Staff Spotlight: Mr Darren Brett, Mathematics Teacher

This month, Chloe S (Year 10) shone the spotlight on Mr Brett, a Mathematics teacher and Oodgeroo House Mentor.

Why do you like teaching at Oxley College?

Why do I love teaching at Oxley College? Well, it’s simple. It is the perfect blend of incredible students, supportive colleagues, and just enough chaos to keep life interesting. The students at Oxley keep me on my toes … they are curious, hardworking, and bring their own unique quirks that make every day different. It is like being part of a comedy-drama-action show, where you are never quite sure what you will get, but it’s always worth tuning in for! Oxley is a community where everyone truly cares about education and the growth of the students, and that sense of purpose makes it a genuinely special place to teach.

Tell us the funniest experience that has ever happened in the classroom.

Ah, the unforgettable day a student decided to turn my Maths class into a live reenactment of a disaster movie.

So, there I am, in full ‘maths-mode’, explaining fractions with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for sports commentators. I notice one student looking a bit green, and I think, ‘Hang in there, we’re almost through this!’ But, oh no. This unfortunate young man had other plans.

Suddenly, mid-fraction, they turn to me, eyes wide, and before I can even process what’s happening, it is a full-on vomit volcano. The student erupts like Mt. Vesuvius right onto my shoes, my pants, and even a little on the whiteboard … just enough to really emphasise that fractions can be messy.

From then on, every time we did fractions, someone would ask if they should ‘grab a bucket, just in case’.

Do you have a pet?

Yes. A dog called Ziggy! He’s like the lovable, scrappy old grandpa of the dog world. 18 years old … pretty much the canine equivalent of being, like, 150 in human years. He is blind, deaf, and has lost control over his bodily functions, which means, at this point, Ziggy is living his best life as a silent and invisible mystery. He is basically the dog version of a haunted house … you never quite know what’s going to happen next. Honestly, Ziggy is just out here vibing in his senior years like, ‘Yeah, I can’t see or hear, but I can smell you, and that’s all I need.’

Every time I walk into the room, I’m like, ‘Is he looking at me? Is he even aware I’m here?’ But Ziggy, with the wisdom of a dog who has survived more than any of us, just gives me the look of ‘I know you’re here, I just can’t be bothered.’

What is your favourite food?

Alright, we’re talking hot chips here – the crispy golden sticks of pure joy. Specifically, the ones that are so hot they could be used as medieval weapons. I’m talking about those fries that you grab straight out of the fryer, thinking ‘how bad could it be?’ only to realise they are hotter than the surface of the sun. But do I wait for them to cool? Absolutely not. I’ll sit there, steam billowing out of my mouth, eyes watering, trying to play it cool like, ‘No, I’m totally fine, this is delicious’, while internally I’m debating if I will ever taste anything again.

Also, nothing quite compares to the thrill of eating popcorn. 10% actually goes in my mouth, while the other 90% decorates my shirt, the couch, and somehow the entire living room, leaving me with the lifelong mystery of ‘where did all my popcorn go?’

What is the meaning of life?

Ok, the big question! Ultimately, in my opinion, the meaning of life can be something we define for ourselves. It may involve the simple moments of joy, the challenges we overcome, and the connections we make. While the search for meaning can be complex and individual, I think many would agree that it is about finding ways to live with purpose, compassion, and authenticity.