The AISNSW Teaching School Hubs program has formally commenced this year with 56 participating Trainees, Mentor Teachers and Hub School Coordinators from 11 diverse independent schools.

The Trainees are all initial teacher education students completing degrees through one of four Affiliate Universities – Australian Catholic University, Southern Cross University, Western Sydney University and the University of South Australia.

Ongoing engagement in school environments offers a range of opportunities for these Trainees to connect theory and practice in authentic and timely ways. 

In the AISNSW Teaching School Hubs, this is facilitated through a range of activities including a minimum of one day per week employment in a Hub School across the full year.

The Trainees are immersed in school-based experiences enabling them to understand what it means to be an educator in the independent sector. They are already beginning to recognise the benefits of these situated experiences.

Here are some of their early impressions of the program:

Trainee (3rd year) – Lindisfarne Anglican School - Being integrated into a school community is bridging the gap between university and practicum learning without feeling isolated as I have in the past. Being in the school community for professional experience, I felt out of my depth and then once you feel comfortable you’re out. Right now I’m bridging that connection through not only learning about the students, but by observing multiple students and classrooms. I’m seeing how that theory work is translated into the classroom.

Trainee (1st year) The Living School– I observed how my Mentor Teacher set the expectations for a positive year in the classroom, easing the students in with games & activities. She had provided different seating options including standing desks and lap desks to allow students to sit where they work best and provide equipment to support students who struggle to sit still including bands around chairs and balance boards. This demonstrated to me that for a student to learn they don’t have to sit in the same spot all day to get results and that giving students the freedom to choose how they work could result in greater productivity.

Trainee (3rd year) - Al Sadiq College The Hub School Coordinator spent a significant amount of time with the other Trainee and I, going through house-keeping tasks and inducting us on all the important information we needed to know. It was very informative and gave us a great deal of insight in what to expect from the school and what the school's expectations are of us. It was helpful to have spent some time with her and my Mentor Teacher, as it made me feel comfortable and assisted me in settling into the new environment.

Mentor Teachers are also recognising their own growth through the program and the dedicated training they received in 2022:

Mentor Teacher - Personally I value the growth that I will get from the reflective process of been a Mentor Teacher. I believe it will put reflection of my own teaching at the forefront.

Mentor Teacher - One of the most frequently reported complaints is the lack of authentic experiences during teacher training. New teachers feel ill-prepared for the complexities of the school as a workplace. The program will allow experienced teacher mentors much needed time to concentrate on providing quality support for the mentees.

Dr Rachel Perry (Lead: Teaching School Hubs) recently engaged Trainees and Mentor Teachers in targeted face-to-face professional learning. This is part of a suite of activities taking place across the year which also includes webinars and self-paced modules.

Trainees and Mentor Teachers actively track and reflect on their practice through a dedicated online platform in a way that is appropriate for their experience and where they are in their degree.

What is prevalent across all Hub Schools is the clear passion for education and making a difference in the lives of all students. Some Trainees commented:

Trainee (3rd Year) – Lindisfarne Anglican School - I am looking forward to becoming the teacher that supports students in their learning and helping them strive to reach their potential. Being an educator is more than what happens within the classroom. In is our responsibility to shape the future generations into being kind, strong and determined members of our future society, this is what I am most excited for.

Trainee (3rd Year) – Shearwater, The Mullumbimby Steiner School - I am becoming an educator to connect with and provide the next generation with the best education they can have. I want to allow all types of students to learn about the world around them and about themselves.

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To learn more about the AISNSW Teaching School Hubs program and other similar employment-based models, join us at the AISNSW Teaching School Learning Forum on Wednesday, 5 April 2023.

Connect with educators, students and academics from across the education sector who are dedicated to delivering diverse and high-quality alternative pathways for teacher preparation, including:

  • Andrew Beitsch, Norwest Christian School
  • Berlinda Cook, Campsie Public School
  • Caitlin Mundy, Teaching Schools Alliance Sydney
  • Associate Professor David Hastie, Alphacrucis University College
  • Dr Claire Golledge, University of Sydney
  • Mary Semaan, Al Sadiq College
  • Professor Michele Simons, Western Sydney University
  • Samantha Van de Mortel, St Philip’s Christian College Teaching School

This program is part of the broader Growing and Nurturing Educators initiative. For more information contact Tiffany Roos, Director: The Evidence Institute.

This project is partially funded by the Australian Government through the Choice and Affordability Fund.