Anangu Education Services

Aboriginal Lands District Field Experience Report

The purpose of this report is to gain information from Aboriginal Lands District schools about the progress Teacher Candidates
have made towards the National Professional Standards for Graduate Teachers.

Pre-service Teacher:

CHRISTA BALFOUR

Student ID:

2106386

ALD School:

Murputja Anangu School

University:

Flinders University

Mentor Teacher:

Janet Armitage

Year Level(s) taught:

Principal:

Beth Handy

Dates:

17/11/2014 - 28/11/2014

Context:
The Aboriginal Lands District Field Experience Program is an initiative of Anangu Education Services and has the
endorsement and support of the Deans of Education for Adelaide University, Flinders University, the University of South
Australia, the University of Melbourne and Tabor Adelaide.
Selected pre-service teachers have been placed in an Aboriginal Lands District school for a two week field experience, either
in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands in the far North West of South Australia, or at the Yalata Anangu School
west of Ceduna, or at the Oak Valley School in the Maralinga Tjarutja Lands.

Professional Knowledge:
Standard 1: Know students and how they learn

Advanced: Integrates learners interests, needs and social and cultural environment with the curriculum
framework intentions in order to select and design a teaching approach.
Standard 2: Know the content and how to teach it

Proficient: Demonstrates an appreciation for taking into account the social and cultural background of
Aboriginal students to translate curriculum statements.

Professional Practice:
Standard 3: Plan for and implement effective teaching and learning

Advanced: Demonstrates a sophisticated and creative approach to planning and teaching that sets out to
assist Aboriginal learners for independence and success.
Standard 4: Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments

Proficient: Establishes clear learning expectations with learners and engages them in the process.
Standard 5: Assess, provide feedback and report on student learning

Proficient: Meaningful feedback provided to students on their progress that will assist improvement in
further planning.

Professional Engagement:
Standard 6: Engage in professional learning

Advanced: Demonstrates an excitement and enthusiasm about teaching and its potential contribution to
students' lives and success in education.
Standard 7: Engage professionally with colleagues, parents/carers and the community

Proficient: Demonstrates effective and professional communication with parents, carers and the wider
community.

Consideration has been given to the complexities and degree of challenge of the field experience context in evaluating the pre-service
teachers ability to meet the assessment criteria for the professional standards

Anangu Education Services

Aboriginal Lands District Field Experience Report

General Comments by Principal/Coordinator/Mentor Teacher:

Christa actively sought opportunities to engage with students, their learning and all professional activities in the brief
period she was at Murputja. She left descriptions of games for staff to use; modelled exemplary interactions with students;
engaged in professional discussions at a high level; responded in a personal and professional mannner to students and
their learning. Christa developed a strong rapport with a student with high needs and promoted his learning throughout her
time here.
Monday, 8 December 2014

Consideration has been given to the complexities and degree of challenge of the field experience context in evaluating the pre-service
teachers ability to meet the assessment criteria for the professional standards