Ready and raring to go: Brigit Doyle, Emily Kirkman and David Kelly will be staying on at Cobram Secondary next year after their practicum finishes.
Photo by
Isabelle Harris
Five new teachers are coming to Cobram Secondary College after participating in the Teach for Australia (TFA) program, an intensive training pathway for new teachers.
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Three teachers, who are undertaking their practical component at Cobram Secondary, are staying on next year after completing the TFA practicum.
The TFA program helps recruit and train new teachers to improve education equity, including quality and access, across Australia.
As part of their intensive studies, these teachers undertake practical placements at schools around the country.
Cobram Secondary is currently hosting 10 teachers who will go to other schools in regional Victoria and will receive two teachers who are completing their practicums in Queensland.
Face of a generation: The group of TFA teachers that have undertaken practicums at Cobram Secondary.
Photo by
Isabelle Harris
David Kelly, one of the new teachers staying on with Cobram Secondary, said his previous experience teaching overseas inspired him to begin his career.
“I’d been teaching English in Japan for the last few years ... when I came home I wanted to start teaching in high schools here,” he said.
“It’s been a lot of work but it’s paying off. I’m really feeling confident about coming into the school next year and getting started.”
New teacher Brigit Doyle said while she was initially sceptical of how she would fare at the school, she has since found the environment welcoming and friendly.
“The program’s been really good, really intense and everyone’s made it feel really lovely to walk into the school,” she said.
“Everyone [has] been like so welcoming, they’ve all been really helpful.”
On top of the experience at the school, new teacher Emily Kirkman said although she is far from her Western Australian roots, Cobram has proven excellent.
“It’s just a lovely community ... everyone is very welcoming,” she said.
Cobram Secondary principal Kimberley Tempest said the TFA teachers have been “extraordinary”.
“What’s happened is it’s a two-way thing and it hasn’t just benefited them ... the students, they love seeing those new faces and, of course, they’re going to respond really well to excitement and enthusiasm.
TFA and Cobram Secondary College have partnered since 2015, with four teachers being matched to school vacancies during that time.
Five more TFA teachers will join the school for practicum placements next year, teaching STEM, business, humanities and English.
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