By Mr Simon Fleming - Principal

Recently, we celebrated World Teachers Day and in this article I would like to reflect on the role of teachers in today’s society. In my 35 years in education I have always been inspired by teachers' love of what they do, and the obvious satisfaction they get from teaching young people. I realised that their work was more than just a job, and the people they worked with generally all enjoyed the same values and attitude to their work. 

When I began teaching, education was a social equaliser for many teachers as they benefited from scholarships that gave them an opportunity to attend tertiary education to study at a time when other degrees would have been out of their reach. During that post war period, some of the best and brightest students chose teaching because of their love of learning and young people, and because of the secure career opportunities it provided. Many would likely have been influenced by the financial circumstances of their families. This situation continued for many generations until Gough Whitlam introduced free university education. This provided everyone with the chance to complete any course for which they qualified for. Nevertheless, teacher scholarships continued and still lured many high-performing students into teaching because of their financial circumstances. Young people were studying teaching as a first choice. 

The passion for teaching still exists amongst young people who are considering their future career options, although we are told that it may have become a second choice career for many. I do not believe that anyone who is not motivated to make a difference in the lives of young people—and who does not have a positive high regard for young people—will ever sustain themselves in the profession. Therefore, we have a teaching force that still seeks to increase the learning, wellbeing and life outcomes for young people. As teachers, we know how satisfying it is to see our students graduate from Year 6 or Year 12 in the knowledge that we have made a difference in their lives, and have helped to set them up to be the best version of themselves to be all that they can be. We are entitled to a warm sense of pride when students see us many years later, say hello and acknowledge our contribution to their lives. 

The community should recognise that teaching is a very noble profession which makes a difference to the lives of young people every day. We should be proud to say ‘I am a teacher’, and not be reluctant to promote our work in the community. Our teachers are hard working and really deserve due respect as professionals.

Kind Regards,

Simon Fleming