Inspiring Profssionals

Junior School

Inspiring Professionals

30 Blueprint I St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School

St Aidan’s seeks to Support and develop staff to be reflective practitioners and to model life-long learning. Many of the Junior School staff are experts in various fields of interest and bring their passions and skills to the classroom. Junior School staff are supported in their academic endeavours and have opportunities to work with our Dean of Innovation and Engagement, Karen Madden, who assists staff with research and can provide access to university partnerships that ultimately benefits the students and other staff at St Aidan’s.

Percentage of Junior School staff who have a Masters Degree or currently enrolled in a Masters Degree course:

• Leadership Team 100%

• Classroom Teachers 50%

In addition, 20% of classroom teachers are nationally recognised as a Highly Accomplished, Lead Teachers or are in the process of accreditation.

Ms Catherine Grant, Year 5 teacher, is a recognised Highly Accomplished teacher and is currently undertaking her accreditation for Lead Teacher, the highest nationally recognised accreditation for classroom teachers. Catherine was nominated for the Queensland TeachX Awards in 2021 for her continued focus on building effective networks with universities, parents and experts in the field of online safety. Catherine worked on a research project with Griffith University focusing on ‘NanoTribes’ (small groups of girls) and their use of social media. Catherine also works with colleagues to evaluate student feedback, assessment and data and she models exemplary teaching including a focus on critical thinking and problem solving in Mathematics. Each year, St Aidan’s acknowledges outstanding staff in our Annual Staff Awards. This year, Year 2 teacher, Mrs Kirby Egan received the Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for her work on leading the Junior School through new projects including a Thinking Curriculum, a rich extension program and identification of gifted and talented students for mentoring and supporting staff. Kirby also successfully completed her Highly Accomplished Teacher Accreditation through Independent Schools Queensland in 2021.

Mrs Jackie Child, our Technology Coordinator, regularly presents at school summits and conferences. She recently published an article in STEM Ed Magazine which highlighted ways that educators can excite and engage primary students in building a passion for STEM by tinkering, playing and making. Jackie discussed the importance of creating an environment for students to engage with STEM from an early age, and integrating STEM principles across the curriculum and offering clubs and events like ‘Coding & Robotics’ and Inter-house Robotics Competition. These are just some of the ways in Jackie engages the students at St Aidan’s.

Miss Caitlin Clarke, Year 2 teacher and Mrs Bess Sellars, SWAN Coordinator, have been instrumental in the field of Early Years Literacy and have initiated a new Framework which will provide staff with research based best practices in the areas of spelling and reading. They are currently working on a scope and sequence for Early Years teachers and have supported staff by in servicing them on new programs which will being in 2022.

Mrs Kelly Swan

Head of Junior School BCI (Med and Comn), MEd (MYS)

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