Professional learning continues to flourish

How did your journey at St Andrew’s Cathedral School begin?

DH: St Andrew’s was (and still is) the ‘Dream School.’ A school that is built on over 130 years of musical foundation and Christian teaching – I had to find out more. I was drawn to the choristers, the classroom music program, and the city-based location. In 2014, the perfect job advertisement appeared in the newspaper – “Seeking a Mandarin Chinese teacher to start the Mandarin Chinese program” and a concurrent advertisement for a “Secondary Music Teacher” at St Andrew’s Cathedral School (I still have the advertisement I cut out of the paper!). I couldn’t believe what I was reading – the dream job at the dream school! I interviewed for the job two days before my husband and I were to be married, in St Andrew’s Cathedral! I couldn’t have received a clearer sign from God – I think it was meant to be. Eight years later, here we are.

Tell me about your new role, what does it involve?

DH: As the Director of Teaching, I primarily work with teachers in the Secondary School (7-12). The role involves supporting staff through various levels of accreditation and working collaboratively to support teachers as they grow in their classroom practice. In addition to this, I am a classroom Music and Chinese teacher.

PS: My role as the Coordinator of Teaching and Learning is to focus on implementing the Teaching and Learning Model that shapes the learning experience of the students in our Junior School. I support and monitor staff seeking different levels of accreditation as well as guiding our early-career teachers and interns. I also conduct coaching sessions, working with teachers and their classes to create change that will positively impact student outcomes.

How am I growing the Character Strengths of persistence and courage? The ability to persist with learning is something that develops over time, and modelling this to students is critical.

Mrs Dominique Haynes, Director of Teaching (Secondary)

What are you passionate about?

DH: Many things! If we talk about what I’m passionate about as a teacher, it would be student experience in the classroom. How am I growing the Character Strengths of Persistence and Courage? The ability to persist with learning is something that develops over time, and modelling this to students is critical. Courage as a musician and language learner is key to success – just give it a go!

PS: I believe ‘All students deserve great teachers not by chance but by design’ (Douglas Fisher) and I relish the opportunity to work with staff to support, encourage and celebrate with them, being educators who are impactful and continuously improving. I have a desire for all staff and students to flourish and thrive. Each child is recognised and challenged so that they can fulfil their true potential. I’m passionate about creating an educational space that encourages our students to develop into people of courage, conviction and compassion. 

I have a desire for all staff and students to flourish and for each child to be recognised and challenged so that they can fulfil their true potential.

Ms Prue Sommer, Coordinator of Teaching and Learning (Junior School)

What do you love most about St Andrew’s Cathedral School?

DH: That’s simple – the staff and the students. I have worked in multiple roles at the School, across different departments and levels of leadership. The staff are talented, filled with hope and optimism, and are hard working. We help each other when we need it and can depend on each other – this is an important attribute in a workplace. Our students are all unique, fun, and clever in their own special ways. I love being in the classroom with them – they make me proud every single day.

PS: I love the community of St Andrew’s Cathedral School, where students and staff are valued as infinitely precious and are celebrated for their diversity. Working in a city school is wonderfully complex, steeped in history and I love that the vision of the School is based around our context. I certainly love watching educators grow and develop, with improvement in student outcomes at the centre of all we do. I absolutely love leaving school each night, sitting on the bus travelling over the harbour bridge enjoying the stunning sunsets with a warm feeling of contentment, knowing a great day of teaching and learning was had. 

What are you hoping to achieve in your role?

PS: Ultimately giving every opportunity for students to ‘change their stars’ (William Thatcher: Heath Ledger, A Knight’s Tale) so they can be the people God has ordained them to be. I am hoping to provide high-impact professional learning opportunities based around our Teaching and Learning model, where teachers can build on their expertise to encourage life-long learning.

DH: Professional learning is fun, and my aim is to plan and offer a variety of ways to access evidence based professional learning, with teachers walking away with strategies and resources that can be tried immediately to make their work life more sustainable.