What matters to me the most when teaching is truly getting to know my students. Building strong, meaningful relationships with each student allows me to understand their unique strengths, challenges, interests, and learning styles. By taking the time to learn about their backgrounds, hobbies, and aspirations, I can tailor my teaching approach to better meet their individual needs and foster a more inclusive and engaging classroom environment.
My approach to teaching is about creating a supportive and dynamic learning environment where students feel connected, empowered, and prepared to tackle real-world challenges. Through strong relationships, personalised choices, and meaningful engagement with real-world issues, I aim to inspire lifelong learners who are not only knowledgeable but also compassionate and proactive citizens.
Southbank students are curious, balanced, and internationally minded. They are risk-takers who strive to learn more about the world and to make a difference by taking action. The diversity of our student population enriches our culture and allows students to make connections across languages, cultures, and interests. The PYP approach nurtures their natural curiosity through inquiry-based learning.
The inquiry approach to teaching and learning makes each unit of inquiry unique. Teachers start by listening to the students’ questions and curiosities. This means that each year is different based on the students’ background knowledge and interests.
My favourite moment of each school year is the Grade 5 PYP Exhibition. The Exhibition is the culmination of the students’ learning throughout their primary education. It allows them to inquire into a topic that matters to them and make a difference through action. The Exhibition highlights the development of the students’ approaches to learning, including their social, communication, and research skills. The process requires the input of the whole school community, including the classroom teachers, specialist teachers, mentors, parents, and the local community.
Our holistic approach to education ensures the children have a balance across subject areas and can truly flourish in sports, arts, music, language, science, or maths.
