Inarrabri

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15 Doyle St, Narrabri

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6792 4178

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iNarrabri Magazine | 19

Macca, they’re both very knowledgeable,

skilful and have years of teaching experi-

ence. They have taught me a lot over the

years, particularly with woodwork. My

woodworking skills have developed con-

siderably thanks to them and the countless

hours spent helping out the HSC students

complete their major projects. I have recently

completed my metals and engineering

training and I am qualified to teach the VET

course. Teaching electronics has always been

an interest to me and I will continue to teach

it at Waratah. One area I hope to pursue in

Newcastle is to get kids outdoors. There are

plenty of places around Newcastle within an

hour or two where kids can be in the bush

away from comforts and screens, making the

most of their surroundings. I have enjoyed

doing this in Narrabri and I know a lot of kids

have too. Thirteen years teaching, I am no

longer a new teacher, I have been involved

in a variety of welfare programs at Narrabri

and have had a lot of training in that area.

I’m confident that I will be able to contribute

to the school in a lot of ways and am looking

forward to the challenge.

Jayne has also received a transfer to Mount

View High School at Cessnock, Alex might

well be attending Newcastle University un-

dertaking an Engineering Degree and Sarah

will be going into Year 10 at Kotara H.S.

Another interesting year ahead but this time

all travelling in different directions!

Jayne has about a forty five minute com-

mute and I’m about 10 minutes away. We

are only renting at this stage so that could all

change down the track. Jayne will be work-

ing with a friend we first met in Narrabri and

there is a friend of ours teaching maths at

Kotara we also met in Narrabri. For me, my

Mum lives about 15 minutes away, likewise

my two brothers and their families are also

nearby. Jayne’s brother, her only family in

Australia is a short flight away in Melbourne.

We also have friends scattered around the

Hunter Valley and Sydney. Being closer to

our families will be a nice change. Some of

Alex’s friends in Narrabri are hoping to at-

tend Uni in Newcastle and Sarah has already

arranged visits with some boarding school

friends in Sydney. No doubt we will all make

new friends, reacquaint with old ones and

welcome those from Narrabri when they

come to visit.

You, Kath Bailey and Wayne Knight are

travelling to Cambodia with 12 year 10

students on a very special mission. What

does this trip entail?

The Cambodia trip is the culmination of a

year of fundraising and organisation. This

is the third year Kathy has run the trip and

Wayne has accompanied her. She has now

finely tuned the process, but there is still a

lot of work that needs to be done to satisfy

DEC policies. The money raised is donated

to the Tabetha foundation, who buy basic

housing and wells for Cambodians in need

of assistance, they then arrange volunteers

to build them.

All 15 of us are carrying around 10 kilograms

each of books, soap, toothbrushes and

teaching resources to donate to orphan-

ages and schools. On one day we all help

to nail on weather boards. Other highlights

will include a Cambodian cooking class, a

visit to Angor Wat, an evening cruise on the

Mekong River and some Christmas shopping

in the many markets.

And finally- what advice would you give

to any beginning teacher thinking about

coming to Narrabri?

For Jayne and I, Narrabri will always have

special place in our hearts. Our kids grew

up here, we have made many friends. I

would say commit to at least 3 or 4 years,

to anyone who was thinking about coming

here to teach. Get involved in the school and

the community. Explore some of the natural

beauty. Get into mountain biking. Have some

medium term plans. Have dinner and a

couple of drinks with friends at the Baan Baa

pub on a hot afternoon.