Every teacher at Rockhampton Grammar School (RGS) has the opportunity to study a Master of Education for free, in an Australian-first partnership with Griffith University. This is just one of the programs that RGS Director of Teaching and Learning, Reniece Carter, has made a significant contribution to as part of “her passion for teaching, learning, and providing every student the opportunity to pursue their personal best”. RGS Headmaster Dr Phillip Moulds says the Masters program, which Reniece manages, has resulted in direct changes in the classroom, including improved pedagogical practices used to teach mathematics. This has then led to improved student results.
“Reniece is looking at expanding the Masters Program so that teachers can access not only education subjects but importantly for teachers, disciplinary subjects as part of the Masters of Education degree,” Dr Moulds says. Under Reniece there has been changes made to RGS Boarder education – following extensive consultation with students and parents – including the offering of Certificate Courses outside of the traditional timetable. “The restructuring of assistance for boarders has resulted in increased academic achievement in this subset of the RGS population,” Dr Moulds says. “In 2017 and 2018 Reniece has led the development of teacher and student resource manuals based on Marzano’s taxonomy that has provided the RGS community with teaching and learning strategy tools,” he says. “Additionally, Reniece has written curriculum planning templates making use of Marzano’s taxonomy that have been shared and used by her colleagues throughout Queensland, and which have been regarded by them as exemplary.” Reniece’s leadership of the implementation of the Dimensions of Learning and Habits of Mind, data management procedures and practices, assessment preparation and cultural focus at RGS have also been behind increased academic improvements at the school, Dr Moulds says. Last year the school had outstanding academic results, which included its best ever OP1-15 band result, while this year’s mostly smooth transition for students into the ATAR system is considered “a testament of Reniece’s work”. Reniece has also made active and significant contributions to professional education bodies at the state and national level, including the Independent Schools Queensland Advisory Board, Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority committees and the Queensland Studies Authority District and State Panel in Accountancy. “Significantly, in her practice she brings with her an understanding of contemporary processes and documents, and translates these understandings to enable Rockhampton Grammar School students to perform to the best of their abilities,” Dr Moulds says. Congratulations Reniece on your nomination.