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Christopher Niven
​Sheldon College

Picture
Head of Faculty – Mathematics at Sheldon College, Chris Niven, has a passion for teaching in the years of ‘Middle School’ and has great knowledge of the needs of students at this pivotal age.

It says a lot that Chris developed both a co-curricular club called MathsX to extend the best mathematicians and a Maths Clinic Club to give extra support for students in learning the subject. The Maths Clinic Club doubled in participation this past year and students have also entered more competitions at all levels and been highly successful. 

​Chris has been an integral part of developing MC-Squared through the college’s Learning Management System. 
This platform promotes academic focus and continues to grow. In his role as Pedagogical Coach and Head of Faculty – Mathematics (7-9), Chris developed with his staff an 11-point teaching framework which is age-appropriate and highly engaging. With this framework and his classroom practice Chris has achieved much, including a contribution to Sheldon’s outstanding NAPLAN results.

Chris’s lessons are action-packed, and students are eager to partake in activities involving Linear Graph Aerobics, Parabola of a Basketball, 3D Spaghetti and Jelly Babies Trigonometry; at the same time he builds strong relationships with his students.

The teacher of more than ten years wants to share his love of maths and create pedagogy that engages. Director of Academics – Secondary Jarrod Pleass notes that Chris actively coaches staff to create a smooth transition from Years 5 to 9 in the subject. “Chris continues to work with teachers to assist students to conquer any fears of Mathematics and to inspire the future thought leaders of our community,” Jarrod says. 

Chris is always on the lookout for professional development that will grow teaching capacity. Recently he returned from the EduTech conference where the entire sector gather to learn, debate and exchange ideas. Chris also presents at conferences and continues to read the latest in education theories.

Chris has also led a large number of professional development sessions that took on a range of topics from ICT integration to how to extend student learning. Because of his efforts there is an increase at Sheldon in teachers making video reflections using Swivl technology. His efforts have been instrumental in the promotion of video feedback as a source of professional development. His aim is to have all staff film at least one lesson per year.

Chris has been recognised for his hard work by online magazine The Educator, which named him a Rising Star in 2018 and put him on their 2019 Hot List. He also received a nomination for the Australian Scholarships Group National Excellence in Teaching Award in 2017.
​
Congratulations Chris on your nomination.
Queensland College of Teachers
Level 5, 601 Coronation Drive
​Toowong Qld 4066
Call (07) 3377 4777
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  • Home
  • TEACHX AWARDS
    • 2019 TEACHX Winners
    • 2019 TEACHX Finalists
    • 2019 TEACHX Nominees >
      • Beginning to Teach Award Nominees 2019
      • OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO SCHOOL COMMUNITY AWARD NOMINEES 2019
      • Excellence in Teaching Award Nominees 2019
      • Innovation in Teaching Award Nominees 2019
      • Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning Award Nominees 2019
      • Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Award Nominees 2019
  • Teacher Stories
    • Teaching graduates meet tough standards
    • Rachel Downie
    • The importance of teachers
    • Marsden State High School has the answer to keeping beginning teachers in the classroom
    • Exceptional support for early career teachers in Far North Queensland
    • QBECT
    • 2018 Awards >
      • 2018 Winners
      • 2018 Finalists
      • 2018 Nominees >
        • Excellence in Beginning to Teach Award
        • Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning Award
        • Excellence in Teaching Award
        • Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Award
        • Outstanding Contribution to School Community Award
    • 2017 Awards >
      • 2017 Winners
      • 2017finalists
      • 2017 nominees >
        • Excellence in Beginning to Teach
        • Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning
        • Excellence in Teaching
        • Outstanding Contribution to Teaching
    • 2016 Awards >
      • Excellence in Beginning to Teach
      • Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning
      • Excellence in Teaching
      • Outstanding Contribution to Teaching
    • HAT and LT >
      • Meet the Assessors
      • Ruth Graham
      • Tracey Peden
      • Helen and Dwayne
      • Carly Sopronick
      • Jessica Roberts
      • Jessica Roth
    • OAM >
      • Kathryn George, OAM
      • Keith Graham, OAM
      • Dr Judith Grimes, OAM
      • Michael Goodwin, OAM
      • Steve Parle, OAM
      • Dr Lyn Bishop, OAM
      • Dr Catherine Day, OAM
    • Taryn Gollshewsky
    • Vanuatu
    • NAIDOC >
      • NAIDOC Week 2017
      • NAIDOC Week 2016
    • QLD Day >
      • Bundaberg East State School
      • St Catherine's Catholic College
      • Mornington Island State School
      • Queensland Week 2016
    • ANZAC
  • Anxiety and trauma―an expert’s advice