Meet the teacher: Kate Kitson — Inspiring confidence, connection and a love of language

At St Francis Xavier College, great teachers do more than deliver lessons — they create spaces where students feel seen, heard and inspired to grow. For English and Spanish teacher Kate Kitson, that’s exactly what teaching is all about.

Now in her third year at SFX, Kate brings energy, warmth and a genuine passion for language into every classroom she steps into. Her journey into teaching was shaped by two simple loves — English and Spanish — and a desire to share them.

 

“I love talking about English and I love teaching other people Spanish,” Kate says. “I thought, if I can spend my day doing both those things, what better way to spend my time?”

But for Kate, teaching runs deeper than subject matter. It’s about people — particularly young people.

“Teenagers are often undervalued by society,” she explains. “If I can give them even a moment to express themselves and feel like they’re seen in the world, then that’s a really meaningful way to spend my time.”

That sense of connection is something Kate believes sets SFX apart.

“I really love the community here,” she says. “You walk through the school and students say hello — and that’s not something you see everywhere. There’s this genuine friendliness between students, staff and support staff. It makes you feel like you belong.”

Kate’s own story is one that often surprises her students. Unlike many language teachers, she didn’t grow up speaking Spanish. Instead, she discovered it later in life and chose to pursue it at university — proof that passion and persistence can open unexpected doors.

It’s a message she shares often with her classes.

“I always tell students — just try. I don’t believe practice makes perfect, I believe practice makes progress. You might get it wrong again and again, but if you keep trying, you will get there.”

Those breakthrough moments — when a student suddenly understands a concept or begins to genuinely enjoy what they’re learning — are what Kate values most.

“That moment when a student says, ‘Oh, I get it now’ — that’s the best feeling. For them and for me.”

Beyond the classroom, Kate brings a sense of curiosity and creativity to everything she does. If she wasn’t teaching, she says she’d likely be running a bakery — ideally one with a bookshop attached.

“I’d be baking croissants early in the morning and reading books in the afternoon,” she laughs.

It’s a fitting reflection of her personality — thoughtful, creative and deeply invested in sharing experiences with others.

At the heart of Kate’s teaching is a broader vision for her students. While she hopes they leave with some Spanish they can use in the real world, it’s the bigger lessons that matter most.

“I want them to remember that there are so many different perspectives in the world — and theirs is just one,” she says. “Sharing your voice, and listening to others, is so important.”

It’s this mindset — grounded in empathy, growth and connection — that makes Kate Kitson not just a teacher, but a powerful influence in the lives of her students.

And it’s teachers like Kate who continue to shape SFX as a community where every student is encouraged to try, to grow, and to become more.