Science Academic
T
he commencement of the school year involved some changes in staffing with Mr Ed Clark departing for a physics position at St Mary’s Anglican School. I wish to thank Mr Clark for his contribution to the science learning area, particularly in regards to his efforts in senior Ray Priskich physics. Mr Clark is replaced Head of Science by Ms Sheena Regan, a graduate teacher. Mr Bill Cooper is the new Observatory Administrator and an experienced teacher of high quality. In addition, Mr Jim Shackleton was appointed Coordinator of middle school Science as part of the implementation of a middle school structure within the College. I wish to focus this report on issues facing secondary science education in WA. This year, the work of the science learning area at Trinity has been dominated by continued refinement of middle school outcomes based education (OBE) and preparation of OBE into Years 10 and beyond. The current climate of anxiety and political manoeuvring relating to OBE, is not as disturbing as the underlying challenge that all schools will face in the near future – that of retaining and employing quality staff, especially in the sciences and mathematics. The significant burden of extra work (particularly in regards to assessment) that will become part of the fabric of secondary teaching in WA is understood by teachers, especially those approaching retirement. A recent report by the Australian Council of
152
Deans of Education reveals an emerging shortfall in the quality of competent teachers, particularly in the physical sciences and mathematics. This is likely to develop as a crisis of quality within the next five to ten years as the baby-boomer generation of teachers leave the profession. The changes sweeping across the educational landscape in WA will exacerbate difficulties facing secondary science education. The low status and remuneration of science teachers as perceived by tertiary graduates, the limited resources available to most schools to adequately support pedagogical changes, the inflexibility of organisational structure in schools, and the inability of science staff to collegially improve the curriculum, are all pressing problems that need to be addressed. Some of the debate over OBE is rightly focused on inadequate resources, but without quality teachers in classrooms, the nature of the pedagogy is a moot debate. Unfortunately, my twenty five years experience in this profession suggests the issue of teacher quality will be expediently sidelined to the bench in the rough and tumble hotbed of education and politics. In closing, be assured the science staff of this College are doing their utmost to deliver a standard of science education that is of the highest level. I wish to thank my staff and, on behalf of the department, wish you all God’s blessings and a healthy & prosperous year to come.
Ray Priskich Head of Science
