WALLAN Secondary College drama teacher Sian Clarke was awarded earlier this month for her passion teaching students at the school.
Ms Clarke received the Rob Galbraith Award for ‘Most Outstanding Contribution to Drama’ award after being nominated by her colleagues.
“I had to have an interview for the award and discuss what I have implemented at Wallan Secondary College,” Ms Clarke said.
“I found that when I discovered the performing arts, it really gave me an outlet to work towards common goals and I think my team and my students can see my passion in my teaching.”
Ms Clarke said the school didn’t have a drama or production program for many years when she began teaching in 2015.
“In 2016 I started year seven drama and then it just took off from there. The following year, year 10 senior drama was introduced after pushing the subject for many years,” she said.
“I can happily report that drama is now a subject from year seven to 12. This year we celebrated success with ‘Alice in Wonderland’.
“I couldn’t have done any of these things without the amazing teacher team we have at Wallan Secondary College.”
Ms Clarke said her students were proud of her for receiving the award.
“My students were so excited for me – I had kids coming up to me congratulating me in the yard and the staff at Wallan were so happy for me,” she said.
The drama teacher said she was nervous at the ceremony.
“I remember thinking ‘have they got the right person?’ when I was at the ceremony because they were making such a big deal out of it but really, I just thought I was doing my job,” she said.
“I will continue to push for the performing arts at this school as we know the students love it.
“I am hoping to further embed the drama curriculum at Wallan and continue our work with the production program to make it bigger and better every year.
“I would just like to thank Renae Daynes for initially nominating me. It really means the world to have your colleagues recognise the hard work you do day in and day out.”
