As part of the first cohort to graduate MBC in 2009 and now a high school teacher in my fifth year at MBC, I like to think I have a well-rounded perspective on what life is like at the College.
As a student, I spent years navigating the stresses of adolescence, the ups and downs of high school friendships and relationships, the never-ending stream of assessments and tests and dodging the inevitable conversations with my teachers about some dude named Jesus.
Though I didn’t know it at the time, it was these experiences that helped to prepare me for the real world. I learnt to exude positivity and breathe life into my relationships by watching my teachers address even the most difficult of students with a kind greeting and a smile every day. I learnt the importance of consistent hard work in the face of adversity from my Year 12 subject teachers who despite finishing with us in Term 3, continued their love and support through the dreaded WACE exams in Term 4. Last but certainly not least, it was the love and patience that my teachers showed me, through God, that hung around the longest. Far after my knowledge of the nervous system dissipated (sorry, Mr Crouch), God’s love was still there. Who knew that finally learning about that dude named Jesus could be so helpful?
It was these precious memories that encouraged me to come back to MBC once I had achieved my Diploma of Education. Now, as a teacher, there are still so many lessons that I take away from MBC on a daily basis. My students teach me to laugh and most importantly, be in and enjoy the moment. No one enjoys the moment more than a group of Year 8 students who have five minutes of free time at the end of a lesson. My students teach me patience, grace and that sometimes, you just need to slow down. This lesson really settled in after the third time I tried to teach Year 9s the preferential voting system. Slow and steady always wins the race.
Most importantly, I have learnt the importance of being surrounded by love whether you’re a student, teacher, leader, employee, friend, community member or family member. That’s the one thing that sets MBC apart from the rest and the reason I came back to the College as a teacher, the love.
– Kiara Ngatai
Humanities Teacher
