Staff Spotlight: Jade Johnston

What initially drew me to St Michael’s Collegiate was its strong sense of community and its genuine commitment to nurturing the whole child. As an early childhood teacher, I was especially inspired by the way Collegiate values each stage of learning and recognises that the foundations laid in the early years shape students’ confidence, curiosity, and character for life.

When I first arrived, I was struck by the warmth and joy throughout the school. There is such a positive energy here—students are engaged and staff are welcoming and deeply supportive. In the Kindergarten spaces, there is a beautiful balance of calm, creativity, and purposeful play. It felt immediately like a place where young learners are truly known and celebrated.

I see our values of Courage, Integrity, and Compassion lived out in Kindergarten in the most beautiful and authentic ways. Courage is a child putting up her hand to share an idea, trying again when something feels tricky, or making a new friend. Integrity is learning to take responsibility—packing away carefully, telling the truth, or persevering with a task. Compassion shines through when the students comfort one another, share materials, or celebrate each other’s successes. In my role, I aim to gently guide and model these values every single day.

Through my teaching, I hope to empower our students to embrace the fullness of life by nurturing their sense of wonder and helping them believe in their own capabilities. I want them to feel brave enough to ask questions, kind enough to care for others, and confident enough to try—even when things feel new or challenging.

Looking ahead, I am excited to continue building strong partnerships with families, contribute to a rich and engaging early years program, and create a classroom environment where every child feels safe, seen, and celebrated. My goal is to help each student develop a lifelong love of learning from their very first years at school.