School Staff
Jess Jarrett
Teacher
My pathway into teaching has been a little different to most. After spending 10 years at university studying Psychology and Social Sciences, followed by a Master of Teaching, and starting a PhD in AI use in schools, I took some time working as a personal trainer. Before stepping into the classroom, I was also a sport aerobics coach for over a decade. In recent years, I’ve worked in special education, which has deeply shaped my approach to supporting all learners.
I am passionate about student wellbeing holistically, building strong, positive relationships with my students and creating a classroom where everyone feels safe to take risks in their learning. I love those “aha!” moments when something finally clicks, and I encourage students to embrace mistakes as an important part of the learning process. My teaching style is student-led and focused on helping each child achieve their personal best.
I am particularly excited to be working within gifted education. I value curiosity, critical thinking and a genuine love of learning, and I enjoy supporting students to explore ideas in greater depth and challenge themselves. I also see learning as a shared journey and love the opportunity to learn alongside my students, drawing on their perspectives, strengths and interests to enrich our classroom environment.
Outside of school, I’m a big reader and love getting lost in a good book. I also have a real love for musical theatre and each year my brother and I make a trip to Melbourne or Sydney to see as many shows as we can. Experiencing the creativity, storytelling and collaboration involved in theatre gives me a real appreciation for the different ways students express themselves through creative thinking and learning. I also have a dog named Carl and a cat named Cruella who keep me busy at home.
I’m a big sports fan and enjoy watching AFL and cricket. I’ve been a SACA member since I was 18 and spend a week each year at Adelaide Oval soaking it all in.