Happy World Teachers Day Canterbury Teaching Staff!

Happy World Teachers Day to ALL our wonderful Canterbury College teaching staff! 🙏🏫🥰

Please see our photo gallery from this morning’s special World Teachers Day Breakfast, where our 136 teachers received a free healthy breakfast, gourmet coffee and hot chocolate, plus a free red or blue Canterbury picnic blanket, and the New York Times Top 10 Bestseller Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink.

The Principal is now looking forward to seeing our teachers lying on their picnic blankets at lunchtime reading their books on campus! 😉

NB: Teachers – Please see Communications Director Stephen Buckley over in Main Admin if you missed out on your book and blanket this morning.

Four students – two from Junior School and two from Secondary School – also delivered their own ‘Thank You’ speeches to the gathered teaching staff: Isabella Franklin and Henry Flaxman (both from Year 6) and Morgan Watt and Frank Nishimwe (both from Year 8).

Here are two of those speeches below reprinted with their permission:

‘Thank You Teachers Speech’ By Canterbury Student Morgan Watt

Good morning Mr Walker, Mr Diete and Teachers.

‘Teaching is the one profession that creates all other professions.’

A teacher inspires, creates, provides guidance and changes lives every day.

What other profession can say that?

When I started Secondary School last year, I knew there would be many challenges, but what I didn’t realise, was that the teachers would be there to support me as much as they have.

The teachers have always been approachable and willing to help.

All the teachers put so much time and dedication into preparing lessons that are engaging, relevant and purposeful to our learning and these efforts do not go unnoticed.

It’s not just one or two teachers who show this devotion to their job, but it’s each and every teacher here at Canterbury College.

Teachers make the difference.

They make learning enjoyable, they make activities fun, and they make a school the environment that it is.

You can be learning your least favourite subject, but with the right teacher, it can quickly become a new favourite.

I used to think Science was my enemy and I approached it with a negative attitude.

Until one day I had a science teacher who was engaging, inspiring and most of all – fun!

I was known as ‘Morgan who hates Science.’

It didn’t take long before I found myself loving science and I still do to this day.

That one particular teacher took the time to share their knowledge and passion for a subject and inspire me to love it too.

That teacher made a difference and one that will stay with me forever.

Teachers certainly don’t just teach.

They support our emotional and social wellbeing too.

They know when we aren’t ourselves and something isn’t right.

Last term, I had one bad day. Just one.

I was feeling overwhelmed and put unnecessary pressure on myself.

It took 2 minutes before a teacher noticed and took the time out of their lunch break to ask me if I was okay.

They stopped and listened because they genuinely cared.

They then took the time to check in and follow up with me several more times.

They could have simply walked past and not bothered. But they didn’t.

And for that I am thankful.

I am so grateful for the knowledge, the care, the devotion, and the support teachers provide on a daily basis.

I respect you and I thank you.

Henry B Adams once said: ‘A teacher effects eternity; they can never tell where their influence will stop.’

Thank you.

‘World Teachers Day Speech’ By Canterbury Student D.J. Frank Nishimwe

Respected Mr Walker, teachers, staff of Canterbury College, and peers, good morning!

My name is D.J. Frank Nishimwe, and I would personally like to thank you for allowing me to speak.

Teachers educate, motivate, and empower.

A wise woman once risked her life, so that she could be taught by a teacher.

She stated: “Let’s remember… One book, One pen, and One teacher can change the world.”

At Canterbury College, I believe we have the ‘best-of-the-best’ teachers in Queensland.

Not only because you educate us with love, care, and passion, but you also shape our wellbeing – creating a strong bond between us and you – our compassionate teachers.

I remember at the start of Secondary School, most of my subjects seemed challenging.

Despite that, teachers were understanding, patient and considerate.

The classes were inclusive and interesting, creating an enjoyable transition.

Our teachers care and notice any time in our lives, when we are down, upset or stressed.

Teachers at Canterbury College are unique – they do twice as much work, preparing all the lessons for us to strive.

They make sure to go the extra mile to help us achieve our goals.

This creates the purpose of teachers, to not create us in their own will, but to develop us so we can create our own future.

It astonishes me how quick the teachers at Canterbury College adjust.

The current pandemic made it difficult to communicate to students in person, but that didn’t stop the teachers.

They worked hard to understand a whole program in less than an afternoon, and it didn’t take long until I had a notification at home saying: “It’s time for your next class.”

It’s amazing how you can find guidance, friendship, discipline, and mentorship all in one person, and that person is you, yes you! – THE TEACHER!

Thank you for continually inspiring us to do our best.

Happy World Teachers Day to you all.

A Final Message From AITSL: The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership

It’s World Teachers Day in Australia on Friday 29 October!

Celebrate being part of a remarkable profession and its bright future OR say thank you to teachers.

Post a photo in your sunglasses on social media, either on your own or with colleagues, friends, or family.

Make sure you tag #BrightFuture @aitsl

Share this post to make sure we all celebrate and thank teachers on World Teachers Day.

Find out more at – www.worldteachersday.edu.au