Michelle Faria (2007)

I lived in Manchester for eight months, during that time becoming an au pair for a Jewish Orthodox family, which was a massive learning experience for me but so enjoyable. They were a beautiful family. 

During my time in Manchester, I did experience a moment of uncertainty and fear as I lived five minutes away from the Manchester Arena, which was bombed during the Ariana Grande concert. A concert I was meant to go to and sold my ticket last minute. I was featured in the Community Newspaper back here in Perth, detailing my experience and what life was like living in Manchester during that time.

At the end of 2017, I finally returned home and began my teaching career, covering a long service position at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Hilton. In 2018, I secured my first full-time position as a Year 1 teacher at St Emilie’s Catholic Primary school. In 2019, I secured a Year 1/2 (composite) position at Queen of Apostles Primary school, and this year, I have returned back to where my schooling journey began and I have recently secured the Pre Primary position at Mel Maria Catholic Primary school.

I have a wonderful partner Ricardo and we have been together for almost seven years.

What has been a highlight along the way?

A highlight along the way was definitely moving to the United Kingdom. This is an opportunity not a lot of people get, and I was very blessed to have been able to go over for a long period of time. It was an amazing experience, attending football matches at some of the world’s most famous stadiums such as West Ham United’s Boleyn Ground, Manchester’s Old Trafford, Wembley Stadium (which I zip lined… amazing adrenaline rush), I saw many West End musicals such as: Wicked, The Lion King, Bend it Like Beckham, Aladdin, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, Dirty Dancing, Matilda etc. I saw many concerts and shows at the famous O2 Arena such as Justin Bieber, I also climbed the O2 on foot. During this time, I also made a lot of new friends whom I still keep in contact with today. I have many fond memories of the UK and can’t wait to go back and revisit my old stomping grounds.

What is one of your fondest memories from your time at Santa Maria College?

One of my fondest memories at Santa Maria would have to have been when I was a science student of Mr Ryan. Mr Ryan was such a lovely teacher, he always made sure his students were happy, learning, and always laughing. I remember how he used to always open his classroom at lunch so that we could go in and watch Rage music videos and use the microwave to heat up our lunches. I also remember learning to change a tyre on his car, which he drove onto the school grounds so that we could learn this skill on his little brown car.

It was also special to find out that Mr Ryan had also taught my dad when he was at school where we found an old school report that he wrote for my dad. I remember him laughing when I showed him.

Michelle Faria, (2007) Day Student