Humans of Carey: Demi Voulgaris

Middle and Senior School teacher and Year 10 Co-ordinator

Ringing in the new year, I decided against the age-old tradition of resolving myself to ‘exercise more’ or ‘read more books’. In true English teacher fashion, I committed myself to a theme for the year: savouring the unexpected joys. The unexpected joy of my first early morning walk of the new year, the unexpected joy of bumping into a friend at the shops, the unexpected joy of my (almost) dead cactus plant sprouting a rather dramatic flower after many long years of nothing.

What I have started to notice in this commitment to joy is a newfound respect for the day-to-day experiences we take for granted and, I can safely say, it has also challenged my outlook on what matters in education today.

In my new role as Year 10 Co-ordinator, I have been reflecting on how acknowledging the unexpected joys can teach us about how we work, learn and connect with others. Recently, my unexpected joy was walking past several Year 10 classes in the middle of a lesson. In one room, students worked together in small groups, others listened intently to the directions for preparing a recipe, and, in others, students wrote in their books while some asked questions and collaborated on a set task. As I walked through the D building and out into the A block, I found myself full of joy and pride for the Year 10 students, not only for their ability to engage in their learning but also for their resilience and courage during their transition to Senior School.

A Year 10 collaboration with one leaf representing each student. On every leaf, the students have written what they would like their purpose or legacy to be from their time in Senior School.

What I think can come from this ‘resolution for joy’ is a renewed sense of hope for the future. I think relearning to be hopeful, after a time of such unexpected losses, is the biggest hurdle facing us and our young people today. Our young people, however, also have a lot to teach us. As Associate Professor Grant Blashki states, ‘Young people stepped up [last] year and made enormous sacrifices during the pandemic, [in turn] becoming powerful advocates of mental health in a year that tested [their] resilience’. Learning from the strength of our students has certainly been an additional joy so far this year and, once again, affirms the purpose of what we do and why we do it.

It has been an honour, and, should I say, expected joy to work with the Year 10students as a cohort so far in 2021, andI am proud to say that for the most part, our students will leave behind a legacy of kindness, compassion, and connectedness to others. I am excited to see what they achieve this year and proud to lead them on their journey.