For more than 20 years, Ms Melissa Cuming has helped shape the lives of young people through her genuine care and deep commitment to learning. Her work was recently recognised with the CEO Award for Excellence in Teaching & Learning at Anglican Identity Day (WA).
Melissa, who serves as Early Years Coordinator at John Wollaston Anglican Community School, reflected on the experiences, people and moments that have shaped her journey in education, and what continues to inspire her.
What does receiving the CEO Award mean to you at this point in your teaching journey?
Receiving the CEO Award was a proud and deeply affirming moment. After more than 20 years in education, it felt both heartwarming and humbling to have my vision and work recognised, particularly my belief that the pastoral care of students, families, and staff is inextricably linked with building and growing in the teaching and learning space.
This recognition is not mine alone. It reflects the collaboration, dedication, and support of the team I work with at John Wollaston.
How do you continue to grow and stay energised in your role?
Teaching and education are something I’m truly passionate about. I’ve never wanted to do anything else. I feel privileged to play a part in shaping students for their future. Working in a Pre‑Kindy to Year 12 school makes that even more rewarding, especially when I see the growth of students who began their journey with us in the early years and are finishing at the other end, ready to take on life’s next adventure beyond school.
Most of all, the relationships I build with the children and their families energise me. Those connections are incredibly rewarding and remind me every day why this work matters.
What does a ‘good day’ in your classroom look like?
I aim to create a learning environment that feels calm and full of purposeful energy. Students know they can always ask for help. I want them to feel supported in all aspects of their learning: academic, social and emotional.
In the Primary School, we use the motto ‘Be Kind. Work Hard. Have Fun.’, and I think this perfectly captures what I hope each day looks like. It reflects what we want for our students as a school, and it guides how I approach my teaching. Kindness in the way we treat one another, hard work in the effort we bring to learning, and fun in the joy and curiosity that fill the room.
When students are engaged, asking questions, taking risks, and understanding that mistakes are simply part of learning – and when relationships are strong and laughter is shared, that’s when I know it has been a truly good day.
What has challenged you most as a teacher….and what did you learn from it?
One of the most significant challenges in my teaching journey has been navigating situations where educational philosophies or expectations differed from my own. This meant balancing my commitment to a pastoral and evidence‑informed approach with perspectives that placed emphasis elsewhere. This required me to stay grounded in my values while also engaging openly and respectfully with different viewpoints.
What I’ve gained from this experience has been invaluable. It strengthened my ability to communicate with clarity, advocate thoughtfully for what I believe supports students best, and develop the skill of managing up with professionalism and care. Ultimately, it reinforced the importance of remaining student‑centred and ensuring that every decision is guided by what best supports children, families, and staff.
Can you share a moment with a student that reminded you why this work matters?
I had a student I had taught in Year 1 find me on her last day of Year 12 at our school. When I taught her, she was brand new to our school. On her last day, she brought me some flowers and a card and she said, ‘I remember when I started at the school, I was so shy and quiet, but you were always so kind to me. I have always remembered that.’ I think that stayed with me because it showed that the way that we treat and respond to our students can stay with them forever and it doesn’t matter at which point in their schooling journey that we work with them, we can make a difference for them.
What’s one thing you hope your students carry with them long after they leave your classroom?
I hope my students understand that they are genuinely cared for and that they matter. I want them to know that mistakes are a natural and important part of learning, and that when they make mistakes, I still see them with unconditional positive regard. My hope is that they leave my classroom believing in their own worth, feeling safe to take risks, and knowing that growth comes from trying, not from being perfect.
And finally, if you could sum up your approach to teaching in a sentence, what would it be?
My approach to teaching is grounded in kindness, curiosity, and strong, trusting relationships with students, staff, and families, so that meaningful learning can grow, informed decisions can be made, and respectful conversations can occur when challenges arise.
