What’s in a Name?

First Names for Annesley Staff

A few years ago, our teachers made a decision for students to use first names for all staff at Annesley. This was after a thorough and collaborative process was undertaken to reflect on the why. For us, the WHY is:

1. The role of the teacher has changed significantly. Teachers are no longer the ‘fountain of all knowledge’ and stand on a pedestal to impart knowledge to young minds. With the students’ unlimited access to information in our digital world, our role is now to get alongside our students to observe, to mentor, to facilitate, to guide, and to support them on their own, personalised journey.
2. Nearly all other professions have made the change from surnames to first names, yet schools have hung on to this outdated practice. We want the student experience at Annesley to reflect a modern, changing world.
3. Relationships are a key priority at Annesley. Respect is not built into the name we call someone; it is built through a relationship. Our teachers are respected and trusted by our students because of the relationships they build.

Bases

In Year 3 to 6, we tailor our programs to reflect and meet the needs of 8-12 year olds. A few years ago, we began referring to the physical classroom space in Year 3-6 as Bases. This was designed to reflect the changing nature of a learning space and what children of this age need. They need a ‘home base’, a place that they belong, are known and are nurtured. But they also need to be given opportunities to launch from their base into their own journey of discovery in a multitude of learning environments, knowing the safety of their ‘home base’ is always available. Our students took the name ‘Base’ as an identity which is why they are now readily referred to as Base 3, Base 4, Base 5 or Base 6 students.

Teacher Mentors

As our children progress into Year 3 to 6, we often refer to Year 3 to 6 teachers as mentors. This reflects the changing nature of the teacher in our contemporary world. With so much access to information through technology, the role of the teacher is to mentor each child on their own journey, ensuring they have known their strengths, have developed their skills and discovered their passions to make an impact in their world.

We are pleased to announce that in 2023 we will again be inviting our Grandparents and Special Friends into our learning spaces to connect with our students. This year, we will have a number of Grandparent and Special Friend events across the year with authentic, engaging experiences being planned by individual teaching teams.

Each teaching team has identified a date for each year level when Grandparents and Special Friends will be able to engage meaningfully into a learning experience with our students, offering their perspectives and experiences.

ELC –              Thursday 8th June

REC –              Wednesday 23rd August

Year 1 –           Friday 5th May

Year 2 –           Wednesday 5th April

Base 3 –           Tuesday 7th November

Base 4 –           Monday 21st August

Base 5 –           Thursday 27th July

Base 6 –           Thursday 15th June

Our teachers will provide further details leading up to each event with families but for now, please share these dates with the loved Grandparents or Special Friends in your lives who would like to attend these events.

We look forward to the precious moments these learning engagements will bring to our community!