I graduated high school in 2020 and began at the University of Newcastle in 2021. Becoming a PDHPE teacher was always my goal. Throughout my schooling and sporting life, I had always found an interest in moving, being active and playing sports. I had always fallen into leadership roles, whether that be school captain in both primary and high school, captain of numerous soccer teams growing up or leading in group roll tasks. Being in front of people, telling them what I know about a topic and using my experiences to help others has always been what I am about – hence why PDHPE teaching fit me perfectly.
I was teaching casually from Term 1 of 2024, and I began at my current school in Term 3 of 2024. I was waiting to hear where I was going to be placed for my internship, and I had given up thinking that I’d be able to secure a Waiver B. I heard from a mate at the school that I was going to do my internship at a local 7-10 high school a school I had worked at as a casual before but before it was confirmed, I received an email saying that my current school were looking for a teacher for a Waiver B contract in PDHPE. I jumped at the opportunity, emailed the Head Teacher and organised to meet, that afternoon.
It all happened very quickly, and the school was excellent in getting all the paperwork sorted, allowing me to attain a paid internship. I learned from this the value of strong, professional communication – on the schools part, but also on my part. I was quick to reply to emails, responded quickly when asked for documents and, in a matter of days, my waiver B was locked in. I was super excited but equally as nervous. In terms of how I ended up here, I will always tell someone “I don’t know, it just sort of happened”, but I think it is what drives me to work as hard as I do, because I believe everything happens for a reason… and it did. My hard work was noticed during my time as a casual teacher which is what resulted in my name being passed forward with a recommendation for the Waiver B placement.
My current school now can be tough. It is nowhere near what the pre-perception I had of it was, as someone who lives on the Central Coast and have had family and friends attend the school, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I wanted to get in, work hard and reap the rewards of hard work. My current school is big – one of the biggest in the state, and me still being in university and having never had my own classes before, it was daunting. Some of the kids were difficult to crack at first, but I took my time and placed huge emphasis on building relationships and gaining their trust, and I am now in a much better place for it, with kids that love being in my class, and effective and smooth lessons with very few issues.
I think I how I managed to settle in so fast comes down to the fact that I was often the first person in the staffroom in the morning and one of the last to leave. I put my hand up to take on teams, took the time to connect with colleagues inside and outside the PDHPE Department, and always listened to the other teachers in the staffroom. I was never hesitant to ask questions because, previously I may have been too shy to ask, I wanted to improve and get myself settled and being an effective teacher as soon as possible.
If I could give advice to other beginning teachers, especially those in other challenging schools, it would be to:
If you aren’t enjoying what you’re doing, you won’t be teaching at your best.
Kaelan Burke
Most importantly, enjoy your job. If you aren’t enjoying what you’re doing, you won’t be teaching at your best. I have been here for nearly a full year now and I love coming into work every day, I enjoy the people in the staffroom, and I have built the connections with the kids to enjoy being in front of them, doing what I love doing, every day.
Students often turn to PDHPE teachers for help—not just because you’re teaching health, but because you’re real. You’re out on the oval, in the gym, on the court. You’re having conversations about relationships, resilience, stress, identity. You’re approachable. And you’re often the adult they feel safest being honest with.
But that honesty can come with big emotions. And while you’re not a school counsellor, you are in the right place at the right time to make a difference.
Kaelan Burke is a PDHPE teacher at Wadalba Community School, where he also serves as the Year 9 Curriculum Coordinator, PA4E1 Champion, and TSP Soccer leader. A former first-grade soccer captain and NPL NNSW “Rookie of the Year,” Kaelan brings athletic experience, leadership, and passion into his teaching. Dedicated to student wellbeing and engagement, he strives to create a positive, inclusive environment where all students can build confidence, enjoy movement, and grow as individuals.
