Nearly all our secondary students at Carramar will have the pleasure of being in one of Kerry Cross’s classes at one time or another, and when you hear her story it’s not hard to understand why she brings such passion to her role!
Kerry comes from a family of educators and grew up watching her parents shaping the lives of young people through their work.
“I was born on Christmas Island where my Dad was the school Principal,” said Kerry.
“When we returned to mainland Australia, we moved around various country towns and often lived right next door to the school, so educational venues were my playground. I loved the classrooms and I loved the variety of opportunities. Growing up I watched the creativity of my parents in their various teaching type roles, and as I got older, thought Home Ec teaching would be a great job where practical hands-on learning could happen.”
So, Kerry undertook her teacher training from WACAE – the Western Australian College of Advanced Education, which is now Edith Cowan University.
“I studied at the Nedlands campus which involved four traffic jams each way, because most of the freeway did not exist!” remembers Kerry.
“My first teaching job was in 1985 at Duncraig SHS for a year whilst I completed my bachelor’s degree. Then we headed to Paraburdoo to start what became 25 years of moving around schools in various WA country towns including Geraldton, Carnamah, Kulin, Lake Grace, Busselton, before returning to the city in 2011,” said Kerry.
“I think I have worked in 11 different schools in various full-time, part-time and long service leave cover roles over my career!”
Today Kerry is a Year 7 Homeroom teacher in Parresia House, and mainly teaches Home Economics where the focus is foods, textiles and childcare.
“I love the dynamic nature of schools,” said Kerry.
“There is always something interesting happening as we all create character-stretching, skill-enhancing spaces and activities. I love interacting with the magnificent array of beautiful teenagers as they flourish from ‘SUPER SEVENS’ to ‘TERRIFIC TWELVES’”.
When she’s not at St Stephen’s School, Kerry has an incredibly busy life with her family.“My most beloved hobbies are reading, solving beautiful jigsaw puzzles and doing or going to the ballet. I love getting out the sewing machine during the holidays and creating clothes. I swim and walk regularly for strength and fitness.”
“My husband Graeme and I have three grown children, all married, and two grandchildren – the youngest only born a few weeks ago! We also have a 14-year-old Border Collie called Buddie.”
Kerry and her family have enjoyed travelling together over many years.
“As our children grew, we had many family adventures in our great country,” said Kerry.
“We spent time traversing the Nullarbor, walking up Mount Kosciuszko, diving on The Great Barrier Reef, traipsing Tasmania, hiking through Tunnel Creek and Windjana Gorge, scouting Uluru and climbing through Karijini”.
One thing that Kerry is known for at Carramar, is sharing her faith by running staff prayers and taking prayer requests from staff across campus.
“I cannot go past the life of Jesus as the one to emulate. All my life, He has faithfully loved me and I desire to do no less. Love God, love others – it’s foundational.”