How long have you been a Building Services Officer (BSO) at Evatt Primary School?
I’ve been at Evatt Primary School for just over three years. Before that I was the BSO at Gordon Primary School for 12 months. Before my time as a BSO I also worked in various trades, so I have a lot of knowledge and experience that I can use in what I do here.
I also help to train and mentor other BSO’s and I’m currently the trainer for our northside schools. Before BSO’s are able to be available for relief jobs, they have to undertake three days of training, so they come to this school and I train them up.
What do you do as a BSO at a school?
I deal with maintenance jobs at Evatt Primary School. I’m always around to fix anything that I can, and I essentially do any job that isn’t electrical or plumbing. I also like to be involved where I can in the school.
For example, we recently had a parent’s barbecue to welcome everyone into our new Nest community space. I got out there in the morning and swept up outside, and I was the first one on the barbecue.
Do you have much involvement with students in your role?
Students are at the centre of what we do. Some BSO’s do like to get on with the job and keep to themselves, but I do like to get amongst the kids and they like seeing what I do.
Some of the smaller building and maintenance jobs that I do I can get the kids to help me with, if it’s something easy and safe, and they really enjoy learning about it and being involved.
What is the most rewarding part of your role?
The school community is the best part of the role for me. Our staff are great, and everyone is very welcoming here.
What the executive leadership team have done with the place is amazing. From when they’ve started here, they have changed so much for the benefit of the kids, and they trust me in what I do. I’m able to do what I need to do, and they support me in decisions I make to improve and maintain the school.
What is something you have achieved in your role as BSO that you’re really proud of?
The Nest community space is something that really stands out for me. There are so many great things which happen for our community in that space, and I’m proud to be a part of that.
I take pride in everything I do across the school and want things to be as perfect as they can be. I’ve had parents tell me that they appreciate what I do here and I’m really proud of that.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
To stay in school, listen and learn and be honest to yourself.