The art of brilliant teaching

Every student matters every day at Haileybury Rendall School (HRS) and helping to bring to life that approach to learning is a focus on ‘brilliant teaching.’ This underpins everything that happens inside classrooms, on the sports oval, during camps and through the many extra-curricular activities that are part of the HRS experience.

Brilliant teaching includes HRS educators being constantly curious about how best to teach and about the curriculum and the world. Brilliant teachers ignite student interest and passion, build their confidence, foster curiosity to learn and know more and they encourage high expectations, hard work and collaboration.

Here, we’ve asked three of HRS’s brilliant teachers some questions about their love of learning and what they enjoy most about being part of the School.

Saffron Armand, Junior School teacher

Why did you become a teacher?

I have always had a passion for children and I really enjoy helping people. I went straight in to education after studying and I have not looked back! I originally joined the school in April 2015 when it was Kormilda College, which was my high school when I was young. When Haileybury took over in 2018, the school became HRS and I was lucky enough to stay and learn how Haileybury works.

What does ‘brilliant teaching’ mean to you?

To me it means creating strong connections with your students and engaging them in whatever they are learning. To make learning interesting, we need to take into consideration a student’s interests, needs and personality to help bring out the best of them. I’m a performer in front of my five-year-old students as I believe being entertained will help them enjoy their learning and so seek more. I bring a lot of energy into the classroom.

What are the best parts of your job?

Getting five-year-olds to read and write independently is a real WOW moment! I love seeing my class each day and watching them grow into little people. I create connection with students by teaching them how to respect and value each other and by letting them know they are loved and respected. Once you have this connection, children want to make you proud and everything falls into place.

What is one thing most people at HRS won’t know about you?

I’m an identical twin who is also a teacher in Darwin.

Brianna Witte, Humanities Teacher

Why did you become a teacher?

I am passionate about education as a social equaliser and believe that everyone deserves access to a quality education and to quality teachers. I was fortunate to have a number of incredible teachers who influenced me so significantly that I never considered any other profession. This is my first year at HRS but previously I was at Haileybury’s Berwick campus in Melbourne. I moved to HRS as I spent my first two years of teaching at Katherine High School and I fell in love with the Territory lifestyle and moved back to the wonderful warm weather.

What does ‘brilliant teaching’ mean to you?

It’s constantly reflecting on your own teaching practice and evolving – sometimes this comes through collaborating with peers and drawing from their knowledge and practice. Some of the best activities or approaches I’ve implemented in my classroom have come from other teachers at Haileybury. I’ve brought in engaging hands-on activities like cookie archaeology and apple mummification and these kinds of interactive learning experiences have nurtured critical thinking skills and heightened student engagement, which is ‘brilliant’ to see.

What are the best parts of your job?

Undoubtedly, it’s working with my students and witnessing their intellectual growth, personal development and enthusiasm for learning. The relationships I build with students and the opportunity to make a positive impact on their lives make being a teacher the most fulfilling and gratifying profession for me.

What is one thing most people at HRS won’t know about you?

I was actually a Haileybury student myself and the current HRS Principal, Andrew McGregor, was my Head of Senior School down at Haileybury in Melbourne.

Daniel Nicholson, HRS Early Learning Centre Educator

Why did you become an ELC educator?

Even as an 18-year-old, I saw the importance of the foundations of the early years of a child’s educational sent out 100 resumes when I left school and of the last four that I had left, three resumes went to local schools and one went to an ELC. The amazing ELC Director there unlocked my passion for the early years.

What does ‘brilliant teaching’ mean to you?

For me, it means having outcomes and goals being reached through all possible pathways. I believe that learning is a journey and education is a result. If you can teach in a way so that everyone enjoys learning then it will be a lifelong skill and children will always seek more knowledge and understanding of the world. I use songs, games and stories and the ELC children have been learning how to speak Auslan (Australian Sign Language) by bringing the signs into fun interactions.

What are the best parts of your job?

It’s the students, their smiles and witnessing their huge growth. Being presenting in their learning journey for their ‘aha’ moments when they gain understanding of something or achieve their goals is special.

What is one thing most people at HRS won’t know about you?

I was a Junior squash professional until I was 19-years-old and still coach Foundation NT Junior squash.