BEYOND THE LINE
This week we have hosted eight trainee teachers, currently in their third or fourth year of University. Brigitta Brown, Amanda-Lee Hunt and Isaac Flint are from the University of Western Sydney and training as Secondary teachers in Drama, English/History and Geography/ History respectively. Katherine Gill, Jodi-Lee Jenkins, Kaylie Johnson, Rachel Miller and Scott King are from Newcastle University – Ourimbah campus on the central coast and training to become primary teachers.
The trainees have spent time in classes observing lessons, interacting with our students and generally becoming familiar with our school. They have given very positive feedback about their experience here in Bingara, which for some of them is the first time they have been west of the Great Dividing Range. They report that our students have been very welcoming and friendly, the staff very helpful and that their confidence as beginning teachers has grown as a result of this very positive experience.
The purpose of the program is to give student teachers some experience of teaching in rural New South Wales. It is expected that through this experience they will better realise the advantages both professionally and socially of developing their teaching careers in the bush. Working here at Bingara Central School, as it is with other public schools in the north-west, is a great example of these benefits.
These students have been excellent ambassadors for their universities. Their willingness and enthusiasm for teaching is a credit to them and I am sure that on completing university they will all become outstanding teachers.
BABE FOOTBALL
Boys from Year 6 to Year 10 travelled to Inverell yesterday to combine with players from Ashford, Bundarra and Emmaville to form BABE teams. These teams then competed against Inverell teams. The carnival, played under lights at Varley Oval, in front of a large crowd was a great success. Our boys all made strong contributions to their teams with some good tackling and line breaks a feature.
The idea of a combined team like BABE is an excellent example of how small schools can work together to provide opportunity for their students. It was excellent to see so many of our boys take up this opportunity and I would encourage more to look for a chance in the future. Secondary students have the opportunity to travel to Barraba for football and netball next Wednesday on an interschool visit. I encourage all students to participate.
Sport is a great way for young people to be active and to develop healthy social lives. I am sure the visit will be a great success.
Mark Vale
Principal
