People of Korowa

Mrs Kate Banks, Year 5 teacher and Year 3-6 Coordinator

Before embarking on her teaching career Kate was involved in the Arts industry – acting, theatre and film. She then went on to study Drama teaching and engaged in research around the benefits of using drama as a pedagogical approach to learning. She believes that dramatic play is an essential part of children’s lives and the way they learn as it integrates elements of physical, emotional and cognitive development. Kate joined Korowa four years ago and when asked what she loves about Korowa she said “I love the community feel that Korowa provides for not only the students but all the families and staff. There is a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. Korowa is also very encouraging of professional development and supports lifelong learning for staff”. Kate is committed to helping her students develop the skills necessary to be problem-solvers and change makers with the ability to make a positive contribution to the world. It is for this reason, that she feels very passionate about Korowa’s signature KXP program. The project-based learning approach is highly engaging and motivating for students and allows them to make connections across curriculum outcomes, leading to a deeper understanding of concepts. Kate’s special interests in education include inquiry teaching, STEM and Mastery; she recently presented her action research into Mastery Learning at Korowa at the Global Forum on Girls’ Education. When asked what inspires you, Kate responded, “To be honest, I am most inspired by the students I work with. Each day they amaze me with what they are capable of and all that they can achieve. I am inspired by their creativity, way of thinking and humour”.

Dr David Wilkie, Mathematics and Physics Teacher

Having joined the Korowa staff six years ago, David comments warmly of the school where “students experience encouragement and opportunity to be true to themselves, to embrace honourable values, to socialise well, and to be persistent and ambitious in regard to their growth and achievements”. After initially dabbling in engineering, David says he felt “the pull toward both intellectual pursuits and working with people”, resulting in his career in teaching, education management and research. As a student he loved studying physics, mathematics and music, and competing as an athlete. David is a critical thinker, with a practical bent. This year, The University of Melbourne conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Education for his research on “Improving teacher effectiveness: how effective teachers are conceptualised by education practitioners in different school contexts”. His study illuminates the contextualised, nuanced, and potent nature of what enables and what impedes effective teachers in their work, and how increased teacher effectiveness is achievable through informed policy development and improved management in schools. Outside of the classroom, David enjoys snowboarding around the globe. His snowboard has taken him to different states in Australia, British Columbia, Colorado and the Swiss Alps. He also enjoys time in nature, music and theatre. David says he seeks inspiration from “capable people with a good sense of proportion, humour and a ‘can-do’ attitude”. He has been an integral part of the Mathematics and, more recently, Science departments, teaching the VCE Studies of Specialist Mathematics, Mathematical Methods and Physics, and Mathematics across Years 8-10.