Mrs Belinda Vernon

Life before Girton

  • Bachelor of Teaching
  • Bachelor of Education
  • Currently studying Master of Special Education
  • St Anne’s Primary School, Auckland NZ
  • Parklands Junior School, London UK
  • St John’s Primary School, East Melbourne
  • Glendal Primary School, Glen Waverley
  • Parklands Junior School, London, UK
  • Family Leave
  • Girton Grammar School

What I Love about Teaching
I love watching the excitement on a student’s face when they achieve something for the first time.  I feel honoured to be a part of the process that allows a student to feel success in their learning.  Watching the students gain belief in themselves is what I love about my job.

Girton has allowed me to take on a role that I am passionate about and work alongside a team of knowledgeable staff all willing to share their ideas.  The relationships between staff and students is truly remarkable.

What do you like best about the year level you teach?
I work with Preparatory through to Year Twelve, supporting students.  Teaching Literacy and Numeracy allows me to work with a range of year levels.  My role enables me to closely interact with the students and to find strengths and weaknesses in their learning styles.  Working closely with classroom teachers, we are able to support students and give them the opportunity to understand how they learn.

For a student who has struggled or had a negative learning experience, changing their thought process and having them want to learn is a huge part of the role of the Learning Resource Centre.  This is the most rewarding part of my teaching role.

My favourite classroom activity
I teach Literacy and Numeracy skills to the younger students, they enjoy the hands on approach of the Learning Resource Centre.  All concepts are taught using visual prompts and encourage students to manipulate equipment. All success is celebrated.  Teaching sounds using the Pelican Talk characters is a favourite of mine.  Using characters to link to the letters is a fun and memorable way of teaching letter sounds for students who cannot make the visual link.  Observing the students make this link and begin the journey to becoming a reader is a very exciting step in their school journey.

What difference can good teaching make?
The successful students in my classes develop the confidence to approach tasks openly.  They are willing to take a risk and think outside of the box.   My successful students ask questions!  They want to know why and how.  My successful students are willing to ask for help when they do not know how to do something and are just as willing to celebrate when they achieve something.  They feel proud of their work and want to learn new things.

I personally enjoy achieving goals and setting myself new challenges.  This is certainly an attribute I wish to pass on to my students.  I enjoy positive relationships with my colleagues, students and parents.  I encourage my students to develop positive relationships with those around them.

Other Hats
I am the MIC for the Girton Aerobic Gymnastics Team.  This is a rewarding role, observing the students develop strength, flexibility and co-ordination.  It has been exciting watching the students develop confidence when performing in front of others.

Outside of school I enjoy camping with my family, time at the beach and riding our bikes, particularly on trails and tracks.