T.I.M.E.

We are all SUPER PROUD at TPS of our own  Finley Francois winning this year's Yamaha Breakout Teacher’s award.  We all know how lucky we are to have Fin at TPS (he has taught at TPS for 19 years!!!).  He  continues to bring a fresh perspective, passion, joy, excitement and love of music that all of our students, teachers and community have benefited from to get “off to a great start” in music education and music. 

In the words of our own T.I.M.E. (Thornbury Instrumental Music Experience) crew:

Max Dowling, woodwind teacher: “after getting to know Finley Francois for a little while, I began to realise that he is a teacher like no other I've met. He has creative ambitions for students and ensembles that out reach anything I've ever witnessed, and they result in unique student projects led by kids who are inspired and delighted. He brings his knowledge of the real musical world into every single lesson he teaches; resulting in a program that is not only a joy for kids to be a part of, but preparing them for a lifetime of music making - professional, recreational or appreciative. I have learned an immense amount from Finley, and continue to do so. He makes me a better teacher, and does the same for all those around him.”

Maria Moles, drum kit teacher:  “Fin is a hugely inspiring teacher. I am in awe of how extremely kind, fun, and patient he is with his students. He shares his passion for music in a beautiful and engaging way”

Emma Tonkin, vocal teacher:  “Finley Francois is one of the most dedicated music educators around . He has so much to offer students , fellow staff and the whole school community with his creativity , skill and outside the box thinking and does this selflessly and effortlessly , passionate about kids being exposed to the best musical experience possible through their primary years.“

Philip McLeod, cello teacher: “ It’s so wonderful to have such a clear communicator, inspirational teacher and natural leader on our team at TPS’s TIME music program. To see Fin in the moment teaching he is down at their level connecting with the students, but drawing out the qualities of interest and inspiration they require.” 

Charlie Woods,brass teacher: “Finley is a sensational piano teacher and musician who continues to encourage and engage students.” 

Caitlin French, violin teacher: “Finley is the most inspiring piano teacher I’ve ever come across in 25 years of teaching. He has developed new and incredibly creative ways to teach improvisation to primary school students, which have been extremely successful. Finley encourages his students  to become captains of their own musical ships by demonstrating initiative: in their piano playing and by researching their own musical interests. They are all able to compose and improvise by the time they graduate from high school. You can’t ask for anything more!!”

Rosemary Walsh, string teacher :, “Fin challenges and inspires me as an instrumental teacher, educator, artist and human being with every encounter and in everything he does. He lives, breathes, and teaches where his creative process leads him and always with great authenticity and generosity. His sight is firmly set on the development of the musicians he teaches and on guiding their creative abilities, rather than on any one performance end product that could be engineered to make the teacher or school look good. He is a community builder, constantly supporting colleagues and always on the lookout for ways of creating excellence.  He seems to work with more genuine joy than many people do, we are so blessed to have him in our cohort.” 

Liam Gerner,  guitar and ukulele teacher:  “Finley's wealth of knowledge and technical skill is invaluable in his teaching of piano, leading school bands and being a natural leader and key developer of Thornbury Primary’s unique, vibrant and incredible music community. Fin's generosity of these skills and his commitment to our school's musical creative cause is also an immense inspiration to his students, the school staff and the entire school community. “

Please congratulate Fin when you see him on this very worthy achievement!