I have been an educator for more than 50 years, having worked as a primary school teacher, consultant, primary school principal at St George’s Rd Primary School, secondary school principal at McGuire College and a regional network leader working with the leadership teams and teachers of 20 schools.
It is with this lens as a veteran educator that I am writing about my experience with Greater Shepparton Secondary College.
I have been working at the GSSC one day a week this year as an instructional coach, working with first-year teachers.
I would like to share my observations of this wonderful school.
Firstly, it is a calm place.
When the bell rings to change classes or for recess and lunchtime, students move quietly and orderly.
They show respect for each other and the teachers.
Secondly, with the ‘no phone’ policy implemented, there are no phones in class to distract students, and at recess and lunchtime I saw students sitting in groups talking, students playing basketball and soccer on the oval.
Not a phone in sight!
Finally, the teachers are hard-working and very positive.
They speak of their students in a positive light and plan their lessons to cater for the wide variety of abilities in their classes.
The beginning teachers that I have worked with have expressed their appreciation of the support they have received from the college in their first year of teaching.
They have received support from a school-based curriculum, mentor, domain leader, educational support staff and an instructional coach.
As an instructional coach, I observed their teaching and gave them feedback to improve their practice on a weekly basis.
The growth of these teachers’ practice was wonderful.
The school employed three instructional coaches this year to support beginning teachers.
I would like to congratulate Barbara O’Brien and all the staff for the amazing work that they do.
The students at Greater Shepparton Secondary College are in very good hands.
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