Emerson graduate, Sinai, said she remembers an important message that principal John Mooney shared with her in her early days at Emerson School: “Show me your strength in your gentleness.” Sinai loved the simplicity and affirmation of that message and said it changed her life.
The past student described her greatest achievement at Emerson School as “growing up!” And that, in a nutshell, is what all schooling is meant to achieve. In her time at Emerson, Sinai grew from a child into an accomplished young adult.
She loves all things sport, barracking for Essendon in the AFL, but is particularly fond of soccer. Her favourite player is Sam Kerr and Sinai dares to dream that one day she may even be a “Matilda” herself.
Post-graduation at the end of 2025, Sinai had her sights set on either being a chef in a famous restaurant, or a career helping children in some way. She would like to be a teacher or support person and “give back” by returning to her former primary school, Thomas Mitchell, one day. She tried out a retail work experience placement while at Emerson but did not care for the attitudes of some of the adult customers. That experience only served to reinforce her desire to work with children in the future.
Sinai initially found it challenging to transition from Thomas Mitchell Primary School to her secondary schooling chapter at Emerson. But her parents promised that at Emerson she could expect “really good staff members who help you”, and that she “would be able to learn new things”, and both of those promises came true.
Like many of us, Sinai felt at first that she didn’t belong in a new environment with new faces and routines. She missed her old primary school principal, Mr Hurley. She remembers overhearing a conversation between Mr Hurley and her father about her twin sister who had gotten into trouble. She was comforted to hear the supportive words and tone of voice that Mr Hurley used.
She was sad to hear that he had retired from Thomas Mitchell but pleased that he had heard she was at Emerson and that he planned to visit her there.
Sinai said Emerson principal, Mr Mooney, reminded her very much of Mr Hurley in that she described him as “a big heart, wise and caring.”
She found a sense of belonging at Emerson, loving her school friends, her teachers “and especially Mr Mooney.” She is grateful for every minute of her time at Emerson.
[interviewed 2024, updated 2026]
Photo credit: Featured image used with permission from Sinai / Bottom image “strength” by Dulcey Lima on Unsplash
