Forward July 2020 | Page 27

SENIOR SCHOOL STAFF PROFILE Hannah Kappelle Assistant to the Directors of Sport, and much more! As Assistant to the Directors of Sport, Ms Hannah Kappelle is a keen sportsperson who enjoys hockey and recently took on the challenge of learning golf. We asked Hannah a few questions to find out more about what makes her tick! Where did you work before coming to Guildford Grammar School? I worked at Hockey WA in the Participation Department, where I organised camps and clinics, events, school clinics and coaching. What attracted you to the school? I was initially attracted by the opportunity to develop and broaden my skills by working with students across a wide variety of sports and other areas. It goes without saying that the amazing facilities and grounds were also very appealing! What are your role/s at the school? My main role is Assistant to the Directors of Sport, based in the Sports/PE office during the day. In this role I work with the Director of Girls’ Sport and the Director of Boys’ Sport and look after the sports website, loading fixtures and other information into the system. I mentor a wonderful group of Year 9 students as a School House Mentor, which I really enjoy. In addition to that, I am a boarding resident and provide support for our female boarders now residing in the Junior Boarding Hall. Lastly, I coach the Year 7/8 girls’ hockey team. I would like to keep developing myself as a person and keep finding ways to contribute to other people’s happiness. What are the personal values that drive you? Integrity and honesty, connectedness (which includes my family, friends and the community), openness (which includes positivity, gratitude and joy) personal growth and kindness. What do you like most about your job? I enjoy the social aspect of my job most of all, my relationships with the students and staff. I have a passion for sport and wellbeing, and I feel very fortunate that I am able to implement these in my job. Being able to help and get to know students across all my different roles in the school has been an absolute delight. What examples of resilience have you seen over the past few months in staff or students? I think our staff and students have shown tremendous resilience in the last few months, adapting to a new online learning environment. COVID-19 definitely challenged us as a school, but I think we have done an amazing job as a community to get through the last few months by working hard and sticking together. What do you enjoy doing outside of work? I enjoy playing hockey as well as lots of other sports. Sport has always been a big part of my life. I play hockey competitively but am always looking to learn new sports (golf is my current challenge). I also very much like the beach and exploring new cafes and restaurants, as I like food a lot. I spend lots of my free time with my friends, whilst also staying in touch with my friends and family back home in The Netherlands. I love to travel and explore new places. What are your future plans and ambitions? I would like to keep developing myself as a person and keep finding ways to contribute to other people’s happiness. My main aim is to enjoy life and make the most out of it. What is something new you tried or learned when you were in lockdown? I started playing golf and I took up some additional study to broaden my knowledge. I also learned how lucky I am in my life to be able to work and live in such an amazing environment. 27