Gazette

Men of learning

By Jade Lawton

3rd June 2009 02:00:37 AM

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Berwick Primary School has 13 men on its staff. They are, in front: Michael Davies, Arj Bartholomeusz, David Brown and Andrew Power, and back, Andrew Horsburgh, Wayne McQuilten, Mark Roberts, Shane Reid, Joe Dannaoui, Frank Seton, Adrian Carr, Ross Mielicke and Andrew Healy. 31470 Picture: Meagan Rogers

THIRTEEN is the lucky number for Berwick Primary School, where 13 of the school’s 40 staff members are male.

Principal Kaye Seton said the male teachers, often rare in a Primary School setting, provided positive male role models for students.

“This has not been a deliberate staffing decision but over the years the number of male teachers has continued to grow,” she said.

“The male teachers are spread throughout the school as well as being teachers in specialist areas.”

“In today’s world many students do not have a male role model in the house but the opportunity of having a positive male influence is provided at school. These teachers provide positive male role models for the students at the school, showing how men value learning.”

Ms Seton said the male teachers were involved in all aspects of the curriculum including performing arts, sport, aerobics, environmental education and literacy and numeracy learning.

“Most days you will find the teachers outside after school, playing games with the students,” she said.

The male teachers include Assistant Principal Andrew Horsburgh; Music and leading teacher, performing arts Arj Bartholomeusz; Physical Education and leading teacher, Student Engagement and Well-being, Andrew Healy; Grade 1 teacher Shane Reid; Grade 2 teachers Joe Dannaoui and Ross Mielicke; Grade 3 and leading teacher, Gifted and Talented, Mark Roberts; Grade 4 teachers Adrian Carr and Andrew Power; Grade 5 teacher Michael Davies; ICT teacher Wayne McQuilten; Art teacher David Brown and Literacy Support teacher Frank Seton.