“THE STAR” Tuesday, August 23, 2016 - PAGE 35
Principal inspires Australia’s teachers WONTHAGGI Primary School principal Leonie Anstey is passionate about numbers. So much so, she was invited to be the keynote speaker at a maths leadership conference hosted by the Maths Teaching and Learning Research Centre in Melbourne recently, attended by 300 teachers from across Australia. Ms Anstey offered advice for teaching effectively under the pressure of busy school days, and working with families and children to ensure learning opportunities were maximised. “Teachers need to know what each child is currently doing and what they need to do in light of the curriculum,” she said. Ms Anstey advocates the ongoing training of teachers and ensuring children have access to
comprehensive knowledge, which is why Wonthaggi Primary School has specialist maths and science teachers and coaches in Karyn Thomas and Chris Terlich. “If a coach is good enough for (tennis player) Andre Agassi, then a coach is good enough for teachers,” Ms Anstey said. “If the teachers are the best they can be, then the kids are getting the best education they can.” Grade 5 student Alicia finds learning maths enjoyable. “There are always challenges and hands-on activities. I like targeted maths because there are challenges that we have to really aim for,” she said. “One challenge was if you went into an ice cream shop and there were 100 flavours, how many combinations could there be with three Deep thinkers: Wonthaggi Primary School principal Leonie Anstey loves maths and science, scoops. It’s about using algebra.” and sharing her knowledge with students such as Grade 5 children Kalani, Ania and Alicia.