Canadian Brian Thorstad is looking forward to a year teaching at Kooweerup Secondary College.By Sarah Schwager
DECIDING it was time to escape the slopes of Canada for a year, Brian Thorstad and his family made their way to Kooweerup.
Kooweerup Secondary College welcomed the physical education teacher as an exchange teacher at the start of term.
Mr Thorstad and his family, wife Andra and daughters Reed, nine, Cori, seven, and Kate, five, moved to the town three weeks ago. It’s their first time in Australia.
“It’s been great,” Mr Thorstad said. “Everyone’s been really helpful and friendly.
“The kids have been really welcoming.”
Mr Thorstad has started teaching PE, health and some maths at the college.
He said the students had had to teach him some Aussie sports like football, cricket and netball. In return he is teaching them some sports popular in Canada like gridiron, hockey and lacrosse.
“It’s great. We’re all learning something new.”
Mr Thorstad said he was enjoying living in a small town again, after having grown up in a small town in Canada.
“The people are quite friendly here. It’s easier to get to know people,” he said.
“We’re really only 70 kilometres from the city so we’ve got the best of both worlds.”
He said the move was a great experience for the whole family.
“I always wanted to travel but didn’t get around to it when I was younger.”
Mr Thorstad said the family had not had much time to see the sights in Australia yet, as they had travelled to New Zealand for three weeks on their way over.
But he said they planned to make a big trip during the school holidays.
“We’ve gone somewhere different each weekend,” he said.
“Last weekend we went surfing.”
Mr Thorstad’s wife, who is also a teacher, had taken a year’s leave and will work as a substitute teacher at schools around the area.
Mr Thorstad exchanged teaching roles with Tanya Miller, who has taught at Kooweerup for 10 years.
Ms Miller and her family will live in Mr Thorstad’s home town, Saskatoon, for the next year.
