Southern Cross Catholic College’s Emily Blakss is crowned Townsville’s favourite prep teacher for 2024

A woman who was declared the town’s best prep teacher for the year has shared her excitement over the win and revealed what makes her love the job so much.

Townsville Bulletin readers have voted Emily Bakss from Southern Cross Catholic College, Townsville's favourite prep teacher for 2024. Picture: Shae Beplate.

A woman who has dedicated seven years to teaching little ones has been crowned Townsville’s favourite prep teacher for 2024.

Emily Blakss from Southern Cross Catholic College in Annandale was dubbed by residents the best in the biz after receiving 11 per cent of the votes.

“I was very excited,” she said after learning of the win.

“I felt this whole time a little overwhelmed, in a good way.

“Seeing the lovely things people were writing, and hearing parents talk about it at school - as teachers we don’t expect any of that, we just love our jobs.”

The prep teacher said she had completed her prac at Southern Cross while at university and then was offered a position at the school teaching year one for two years before moving onto prep classes.

Townsville Bulletin readers have voted Emily Bakss from Southern Cross Catholic College, Townsville's favourite prep teacher for 2024. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“(The kids) give you so much energy because they have that zest for life,” she said.

“Prep is such an important milestone in their and their family’s life.

“I feel like I’m such a big part of their journey and their life, as their first teacher in a school setting.”

Mrs Blakss acknowledged not only her tiny students, but the parents as well as an important part of the process.

“Our parents come into class in the morning, we see a lot of them,” she said.

“Having a good relationship with them is really important, I talk to the parents in our class a lot, they love hearing about their kids’ days.

“It’s all new for them too especially if it’s their first preppy.”

The former Mount Isa woman didn’t always have her heart set on teaching however.

“I was a bit unsure in high school, but I’ve always loved kids and was always coaching netball, those types of things,” she said.

“Prep is such a rewarding year, they come in from all different contexts and backgrounds and for the growth by the end of the year, it’s incredible to see.”

See which educators rounded out the top 10 below.

Top 10 Townsville’s favourite prep teachers:

2. Brittany Dempster, Bohlevale State School

3. Kristin Escuriale Cantoni, St Joseph’s Mundingburra

4. Lisa Macdonald, St Joseph’s on The Strand

5. Tina Anderson, Southern Cross Catholic College in Annandale

6. Patrice George, Holy Spirit

7. Sarah Dirie, Kelso State School

8. Danielle Potts, Kelso State School

9. Amanda Prideaux, St Benedict’s Catholic School in Shaw

10. Kate Ward, Townsville Grammar in North Shore

Originally published as Southern Cross Catholic College’s Emily Blakss is crowned Townsville’s favourite prep teacher for 2024