A Reflection: The Australian Adventure is Half Over

Here is a copy of a reflection which I wrote for our weekly school newspaper:

Reflections at the Half- Year Point of My Stay in Australia

By Karin Klassen

With the end of Term 2 came the realisation that I have now completed a half-year of teaching here at Malvern Primary School. Immediately upon that thought came the understanding that I have but half a year left to see and do so many things still beckoning here in Australia!

It has been a great half year. I have really enjoyed my teaching assignment, the staff and the students here at the school. Each one of you has assisted in some small way to help me feel welcome. Everybody has been so supportive, offering suggestions and help when needed or called for. You have listened patiently to all my stories of woe when travelling to and from school by train. You have really helped me get acclimatized to a new country easily. For that I thank you most sincerely.

I have been very impressed by the quality of the teaching and program that is presented here at Malvern Primary. There is a great sense of collegiality and camaraderie between the staff members here at school. Contrary to what the teachers may say or feel some of the time, the students as a whole are really very receptive and attentive. I have been most impressed by their behaviour at assemblies. I have really enjoyed getting to know the students, especially those whom I teach. It is great fun making music together! I have appreciated the chance to work with the students in support. I have also enjoyed working with Mrs. Tanner and the Grade 5/6 choir, because I do miss the challenge of teaching older students. I have also been very happy to accompany different classes on field trips and to camp. It has been a great way to get to know the students and parents better.

Some things here have been different and an adjustment from what I have experienced while teaching in Canada. Students in Canada get music three times per 6-day cycle; in Australia only once per week. This has made it a challenge for me to get to know all the students’ names. It is especially hard when seemingly each class has at least one Harry, Will or derivative thereof! In Canada with a school half the size, we have staff meetings once a month; in Australia once a week. In Canada we have duty once every six days; in Australia we have three assigned duties per week. So, my apologies to those here whom at times I may have forgotten to relieve from their duty on time. Learning a new report card system, along with the VELS standards, was also a steep learning curve for me, but now that I have mastered it, I feel like I should stay here a while longer than a year, to fully implement my newly-mastered knowledge!

I think I have acclimatized well to most things out here. I have become quite adept by now at driving car on the “other” side of the road. I have improved from getting 7 honks per drive to just the occasional one nowadays. I eat meat pies now with the best of Australians, but I have still not become accustomed to having an egg and a slice of beetroot in my hamburger. I have grown to love the Footy teams and games out here, and LOVE the chance to tip on the possible outcomes of the games, but I still rely on the expertise of some Grade 6 students to explain the game to me so that I can understand. I spend Australian currency lavishly, but still do not understand why the two dollar coin is significantly greater in value but significantly smaller in size to the 50 cent piece.

I have really enjoyed the chance to get to travel to other parts of Australia on the weekends. It is an added bonus to my teaching experience out here! You have told me where to travel and I have done my utmost to follow through on all the suggestions! Keep them coming for the remainder of the year!

Am I having a great time out here? You betcha!!