Deputy Principal - Teaching and Learning 

Building Learning Cultures of Excellence

St John’s Regional College continues to build learning cultures by helping shape the teachers of tomorrow. As experienced educators, we are privileged to work with exceptional preservice teachers who inspire us to keep learning. Working with them encourages us to be open to fresh perspectives about how students learn and thrive as young people finding their way in a complex world. The following responses are from two preservice teachers, Ms Havah Klajn and Mr Nathan Goicoa, who are currently teaching alongside their teacher mentors, Ms Frankie Flanagan and Ms Sue Keel.

Ms Klajn’s responses:

What are your personal interests?

My personal interests include reading, cooking and playing music. I also enjoy spending time with my friends and family when I am not studying.

What university are you attending?

I am currently at the Australian Catholic University (ACU). I have also previously attended the University of Melbourne for my undergraduate degree. 

How does uni life compare to being a high school student?

I like that I am able to complete things at my own pace and study the subjects that I enjoy. It’s really nice to interact with people who are pursuing the same career as I am and to share different ideas about teaching, literature, as well as other interests.

What inspires you to pursue teaching as a career?

I’ve always really enjoyed reading and music and so I decided to study English and violin at University. It wasn’t until I started tutoring and teaching violin that I realised that I also really enjoy connecting with students and helping them learn. Listening to students think critically and creatively about certain issues inspires me to teach and it’s great to see the progress that students can make with hard work.

What has your experience been like at St John’s?

I’ve really enjoyed it here - there is a very inclusive environment, and it is great to feel part of a team that is inspired to help students learn. I have also enjoyed interacting with students and listening to a variety of perspectives in my teaching.

What advice would you like to give St John’s students?

I would say to stay focussed on the things that are important to you, try to ask as many questions as you can and don’t be afraid of what other people think. Keep up the good work.

Mr Goicoa’s responses:

What are your personal interests?

I am interested in stories. I enjoy stories with deep, emotional and entertaining ideas. As a result, I enjoy a mix of books, movies and games, as well as the music that they contain. As a whole, I suppose I'm generally just interested in the arts. Video essays analysing different stories are a great source of entertainment and are of great interest to me.

What university are you attending?

Australian Catholic University (ACU).

How does uni life compare to being a high school student?

Uni life requires more independence. Most of the tasks and enrolment and participation need to be completed by the student and of their own volition. It requires a little more motivation, as Lecturers won't chase you down as much. It's a little more unforgiving in that way and students need to be organised and prepared. However, the friends that you make at Uni are a great way to stay on top of it and build a support network. Lecturers and tutors are also very supportive and reasonable, being ready to provide additional feedback and explanation on topics. 

What inspires you to pursue teaching as a career?

I enjoyed my time as a student with amazing teachers when I was in high school. While I'd also like to share my passion for learning and the things I'm interested in with my students, I also feel a general sense of duty to my students. My placement has also reminded me that I simply enjoy it.

What has your experience been like at St John’s?

My experience has been nothing short of amazing. Having not taught in a high school class for a while, I was nervous to begin and worried that my teaching wouldn't be up to standard. But the St John's community, both teachers and students, have endeared me to the school. The other staff have been welcoming and supportive, offering me good feedback without being condescending. The students have also been eager and welcoming for a new face.

What advice would you like to give St John’s students?

Don't be afraid to put themselves out there. The students here have so many opportunities to improve their learning and further themselves as people. I would like to see the students build their confidence, gain experiences and use the teacher's knowledge to help them learn. They only go to high school once in their life.

Student Imagination, Planning, and Construction in the Sr Genevieve Robertson Junior STEM Building

The following photograph captures the innovative teaching that is occurring in the multiple learning spaces at the College. Thank you to Mr Tim Lee.

It is especially pleasing to see students use their creativity to design solutions to hypothetical problems, using technology such as robotics. The Genevieve Robertson Junior STEM Building is a vibrant and thriving learning hub because the design of the building allows for increased collaboration and experimentation.

Imagination is at the Heart of Learning

Imagination is at the heart of learning, and it is inspiring to see students in Religious Education classes construct symbols that represent their thinking about spirituality and the values that matter most to them. We cannot underestimate the power of imagination. When we visualise an abstract concept, we create deeper understanding. Thank you to Mr Joe Sirianni.