Top teaching filmed for the web

Newton Moore’s innovative approach to the teaching of science and mathematics will be showcased nationally in a series of videos appearing on the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership website.

The CSIRO-commissioned project chose Newton Moore as the Western Australian government school that best exemplified “inspirational teaching” and a film crew visited last week to catch three teachers in action.

Ashley Stewart, Jade Warrington and 2010 Australian Innovative Teacher of the Year Athena Hawkins were filmed delivering the kinds of engaging lessons that have become a hallmark of the school in recent years.

Mrs Hawkins was filmed teaching Year 8 students how to use temperature probes, Miss Warrington discussing ideas for the upcoming CSIRO Creativity in Science and Technology Awards and Mrs Stewart teaching maths using a game show format.

“We actively try to inspire our students and keep all of our classes engaging,” Mrs Stewart said.

“Being recognised like this gives us a huge sense of pride and drives home the fact that the extra time and effort to plan lessons is definitely worth it.”

Anne Rogan, the project manager behind the AITSL videos, said she was impressed with what she saw at Newton Moore.

“The school is doing amazing science projects within the community in Bunbury,” she said.

“They have students doing really good solid research around the dolphins and mangroves, they breed endangered fish and run a program to support orangutans in Borneo.

“Newton Moore is also a specialist science school and runs a Science Horizons program which is a very high level of science education.”

The videos will appear on the AITSL website in August. It is hoped they will inspire teachers.