This week we are introducing you to Mrs Melanie Woods, our Head of Primary here at ACC Marsden Park.
Tell us a bit about yourself - your background, experience, training, how long you've been here and how your roles have changed, etc.
I do believe what is written in the Word of God, the Bible, where it states that God orders our steps. I came from a family of teachers of many generations and then married into a family of teachers and so teaching was, for me, a natural pathway. I loved it instantly, and continue to love teaching to this day.
I have been educating in classrooms for the last 34 years since I was 19 in the Hawkesbury District. I grew up as a little girl in Papua New Guinea and then my family moved back to NSW where we settled in the Hawkesbury. I attended local schools and had a passion for Music. You may see some of my family around the College as two of our girls work at ACC and my husband and son have played at different school Music Performance Nights as they support the HSC Students.
I joined ACC Marsden Park in 2022 and have had the privilege to work with staff, students and families in Grade 3 and Grade 6. It is truly an honour to serve the school community as Head of Primary now.
Why are you passionate about your role as Head of Primary here at ACC?
Over the years of teaching, you glean skills, processes and strategies from all the different people you work with and you come to understand what are the non-negotiables in education in regards to behaviour, values and academic success. You know what has demonstrated to be tried, tested and proven.
At ACC, we look after the whole child - so they are academically, socially and emotionally healthy, spiritually sound and physically thriving. More than asking our children what they want to be, we ask them who they want to be.
I am passionate about what I do as our input and influence is integral in the lives of our students and we have the ability to affect their future in a positive and impactful way. Each member of our staff team believes they are 'called' to ACC and that our families and students have been called here also. Our time at ACC with families and students is ordained and we take that mission seriously.
We have a whole school saying: "by grace, through faith, in love, with joy". That encapsulates how I feel about my role. I love my job, I love coming to school each and every day and I have true joy in seeing our students grow and mature.
What are some of the big projects happening in our Primary School in Term 2?
We have three signature pedagogies that we as a whole school are continuing to grow in, they are:
1. Explicit Direct Instruction
2. Explicit Frequent Feedback
3. Thinking through Writing
Parents came to see how we actualise these skills in the classrooms with our Showcase Family Afternoon and we will be having another one this Term. We also have high expectations when it comes to behaviour, uniform, learning in and out of the classroom and values. We talk with our students daily about what is expected and why we want them to be in the best learning environment that allows for optimal engagement.
We are looking forward to Sport these next couple of Terms as our Grade 3-6 compete in various sporting fields with surrounding Christian Schools or at Riverstone Oval. Our Kinder-Grade 2 will continue to learn ball skills and bush dancing. We also have our K-6 Cross Country and Athletics Carnival this Term as well!
We will end the term with another K-6 Music Concert where our Specialist Music Teachers will support all classes in a performance that will showcase what they have been learning for Semester 1.
Two other events that the Primary students will enjoy is an Encounter Afternoon where our students will enjoy a live Christian band and where we will have a guest speaker who will encourage us all. Secondly, we will have the next Heritage Celebration Assembly where we can enjoy what makes us different and what makes us unified - a true celebration.
If parents have questions in our Primary school, how can they reach out to you?
I often say that we can’t do this ‘gig’ called school without parents as they know their children best. We must partner with you and always want parents and carers to know that the door is always open. It’s best to come and talk and we can always find a solution or a good option. Let’s continue to work together so that our students can be all that God has created them to be. Please reach out to me at melaniewoods@acc.edu.au if you have any questions.