ALL SMILES: Griffith High School principal Charlie Cochrane (left) chats with NSW director general of education Michele Bruniges and NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli as the two bigwigs tour the region to talk about a new education reform.
LOCAL principals had an opportunity to sit down with the state’s two biggest names in education on Friday to discuss the future of schools and teaching.
NSW director general of education Dr Michele Bruniges and NSW education minister Adrian Piccoli held discussions with a dozen principals from primary and secondary schools around Griffith, Yenda and Coleambally.
Dr Bruges went through the details of the new Great Teaching, Inspired Learning education blueprint and listened to local views.
“This blueprint is about making sure we address the full lifecycle of teaching progress, from raising the bar on entering teaching to looking after teachers who are just beginning and supporting them through the workforce,” she said.
“Whether you’re in the city or our here in the country, I don’t think there are any mothers, fathers or grandparents that would tell you quality teaching was not the most important aspect of schooling.
“I believe the biggest challenge of teaching in a rural setting is to have a relentless focus on teaching and not be distracted by other things around you.”
Having grown up in Tumut, Dr Bruniges said she could guarantee firsthand that the quality of teaching in the country was just as high as in the city.
“It always has been done well out here,” she said.
“While there are differences in schooling from area to area, school to school and even classroom to classroom, in the main people are very passionate about what they do and that makes a real difference to their teaching.”