Introducing Michelle Nosworthy, Science Teacher

Staff Story

Michelle Nosworthy loves change. Which is just as well because this year has meant many big changes for her – a new job, a move from one side of the world to the other and marriage just weeks ago.

Only three days before her wedding day, Michele was on a zoom call being interviewed for the position of Science Teacher. On her honeymoon she had another zoom interview – for the position of Assistant Head of Kurrawa House, a position she takes up in January. It’s been a whirlwind time with the marriage, the new country and the new job, but as an experienced teacher and pastoral leader in the UK, Michele takes it all in her stride.

In fact, her love of change is also the reason she chose teaching as her career. “I like to be busy and I like to be changing all the time’, she says.

‘I don’t like doing the same thing. Becoming a teacher lent itself to all the things I like doing.’

Since the beginning of Term 4, Michelle has been teaching Science to Years 7, 8, 9 and 10. She is British and grew up on Jersey in the Channel Islands. She attended an all girls school which she says was very similar to Santa Sabina. At school she loved the sciences as well as creative subjects including Drama and Art but she had no idea of what her career would be. Encouraged to continue with science which came easily to her and was enjoyable, it was not until close to the end of her degree that she realised teaching would be her path.

‘I’ve ended up where I want to be’, she says.

Michelle studied Pharmacology at the University of Bath followed by teacher training at the University of Reading.

Most recently, Michelle was a Chemistry Teacher at Langley Grammar School in Slough, one of the most ethnically diverse areas of the UK. Chemistry is her specialty, although at Santa Sabina she also teaches all the school sciences – Chemistry, Physics and Biology. With her background in the pastoral role of Phase Leader (a similar role to Year Coordinator at Australian schools) at Langley, she is looking forward to using her experience in pastoral care to assist Tia O’Carroll in running Kurrawa House from 2023.

Outside of work, Michelle’s main hobby is running. She runs with her Australian husband, as well as on her own, although she’s finding Sydney’s topography is a lot more challenging compared to the flat paths of Maidenhead, Berkshire, her most recent address. Michelle also loves socialising with friends and cooking for family in her down time.

After only four weeks in Australia, the British Chemistry specialist is adjusting well, with a routine of walking to work, running up and down our hills in her spare time and already planning on running next year’s City to Surf. And in five years’ time, all being well, we hope to welcome her to Australian Citizenship.

Victoria Harper
Publications and Marketing Officer