World Teachers' Day

World Teachers' Day - well, it isn't actually. World Teachers' Day is 5 October. But in Australia we celebrate our teachers on the last Friday of October.

I'm in awe of our teachers at Peregian Springs State School. They are a pretty amazing bunch with a dizzying array of skills and talents.

1S and 5W asked me to write a message for each year level to go with their Assembly item on 25 October. It was such an easy write, as all writing from the heart is.

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Prep – I love our Prep teachers for their energy, enthusiasm and zest for teaching. I love the colour of their rooms. I’m in awe of how they teach routines so whole classes can tip toe past me on Thursday mornings without making a sound. They care about their students deeply, and thoroughly understand and appreciate the concerns of parents in this precious first year of school. They are also masters of event management! Just try the Mother’s Day Pamper Fest

Year 1 – Our Year 1 teachers are incredibly professional in all they turn their hand to. They are very knowledgeable about the unique curriculum for Year 1 students and I’ve observed many occasions where they have turned to the evidence before implementing a ‘good’ idea. They are also skilful in assessing learning gaps on an individual basis and quickly grouping together to collaborate for better learning opportunities. Their classrooms are learningful and joyful, and each one is unique.

Year 2 – Our Year 2 teachers are a fun group who focus deliberately on the children in their classes ensuring children continue to develop their positive approach to learning. I appreciate their high level of organisation and willingness to ask questions. I am always impressed by their on task behaviour in meetings and how they talk through their unique strategies and share resources.

Year 3 – I am so impressed with our Year 3 teachers. They are an excitable bunch whose classrooms are high in energy, deep in learning and long in laughs. I love that they work together so harmoniously, sharing resources and friendships. Particularly impressive is their ability to bring little children along in Year 3 to be totally ready for the more independent learning they will encounter in Year 4.

Year 4 – Our Year 4 teachers are super impressive. Their classrooms are organised, attractive and focused on learning and friendships. Their rooms reflect how they work together as a group – they are great mates, meeting regularly, planning for the future and solving problems. Each of them is involved in a whole school project of some kind such as drone education, our Japanese Sister School, our P&C, our new waste management system – the list goes on and on. Year 4 teachers demonstrate very visibly the age old saying of ‘It takes a village to raise a child’

Year 5 – Our Year 5 teachers are amazing. The care and attention they lavish on their students and on each other is a sight to behold. They are expert is analysing the impact of their teaching on student learning and they never miss an opportunity to improve something or develop something new. Always first with their hands up, no job goes begging in our school. I love that they always wave at me as I go by even if it is over the top of a poster on the window. (Mr Lunn’s wave is the easiest to see 😊)

Year 6 – Hmmmm, Year 6 has always been THAT year level… 😊 In 10 years I’ve seen more innovations and risk taking than I’ve seen in my whole career spanning 35 years. I love that they do this and that they also know I will have questions and expect planning. I love that they take personal accountability and always have a back up plan (even if they only thought of it 5 minutes before seeing me). Every one of them is solutions focused and I really don’t think Year 6 students realise how lucky they are to be taught by this group of teachers for their final primary year

Performing Arts – what a team! Creative, passionate, loud, focused on every child participating no matter what. They go above and beyond on every project. I admire their expert knowledge in performing arts and love that they are performers in their own right.

The PE Dept – Brooke and Cam complement each other perfectly – I love that their knowledge, skills and temperaments dovetail in such a way that they are constantly learning from each other. Their planning, documentation, organisation and flexibility with running sports days and other events is second to none. I always feel confident that whatever else is going on, the event will occur seamlessly and appear flawless. Their passion for sports of all kinds along with physical fitness is infectious.

Japanese – I so appreciate Sensei Akiko coming to our school and integrating Japanese into as many places as possible. How lucky we are to have a native speaking teacher who sees herself as part of the whole school and can always been seen at events and assemblies along with everyone else. She’s a little quiet, and maybe a little shy, and I love how her face lights up whenever she’s speaking with children or about her beloved subject, Japanese.

Resource Centre - I tell everyone that what Maree doesn't know about children's literature isn't worth knowing. It's amazing how she ensures every student can choose books and stories they love to read while making sure they are introduced to new authors and writing styles.

My Leadership Team – what can I say? I have the most talented, energetic and caring leadership team in the State, probably in Australia. They are the envy of every Principal I know. I rarely see them behaving impatiently (even with me), they make time for everyone, they pull together like the patterns in a kaleidoscope, and the result is usually a stroke of genius. I love that they work totally in sync with each other, are organised and well planned, understand ‘everything’ is their job no matter what role they are in – but mostly I love them because they ALWAYS put kids and teachers first. I have the greatest respect for these educators and can’t believe how fortunate I am to have them by my side.