Education as a Christian Calling

Staff share with us their vocation stories.

Natalie Woollam – St Joseph’s Prep School

Ever since I can remember, I wanted to teach. Specifically, I was nine when I realised that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I had the utmost respect for my teachers and there was one teacher who definitely had an immense impact on me. Her name was Sister M. Augustine, from St. Joseph’s Convent School. She encouraged and supported me along the way right up until I went to university.

I had taught in a number of Catholic schools before I decided to have a break when my second child arrived.  Upon returning to teaching full-time, I found myself in a non-faith school and realised that something was missing for me. Having started at St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, taking on the Chaplaincy and shared RE leader role, I once again feel complete.

Toni Malone, St Edward’s College

Education as a Christian Calling
Reflection: Why did I start teaching? What keeps me here?

My teaching career began in 2018 when I embarked on my training year, and I have loved it ever since. During this year I was placed at St Edward’s College where I began to thrive as a teacher, and I am still loving it here now.

St Edward’s College is a school that is very similar to the high school that I attended, St John Bosco, which is one reason that keeps me here and in this career. St John Bosco was a school that was once run by the Salesian Sisters who were still ever-present within the school when I attended. Their work with young people was inspirational, similar to the work of the Christian Brothers.

I have distinct memories of my school life involving the Salesian Sisters where they were running after-school clubs, holding meaningful prayer / reflection sessions, organising retreats, running summer school and even meditation sessions. All of their work with pupils involved carrying out the message of Don Bosco; children should be united spirituality with work, study, and play.

The Salesian Sisters were fundamental in inspiring my career in teaching and working with young people. I have been very lucky to find a school to work in that is so similar to what I experienced in my childhood. The work of the Christian Brothers and Salesian Sisters, and the message they send to young people, undeniably keeps me in my teaching vocation.

Toni Malone, St Edward’s College.

Toni shown here with colleagues on the staff wellbeing walk. She is on the far left.