Claire brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience of teaching in a variety of contexts and settings over the years. She describes this as being ‘valuable in shaping [her] understanding of the secondary education sector’. Claire has a range of qualifications in her toolkit, including a Professional Certificate of Adolescent Counselling which helps her with her approach to pastoral care and wellbeing. Claire teaches VCE English at both Year 11 and 12 and describes herself as ‘an avid reader’. She is also committed to furthering her expertise and being a lifelong learner. This year she has been taking part in a creative writing course which has been both enjoyable and rewarding.
Can you share any significant achievements or milestones?
I completed the research component of my Masters last year while also concurrently completing the Teaching Excellence Program (TEP). While this certainly involved quite a lot of study, both were amazing professional and personal development opportunities for me. My Masters taught me a great deal about the challenges of leadership, education, and current research. In completing the TEP, it was wonderful to have the opportunity to work closely with such a broad variety of highly competent teaching professionals from a range of school settings on a shared inquiry that was grounded in the latest research around teaching and learning.
What unique opportunities do you find in teaching at a school like Fintona
I believe schools like Fintona provide students with a huge array of opportunities to get involved in activities beyond the classroom. They provide the chance for girls to develop their confidence and capacity, so that they can grow and evolve into the best possible adult version of themselves. I’m looking forward to events like House Drama where we’ll see the girls shine on the stage. I’m also excited to see what a full year looks like at Fintona and to keep learning about the School, its programs, people and history.
How do you hope to inspire the next generation of women through your role?
I hope to inspire the next generation by showing them that a meaningful life is one that is multi-faceted. I aim to model the importance of having a go, getting involved and trying your best to engage with all the opportunities on offer. I hope to reinforce the notion that we do not have to be perfect, and that even if things do not go to plan, there is much to learn and much joy to be found in pursuing challenges and trying new things.
How does the School’s commitment to unearthing the extraordinary in every individual align with your own teaching philosophy and your role as a leader?
It aligns with my belief that everybody has a passion or strength within them, they just might not know it exists yet. Places like Fintona are special because they provide the space, time and opportunity for students to discover what truly motivates them and to develop those passions.