new different additions. There are always new challenges and things change every year.

Have you always wanted to be a teacher?  

I have, my dad was a teacher so ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to be a teacher, though I enrolled in a different course at university to start with. I never started that course, I switched to teaching and haven't ever regretted it.

If you weren't a teacher, what would you be? 

An actor for sure, that's one of my dreams. 

The happiest moments? 

Every day is happy, I find something to laugh at every day. Being a young teacher with other young staff members was fun back in the late 90s and early 2000s - we used to all go out together and had staff nights like trivia night etc. They were fun times!

Our amazing Year 10 team, Jaxon, Shelly, Nour and Nassem with Ms Welfare in her Japanese room.