The Teacher Feature

Sally Wickes

Role: Performing Arts Teacher

What inspires you in your teaching?

What inspires me the most in my teaching is seeing students discover their own musical voice and confidence as a performer. Every student learns differently, and I find it incredibly rewarding to help them recognise their strengths, overcome challenges and experience the joy of music, dance and drama. It's so amazing to see their curiosity, creativity and progress, whether it be learning the production dance, composing a piece of music, participating in an improvisation drama game or becoming more confident in expressing themselves through the arts.

How do you continue to grow and develop as a teacher?

I believe that growing and developing as a teacher means being a life long learner. I continue to develop by reflecting on my lessons and exploring new teaching strategies and resources. I keep up with current approaches to teaching music and performing arts by attending professional development opportunities such as Musica Viva or Australian School of Performing Arts workshops.

I have been a teacher mentor in the Music in Schools program for two years now and I have had some wonderful opportunities to work with Performing Arts specialists from around Victoria. I love teaching Performing Arts and it's a joy to be able to share it with my students every day.

Mel Stephens 

Role: Japanese Teacher and Grade 4 Teacher

What do you believe makes an effective learning environment for students?

I believe an effective learning environment is one where students feel safe, valued, supported and confident to take risks in their learning. I also think strong relationships are at the heart of effective learning. When students know that their teacher genuinely cares about them and understands how they learn best, they are more likely to engage and develop a positive attitude towards learning. I want students to leave the classroom feeling that they have achieved something, learned something new and are capable of continuing to grow.

What is one thing you wish families knew more about teaching and learning?

I wish families knew just how much learning happens beyond simply completing a task or getting an answer correct. Teaching is often about developing the skills and habits that allow students to become independent learners — learning how to persevere when something is difficult, communicate their thinking, collaborate with others, learn from mistakes and take responsibility for their own learning.

Georgia Hellier

Role: Visual Arts Teacher

What do you love most about working at BBPS?

It would have to be the students, staff and families who make up the BBPS community. There is such a wonderful sense of belonging at our school, and I particularly love seeing students return to visit after they have moved on to secondary school. It is a lovely reminder of the connections and relationships that are built during their primary school years.

One of the things I enjoy most about my role is having the opportunity to teach both Visual Art and within the classroom. It is incredibly rewarding to see students grow and develop, not only throughout the year, but from their early years at school through to their final years of primary school.

I love watching students become more confident, creative and willing to use their imagination, while developing their artistic skills along the way. Seeing the pride on a child's face when they have created something they are really proud of is one of the best parts of my job. Most of all, I feel very fortunate to be part of the BBPS community and to build positive relationships with students, staff and families. Knowing that I can play even a small part in each child's learning journey is what makes my role so special.

What is one thing students might be surprised to learn about you?

I often share stories with students about my family and what we get up to on weekends and during the school holidays, so they probably know quite a lot about me already! However, they might be surprised to learn just how much of an animal lover I am.

We have a much-loved Spoodle called Frankie at home, as well as six rather unusual pets - spiky leaf stick insects! My 10-year-old daughter, Sophie, hatched them from eggs, so we now have a little family of them at home.

I have also always had a soft spot for animals who need a little extra help. I used to volunteer with Pets of the Homeless in Cheltenham, which I really enjoyed, and our family has also fostered dogs temporarily. It was rewarding to give these dogs a safe and loving home while their owners were working towards getting back on their feet, knowing that their beloved companions were being cared for and loved in the meantime.