We're excited to spotlight Sarah Fortnam, a dedicated teacher and passionate calisthenics coach, whose achievements inspire both in and beyond our John Paul College community.
With over 25 years of experience in calisthenics, Sarah brings dedication and energy to both her teaching and the stage. She’s been a coach and active competitor with the Masters team at Canadian Bay Calisthenics in Mt Eliza for the past decade, helping achieve impressive milestones, including competing four times at the biennial Pan Pacific Masters Games on the Gold Coast, where athletes from 40 sports come together to compete.
This year at the Pan Pacific Masters, Sarah gave seven standout performances over three days in solo, duo, and team events, earning a silver medal in the duo category and helping her team win an additional silver and two bronze medals. Earlier this year, she also celebrated a victory with her team in the State Championships’ top division.
Sarah’s love for calisthenics began at age six when she followed in her older sister’s footsteps. “I still get nervous before going on stage,” she admits, “but I love the feeling after nailing a routine. Over the years, I’ve made great friends, and it keeps me a bit fit.”
Reflecting on her journey, she’s proud of her early days representing Victoria at Nationals, and even prouder of all that her Masters team has accomplished.
Looking ahead, Sarah is taking a break from coaching after 10 consecutive years to focus on competing. “It’s a chance to put my energy into my own performance and enjoy being part of the team,” she says.
Sarah’s experience in calisthenics has a big impact on her teaching, particularly in Dance, where she looks forward to being back teaching Year 8 and 9 students next year. “Calisthenics has shown me the value of catering to kinaesthetic learners,” she says. “It’s not just about demonstrating a skill - it’s about ensuring students can hear it explained, see it written down, and, when possible, practice it themselves.”
She also hopes her students learn from her about resilience and commitment, saying, "We didn’t win any gold medals in calisthenics this year like we have in the past, but committing to a sport or hobby is about much more than winning. It’s about taking risks, putting yourself out there, and understanding that success isn’t just measured by medals."
We’re proud to celebrate Sarah’s achievements and grateful for the inspiration she brings to our College community.
Welcome to the spotlight, Sarah!