60 SECONDS WITH ... MR GERARD FAURE-BRAC

Sport and Performance Psychologist

Have you always worked in a school or have you had other careers?

Many other careers! I travelled for a number of years and worked in schools (I was a PE teacher) and managed bars among other jobs. I went back to uni to do my Masters in Sport Psychology and worked in track construction, building anti-erosion paths in national parks. I began work as a sport psychologist within the Health Department and set up a role within child & adolescent psychology using performance enhancement skills as an adjunct to traditional medication and behavioural therapy. I slowly moved into my chosen area of sport psychology with the NSW Institute of Sport and spent the next many years working in high performance sport. I was with Cricket NSW before coming to PLC Sydney.

What led you to a career in education?

Originally PE because I loved sport. When studying sport psychology as an undergrad I always wondered why no one was doing this work in schools - I would have loved to have learned those things when I was going through. When I finished my studies I looked into the possibility of doing this work in schools but there was not much of an appetite for it outside of a few presentations here and there. When I saw PLC Sydney with its progressive views on the education of young women offering an opportunity to do just that, I thought “it’s time to put my money where my mouth is”.

What has been your greatest challenge at school? Sticking to session times that are 53 mins, 49 mins, and 13 mins.

What do you enjoy most about being involved in education?

You often see the impact you make relatively quicklyalso watching the development of a student as they grow from child to independent young person is pretty special.

What do you find most rewarding about working in your field?

Watching self-confidence grow simply by adjusting a few things in how an individual goes about what they do and building simple performance skills to help. Seeing an individual realise anything is possible is pretty cool.

Do you have a most memorable career point to date?

I have a number from the sporting world - not so much about the achievements they gained, but more about being “allowed” to work so closely on things that are so important to them and building that mutual trust required to do so.

Doing this work in the school space is probably too soon to say, but some pretty good successes have come from the most unexpected of areas - I like that.

“You often see the impact you make relatively quickly - also watching the development of a student as they grow from child to independent young person is pretty special.”

Who has been your greatest influence?

Its difficult answer, I have an eclectic taste. Usually the usual, doing the unique whilst maintaining their humility and kindness

What is your motto in life?

Quantum Potes Tantum Aude (my school teachers would be shocked to hear that)

Do you have any interests/hobbies?

Rugby, fishing, home brewing, sea kayaking, fishing from my sea kayak, most sports, camping, hiking, snokeling, anything at the beach, travel…