Staff Spotlight – Chelsea Mouritz

Get to know our fabulous St Mary’s College staff and what makes them ‘tick’!

For the first instalment of our Staff Spotlight series, we’re excited to introduce you to Chelsea Mouritz, our new College Director of Curriculum.

Some of our current families might recognise this familiar, friendly face. Chelsea returned to St Mary’s College this year after completing an 18-month tenure as Head of Curriculum, Assessment and Standards at St Virgil’s College.

Chelsea’s journey at SMC began in January 2017 when she was appointed House Coordinator (Manresa) and English and Humanities teacher in the Senior School. She was later assigned to the role of Head of Life and Faith, where she helped guide student wellbeing and pastoral care in the College’s Senior School.

In 2020 (during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic!), Chelsea leapt at the opportunity to travel abroad to Singapore. There, she spent a year working as a middle school teacher and was soon promoted to Head of English and Literature at Stamford American International School, Singapore.

Chelsea holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and Bachelor of Education (Secondary) with the University of Tasmania and obtained her Master of Education Leadership and Management through Deakin University, Victoria. When she’s not at work, Chelsea is kept busy at home, caring for her 13-month-old son, Oliver.

In a nutshell, what does a Director of Curriculum do? 

We oversee the delivery and management of the programs from Years 7 to 12. We work with the Senior School and Junior School Learning Leaders to make sure what is being taught, and how it’s taught, is implemented equitably across the departments. We also ensure there are differentiation opportunities for the students and that any updates from the Australian curriculum and Catholic Education Tasmania are all transferred through the departments clearly. Then there’s our work with the course selection process (from choosing subjects to pathway planning for Years 9-12). Some of our most important work this year is centered on Project 23, which is now being rolled out in Catholic Education Colleges across Tasmania.

What was your first job? 

My very first job was in Ulverstone, Tasmania (where my family live) at a place called Wishbone Chicken. It’s basically the Ulverstone version of Legs ‘n’ Breasts. I worked there in Years 9 and 10, cooking chips, chicken and Chiko rolls, and pouring frozen Cokes – all the fun things you do at 14 years and nine months old!

What was your favourite subject in school? 

In my younger years it was probably English, but in my senior secondary years, when we could start studying elective subjects, it was definitely psychology. I just find it really interesting, learning about the way people think. I studied psychology at uni and had thought about taking up educational psychology, but I like the classroom too much!

What are you most passionate about? 

The relationships with the students and when I see them succeed and believe in themselves is something I am passionate about. If I’m having a bit of a rough day, it makes everything worthwhile. I love being a curriculum leader but being in the classroom is what gives me the most energy.

If you could turn back time, what advice would you give your younger self? 

I would tell myself to live in the moment a little more and not to worry too much if I don’t get the results I was hoping for. I think it’s natural at school to worry about all the indicators of ‘doing well’, but in doing so you can sometimes miss out on the fun things about school. So, live in the moment, enjoy your friends. Everything will work out.

Can you share something that not many people know about you? 

I was born in the outback in Western Australia on a wheat and sheep farm! My uncle now runs the family farm that my grandparents started. I lived there until I was four years old and then we moved to Tasmania (where my mum is originally from).

Name three people (past or present) that you would like to have dinner with. 

My Grandma, Robyn (the Swedish pop singer – listening to her music always makes me feel good and I think she would be interesting to talk to), and a Deputy Principal I met in Germany who now lives in Zimbabwe – he’s been a big inspiration for me.

What are you currently reading? 

I am currently reading Forever, Interrupted by Taylor Jenkins-Reid. 

What are you looking forward to most in 2023 at St Mary’s?

I’m really excited to be back in the classroom with the girls teaching Year 9-10 English. I am also looking forward to seeing Project 23 being implemented. There has been a lot of talk about it (18 months ago I was writing paperwork for it!) and many meetings have taken place to see it all come together.  It’s going to be really great creating different learning pathways and opportunities for students to explore.