FACULTY MINI-SABBATICALS
Making Global Connections
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For the last five years, St. Margaret's students have seen the world differently as a result of international exchanges with other schools named for Queen Margaret of Scotland. Thanks to generous support from parents George and Monecia Helton Taylor '77 (Amanda-Hunter '03), SMS teachers now can enjoy the same horizon-expanding experience. Director of Studies ViAnn Farmer was the first to participate in the faculty/staff mini-sabbatical program. From mid-February to mid-March 2002, she attended St. Margaret's School in Berwick, Australia. Here's a peek at her Down Under diary: February 18, 2002 My first day at school. I'm still jet-lagged but excited. (My friends Noleen and Linton Hayres took a picture of me sleeping on their couch the day after I arrived, but you won't see it here! They were also my daughter Katie's host family when she was an exchange student in 2000). My Goals: 1. Gather materials for a library about SMS-Berwick that our teachers can use to develop mini-sabbatical proposals. 2. Promote our school to prospective participants in the student and faculty exchanges. 3. Meet with former exchange students and their families. February 22, 2002 After a week, I can see similarities and differences between our schools and cultures. We carry out the same basic mission, preparing girls for life, but in two very different educational systems. The Australians are amazed that our girls have so much latitude in their choice of classes. By tenth grade, their students must decide on the course of study they will follow through high school and into college. I'm enjoying many of the cultural differences, like morning and afternoon teas in the faculty lounge. This is an important time for teachers and administrators to connect and relax. Today we had asparagus sandwiches and freshly baked muffins! And yes, I have seen kangaroos and koalas. They were right in the backyard of the board member's home where I had dinner last night. ust run-I'm off for a weekend trip to the Great Ocean Drive with School Principal Helen McDonald and her family.... February 26, 2002 I spent most of today observing classes: science, home ec, and choir. In many ways, these students could be our girls. They even have sports and spirit competitions-much like our blue and grey-between "houses," which are parts of their school. Tonight I'm having dinner with Shannon Wilkie and her parents. It seems like yesterday that Shannon was an intern in Tappahannock; now she's at university. March 1, 2002 This morning, I tried my hand at public relations and staffed a school exhibit at a local shopping center with the admission director. I learned that Australian girls' schools have faced many of the same challenges as American girls' schools-now the popularity of both is increasing. Will learn more next week when I go to Sydney for a meeting of the Alliance of Girls' Schools Australasia. Tonight is the Twilight Picnic, a casual school gathering for families, faculty, and staff. In Australia, there's an emphasis on balanced lifestyles that I really enjoy. March 5, 2002 It's hard to believe my time here has almost ended. I'm already making plans for other ways we can connect our two schools, maybe by developing web pages that explain the history and culture of our communities. That way, students and teachers can go on a virtual exchange! At the same time, I confess to being a little homesick. It's probably because I gave a presentation to the all-school assembly this morning. I brought some students to Australia with me in the form of slides and read their quotes about our school. This afternoon, I met with Samantha "Sam" Gash, the Year 12 student who will be following in Shannon Wilkie's steps as a gap intern. We'll also be hosting a faculty member, Jan Richards, from mid-November to early December. She wants to learn more about our international program, fundraising, and afterschool activities. Having them here will be like being in Australia again for me, and a great experience for the whole school. |
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