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Therese Turner-Jones, Head of English at Wenona School in NSW, is an educator whose approach to literacy is making a meaningful difference at a time when it is needed most.
In October, AERO’s first major report revealed that the writing skills of Australia’s school students have declined over seven years, and the most recent NAPLAN National Report shows no significant progress in student achievement.
To do her part in helping to turn this tide, Turner-Jones has been going above and beyond her call of duty, and her efforts have led to nationwide recognition. In May, Turner-Jones was named among The Educator’s Most Influential Educators for 2022, and in August, she received an Excellence Award for Department Head of the Year at the Australian Education Awards.
To add to these impressive accolades, Turner-Jones has just been named among The Educator’s Hot List winners for 2022.
“My focus for 2022 has not changed – it is still on literacy and the drive for excellence – in schools and in the wider community,” Turner-Jones tells The Educator.
However, she says she cannot do this alone and further progress in this important objective will depend on support from those of influence in Federal, State and Local government, and other sectors of society.
“These people of influence can support the endeavours of educators such as myself who have a firm desire and commitment to bring the crisis in literacy to the forefront of our nation’s community in 2023. It’s a big ask, but a necessary one.”
As for the causes behind Australian children’s declining results in reading and writing, Turner-Jones says the disruption caused by the sudden pivot to remote learning during the Covid-19 pandemic had an impact, but says there is another contributing factor that deserves close attention.
“There have been recent news items that have focused on declining writing and reading skills of boys in Stages 4 and early Stage 5 due to ‘gaming’ and the increase in interest and participation in such activities,” Turner-Jones says.
“The items presented the current research that girls tend to be interested and involved in social media where there are some opportunities for reflection on what they are participating in that involves communicating with others.”
Turner-Jones points out that while these news items tended to focus solely on the factor of gaming for boys rather than presenting other contributing factors, it provided food for thought for how, in moving forward, to manage and possibly impact this situation.
“I am sure and certain that this situation connects with the despair of parents and guardians who are doing their best to manage and support students at home with homework and the needs of education, but this is the impetus that drives my motivation to bring about change.”
Looking towards 2023, Turner-Jones says her focus will remain on advocating for solutions that will address the literacy crisis in Australia’s schools and to look closely at these factors that are emerging.
“As a teacher in NSW, I hope to build my network even further to support the work being done in schools, and as an influential educator, I will ensure that I use the mediums of influence that I have –social media and presenting to groups of staff and students – so that these areas are discussed and brought to the attention of those in positions of influence and change,” she said.
The overarching goal of this, says Turner-Jones, is “to ensure the present generation, and those still to come, will have the choices and opportunities that a supported, literate and diverse society offers when reading and writing are valued. That is the key – that people value education.”
176 Walker Street North Sydney NSW 2060
9409 4400
TTurnerjones@wenona.nsw.edu.au
au.linkedin.com/in/therese-turner-jones-b2b61a58
wenona.nsw.edu.au
Therese Turner-Jones
Head of English
Wenona School
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2020–present
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Deputy Principal at Australian Christian College - Southlands
Doctor of Education
2020–present
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2021
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Year 7 Community Leader and Leader for Learning Technologies and Platforms at Northern Beaches Christian School
Master of Business Administration, 2017–2019
2021
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1986–1996
1997–2004
2006–2013
2014–2022
Present
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Milestones
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
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Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
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Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
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Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
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1997-2004
2006–2013
2014-2022
Present
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2022
2014–2022
2006–2013
1997–2004
1986–1996
Present
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Head of English at Wenona School
Present
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2014-2022
Human Resources Magazine | key media
2014–2016: Master Teacher, English and Head of English (HSC) at Trinity Grammar School
2017–2022: Head of English at Ascham School
2014-2022
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2006–2013
Human Resources Magazine | key media
2006–2012: English Coordinator at St Joseph’s Catholic High School
2013–2013: Leader, Australian Curriculum and Learning Advisor at Corpus Christi Catholic High School
2006–2013
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1997-2004
Human Resources Magazine | key media
English and History Teacher at Frensham School
1997-2004
1997
1986-1996
human resources | key media
English, History and Religious Education Teacher at Chevalier College
1986-1996
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Milestones
Present
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
2022
Excellence awardee – Independent Mortgage Adviser of the Year category at the New Zealand Mortgage Awards
2022
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2022
2020–present
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Deputy Principal at Australian Christian College - Southlands
Doctor of Education
2020–present
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2021
Launched his own business,
Ascend Financial Services
2022
2017-present
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
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2021
Launched his own business,
Ascend Financial Services
2022
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
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1986-1996