Gillian Newall has been appointed the University Partnership Lead at the University of Sydney, where she will be based on campus two days per week to give personalised career advice on teaching in NSW public schools to undergraduate and postgraduate students.
The NSW Department of Education’s University Partnership Lead (UPL) roles are designed to improve the future of teaching by providing support and career opportunities for aspiring teachers across the state. The roles have been created as part of the NSW government’s Early Career Academy for Teachers, where the department will work in collaboration with Initial Teacher Education (ITE) providers and key stakeholders across the education landscape to support students as they commence their degree, select a career in NSW public schools and succeed in the classroom as early career teachers.
Beginning her career in public education as a high school teacher at Cherrybrook Technology High School, Newall has been with the Department of Education for more than 30 years.
“Teaching opens doors – I'm living and breathing proof of that,” she said. “Teaching is a valuable career choice not only because it offers plenty of opportunities for growth, development and connection, but it allows you to directly influence the wellbeing and learning potential of your students, making it a profoundly impactful profession.
“I started off teaching in public schools, and then was able to follow different passions, including working in curriculum development and providing learning and wellbeing support in education support staff environments.
“Through my position at the University of Sydney I want to demonstrate to students that teaching in public schools is a rewarding and varied career.”
Attracting new teachers to public schools
One of the key objectives of the UPL program is to develop a pipeline of public school teachers with the skills required for successful careers. The program will also attract ITE students to the geographical areas where teachers are most needed.
“We need to strengthen the department’s connection with university students so we can enable classroom ready graduates and drive supply in areas of NSW that require more teachers,” Newall said.
Along with offering career guidance, Newall will give practical support to pre-service teachers by helping them with their professional experience placements, approval to teach applications, scholarship and program advice, and early employment opportunities in the public school system.
Tamara Trevena is studying a Master of Teaching at the University of Sydney after many years working in construction management. She connected with Newall to secure a teaching placement in rural Australia.
Tamara Trevena (right), Master of Teaching student, approached Gillian Newall (left) for help in securing a teaching placement in Dubbo, NSW
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Link"Public education is important and it helped me get to where I am now,” Trevena said.
“As a child I lived on Groote Eylandt, a remote island located off the coast of the Northern Territory in the Gulf of Carpentaria. When I decided to make a career change to teaching, I toyed with the idea of returning to Groote as a pre-service teacher. I’m grateful to have been able to fulfil that dream last year when I volunteered in a year 3/4 composite class.
“With the guidance I received from Gillian through the partnership program, I secured a Rural Professional Experience Placement at Buninyong Public School in Dubbo.
"I’m excited to continue to give back to regional communities and for the opportunity to be mentored by experienced teachers facing the unique challenges of teaching in rural and remote NSW.”
World-class education should be available to every child in Australia; public education is where we can make that happen.
Gillian Newall
University Partnership Lead, Department of Education
Supporting teacher quality
Newall will use a range of tools to support teacher attraction and quality. She will give ‘on-tap’ expert knowledge of the department’s employment and career development options through school workforce consultations, one-to-one sessions with pre-service teachers and presentations to students and faculty members. She’ll also offer on-campus support for students while they are completing their degrees and once they graduate.
"Part of my role here at Sydney is to make sure our pre-service teachers feel as supported as possible, so they can begin their career in a NSW public school with confidence – whether they’re thinking about switching to teaching from another career, just starting their degree, beginning their professional placements, or about to graduate,” she said.
“Giving students and staff at the University of Sydney oversight of the department’s public education programs and initiatives will enable pre-service teachers to have a smoother transition into their career in a NSW public school once they graduate.”
“It's no secret large organisations can sometimes feel complex to navigate, especially for undergraduates,” Professor Kelly Freebody, Head of the Sydney School of Education and Social Work said.
"Students and recent graduates have indicated to us that they would like more guidance around employment and career development, both in the early stages of their degree and when they are nearing graduation. Gillian Newall's role at the University of Sydney as a liaison between students and the department is invaluable.”
Newall aims to strengthen the Department of Education's connection with students and staff at the University of Sydney. Photo credit: Fiona Wolf
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LinkSecuring the future of public education
Through the partnership, Newall will also connect Sydney School of Education and Social Work staff with the department to collaborate on key strategic issues facing the future of public education in NSW.
“Supporting staff is a two-way street – it's about learning from each other and sharing best practices,” she said. “We already have a strong connection with the University of Sydney, especially in areas like STEM education. I plan to build on these existing relationships, explore new opportunities for support, and ensure that we continue to work together effectively.”
By inspiring new teachers to choose a career in public education and laying the groundwork for their success in public schools, Newall’s purpose is to make high-quality education available to all students in Australia.
“World-class education should be available to every child in Australia; public education is where we can make that happen,” she said.
Are you studying education at the University of Sydney? Explore your career options with the NSW Department of Education and book a drop-in consultation with Gillian Newall.
Hero photo credit: Fiona Wolf
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