For the third consecutive year, local schools have been hosting Pre Service Teachers (PSTs) from Monash University, as part of the Teach Rural program.
This is a project jointly supported and funded by the non-profit organisation Country Education Partnership (CEP), Monash University, and the Victorian Department of Education.
This initiative has been held in every region of the state, to support rural schools in their quest to attract teachers into rural and country locations.
With the current difficulties rural communities have in obtaining teachers to come to the country, this proactive Teach Rural program is aimed at encouraging new teachers to experience teaching in rural and country settings, and hopefully entice them to return to live and work within them.
For the past three or four weeks, Pre Service Teachers have been undertaking their required 15-20 days of face-to-face teaching practice within the local area. Schools involved this year have been Lindenow Primary School, Bairnsdale Primary School, Lucknow Primary School and Bairnsdale Secondary College.
The PSTs have been welcomed by the principals and ably supported in classrooms by their allocated Mentor Teachers and support staff. This continued support for the program is crucial, and very much appreciated by all of those involved in coordinating and running it.
While PSTs from various tertiary institutions have had placements in the area during the year, this group has had the additional support of CEP through the provision of accommodation and CEP Mentors assisting in linking with the community and provision of general on-site support throughout their placement.
The Teach Rural program also encourages the visitors to experience what life in the country has to offer them.
Many of this year’s PSTs have been proactive and embraced country living enthusiastically. They have joined gyms, attended sports club trainings, participated in sports teams, completed parkruns and immersed themselves in many other community-based groups and activities. Attending markets, coffee shops, pub quiz sessions, restaurants, wineries and the cinema have also been favourite pastimes.
Other local towns they have visited have included Lindenow, Buchan, Bruthen, Metung, Paynesville, Lakes Entrance, Marlo and camping at Cape Conran. East Gippsland certainly has an amazing variety of natural landscapes to explore and immerse yourself in.
All PSTs have commented on how much they have enjoyed the different pace of life, and how locals have made them feel so welcome. They have felt a real sense of community while working and staying here.
They have enjoyed this Teach Rural program, and the majority will seriously consider returning to the country to work in the future.
