Getting to know you: Meet Cameron Steinert

Blackfriars is delighted to welcome a number of new staff members in 2023. We look forward to getting to know them – and here’s a head start.

Name: Cameron Steinert.

What are you teaching in 2023? I will be teaching Year 1 through to Year 9 Japanese.

Where are you joining us from? This is my first full-time contract position; I have been working across a variety of Catholic and Independent schools as a TRT for the past 1.5 years.

What do you hope to bring to Blackfriars? I hope to share some of my passion with all things Japan; language, culture, food, history, arts and crafts etc. I love having fun in the classroom and am always up for a game of JanKenPon! I always strive to develop positivity and a growth mindset in my students, especially when undertaking the tough task of learning a brand new language.

What’s the best thing about teaching? It always warms my heart when you get to see the impact you have on a young person’s life. When you are having a rough morning, a simple hello from a student can turn your day around. I am so thrilled to be able to call Blackfriars home. I have met so many fantastic educators and already some beautifully friendly students, and I cannot wait to spend the whole year here.

What’s your favourite song and why? Wow, tricky question! It’s always hard to choose just one, but lately I think I have to say ABC by Polyphia feat. Sophia Black. I am a sucker for a groovy hook, and the alphabet over mind-blowing guitar solos just does it for me!

Your favourite movie? I love a good Studio Ghibli classic, like Princess Mononoke or Spirited Away. I do also enjoy an anime series every now and then, (after all, I did watch EVERY episode of Naruto: Shippuden in Japanese … Twice).

What would we typically find in your lunchbox? Well, early in the week, Monday to Wednesday, I normally have nice leftovers or planned meals, some nice stir fry or spaghetti, and some apple or banana. My all-time favourite lunch meal is leftover taco meat and vege on top of rice. But towards Thursday or Friday, it starts to get a bit sadder, and you may find a Bakers Delight bun, yoghurt or an assortment of muesli bars (big LCM fan) because I have run out of kitchen motivation ☹.