What inspired you to pursue teaching, and what do you find most rewarding about working in education?
I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. As a child, I would spend hours pretending to mark work with stamps and ticks—although I now know that teaching involves much more than that!
One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is sharing my love of the French language and my first-hand experiences of French culture with students. I enjoy seeing their eyes light up as I tell stories about celebrating La Galette des Rois, and hearing their cries of disbelief when I describe eating escargots. I hope that in moments like these, I am fostering a sense of curiosity in my students that may even lead to future overseas adventures.
I also love watching students grow in confidence throughout the year. By the end of each term, they have mastered new vocabulary and developed their communication skills. It really is a privilege to be part of that journey, inspiring students to learn a new language and to help them discover the many cultures of the French-speaking world.
Tell us a bit about your journey - what led you to teach at Oxley?
I grew up in the Southern Highlands and first discovered my passion for French at Chevalier College. After completing university studies in French and Education, I had the opportunity to move to France, where I lived with my husband, who is French. Over the years, we were fortunate to live and work in a variety of regions throughout France, including Paris, Brittany, the French Alps and even New Caledonia. These experiences gave me a deep appreciation for French language and culture, which I now love sharing with my students. Since returning to Australia, I have enjoyed teaching French in both Sydney and the Southern Highlands. I am now in my fourth year teaching part-time at Oxley, in a role that I truly love.
What do you hope students remember most about their time in your classroom?
My French lessons are filled with interactive activities designed to help students learn through participation and enjoyment. One thing we do every lesson is sing! Learning vocabulary through songs is a wonderful way to help students build confidence in a fun and memorable way, with students quickly discovering that they can remember far more French than they realise. If you ask your children what they are currently learning, they will probably (and hopefully!) be able to sing a song about it for you. Whether we are learning about the weather, food, colours or animals, there is always a song to match. One of my favourite moments is when students spontaneously burst into song without prompting, either in the classroom, or out in the playground. These unexpected moments always make me smile, as they are a wonderful indication that the language is becoming familiar and meaningful to them.
I hope that years from now, students will look back on their French lessons as fondly as I remember mine with the wonderful and inspiring Madame Renault. I hope that they will remember these songs and stories, and how much fun they had learning French with Madame Leddet!
When you're not at school, what are some things you love doing or exploring?
When I am not at Oxley, you will most likely find me out in the bush! I am an avid trail runner, hiker and camper. Throughout the year, I love challenging myself to compete in ultra trail events running in various regions including the Blue Mountains, the Snowy Mountains, the Victorian Alps etc. When I’m not running, I’m hiking with my husband and our two daughters, ticking off day/overnight/multiday hikes. We all share a love of camping, especially when it involves cooking over a campfire after a day on the trails.
What's your favourite thing about the Southern Highlands?
The Southern Highlands holds a very special place in my heart. Growing up here was a privilege and returning to raise my own children in this beautiful region has been an even greater joy. There is so much to love about life in the Highlands—the frosty, misty mornings, kangaroos grazing in the paddocks, the spectacular autumn colours, cherry blossoms in spring, national parks and local wineries. But what really makes me smile is the feeling of living in a small country town and occasionally hearing kids happily call out of passing car windows “Bonjour Madame Leddet!!!” (true story).
