3 minute read
Staff spotlights
James Prowse IB Co-ordinator
After seven years at an international school in Brussels, in roles including Assistant Principal and IB Co-ordinator, James Prowse returned to Melbourne and joined MLC at the beginning of this year. “Living and working overseas has helped me appreciate the world-class programs and student support that MLC provides,” he says. “It’s a very inspirational and well-resourced learning community.” Passionate about the International Baccalaureate (IB), James values the structure of the program and its emphasis on broad, rounded education.
“The IB does demand that students embrace a definition of education that is more holistic than vocational in orientation. It provides amazing training in how to think as well as building a degree of self-efficacy that students can draw on throughout their lives.”
He sees the Theory of Knowledge (ToK), Creativity Action Service (CAS) and Extended Essay as “front and centre of what’s great about the IB.” “These aren’t ‘extras’ but lie at the heart of what the IB is all about – breadth, personal development and academic rigour.” “One of the fantastic things about MLC is that there’s a choice of pathways in Senior School. No matter what path students choose, MLC has an amazing team of teachers in IB, VCE and VCE VET, who help every student succeed.” As IB Co-ordinator, James supports students and teachers at every stage of the IB learning journey. He teaches a Year 11 ToK class as well as English in Years 10 and 12. “A lot of my focus this year has been on devising ways to successfully deliver traditionally face-to-face elements of the IB program online.” As well as classroom teaching and curriculum leadership, James’ professional experience includes acting as an evaluator for the Council of International Schools.
Belinda Buchanan Deputy Head of Middle School
With four degrees, including a Master of Theology and Master of Education, Belinda Buchanan demonstrates a true commitment to lifelong learning to students. Early in her career, she moved from youth work to education. Later, in the middle of her decade of teaching and leadership at MLC, Belinda took a year off to complete her second masters degree. Living in Germany, she taught classes from Prep to Year 12 at the International School of Hamburg. She was also able to share her insights from MLC’s IB Theory of Knowledge subject, and bring new ideas back to MLC. In her current role as the Deputy Head of Middle School, Belinda’s multi-faceted career informs her work teaching and guiding students in Years 9 and 10. “As a team, we model an attitude of being willing to reflect and embrace change. This becomes increasingly important in Middle School, as students look for real life examples,” Belinda says. Reflection and change informed a recent Middle School curriculum review, with new subjects introduced to reinforce ‘interdisciplinary thinking’ within the Year 9 program. In 2021, the new Local Urban Project has engaged students as ‘active participants’ in change, requiring them to design a solution to a challenge in their community. Belinda also plays a key role overseeing student wellbeing, including the Respectful Relationships program. She is passionate about the student-led workshops that are a key feature of MLC’s shared program with Scotch College which, she says, “encourage student voice and enable students to reflect on each other’s perspectives.” In her 20 years of teaching, Belinda has complemented her Humanities and Religious Education specialties with wellbeing and student coordinator roles, both at MLC and other schools. As well as writing IB curriculum, she has worked as a VCAA assessor. She currently teaches History in both Year 10 and the Year 12 IB program.
