- High performing staff
- Working at BCE
20 Oct 2026
For more than 40 years, Filia Papamanolis has helped students discover the joy of reading, the power of curiosity and a lifelong love of learning.
A much-loved member of the St Ita's School, Dutton Park community for 27 years, Filia has inspired generations of students through her warmth, creativity and dedicated role as Teacher-Librarian.
This year, that creativity was on full display as she transformed the library into a spectacular Symphony of Stories for Book Week, delighting students, staff and families alike.
In this Q&A, Filia reflects on her teaching journey, the special community she calls home, and the moments that continue to make her role so rewarding.
What do you love most about your role as Teacher-Librarian?
What I love most is the opportunity to work with every student in the school. I've often joked that I'm a bit like the grandmother of the school. Over the years, I've had the privilege of getting to know so many children and families, watching students grow from their first days of Prep through to Year 6, and sharing in many of the milestones along the way.
I love helping students discover books they enjoy, watching their interests develop, and sharing in their excitement when they find a story they truly connect with. One of the greatest rewards is seeing a student return to the library eager for the next book.
How do you encourage a lifelong love of reading and learning in your students?
I think the most important thing is helping students find books they genuinely enjoy. Not every child will love the same stories, authors or genres, so I spend a lot of time getting to know students and understanding what they like to read.
A love of learning often begins with curiosity, so I also try to create opportunities for students to ask questions, explore topics that interest them and discover new ideas.
I also try to make the library a place students want to be. Whether it's through displays, author visits, reading recommendations or simply sharing a great story, I want students to see reading as something enjoyable rather than something they have to do.
What makes the St Ita’s community such a special place to work and learn?
Our Principal Paul Wilson often describes the school as a village, and I think that captures the strong sense of connection that exists within the community.
St Ita's has been part of my life for a very long time. I attended the school as a student, all four of my children attended here, and I've spent much of my teaching career working here. That history has given me the opportunity to build lasting relationships with students, families and colleagues, and a deep appreciation for what makes this community so special.
The library's Book Week display was an extraordinary showcase of creativity. Can you tell us about the vision behind it and the process of creating it?
As soon as the 2026 Book Week theme, Symphony of Stories was announced, I could picture an orchestra in the library.
Creating the display is very much a family project. Once the theme is announced, I brainstorm ideas with my husband, who is the engineering brain that designs and constructs the moving mechanisms. This year’s display features a motor-driven orchestra made up of moving automata playing instruments including drums, cymbals, trumpet, violin and saxophone.
The process is documented and shared with students so they can see the different stages of planning, trialling ideas and problem-solving.
What I particularly enjoy is using the display as a starting point for further learning. This year, students will compose their own pieces of music in GarageBand inspired by books they have read. These compositions will play in the background alongside the orchestra, allowing students to contribute their own creative response to the theme.
The greatest reward is seeing the conversations the displays generate. Students, staff and families look forward to them each year, and the display often becomes the starting point for questions, ideas and new learning long after Book Week has finished.
World Teachers’ Day celebrates the dedication and impact of educators. What does being a teacher mean to you?
After more than 40 years in education, I’ve come to realise that teaching involves far more than delivering lessons. It’s about working with young people, supporting them as they grow academically, spiritually and emotionally, and building the relationships that make learning possible.
There is enormous satisfaction in seeing students learn and achieve, but many of the moments that stay with me are the smaller ones: a conversation, a shared laugh, a moment of understanding, or seeing a child become genuinely enthusiastic about learning.
Learn more about Filia:
Favourite book? I have many favourites, but I’ve always loved The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Having Death narrate the story gives it a perspective unlike most other wartime novels, while Liesel’s love of books shows how words can bring comfort, connect people and give them courage, even in the darkest times.
Favourite author? Katrina Nannestad – I admire the way she creates characters children genuinely care about and explores difficult topics with warmth and compassion.
Coffee order? I'm not a coffee drinker, but I do enjoy a mid-morning matcha as a pick-me-up.
What's one thing that makes you smile every day? Personally, it’s receiving photos, videos and FaceTime calls from my grandchildren and seeing what they’re up to. At work, it’s collecting an overflowing trolley of returned library books. It’s a simple sign that reading is happening.
Hobbies outside of work? Reading, going to the gym, searching for healthy recipes and connecting with my family.
For more information about St Ita’s Primary School, Dutton Park or to enrol click here.
Image caption: Teacher-Librarian Filia Papamanolis with students at St Ita's Primary School, Dutton Park. ©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.
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