Teaching in heaven: permanent mobile Chris Holden with principal Sue Rosier.

Thumbs up for permanent mobile teacher program

By Owen Hasler

Experience of schools in north west NSW indicates programs utilising permanent mobiles are an essential service for rural and remote schools.

This experience supports Federation's "A Plan for Rural Teachers" passed unanimously at Annual Conference which demands the "provision of permanent fully funded in built relief and district relief positions" for such schools.

Tulloona Public School principal Sue Rosier says the provision of a permanent mobile at her school for 2002 has been an excellent initiative of the Department which is supported by the Federation.

"The extra teacher at the school has enabled the staff to realise the potential of each student," she said.

"Our experience leads us to strongly support the 'Twenty is Plenty' campaign as we have been able to concentrate on the K-2 students and their above average results in reading skills reinforces the belief that student outcomes are improved when extra tuition time is available to each student," Sue said.

The permanent mobile teacher at Tulloona, Chris Holden, previously spent five years casual teaching at Lennox Head.

Chris was seeking a permanent job at Lennox Head and was a little bit apprehensive when offered the position of permanent mobile at Tulloona. Sue was able to persuade Chris that teaching at Tulloona was "like teaching in heaven" and he took up the challenge.

Chris has found his time at Tulloona a great experience.

"I have been able to do much more than I could anticipate at a larger school," Chris said.

"This includes teaching across grades to co-ordinating the Croc Eisteddfod entries from the school (up to 40 Moree District schools are involved) as well as undertaking an environmental nature project funded by the environmental trust. I am also the computer co-ordinator in the school [a role Sue is thankful to relinquish].

"The facilities are outstanding and the work challenging. I am pleased I accepted the position," concluded Chris.

For both Sue and Chris it has provided a great opportunity to develop the school in a team effort. "We have been able to establish the library and improve our sporting involvement and results with the netball team winning the trophy at the carnival for small schools held at Pallamallawa," Sue said.

"Such involvement was difficult previously as there was no second teacher to look after the remaining students when some were participating in extra-curricular events. Now the students are given the opportunity to attend events away from school and develop all their talents without imposing on the normal learning programs of the other students," Sue said.

"I see the permanent mobile teacher program as an essential ingredient in the ongoing survival and revival of the PP6 schools in remote and rural NSW."

Owen Hasler is a Country Organiser.

For further information

September 2002 contents