From Gold Medallist to Teacher: Chloe Goldfinch inspires students on and off the court

From representing Australia on the world stage to inspiring students in her Physical Education (PE) lessons, Chloe Goldfinch knows the value of resilience, perseverance and pursuing your passions.

After helping Australia secure gold at the World Indoor Netball Tri-Series in South Africa last term, the PE teacher at St Joseph’s Tobruk Memorial School, Beenleigh, continues to encourage young people to believe in themselves and strive for their goals.

This World Teachers’ Day (30 October), Chloe reflects on her sporting journey, her passion for teaching and the lessons she hopes to pass on to the next generation. 

What did representing Australia and winning gold at the World Indoor Netball Tri-Series mean to you personally?

Winning gold was a fantastic experience, but for me it was never really about the medal. I felt incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to represent Australia in a sport that I love and to share that experience with my teammates, coaches and family. Having my parents travel to South Africa to support me made the trip even more special. Looking back, I am most proud of the journey that led me there.  
 
How has representing Australia on the international stage influenced you as a teacher?

Representing Australia has encouraged me to continue being a positive role model for students who love sport. Sport has taught me so many valuable life skills, including resilience, teamwork and perseverance, and I love showing students that these skills extend far beyond the sporting field. It has also inspired me to share my passion for sport and encourage students to pursue the activities they love. 
 
What inspired you to pursue a career in teaching and Physical Education?

I have always loved sport and spent much of my childhood involved in different activities. My passion for teaching began when I started coaching gymnastics and realised how much I enjoyed working with children. Being a PE teacher has allowed me to combine my love of sport with my passion for helping young people grow in confidence, learn new skills and enjoy being active. 
 
As both a teacher and an athlete, what values/qualities do you encourage your students to develop to help them succeed both in and beyond the classroom?

The quality I encourage most is resilience. Throughout my sporting journey, I faced plenty of setbacks and moments where things didn't go to plan, but they taught me the importance of continuing to show up, work hard and believe in yourself. I want students to understand that success doesn't happen overnight, and that how you respond to challenges is often more important than the outcome itself. Alongside resilience, I also value perseverance, teamwork and respect for others. 

World Teachers’ Day celebrates the dedication and impact of educators. What does being a teacher mean to you?

Being a teacher means having the opportunity to positively impact the lives of young people. While there are certainly challenging days, I feel privileged to be part of students' journeys and to help them build confidence, resilience and belief in themselves. 

I hope that through my actions and experiences, I can encourage students to pursue their passions, embrace challenges and understand that success doesn't always happen straight away. Seeing students grow, overcome obstacles and achieve things they once thought were impossible is one of the most rewarding parts of teaching.

Learn more about Chloe:

Coffee order? Iced Vanilla Latte

Favourite netball position to play? Centre & Wing Defence

A teacher who inspired you? Belinda Lloyd Pugh – My very first Prac & Mentor Teacher. She inspired me to step outside my comfort zone, take risks, and grow in confidence as an educator. The insights, strategies, and approaches she shared continue to influence my teaching practice every day.

What's one thing that makes you smile every day? My friends and family

Hobbies outside of work? Camping, bike rides and spending time at the beach
 

For more information about St Joseph’s Tobruk Memorial School, Beenleigh click here.

Find a Catholic school for your child in Logan today! Click here. 

Image caption: Physical Education Teacher Chloe Goldfinch with students from St Joseph's Tobruk Memorial School, Beenleigh. ©Brisbane Catholic Education (2026).

About Queensland World Teachers’ Day 

Queensland World Teachers' Day is a wonderful opportunity to recognise and applaud our teachers for the important role they play in our communities and for the positive impact they have on the lives of students. This year’s Queensland theme is teachers change lives. 

This year’s BCE theme is a message directly from our students ‘Thank you for believing in us,’ and throughout October, our school communities are invited to share messages of gratitude. 

If you would like to thank a staff member at a BCE school, share your appreciation on your school’s Gratitude Wall, take a photo and tag BCE on social media. 

Thank a BCE staff member via your school’s Gratitude Wall or share a message via our BCEnewsroom using #ThanksBCEStaff and #WTDQLD.