Next week 270 new teachers and staff are set to begin work within the ACT public school system.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With the 2017 term days away, the large cohort gathered at Hedley Beare Centre for Teaching and Learning to be officially welcomed by ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry.
One of the new teachers, Madeleine Clayden, said teaching runs in the family: her mother, father, grandfather and uncle were all educators.
With such a long line of mentors at her disposal she has not been short of advice ahead of starting at Wanniassa High School.
"They all say: stick with it and just do what you love," she said. "I decided through coaching sport that it was for me, and the fact that I can be paid to do something I love really inspired me."
Coaching junior sport was also what inspired Sam Hancox to become a teacher.
The 23-year-old graduated just a few months ago from the University of Canberra.
The Dubbo native said he looked far afield for a first job but was glad to secure work within the ACT education system as it held many great opportunities for new teachers.
"I will start at Torrens Primary teaching a Year 3 class," he said. "I am probably more excited than nervous but there are nerves there."
After two decades in the Northern Territory, Peter Usher has moved south to begin a new chapter in his career in the ACT.
The experienced educator said he would miss a lot about teaching in Palmerston, 20km out of Darwin.
However, he was eager to get stuck in and meet the upper primary school students he will work with in his new role at Telopea Park School.
"The change will be good but also having all the national points of interest available to draw on as teaching resources," he said.
Working up north since 1995 had enriched his career and given him wonderful experiences working with students of diverse backgrounds and varying skill levels, he said.
The injection of 270 new staff to teaching, support roles and positions within the ACT Education directorate is lower than the intake of 350 the prior year.
Education Minister Yvette Berry welcomed the new staff, saying ACT students were in safe hands.
"We want to make sure ACT families and children have the best possible and the highest quality educators that we can find," she said.
"This event today is about giving them a warm welcome into our community. Whether they have moved here from interstate, another school or another job, and provide them with all the support that we can in this new role."
