Standing in front of his first Year 7 class, Kane Wright displays none of the signs of the nervousness he claims to have.
The new PD/Health/PE teacher says students aren't the only ones who are apprehensive about starting the school year.
"Nervous, to say the least!" he says. "I'm pretty overwhelmed, to be honest."
Wright's job isn't purely about teaching lessons.
At Bonnyrigg High School, in Sydney's west, teachers with Indigenous backgrounds are especially sought after.
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NSW Public Schools Director Cathy Brennan says it's part of a plan to help inspire the next generation of Indigenous students to complete their education, and give them access to role models.
"I actually dropped out when I was in Year 11."
She says Indigenous teachers are well-placed to understand some of the cultural nuances particular to students with similar backgrounds.
"It's about that deep understanding of the experiences that our Aboriginal families have gone through," she says.
"The history, the culture, the understanding of that connection to land and country.
"And also understanding that the education that was denied for a long time, is no longer a barrier to achieving their goals in the future."
Teaching wasn't a path Wright thought he'd take when he was in school.
"It's been a long journey," he says.
"I actually dropped out when I was in Year 11."
It was his own former history teacher who inspired Kane to explore a career in education -- after a professional sports career ended early due to injury.
Now, he's looking forward to being a role model for current students.
"It means quite a lot to me, to be able to transition that and be a mentor," he says.
When it comes to education, there's evidence the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students is getting narrower.
With growing numbers of students staying on to complete year 12.
Bonnyrigg High School student Abbey is from Sydney's Koori clan.
Though she's just started high school, she has big dreams for her career.
"Hopefully I see myself going far, in the future," she says.
"I kind of want to end up running my own restaurant one day."
She appreciates the fact that her new high school has a focus on mentoring Indigenous students.
" Looking at [Mr Wright], I know Aboriginal students or people that have Aboriginal in their blood, they do go far," she says.
"Just because we are Aboriginal doesn't mean we can't go far in the world.
"We're still the same."
