Craig Newton
The Southport School
Craig Newton’s determination to provide unique learning experiences based on his students’ needs and interests has made his classroom a fun, engaging, and highly motivating environment for his primary students.
The Southport School teacher takes an innovative approach to teaching the young boys in his care. Recently, he introduced the Real Men Read initiative as a means of promoting reading for enjoyment to young boys with the help of the male role models in their lives. He has also developed his very own Crime Scene Investigation workshop for the GPS Day of Excellence and the Queensland Association for Gifted and Talented Children, which provided students with an engaging and exciting excursion. “His always positive and stress-free approach to teaching has enabled Craig to develop each individual boy to their potential,” Deputy Principal Mark Wyer said. |
“His parent feedback and interactions are outstanding, and the work he does in the classroom, with his team, as part of a committee, and as a TSS staff member is first class.” Outside of his own classroom, Craig leads the school’s debating program, which sees his preparatory students compete against their interschool peers in competitive events.
He is also the Curriculum Team leader for Year Three, which sees him provide leadership, guidance, and support to his colleagues for implementing the curriculum. Craig completed a THRASS (Teaching Handwriting, Reading and Spelling Skills) mastery course, and is now mentoring his colleagues and class parents in effective techniques for teaching literacy. Craig is currently completing an Action Research Project, where he is focusing on innovation in boys’ education – an area in which he has already excelled. With a passion for developing a positive school culture, Craig has taken on the job of organising many extra-curricular events designed to make the boys’ learning experience a balanced and happy one, including physical activities, ‘Smiling Minds’ meditation, and a celebratory barbeque as part of the school’s NAPLAN Wellbeing program. Craig’s contribution to teaching has reached far beyond his own school. As the head of the Teaching and Learning Committee for the Council of International Schools Accreditation, Craig has been involved in shaping educational practices for students all around the world. Congratulations Craig on your nomination. By Claudia Farhart. |