By Cam Lucadou-Wells
There’s a lot to learn from principal and teacher Bev Hansen and her focus on ‘connection’.
But the Dandenong West Primary School principal herself says she doesn’t stop learning.
Ms Hansen has been announced as one of three finalists in the outstanding primary school principal category of the Victorian Educational Excellence Awards 2019.
It’s a crowning achievement for nearly a decade of inspiring an inclusive and outward-looking school.
Research and her own experience shows that bringing communities into the school and working with them improves learning.
To that end, with Community Hubs Australia funding, the school brings in parents and families for classes in English language, craft, computing and kids playgroups.
Several years ago, the school took part in the aspiring It’s Just A Postcode campaign.
“That message of belief is that it doesn’t matter what postcode you’re in, you can succeed.”
In time, the school’s NAPLAN results – whilst that is not all that matters – has significantly improved, Ms Hansen says.
Ms Hansen aims to empower students to “lead their own learning”. The art is for teachers to listen, rather than just talk and tell, she says.
She instills the school with a culture of celebrating positive achievements. Embedded are values like passion for learning, honesty, empathy, respect and tolerance.
Ms Hansen said the school decided to re-think its approach with a third of the school’s children from refugee backgrounds.
The school linked with Foundation House, which works with refugee survivors of torture and trauma.
Counselling was available to students and parents, while professional training was offered to staff.
Under a Berry Street educational model, staff use language and practices from a “trauma informed” background.
Teachers adopted a ‘restorative’ approach – to repair harm rather than simply punish students.
“It’s such a humbling experience when parents and children want to share their stories,” Ms Hansen says.
“They can be the most tragic stories but they come with impressive hope.
“It’s an amazing thing to work in this school.”
Ms Hansen always loved being a classroom teacher. But as a principal, there was a chance to “impact so many more students and so many more families”.
“I’ve made many good decisions, I’ve made many not so good decisions.
“But I’m learning along the way.”
In congratulating Ms Hansen for her award shortlisting, Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams said teachers, principals and education professionals did a “crucial job” in Dandenong.
“It’s great to see the acknowledgement of Bev Hansen for her outstanding contribution at Dandenong West Primary School.”
The Victorian Educational Excellence Awards winners are announced on Friday 25 October.
