Prac teachers embrace country life in the Narrabri Shire

Six prac teachers at Narrabri and Wee Waa high schools are enjoying the complete country lifestyle adventure during their stay.

The six, all from Sydney, have been deployed to Narrabri and Wee Waa high schools for their ‘practicum’, or professional work experience since October 10 and will finish up on December 10 – except for Tayla Ong who has accepted a permanent position at Narrabri High and will be here for three years – at least.

Outside the classroom the six have experienced country life with all its features, including an unexpected one – a flood.

The visiting students were relocated to Narrabri Public School during the flood disruptions.

All are from Sydney and have undertaken their teacher training at city universities. The country experience is a new one, but they are enthusiastic about country life.

Sydney University student Tayla Ong, has been doing her prac at Narrabri High School and will be a physical education teacher. Tayla has accepted a permanent position at Narrabri High, starting next year.

She is excited about her career pathway, looking forward to her job and loves country life.

“I saw my first tractor,” she said.

“So exciting.”

She wanted to ‘jump in the driver’s seat’ and will no doubt have plenty of opportunity in the future.

Benjamin Stanford, NSW University, is doing his prac at Narrabri High and has his sights set on being a music teacher.

Ben acknowledged he had ‘seen a kangaroo.’

NSW Uni student Joseph Mills will be a visual arts teacher and said he had been interested in the building styles in Narrabri, looking at the historic characteristics and impressed with a visit to the Old Gaol Museum.

Michael Ngo, NSW Uni, will be a mathematics teacher. He has ‘loved the country life’ and the clear and starry nights revealed in the country without what astronomers call ‘light pollution.’

“Everyone says ‘hello’,” he said.

The students agreed Narrabri was a friendly town.

“People say ‘good day’. They’re very friendly,” adds fellow NSW Uni student Ben Mobbs, who will teach biology.

Bradley Roberts, Sydney University, will teach maths. He echoes the others’ comments about the friendliness of the country town.

Ben and Bradley have been undertaking their prac at Wee Waa High but relocated to Narrabri for the duration of the flood, which cut the road to Wee Waa.