Reflections

Reflections of an Early Career Teacher in the Diocese of Wollongong

2015
Amanda Muscat

St Johns Campbelltown.

I feel blessed to have had ongoing support from the CEO and our school. Through all the PD, networking opportunities and overall sense of welcome, it has been a great year and I feel privileged to be a teacher within the Diocese of Wollongong.

Having taught in Government and Independent schools as a casual prior to joining the Diocese of Wollongong, I felt the support offered by the Catholic system was unparalleled.

Other positives:

1. Support with Classroom Management.

PD in the area of Behaviour Management - more than just running workshops at head office, but in having CEO specialist staff come and observe our classroom practice (because this is our reality) should continue to be prioritised in future ECT planning. I am most grateful for the support I received from Sherryn Moore and Monika Trauth in this respect.

Competence in Classroom Management is usually the biggest area of need and a priority for ECTs...and obviously takes time. However, the ability to manage our classroom either makes or breaks us!

2. ECT Days - the extra days to use at our discretion came in very handy, especially leading-up to report time! Also, allowing our school to release our mentor using allocated days was beneficial for all parties.

3. PD sessions at CEO were a good way to network with other new staff across the diocese. Great catering, too! Thank you!

4. The Welcoming Dinner was a very special evening & a highlight for us all! Thank you for arranging this lovely event.

Thanks again Sherryn for everything!

- Amanda Muscat

St John's Primary, Campbelltown

2016

Bridgeen Pritchard

St Justin’s, Oran Park

What an amazing year this has been. As an Early Career Teacher in the Diocese of Wollongong, I have been supported and provided opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills required to succeed in my career. I have previously worked in other systems and industries with strong induction processes but the networks and supports offered to Early Career Teachers in the Diocese of Wollongong have been exemplary. 

My Principal, members of staff at my school and Sherryn Moore from CEO, have worked throughout the year to ensure that I have had access to professional development and a point of reference in a safe and positive working environment that promotes quality teaching. I have felt truly blessed to be a part of the Diocese of Wollongong, as I have grown to understand that there are so many quality professionals working behind the scenes to ensure my own success and that of my fellow Early Career Teachers.

The first thing that struck me as exceptional about teaching at a Diocese of Wollongong School was the welcome I received. At school and diocesan level I felt that my welcome to the workplace was genuine and contributed to a sense of feeling valued and appreciated. 

Throughout the course of this year I have had access to professional development opportunities, specifically designed for Early Career Teachers, as well as some additional experiences that have allowed me to improve my classroom practice and further develop my own interests. In particular, being afforded the time to observe exemplar teachers from St Michael’s at Thirroul as they demonstrated a Literacy and Numeracy lesson was invaluable. I am grateful that we have such wonderful educators and leaders within our diocese who are willing to open their classrooms and schools to support the professional development of others.

My attendance at these professional learning opportunities was supported by the extra release days received as an Early Career Teacher, another example of the practical ways in which I have felt supported to achieve my best within the classroom. I have been able to utilise this time throughout the year to plan my lessons or prepare student reports. Receiving support through the provision of additional time has had a significant impact on my professional development. It has allowed me to achieve the work-life balance that is required to ensure my students are receiving the best experiences that I can offer. 

There are so many opportunities for learning and growth in our diocese and I have been immensely grateful to Sherryn Moore for her words of encouragement and for ensuring that I accepted challenges along the way. Through her support this year, I will now begin my second year of teaching at my school with a greater degree of confidence as I know I have been set up for success. I value the time and effort that she has put in to establishing a blog and Facebook page as these have provided valuable sources of information, guidance and ideas to better my classroom practice.

I feel privileged to be teaching at my school and in the Diocese of Wollongong and I am grateful to all those who have contributed to my success.

Thankyou and Good Luck!