Duncraig Alumni Melissa Beale has come full circle, returning to St Stephen’s School as the Dean of Timae.
After school, Melissa took a gap year to figure out her next steps.
“I wasn’t 100% sure what I actually wanted to do, so I deferred university and started working to buy myself a laptop for University.” she says.
It didn’t take long for Melissa to realise a full-time office job was not for her. A self-professed sports fanatic, she wanted a career that combined her love of being active with making a difference.
“I had a couple of exceptional teachers who supported me at school and made those years bearable for me. So, I definitely know first-hand what it is like to have teachers support you in times of need. I could tell you the names of teachers who made a difference in my life, who made me feel valued and known. When I realised that I could have a career where I play sport and help/encourage teenagers in making positive choices, enjoy exercise or provide support for them through some of their toughest adolescent years, it seemed like the perfect job.”
Although returning to St Stephen’s School wasn’t part of the original plan, a day of relief teaching changed her mind.
“It’s true, sometimes you need to step away to really see how good something is. I was reminded of how amazing the culture at St Stephen’s School really is. The staff work together, not in silos and they genuinely care for each other. The students were respectful and polite, and (for the most part) actually enjoyed school and wanted to be there.”
Now, as Dean of Timae, Melissa’s impact goes beyond the classroom.
“If I help just make one person’s day better, learn a life lesson or feel supported, I guess that’s a success to me. If it is more than one, even better”
Reflecting on her own time as a student, Melissa has plenty of fond memories.
“The camps were always a highlight, from the kayaking on Year 10 Nanga camp with Dr Starr, to Dancing on Year 12 retreat with Mr Timms strumming away on the guitar, or Mr Herewini’s Year 8 Integrated Studies class (and the sleepover), to all the sports, CAS, carnivals, tetrathlons or band.”
Outside of school, Melissa loves staying active and has some impressive adventures under her belt.
“Working (at St Stephen’s School, Carramar) alongside Sally Pilbeam (nee Hall, class of 95) inspired me to start triathlons. Since then I’ve completed several 70.3s and Busselton Ironman, swum the Rotto Solo and in 2024 made it to Everest Base Camp.”
For current students, Melissa leaves them with a simple reminder:
“Each student matters, has incredible value and can make a real difference in this world.”