Terence Weston

I believe teaching goes beyond a nine to five commitment. I see my role as winninghearts and minds. It’s about getting to know the students and helping them to discovertheir passions; it’s about showing students as many different experiences as possibleand giving them choice and options in life.I make the classroom environment safe so that children can take risks and makemistakes. Students trust me and are prepared to step outside of their comfort zones, totry new things and to persevere in the face of challenge, to problem-solve and thinkcritically. I believe in developing a sense of sportsmanship and team spirit, valuing eachmember, building the potential of individual and team, balancing the needs of theindividual with those of the team.I actively seek feedback and input from students, as key stakeholders in their ownlearning. Assessment is transparent with learning outcomes clearly communicated tostudents. I use ongoing formative assessment to inform teaching and learning. Peercoaching and student self-assessment plays a key role in guiding next steps. I believe inmaking student learning visible to the wider community and invite parents into mylessons to see the teaching and learning.As AD and Head of Physical Education my roles and responsibilities havebeen many and varied. These have included department leadership, curriculumdevelopment, establishment and coordination of extra curricula and interschool sportingactivities and events, managing the school’s budget for Physical Education andmentoring other members of the PE department.Taking time out to gain a Masters degree in International Education and Development,gave me the opportunity to link theory with research, policy and practice and criticallyengage with the educational challenges of low and middle-income countries. Through amultidisciplinary approach I was able to analyse the complex educational issues ofresources constrained and/or rapidly expanding educational systems.