Breeha comes full circle back to CQU to help foster STEM in school
CQU alumnus Breeha Sinnamon is proudly working with her former alma mater, CQUniversity, to help young people discover Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through her role at the Rockhampton State High School (RSHS).
Breeha graduated from CQU with a Bachelor of Human Movement Science and Bachelor of Education (Secondary – HPE/Science) in 2004.
“I initially wasn’t sure whether I wanted to be a teacher, or a physiotherapist so went with the double degree to keep my options open,” she said.
“I graduated with Distinction in my Bachelor of Human Movement Science and was offered places to study Physiotherapy at two universities in Brisbane in 2005, but I loved all of my education practicals so much that I decided teaching was the way to go for me.”
Remaining in Rockhampton meant Breeha was also close to her parents and the netball community.
Breeha has been working with RSHS since 2005, working her way up to Deputy Principal of the Queensland Virtual STEM Academy at Central Queensland.
“I am based at RSHS, and work for the school doing photography, publicity and promotion. I don’t teach any face-to-face classes at the school anymore, but up until last year I also was their EXCEL coordinator, Sports Coordinator and Activities coordinator,” she said.
“My principal, Kirsten Dwyer, encourages and supports my continued and active involvement as a staff member at RSHS through some of these voluntary roles, which is really important to me."
As a CQU alumnus, Breeha said she felt it was important to link students in the CQ region and beyond with experts from the university and to showcase the variety of opportunities available in the regions.
“I see my role as the conduit between students across the state who have an interest in STEM, and people in research and industry in the STEM realm,” she said.
“Students in regional, rural and remote locations do not often get to interact with people who are actively researching ways to change the world. Our program provides that link.
“Honestly, I feel like I get to work with the state’s future leaders and changemakers. There are so many kids out there in our schools who are innovative and creative and critically thinking about how they can make a difference in their schools, their communities and across the world.
“Just being able to go on these learning journeys with them is what I love about this role. I also get to spend my days with people who are as passionate about STEM as I am. I’ve been working a lot with CQU Associate Professor Linda Pfeiffer and some other wonderful experts from CQU who inspire me and the kids every time we interact.
“I’m not sure I ever imagined this role would exist back when I was studying at CQU – virtual academies weren’t a thing in my realm at that point – we were barely just starting to do online quizzes within our programs! I’ve always loved the idea of hands-on learning and learning through doing. I had some fantastic mentors while at CQU who definitely challenged me to follow my own path and chase down my own goals. Two major influences in my world were Peter Reaburn and Reyna Zipf. I’m really lucky to be able to call them both friends now in my adult life. Without their input in my life whilst at CQU, I definitely wouldn’t have this role that I love so much.”
So far in 2024, 1668 students from Department of Education schools have participated in a QVSA program from 130 different schools. There are 14 staff in five locations around the state (Rockhampton, Brisbane, Roma, Townsville and Cairns).
