Experiencing a “holistic learning experience” as a Trinity Intern
One of Trinity’s Interns for 2025, Miss Olivia Holmes was ready to dive head first into the experience. As a student at the University of Sydney, studying Geography and History, she has had the chance to tackle the theory of teaching but she was aware that there were limitations to being a student.
She wanted to get amongst it all for more ‘real-world’ experiences. When the Trinity Internship program was advertised online, she knew it would give her the kind of opportunity she was looking for.
“The idea of being a part of the Trinity community over the whole year appealed to me – I really wanted to apply because it felt like the kind of experience that would allow you to invest in the students the full year.”
She says it’s impossible to distill the areas in which she’s grown through the program, but being mentored by Ms Orlaith Roche has been instrumental across the whole experience, in particular when it came to getting practice in marking student work, something she feels she hasn’t been able to explore much through her studies.
“I was really nervous at the start [of her experience marking work]. But working with my mentor, looking at rubrics, and peer marking, I’ve been able to get a better understanding of how to assess students’ work and give correct feedback.
“I’ve been so grateful to have [Ms Roche] as a mentor. I’ve been able to continue to learn and develop as a teacher under the guidance of an experienced teacher.
“Gaining valuable feedback has been really beneficial because I’m able to implement that feedback which has helped to improve my teaching practice. It’s been great to have someone to ask questions of, learn about the School, and grow in my knowledge.”
“I’ve been given the chance to teach a Year 7 class each week as well as create some lessons for the Year 12 HSC course, which has been really great. [Ms Roche] really wants to extend my ability and helped me to do that.”
But it’s not just her own mentor, says Miss Holmes. It’s about being a part of a whole faculty where she can observe a variety of teachers, their styles, methods, and ideas.
She says that overall, the exposure to so many different situations that she hadn’t yet encountered through her studies – or her work as an SLSO at another school – has allowed her to grow in her teaching practice.
She has also enjoyed the opportunity to accompany Trinity students on field work excursions.
“I’ve loved watching the students relate their learning within the classroom with practical, real world experiences.
“It’s been a holistic learning experience where I have been able to gain teaching experience, spend time within my faculty to develop skills, be a part of the School community, as well as participate in both assemblies and house time.”
“It has helped me to be prepared for change. I’ve had to figure out how to be adaptable and learn how to adjust lessons when things don’t go to plan.
“[The Internship] has prepared me so well. It’s given me the confidence to become a teacher and given me skills to go into the workforce. It gives you that extra edge.
“I’ve always loved learning and I’ve always been curious. I would love to be part of teaching the new generation of students, I think that’s so exciting. It’s so encouraging to play a small part in teaching students the skills they need to navigate an ever-changing world.”
