Community Stories: Possibility begins with curiosity.

Possibility begins with curiosity. For Kate, a lifelong passion for learning has become a mission to help students discover their strengths, find their voice and embrace what makes them different.

As the daughter of two teachers, a career in education was the very last thing on Kate Wright’s mind during her formative years. Yet, without realising it, the future Head of Enrichment Programs at Mentone Grammar was already taking her first steps towards the profession, helping her parents during school holidays, volunteering in schools and discovering a fascination with what motivates each individual child.

‘Embrace your quirky’ is Kate’s advice to her younger self, her students and anyone who tempers their individuality by obeying social stereotypes. As a child, Kate herself was identified as a gifted student. However, she soon found herself trying to adhere to the expectations of this label, instead of being true to her own needs and interests. “I was trying to fit into these boxes of being a gifted child, a girl, a kid from the west… and looking back now I wished I had just embraced all the things that made me different – the things that made me, me.”

Kate has had a lifelong obsession with AFL. “I played as a child and was hell-bent on becoming the first female centre-half-forward for North Melbourne.” But at the age of 12, Kate was told she couldn’t play anymore as there wasn’t a female league at the time. “That was hard to understand. That I couldn’t do what I loved just because I was a girl. I’m so glad things are different now.” Kate retained her enthusiasm for North Melbourne, and it led her to meet her husband many years later through a Kangaroos supporters’ group.

During her schooling, Kate was profoundly influenced by teachers who adapted coursework and learning experiences to ensure she remained engaged and challenged.

“They let me do things that were slightly out-of-the-box. It might have been a bit more work for them, but they did it anyway to get to the best out of me, and I am grateful for that.”

With an exceptional ATAR, Kate was encouraged to study Law, but it did not take long for her to realise it was not the right fit. After university, she travelled overseas before volunteering in her mother’s school library. Reading with students and becoming involved in Book Week helped clarify her future. “I just realised that this brought me so much joy. This is what I really wanted to do.”

As she completed her Master of Teaching, Kate volunteered as a sports trainer for the Old Mentonians Football Club (OMFC). A chance conversation with a Mentonian led to a recommendation that would shape her future: applying for a teaching role at Mentone Grammar. Soon after, she found herself stepping into her first classroom, leading a group of Year 6 boys.

“My very first day of teaching involved heading off to camp with a group of Year 6 boys, which felt quite daunting,” she says. “I worried that they might not listen to me, but they turned out to be such a lovely group, incredibly kind and welcoming.”

It was during these early years in the classroom that Kate’s passion for supporting highly able learners began to take shape. Throughout her time in Junior School, Kate was determined to support all students in the way they needed to be supported. Long before she had a formal interest in enrichment programs, she would compile ‘enrichment folders’ for students who required extension. “I wanted to make sure their learning was not just at a higher difficulty but was individualised to really inspire them.”

Kate’s passion for gifted education eventually led her to the role of Head of Enrichment Programs. While completing her Graduate Certificate of Gifted Education, she stepped into what she describes as her dream job. “It was an incredible experience to study and work in the field simultaneously. I was applying the learning in real time, and it intensified the whole experience.”

Drawing on design thinking, entrepreneurship and the Future Problem-Solving framework, Kate created a program that teaches students to inquire, research and think critically while pursuing their own passions. No two projects follow the same path.

One of Kate’s proudest achievements has been the development of Inquiry and Investigation, a Year 9 elective inspired by student feedback. After hearing students express a desire for greater choice in their learning, Kate worked with James Walton, Director of Learning & Teaching, to create a subject that empowers learners to design their own research projects, explore topics in depth and present authentic products to real audiences. At the end of each semester, participants showcase their work to parents, staff and members of the wider community, giving their learning purpose beyond the classroom.

Student voice sits at the heart of Kate’s philosophy. Each year, enrichment students help shape the curriculum, leading to units ranging from forensic science and ethics to video game design, journalism and podcasting. For Kate, ownership is one of the most effective ways to engage highly able learners.

Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of her work is helping students develop confidence and belonging. Through Mentone Grammar’s Enrichment Programs, students find like-minded peers, form meaningful friendships and discover that intellectual curiosity is something to be celebrated. For Kate, helping students feel understood is every bit as important as their academic growth.

Today, Kate is determined to continue contributing to the field, providing resources for teachers and parents to ensure that every child has access to high-quality support and is empowered by a strengths-based approach.

Outside of work, Kate enjoys supporting North Melbourne, spending time with her husband and son, and competing in open-water swimming with her dad. True to her philosophy of embracing individuality, she is also a devoted fan of extreme heavy metal and once travelled to Norway and Sweden on a black metal pilgrimage with her best friend. “It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life, just doing exactly what I love.”

Steph Kinnear                    Astrini Kopeloudi – Wallace