24 SEPT 2025 Spotlight Series #6 2025

In this edition of The Spotlight Series we get to know Teacher of Health and Physical Education and Health: Miss Brittany Vella.

Name:
Brittany Vella.

What is your role at Kolbe?
Teacher of Health and Physical Education (HPE) and VET Allied Health.

What does a typical day at Kolbe look like for you?
A typical day at Kolbe will always start with a walk to the staffroom with James, where we grab ourselves a nice warm coffee. From there, you’ll often find me planning for the day ahead, catching up with colleagues in the office, or staring out the window to check whether the weather is suitable for my HPE classes. Throughout the day, I’m often pacing across the school runway to get from one class to another, whether it’s taking students out for a practical PE session or switching over to Allied Health with my Year 11 and 12s. Recess and lunch also involve a fair bit of “exercise,” as I trek from my office to another HPE office just to collapse onto the beanbag until the bell rings.

What do you love most about working at Kolbe Catholic College?
What I love most about Kolbe Catholic College is definitely the culture of the team. Not only are they welcoming, but they also make coming to work genuinely enjoyable. When I started in 2023, walking into a new environment was naturally nerve-wracking, but it didn’t take long for the HPE team and the wider school community to welcome me in and make me feel like one of their own. While the staff make work so much more enjoyable, it’s also the rapport I build with my students, understanding how they learn, and most importantly seeing the look of achievement on their faces, makes working at Kolbe so rewarding.

What is your favourite book you have read?
Anything Harry Potter.

What is your favourite food?
Without a doubt, KFC!

What is your favourite travel destination?
Malta: Nothing beats visiting family and soaking up the sun on some of the world’s most beautiful beaches.

What was your first job?
Swimming Instructor.

In which Hogwarts House would you be sorted?
I’d be in Gryffindor, not so much for bravery, but because my favourite character Hermione is there.

What is one of your hidden talents?
Love catching a wave or two... We love a good surf!

What song do you know all the lyrics to?
Beautiful Crazy. A country classic by Luke Combs.

If you had a boat, what would you name it?
Anchors Away.

Who inspires you?
My family.

What do you like to do during your free time?
There are many answers to this, so to pick a few;
1. Sleeping
2. Cooking
3. Travelling
4. Playing Netball

How do you think people would describe you?
People would definitely describe me using three words...Dora the Explorer!

How do you elevate your students?
Three simple words.... Trust, Encourage, and Inspire – a motto I carried with me from my own high school teachers.

If you could teach any subject that doesn't exist, what would it be?
Buying a House 101!