PETA-MARIE PHILIPPOU and JOSH BRINE
A NUMBER of Riverland primary school teachers were among many statewide who signed up to move into high school next year and be upskilled as part of a $13 million professional development program.
The initial recruitment process of teachers for the State Government’s year 7 move was launched last year and invited applications from permanent primary teachers who wanted to make the move.
Renmark Primary School teacher Penny Golding, who signed up for the move last year, said she is looking forward to the change.
“I’ve been teaching children from years 3 to 7 for more than 20 years but last year I had the opportunity to teach at Glossop High School and I loved it,” she said.
“I was there as a year 8 teacher teaching home economics but I also had a year 10 child studies class, so I had a little taste of what high school was about.
“I really enjoyed working with older kids and forming a more mature relationship with them.
“It was easier to relate to them when it came to social things like sport and their part-time jobs and it was great being around kids who are closer to their pathway and thinking about what their future is going to be like.”
Ms Golding said she would use the same teaching skills she employs at Renmark Primary School to Berri Regional Secondary College next year.
“There’s a lot of transferrable skills primary school teachers can use once they make the move, one being knowing how to cater for different abilities,” she said.
“Some of the teachers at Berri Regional Secondary College also have a primary school background and they’ll be great mentors.”
Ms Golding said she looks forward to working at a brand-new school.
“Not only am I making the move to high school, I’m going to be at a brand-new school… not many teachers have that opportunity in their career,” she said.
Minister for Education John Gardner said it was “fantastic” to see teachers embracing the move.
“The move of year 7 into high school is a transformational change to our education system that will provide our students with the opportunity to be taught by specialist teachers in specialist facilities, just as the national curriculum is designed to be taught,” he said.
“The uptake of permanent primary teachers applying for high school positions shows that our teachers recognise the importance of this move and are embracing the opportunities available to them.
“Our primary and high school principals have been working together, with clear guidance from the department, to ensure our teachers get the most out of their professional learning to prepare them for high school.
“The recruitment of hundreds more high school teachers will also begin during term 2, opening up to all qualified teachers.
“There has never been a better time to join our teaching workforce.”
For more information, visit education.sa.gov.au.