Meet Georgie Anderson

Introducing Georgie Anderson

Miss Georgie Anderson is currently teaching Year 1 Green at Calrossy, after starting her teaching career at the school in 2015 under the guidance of Kim Bargwanna. In this time Miss Anderson has taught several different year groups and become a familiar and friendly face around the William Cowper Campus. She took a year away from teaching at Calrossy in 2019 with a year travelling abroad but her love of teaching found her back in a very different classroom in Cambodia.

Lets hear from Miss Anderson

Why did you become a teacher?

Put simply, I love children. I could think of no greater privilege than to spend my days nurturing little minds and hearts whilst also sharing my love of a broad range of subjects from Creative Arts to English, Sport and Health to the Sciences, Mathematics to History. 

The best part about being a teacher?

As cliché as it may sound, I find it very humbling to be in a position from which I can inspire the next generation. It is a privilege to ignite their curiosity and encourage creativity, foster a love of lifelong learning and support each child as a whole person, encompassing their academic, social, and emotional wellbeing.

For most teachers the ‘light bulb’ moments are one of the greatest joys in teaching: when a child has an ‘ah-ha’ moment and you witness the deep learning and understanding you have aided. Without a doubt, these moments are special beyond words. However, it is not these moments that really make me smile and remind me why I choose teaching. For me, it’s the everyday moments which catch you off guard, like a student looking at you with a beaming grin and a story about their poddy calf, or a little hand written card left on your desk with flowers and sticks found on the path on the way down to the classroom, or a hug around your legs and a quiet ‘thanks’. These are the little relational moments that bring home how important my job is, and what a privilege it is to be a teacher.

How long have you been at Calrossy?

I completed my internship in 2015 with Kim Bargwanna in Kindergarten. I then went on to teach Year 4 and Year 2 for a couple of years and now teach Year 1. Last year, I took a year off to travel the world during which time I spent a few months volunteering in a school in Cambodia. Needless to say, it was a very different experience to teaching at Calrossy. During this time, a few personal fundamental beliefs regarding teaching were reinforced for me. 1. At the end of the day, no matter how little or how much you have in a school context, the most important resource in a classroom is the teacher (whilst an honor, this is also a huge responsibility, and not something any teacher takes lightly).2. Relationships matter. Each individual matters. Teaching is about far more than the curriculum. It is about the whole person.3. Education is a privilege, and something we should not take for granted. 

What advice would you give a beginner teacher?

It’s not always easy and you aren’t always going to get it right, but I can say without a doubt it is worth it. As a teacher, you never ‘graduate’, you never reach the finishing line, you never completely master the job. The game is constantly changing, and you are teaching individual people who bring their own stories and experiences with them into the classroom. As educators we are constantly learning and growing with the students we nurture, so enjoy the ride! A few other tips include:

- Find yourself a mentor who you respect both as a teacher and as a person, who encourages you but also makes you step outside of your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. 

- Build rapport with your students. Have fun and take some time out during the day to laugh with them.

- Just because you are a graduate teacher, doesn’t mean you don’t have valuable skills and ideas to share with your teaching colleagues. Trust your abilities. 

What is it really like teaching a classroom full of 6/7-year-olds?

Busy! There is never a dull moment. It’s exciting, diverse, interesting and above all a lot of fun. I could write a comedy featuring the comments and experiences that come out of the classroom. We are a family on one big learning journey experiencing all the highs and lows together. 

What makes Calrossy Primary so special?

The people - from the students who brighten each and every day to the wonderful, dedicated and supportive colleagues, mentors and leaders. It is a pleasure to teach my students, and an honor to work alongside some of the state’s best educators.

Let's hear from some of Miss Anderson's Year 1 students?

“Miss Anderson is great, she teaches us things, how to read and write… telling the time and money.” – Grace and Primrose

“Before coronavirus was on, she gave us skittles” – Digby

“She is fun, we play tricky words bingo, writing and spelling. I love maths.” – Eddie

“Everything is good about her… she is really fun. Sometimes on Friday she lets us have free play.” – May

“She lets us do fun things, write our tricky words on the board, play tricky words bingo, she helps us with reading.” – Willow

“She makes learning fun, we do messy paintings and made instruments.” – Ruby

“When we are good we get to have free time on Friday afternoon and go to the library. Miss Anderson is great.” - Phoenix