For Haylea, caring for children has always been at the centre of her life. Now in her 12th year of teaching, she has spent time in Darwin, Melbourne and at St Catherine of Siena in Armstrong Creek, Victoria, for the past 7 years.
As a grade 1 teacher, she loves making learning fun through singing, dancing and creativity. But outside the classroom, she has found another meaningful way to support young people: becoming a foster carer.
‘It was always on my bucket list,’ she says. ‘I knew I was always going to do it.’
Haylea and her partner Josh began their fostering journey at the end of 2024, after years of thinking about how they could give back. Inspired by a friend who had become a carer, Haylea reached out to MacKillop Family Services and soon found herself attending information sessions and webinars.
The couple provide short-term and emergency care, usually welcoming children for short stays of up to a week. They have cared for 7 young people so far, mostly teenagers aged 15 to 17. Choosing to care for older children was a practical decision that suited their lifestyle, but it has also proven deeply rewarding.
‘The kids say we’re cool and they want to come back,’ Haylea laughs. ‘That pumps us up. We are caring for the most beautiful girl at the moment! We talk for hours on end! She is bubbly, healthy, loves exercising, is really studious and applies herself at school. She wants to be a lawyer, and she absolutely will get there. She has been through so much but is the most positive and vibrant person!’
Sharing beach life
Their Torquay home offers something many young people in care crave – calm, trust and normality. Just 2 blocks from the beach, weekends might include fish and chips by the ocean, a trip to the driving range with Josh, shopping down the street, or simply walking the dogs. Sometimes the greatest comfort is being able to retreat to their own room and have space.
‘Many kids love to be in their room, and we’re okay with that,’ Haylea says. ‘It’s about letting them feel comfortable.’
At other times, connection comes quietly. One teenage girl would come and sit on the couch for a vent before heading back to her room. Another young person clearly longed for affection, often needing a hug when she arrived or left. These moments stay with Haylea.
‘It’s about being their safe person,’ she says. ‘An adult they come to trust.’
Teaching through a trauma‑informed lens
Her experience as a foster carer has also changed the way Haylea teaches. Working with children who have experienced trauma has deepened her understanding of what may be happening behind the scenes for students in her classroom.
‘Some children have really tough home lives,’ she says. ‘It’s made me a better teacher. You realise how important it is to greet them with a smile each morning and make school a safe place too.’
The practical support from MacKillop has made fostering manageable alongside busy careers. Haylea teaches 4 days a week and runs a wedding business on Fridays and Saturdays, while Josh manages several businesses. Support workers assist with school drop-offs, pick-ups and transport when needed.
‘They’ve been really good,’ she says. ‘It means we can go about our day and still do this.’
For Haylea, fostering is not about grand gestures. It is about everyday kindness, positive role modelling and showing young people another version of what life can look like.
‘We’re busy people, but if you have the capacity to give back to the world, you should,’ she says.
And sometimes, changing a child’s world starts with something as simple as a safe bed, a shared meal and knowing someone cares.
Find out more about foster care at www.mackillop.org.au/fostercare
