Accepting a teaching role in Western Australia’s picturesque Kimberley region prior to graduating was a simple decision for University of Notre Dame Australia Education student, Alice Fairfoul, who will join Sacred Heart School in Beagle Bay for the start of the 2015 school year.
The Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Care) student, who will graduate from the Fremantle campus in December, says the integration of theory with practical teaching experiences at Notre Dame gives pre-service teachers the necessary skills and confidence to deliver educational outcomes and personalised care to children of all ages.
Alice acquired the role whilst completing her internship as part of the Catholic Education Office of WA’s Kimberley Calling Program.
The program aims to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes of Catholic school students in some of the region’s most remote communities, including Ringer Soak, Warmun, Gibb River and Billiluna.
“I chose to study at Notre Dame because of the University’s personalised approach to education and its commitment to ensuring students have opportunities to experience real-life learning,” Alice said.
“Students, regardless of their age and location, need to have access to the best possible learning environment, where their educational and personal needs are met.
“I hope to be able to inspire the students in my classroom at Sacred Heart School just as I have been inspired by my lecturers and tutors at Notre Dame.”
The University was established in 1989 with the express purpose of delivering excellence in teacher education. A hallmark of Notre Dame is its commitment to graduating job-ready teachers, reflected in the School of Education’s emphasis on practical learning opportunities, where students can get a feel for the teaching environment.
Across the four-year Early Childhood and Care degree, students are required to undertake 32 weeks of practicum in a number of settings, from early learning centres to primary schools, combined with specialised early childhood units of study. These provide students with a holistic learning approach and confidence in their teaching abilities.
“Early childhood is a crucial time of development. Undertaking a specialised early childhood degree is recognition of this crucial time for children,” Christine McGunnigle, Early Childhood Education and Care Programs Coordinator in Notre Dame’s School of Education, Fremantle, said.
“Notre Dame’s Early Childhood and Care degree focuses on developing confident and passionate early childhood professionals who are industry ready. Upon graduation, students have worked in a range of settings, across birth to age eight, and have developed strong professional connections.”
It’s not too late! Applications are still open for 2015. Visit www.notredame.edu.au to find out more.