In Appreciation - January 2010
Joe Steyns was Principal of Trinity College, Goulburn for ten years from 1999 to 2008. He had previously been deputy there. John Moodie was once on his staff, caring particularly for the male boarders. A bond of friendship was begun. Since we arrived in Kabankalan Joe had been saying to John that he would like to do voluntary work with us here. It took some time to join the dots but when Joe retired from Trinity College, the time was right. His wife Anne, senior English teacher at Trinity, took leave for a year and they both joined us, arriving on Valentine’s Day 2009. They stayed until shortly before Christmas.
Joe and Anne brought huge experience and ability in the area of teaching English; Joe had been senior master in English in Government schools previous to his work at Trinity. Anne was also qualified in Educational Psychology. It was a great combination. They came under the auspices of Edmund Rice Volunteer Services, led by Martin Kelly.
For some time our Bishop, Pat Buzon, SDB, had been wondering aloud how we could improve the overall low standard of English in our schools. This then became the task for Joe and Anne, to investigate and propose viable and effective ways forward. Schools close here for the “Summer” break in April and May. This meant there was a short period from mid-February to the end of March to visit the schools; to listen and to learn, which they did very well. In April they put their ideas together and in May ran a number of workshops for teachers. By June they were ready to begin in earnest. They spent two days in each high school. While Anne tested all the first year students for standardized reading levels, Joe demonstrated different methods of teaching a range of English skills. He also observed and gave feedback to teachers willing to teach in his presence. Not all took up the challenge which at times was frustrating or disappointing, but generally understandable.
That first round took several months. The correction task was huge. The next phase was a series of cluster workshops, grouping schools by location, to feedback, correct misunderstandings and to introduce two programs, and a number of recommendations. The first program is Drop Everything And Read (DEAR), which in some parts of Australia we used know as USSR or Uninterrupted Sustained Silent Reading. What made this program possible are the many book donations that have been sent to us, largely from our Australian schools. Along with that, money has been collected also and sent to us. Some of that money was used to buy books locally, carefully targeted by Joe and Anne to the age and reading levels of the students concerned. Further purchases will need to be made, and we will continue to welcome second hand books from Australia – fiction books suitable for kids from Grade 5 to Grade 10 are what we need most.
The second program is the introduction of SRA Reading Laboratories (Science Research Associates). These kits have been adapted from the American idiom to something more culturally appropriate to the Philippines / Asian reader. The plan is to use them especially with struggling First Year High School readers. We have purchased thirty six kits so far and passed them to the schools, heavily discounted; we believe in providing opportunities for reciprocity where possible. As would be readily recognized, the solutions are not rocket science. What has made the difference is the testing and therefore careful targeting to the audience – AND the donations from Australia.
An unexpected outcome of Joe and Anne’s presence in the schools was their observation of the need for support for the teachers in basic teaching structures. Their observations led to the identification of the need for a curriculum support person. We have asked Martin Kelly to find such a volunteer for this role and to continue and extend the work begun by Anne and Joe. Ideally by 2011 we wish to see a Filipino in Curriculum Supervision in the schools.
Joe and Anne were ER Volunteers. They lived in community with us Brothers, shared our meals and prayer life and made many contributions to the life of the community. Having a woman live with us was a new experience, but great, and Joe was such a handy man and so full of energy; ever ready for whatever task needed doing. Anne undertook much of the supervision of the domestic side of things. We very warmly appreciated their presence and hope we will be gifted with further ER Volunteers in the coming years.
Meanwhile, as is now well known, we lost Brothers. The OLT’s quick response was to send Laurie Collins to us, and Paul Coster and Denis Sullivan to Hilongos. I will write only about Laurie, who spent a very productive six months with us. Laurie came to replace Peter Hardiman, and to especially take on his Theology teaching load at Kabankalan Catholic College. This he did amidst frustrations arising from poor organisation within the College, and the usual difficulties Australians have with communication here. It takes time to ‘hear’ what is being said, and longer, what is not being said. Filipinos conversely have great difficulty with the Australian accent and modes of speaking. Never-the-less Laurie was very professional and gave the students a thorough semester’s learning in the areas of Prayer and Spirituality – a forte for him; and Philippine Church History – a significant challenge. Fortunately his teaching load was relatively light, allowing time for the needed research.
Laurie only taught for the first semester as the second started in November and will continue until the end of March. So he had time to turn his energies in other directions. One was assisting John to record and collate all information relative to his projects. It would be fair to say John is more a doer than a desk person. Yet what Laurie was able to do for him was quite important.
Laurie has huge experience in reviewing school Principals. Such a process has been newly introduced in Kabankalan Diocesan Schools. The timing was perfect. Laurie assisted with five reviews in November and early December. Not only did his presence ensure a professional approach, he did all the associated paper work as well. He has left behind a process that can be followed in the coming years. All five Principals reviewed have since been re-appointed to their schools.
Finally Laurie undertook to research materials useful for a unit in Religious Education at high school level on Creation Spirituality. This will become very helpful as the diocese moves forward to review the Religious Education curriculum, a major task barely begun at present.
So we Brothers in Kabankalan have much to be grateful for – to Joe and Anne Steyns, to Laurie Collins and to the many supporters we have in Australia, in the schools and elsewhere. We are most grateful. MADAMO GID NGA SALAMAT!