Eight experienced teachers at leading co-educational independent school Matthew Flinders Anglican College on the Sunshine Coast recently marked a significant milestone in their journey to achieve accreditation as top educators.
The teachers celebrated the half-way mark in their 18-month training to be recognised as Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers, which are nationally-recognised qualifications for the very best teachers in Australia.
Principal Stuart Meade said the six Primary teachers and two Secondary teachers who volunteered for the highly rigorous process had the full support of the College.
“We support our teachers through this challenging process as one of our College goals is to develop an accomplished, well-resourced and inspirational staff,” Stuart said.
“Flinders employs staff who are committed to the students in their care and have a strong ethos of service, professional learning and ethical responsibility,” he said.
“The Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher Accreditation is another example of how our teachers have our students’ best interests at heart and are determined to excel in their profession.”
Flinders Head of Learning and Innovation Edward Wright said the eight teachers involved in the accreditation were inspiring role models for staff and students.
“These teachers are demonstrating great persistence and determination as they voluntarily pursue this 18-month accreditation, which is no small feat amidst the daily demands of teaching, reporting, co-curricular support, pastoral care and lesson planning,” Edward said.
“The challenge involves building a comprehensive portfolio of evidence and demonstrating their teaching skills and abilities at the final two career stages in the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST),” he said.
“Three external assessors will then mark the individual portfolios and school visits will be carried out where students and staff will be interviewed and the teachers observed teaching classes.
“It is an arduous process but also an exciting one, and we trust that our teachers are up to the challenge and are capable of excelling.
“We are also looking forward to these accredited teachers sharing their newfound knowledge and strategies with the Flinders staff team to inspire and motivate others.
“Peer support and training are cornerstones of our professional development approach here at Flinders because all of our educators have diverse knowledge and skills to share for the benefit of our students’ learning.”
For more information about Matthew Flinders Anglican College, visit the website at www.mfac.edu.au
