Sammy’s role is centred on creating a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment for Hamilton students, guided by the principles of The Thrive Approach.

Each day begins with greeting students warmly, helping them feel secure and welcome as soon as they arrive. Throughout the day, Sammy builds strong relationships, tunes in to emotional needs, and supports social and emotional development. Working closely with colleagues, Sammy contributes to Hamilton’s whole-school approach to wellbeing.

Q: Tell us why the work you do matters to you Sammy.

A: Working at Hamilton School is important to me because I believe that every student deserves the chance to succeed. Young people can experience barriers to learning that go beyond academics and they require understanding, consistency, and support that goes deeper than traditional teaching.

Q: What motivates you day-to-day?

A: What motivates me most in this work is the belief that every student has the potential to grow, succeed, and feel a sense of belonging, I love helping them to overcome challenges.

Q: Can you tell us about your approach and what you’ve learnt in your role?

A: My approach and mindset have always been centred around empathy, patience, and consistency. I understand that behaviour is communication, and that young people need time, trust, and predictability before they can even begin to access learning. Since using The Thrive Approach, I now have a deeper understanding about social and emotional development.

"My approach and mindset have always been centred around empathy, patience, and consistency. I understand that behaviour is communication, and that young people need time, trust, and predictability before they can even begin to access learning."

Q: Is there a MET value that you really connect with?

A: Work Together – having a strong, supportive team around me makes a huge difference. We work closely together, share strategies, reflect honestly, and always have each other’s backs. There’s a real sense of shared purpose, which helps on the harder days. We all understand the importance of creating safe, relational spaces, not just for the students, but for each other too.

 "Having a strong, supportive team around me makes a huge difference. We work closely together, share strategies, reflect honestly, and always have each other’s backs."

Q: Is there any advice you’d offer colleagues if asked?

A: The biggest advice I’d give is, build relationships first, and everything else will follow. The Thrive Approach is an amazing programme, and everyone should look into it.

Q: We have loved finding out a bit about your work – thank you for your time. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

A: I just want to say a big thank you to everyone at Hamilton for all the ongoing support. This work isn’t always easy, but being part of such a supportive, understanding, and down-to-earth team makes all the difference. Whether it’s helping out in a tricky moment, sharing a laugh on a tough day, or just being there for each other, it really means a lot. I’m genuinely grateful to be part of this team.