Most of us could learn a thing or two from our sporting heroes.
But it is students at Brisbane State High School (BSHS) who are learning directly from one of the best, as Brisbane Lions Co-Captain Harris Andrews, fresh off the back of the Lions 2026 Season AFL Premiership three-peat, steps into the classroom to complete a practical placement that forms a key part of his teaching degree.
The five-week practical is the penultimate placement for Mr Andrews in his Bachelor of Education at Griffith Sports College, and will bring him closer to graduating as a qualified secondary school Health and Physical Education and Psychology teacher next year.
Mr Andrews' placement was made possible as part of a new collaboration between Griffith University and Brisbane State High School to support elite student pathways and performance.
"The opportunity to learn from experienced teachers and get to know students has been amazing," Mr Andrews said.
Coaching and teaching share a lot of the same traits; you've got to have genuine empathy and care, know how to motivate and be able to help others improve
Griffith Sports College Director, Naomi McCarthy OAM OLY, said the partnership strengthened opportunities for talented athletes to transition from school into university while continuing to pursue high-performance sport alongside their education.
"The original teaching placement scheduled for Harris clashed with the AFL season, so we worked with him on alternative dates and his placement at BSHS was subsequently arranged," Ms McCarthy said.
"Formalising our relationship with BSHS means we can also create stronger pathways for elite athletes studying there who may progress to Griffith."
