Week 1 CFE Reflection
My first week with Glen Waverly Secondary School has been one where I am trying to find a place within the school. I have been helping out in the humanities department and have taught two classes on the Canadian legal system, focusing on the Bill of Rights. The system here is much different than what I am used to in Canada and it has helped me change my perspective on education. This is because the school is set up in a way where the teachers move classrooms and have their main desks within a staffroom. The more I have seen the way they run education here the more I am learning about the different approach to education in Australia. There is a stronger focus on the planning portion of education here and this is reflected by the amount of prep time that teachers have. Many teachers have about half of the day’s periods for preparation. This is really helpful because it allows them time to mark and prepare for lessons without taking time outside of school to do so. I have also come to realize that the changing of classrooms has two sides to it. Some of the classes appreciate when they have a chance to get a large room but it can also be detrimental to classroom community because it does not allow teachers to post student work. Glen Waverly has a very strong education program and the school itself is very well funded. All students have access to technology with the majority of them owning their own IPads.
I have been involved with the school in more of a support role this week, making sure that students who are struggling in class have enough help. I have been sitting in class beside students who are having problems and am trying to make sure that they can keep up and that they will not be left out in regards to the content.
It has been a successful first week of my CFE and I believe that this will be a fantastic experience for me and will really help me grow as a teacher because of my experience in this new system.