Sydney Sites

Submitted by Megan Scott on the 2012 summer session program in Australia sponsored by the School of Education…

We’re in our final few days here in Sydney, Australia. The weather is much warmer than Tasmania, and we’re really enjoying it! Our hotel is right across from Darling Harbor, where there’s lots of shopping, restaurants, and the biggest IMAX theater in the world. Yesterday, we saw the Sydney Aquarium then rode a train up to Bondi Beach for the rest of the day. It was a gorgeous day and we walked along the beach then wechecked out the tidal pools along the side of the beach. I even saw an octopus! Today we went on our last school visit to Belmore South Primary School. This was the first urban school setting we’ve been able to observe. The principal told us that 93% of the students don’t speak English when they first arrive at school. We learned a lot about encouraging students to set their own goals and observed a huge focus on measuring the improvement of test scores rather than just the raw score. I learned about so many different teaching practices and philosophies from our 7 school visits. Not only did I observe the differences between Australian and American school systems, but I also picked up some great teaching ideas that I will definitely use in my own classroom. I’m so excited for the rest of our week here in Sydney, and I can’t believe the trip is almost over. Tonight we’re off to see a play at the Sydney Opera House!