For many alumni, the years spent at ACG Sunderland hold some of their most treasured memories - friendships, lessons, and experiences that shape who they become. For Stephanie, those formative years left such a strong impression that when life led her back through the same school gates, it felt both natural and extraordinary. Once Head Girl and an inspiring young leader, she has now returned to her past school in a new capacity - as a Teacher Aide, guiding the next generation of students through their own journeys of discovery and growth.

A Serendipitous Return

When asked what inspired her return, Stephanie describes it as “more serendipitous than inspired.” After spending time abroad, she realised how much she missed working with children and the energy of a school environment. So, when a position opened at ACG Sunderland, she didn’t hesitate.

“Having loved my time here as a student, I had no hesitations about reaching out,” she recalls. “I missed the vibrancy of the classroom - the curiosity, the noise, the laughter. It felt like the right time to come back and give something back to the community that gave me so much.”

What began as a timely opportunity has evolved into a deeply rewarding experience - one that has allowed her to see her old school from a completely new perspective.

A New Perspective on Familiar Grounds

Walking through the gates now as a staff member rather than a student stirs up a mix of emotions for Stephanie. “I think I’ll always be a little bit a student,” she says with a smile. “Only now, instead of learning from behind the desk, I’m learning in front of it.”

As a student, she once absorbed knowledge from the very teachers she now collaborates with - and that shift has given her a profound appreciation for the craft of teaching.

“I’ve always respected my teachers, but returning has shown me the immense effort behind what can seem effortless. Every engaging lesson, every creative activity, every spark of understanding from a student - it all comes from careful planning, patience, and passion. I find myself learning from my old teachers all over again, just this time in the staffroom.”

Memories that Last a Lifetime

Among her many fond memories as a student, one stands out vividly - the school’s annual end-of-year food drive.

“It’s been a tradition at ACG Sunderland for as long as I can remember,” she says. “As Head Girl, I helped coordinate the student leadership team for the food drive, collecting donations for the local foodbank at Christmas. It was such a powerful experience - watching our small community come together to make a big impact.”

She remembers returning to school during study break to help load van after van with boxes of food donations. “I still have a photo of the foyer filled with boxes. It reminded me of volunteering at a food bank with my grandmother as a child - and seeing that connection between small acts of kindness and real change.”

Now, years later, she finds comfort in seeing that same initiative continuing - the posters, the boxes, the generosity - a reflection of the school’s enduring spirit of community.

Supporting Students Across the Primary Years

In her role as a Teacher Aide, Stephanie works with students from Years 1 to 6, providing both group and individualised support.

“For the younger ones, it might mean helping with reading, spelling, or lending a hand during creative projects,” she explains. “For the older students, I often help make learning more accessible - adapting activities, clarifying concepts, or supporting students with different learning needs.”

Her passion lies in making learning both fun and inclusive. “I had teachers who allowed me to learn in ways that suited me, even when that meant thinking outside the box. That freedom made learning joyful - and I want to give today’s students that same sense of joy and empowerment.”

Bridging Generations Through Shared Experience

One of the unexpected joys of her return has been the connection she’s built with students who discover that she once sat in the same classrooms they do now.

“Some of them have found my photo in old yearbooks,” she laughs. “It’s funny how that small discovery changes how they see me. It helps them realise that their teachers were once kids too - who played on the same fields, had the same favourite lunch spots, and even learned from some of the same teachers.”

That shared experience, she believes, helps break down barriers between teachers and students. “It makes growing up seem less daunting when you know that someone who once walked in your shoes is now helping you find your own path.”

The Joy of Lifelong Learning

For Stephanie, teaching and learning are inseparable. “Education is such a dynamic space - it evolves constantly. I love that. Every day, I learn something new from my students and colleagues.”

Returning to work alongside her former teachers has been surprisingly natural. “I still trip up sometimes and use their last names instead of their first,” she jokes, “but the staff have been so welcoming and inclusive. They treat me like a colleague, not a former student - and that means a lot.”

Building a Safe and Joyful Learning Environment

When describing the kind of atmosphere she strives to create, one word comes to mind: safe.

“I want every student to feel safe - to try, to fail, to be proud, to be frustrated, to laugh, and to learn. When students feel safe, they can take risks and grow. And when learning feels enjoyable, it becomes something they want to do.”

For her, fostering emotional safety is just as important as teaching academic skills. “If a student feels confident enough to make mistakes and ask for help, they’re already practising the skill of learning - and that’s what education is all about.”

Embracing Neurodiversity and Individuality

Drawing on her background working with neurodivergent learners, Stephanie brings a thoughtful and inclusive approach to the classroom.

“Supporting neurodiverse students doesn’t just help those individuals - it enriches the classroom for everyone. It teaches empathy and adaptability, showing all students that we can think and learn in different ways.”

She’s proud to be part of a school that values diversity in learning styles. “It’s one of the things that makes ACG Sunderland so special - it’s a place where different kinds of learners can thrive, and where we’re always finding better ways to help each student succeed.”

Defining Success and Paying It Forward

For Stephanie, success isn’t measured in grades or test results - it’s seen in the quiet confidence of a child who feels safe enough to take another try.

“If a student can make a mistake and say, ‘How do I make this better?’ - that’s a huge win. My goal is to help them see mistakes not as failures but as opportunities. That’s how you build resilient learners.”

It’s a lesson she learned herself as a student - one she’s now passing on.

A Message for Today’s Students

Her advice for current students is simple yet powerful: be kind and gracious - to others and to yourself.

“Be kind to your teachers; they’re sharing their passions with you. Be kind to your peers; they’re walking the same journey. Be kind to yourself; mistakes are not the end of the world. You can learn, apologise, grow, and change. Give yourself grace - that’s how you keep moving forward.”

Full Circle

From student leader to supportive mentor, Stephanie’s journey is a reminder of how the values learned at ACG Sunderland - kindness, curiosity, community, and lifelong learning - continue to shape lives long after graduation. Her story is not just one of returning, but of giving back - enriching the same classrooms where her own love of learning first began.