Over the past four weeks a group of 38 pre-service teachers from Monash University have been living in Bairnsdale as part of the ‘Teach Rural’ program.
This initiative has been held in every region of the state and is funded and supported by the Victorian Department of Education and Country Education Partnership (CEP), to support rural schools in their quest to attract teachers into the country. Over the past two years the Teach Rural’ program has placed 190 Pre-Service Teachers into country schools.
With the current difficulties rural communities have in obtaining professional people to come to the country, the pro-active ‘Teach Rural’ program is aimed at encouraging new teachers to experience teaching in rural
and country settings, and hopefully entice them to return to work and live in country schools and communities.
The local schools involved with the ‘Teach Rural’ Program this year have been Bairnsdale Secondary College, Bairnsdale Primary School, Lucknow Primary School, Lindenow Primary School, Nicholson Primary School and Lindenow South Primary School. There were twenty one secondary and seventeen primary pre-service teachers participating.
The visitors have been completing fifteen or twenty day blocks of their required face-to-face teaching practice within these sites, honing their teaching skills, while being ably supported by their allocated mentor teachers, staff and principals. This program could not exist without the commitment and support of these sites and school communities.
Their ongoing support is crucial and very much appreciated.
Country Education Partnership (CEP) and Monash University have coordinated these placements and supported the pre-service teachers with on-line and hands-on support throughout their stays. Participants visited the ‘Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership’ for a guided tour, and some attended a ‘Minecraft In The Classroom’ Workshop.
In conjunction with teaching, the group has visited many local towns and businesses over the four weeks, highlighting both the natural beauty, and the many amazing sites and facilities which the East Gippsland region has to offer.
Along with Bairnsdale, towns they have enjoyed visiting have included Buchan, Metung, Lakes Entrance, Paynesville and Bruthen.
One full day excursion was to the Buchan Caves, Buchan Primary School and the Buchan Hotel.
The hospitality shown at Buchan Primary School by its students, staff and parents was greatly appreciated and left a lasting impression on many.
The feedback from participants has been positive, with all indicating that they have enjoyed their ‘Teach Rural’ experience, and that 60 per cent of the group would seriously consider a teacher placement in a rural location when their studies are finished.
They have all commented on the huge sense of community they have experienced and how welcoming everyone has been.
