“Space was the first concept that pulled me into science, and then in high school my interest really began to go wild.”

Curiosity can be the determining factor that leads ourselves on a path to creating an interest within something, such as art or sport, which in turn establishes our passions.

For first-year teacher Jacinta Percival, her curiosity for space led to her interest within science, that would spark her passion for now teaching at Orange High School.

“I love being able to fill the people around me with knowledge of something they might not particularly know and widening their understanding of the world,” Jacinta said.

For instance, Jacinta’s favourite shark currently is the deep-sea Goblin Shark, living at depths from a 100 to 1000 metres underwater which she loves sharing this information to her students.

“It definitely won’t win the Best Looking Shark award, seriously look up a photo of them online,” Jacinta insists, before continuing, “but the way it has adapted to live at such great depths is quite amazing.”

Whilst completing her Bachelor of Science Education at the University of Wollongong, Jacinta specialised her tertiary education across Physics and Chemistry.

 “Space was the first concept that pulled me into science, and during high school my interest really began to go wild. I took physics and chemistry as subjects when I was in year 11 and 12, I was incredibly drawn to them.”

 Jacinta begun cutting her teeth with teaching through Science Space, the scientific museum and planetarium in North Wollongong, where she would teach many guests about science.
However, her knack for teaching began far sooner, as Jacinta explains, “From a young age I had always been drawn to teaching.

 My brother and I used to play schools when we were younger, and I always insisted on being the teacher.”
Fast forward to present day, Jacinta not only teaches the overall subject of science but also marine studies for Stage 5 students.

 “It’s definitely not conventional subject you think would be taught within a town that no beach or significant rivers. It may have also led to me now owning over 150 fish,” Jacinta happily adds.
Before COVID impeded upon the movements of the nation, Jacinta was able to take her students down to Jervis Bay to complete their practical hands-on learning.
“We like to take our Year 9 Marine Studies students on a Snorkelling excursion to Jervis Bay, and they take part in sea kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding as well. For our Year 10 students in Marine Studies they take part in a 4-day SCUBA course down there also, it’s a lot of fun,” she says.

 Jacinta concludes the interview by saying, “I love working with the Science staff at Orange High School. They’ve welcomed me with open arms and provided me with a lot of support as a first-year teacher.”