Getting to Know You: Dawn Davis

With our new Head of Senior School due to commence at Girton in Term 2, we put some questions to Dawn Davis so that the school community may begin to get to know the newest member of the Senior Leadership Team.  

What made you want to become a teacher, and what subjects have you taught?

Prior to myself and my family emigrating to Australia in 2004, I had been a scientist in the UK for approximately seventeen years working in the defence industry. My roles included computer modelling of various threat hazards of differing weapon systems, database development and the management of various projects. During my first three years of settling in Western Australia, I took an active role in my local community at my children’s school by helping out in their classes, becoming a committee member of the local playgroup, taking an active role in the P & C Committee of my children’s school, and also offering local mathematics tutoring for high school students. 

Helping the teachers behind the scenes and tutoring students to improve their numeracy skills, made me realise that I would love to give back my diverse range of experience to the wider school community, and hence this became my springboard to complete a Graduate Diploma in Teaching at Notre Dame University in Fremantle, Western Australia. I have predominately taught mathematics at most levels from Years 7 to 12, and more recently, I have taught small groups of students in a Gifted and Talented program using a combination of project-based learning, master classes, STEM skills and a variety of academic competitions such as Maths Olympiad’s. 

What are two crucial elements of being an excellent school leader?

During my previous leadership roles, I have gained many different skills which have helped me fulfil my duties. But one attribute that I have always followed is to listen to my students, their parents, and my colleagues in whatever role they perform. I will always listen with full attention, and I admit you will see me taking notes of our conversations! Great leaders are effective communicators who listen with attention; they listen to learn your views, your ideas and to learn to understand or empathise with a particular need or issue that has arisen so that a workable solution or conclusion can be found and everybody has been heard without prejudice.

Secondly, an excellent leader must be adaptable. Unfortunately, the current world that we know has been transformed, and the goalposts have been shifted across many different areas of our lives. An adaptable leader recognises these changes as an opportunity for a fresh perspective to continually improve and refine current models or procedures. By developing new strategies or new techniques and accommodating people’s views and ideas, opportunities for growth are established.

What are your personal learning passions? 

I believe strongly that learning should be engaging. When I have taught mathematics, I always try to bring in a real-life scenario example to give meaning and context to the topic or complete a hands-on activity whereby the students are given opportunities to discover the eureka moment. Learning should always have a purpose, and it is critical that students are given the opportunities to work towards their personal passion or interests in addition to the curriculum demands that are placed upon them. 

What are your overarching educational philosophies?

I am a strong believer that students should be able to tailor their learning much more to suit their strengths and abilities so that they form the decisions towards their learning. In my previous role in Inclusive Education, I made sure students took an active role in setting their goals by personally interviewing each student to determine their strengths and preferred learning style. Students will naturally feel empowered to work towards these goals, especially if they have been involved in the decision-making process and their thoughts have been acknowledged.

How can schools thrive through disruption, challenge and change?

The support of the whole school community with continued reassurance and constant communication, including regular well-being opportunities, is essential in the current climate. Encouraging students to adopt a growth mindset and maintaining the continuity of learning for purpose develops the resilience of the student. It was such a humbling experience for me when I was interviewed for this role by some of the students from the school. I was immediately impressed by their adaptability to the new normal, which students in Western Australia have only just started experiencing. Their questions to me were extremely insightful and mature and demonstrated that these young people will one day become great advocates for the society they live in. 

If you could wave a magic wand, what 21st-century educational challenge would you fix, and why?

I would fix the way school curricula is delivered and assessed to prepare our students for life and work in the 21st century. We still rely heavily on a typical classroom setting based on the old 19th-century model, whereby students often learn in isolation and in competition with one another. Yet, workplaces are increasingly organised around teamworking, remote working and the requirement for having good interpersonal and communication skills. We need to look at how new technologies are emerging and transforming how a topic or subject is delivered. Our assessment processes tend to provide information about subject achievement only. However, employers want better information on students’ abilities to work in teams, how well they communicate, their abilities in the use of technology, their problem-solving skills and the ability to learn new skills on the job. 

What are you looking forward to when you move to Victoria and to Bendigo? 

I am really looking forward to meeting the students, staff, and wider school community of Girton, in addition to choosing whether I walk, ride or take the car to school, a privilege I have not had in Western Australia! I am especially looking forward to becoming involved with the school events and activities as a way of seeing the community in action. I have been completing a lot of virtual walking on map views around Bendigo while searching for accommodation online. Sampling the local cuisine, coffee shops, and the heritage and culture of Bendigo, I am sure, is going to keep me busy in the holidays!

What do you find alluring about Girton Grammar School?

A school of opportunities for everything! The warmness and professionalism of staff during my interviews and the diverse skills and talents of the students. The history and culture of the school appeals strongly to me, and the high importance it places on emotional intelligence for all students coupled with an excellent academic reputation has been a big drawcard for me.

Dockers, Eagles, or a new AFL team when you move to Victoria?

Considering I have been in Australia since 2004, my first ever AFL game was last year when I came to visit Melbourne and attended the Carlton-Docker’s game. I have since been to some Dockers games in WA, I hasten to add. With regards to a new Victorian team, I would definitely like to follow a side, and so I am open to suggestions, which I am sure will be a great conversation starter when I meet with staff, students or parents in the new term.

Cats or dogs?

Dogs. I currently have a Border Collie, but unfortunately, she is getting pretty old, so she will remain in WA with my grown-up children. 

Kindle or hardcopy?

I am a hardcopy person, but my bookcase is getting so full that I am now considering more and more the electronic format. I just love the look and smell of a new book! 

Tea or coffee?

Both. I really enjoy a good English cuppa or Rooibos tea, and I equally enjoy a good Nespresso coffee.