Life before Girton
Viv worked as a State Enrolled Nurse while studying to be a teacher. She has travelled through Africa and taught in London for twelve months before settling in Bendigo. Her children Tom and Milly are Girton students.
What I Love about Teaching
Teaching doesn’t feel like a job to me, I enjoy spending time with children and working in a school where education is valued.
What do you like best about the year level you teach?
I love teaching the older children in Junior School, preferably year Six. It is a year when students are keen to display their leadership skills and are prepared for the challenges of secondary school.
I think the Year Six students appreciate the opportunity to be role models for younger students. Through the Buddy programme with Prep students and the leadership roles presented they learn to be active in the life of our school.
My favourite classroom activity
My students love to have fun. If they are enjoying an activity they will get so much more out of it. I try to incorporate as much fun in the class as possible.
This comes in various forms depending on the task at hand. One of the things we do regularly is dance, it alleviates any inhibitions and gets the blood flowing. It is also a great way to start the day.
What difference can good teaching make?
When students leave my class I hope they are well prepared for secondary school, that they take responsibility for their education and are aware of themselves as a learner.
I hope that I have instilled in them a genuine pride in the school they attend and appreciation of the opportunities presented. I also hope that, through the work we complete around Random Acts of Kindness, the students think about ways that they can help and support people in our community.
Other Hats
As Deputy Head of the Junior School I am privileged to work with all of the students and staff in the Junior School. I am also the MIC of Tournament of Minds (TOM) and have been for over 15 years. It has been wonderful to watch the growth of this co-curricular activity and to work with the students involved. I especially enjoy the fact that TOM involves students from Years 4-10 and that often students in Years 11 and 12 come back to help and observe.
Outside of work I enjoy lots of things but usually my time is taken up with supporting children and other family members. I love to travel and enjoy the excitement and build up associated with the next trip!
