Mr James Cowan, or Mr Andy Cowan as he is better known, joined the School 32 years ago. Mr Cowan reflects on his teaching vocation throughout the years and lists some of his highlights at our School.
My teaching began in Zimbabwe. I attended university in Durban, South Africa, studying a degree in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, with one-year Physics post graduate study, and then completed my studies with a Teaching Certificate of Education at the University of Zimbabwe.
I was attracted to teaching through my experiences as a student at three different high schools, which were all incredibly positive and rewarding. I had some outstanding teachers and mentors through my schooling, most of whom I remember very fondly. Teachers in my youth were well regarded in society and were always highly respected.
I taught for ten years in Zimbabwe, seven years in an excellent co-educational State high school, and then had the privilege of being the foundation Head of a small country community high school, just outside Mutare, where I had been brought up. I look back on both experiences as highlights of my time in teaching, I do not consider myself to have had a teaching career – it has been really important for me that teachers see their teaching as a vocation, and something which one does through a sense of service which brings with it great enjoyment. If it becomes just a job, then you are in the wrong job!
Our family settled in Western Australia in 1988. We are forever thankful that Mr Tony Brooker, our second Head of School, saw some value in us for this School, and we hold a deep sense of gratitude towards BCGS for accepting us so willingly, and the opportunities which the School has given us.
Our School is a beautiful place to live and work. I love the fact that people matter. Students and their welfare have always been at the heart of what we do, and I see the rest of the School community, be it administration, teachers, ground staff or parents, as playing a supporting role in providing and maintaining this environment. I also think that the quality of a school’s teachers runs a very close second to students in building the right culture. So as a school, engagement of the right teaching staff is critical. Good teachers are to be celebrated and valued, because they are one of the jewels in the School’s crown!
It is difficult to pick highlights of my time at the School – but some of the following have been, in no particular order:
- Running and working in the Boarding Houses was very special, getting to know School families very closely over the years.
- Working with some outstanding people in Administration teams, over many years.
- The initiative to introduce the Year 7 Centre as a smaller school within a school to help the transition of Year 7 students into Secondary.
- Helping with the introduction of the new, expanded vertical House system.
- Helping to establish Round Square as a pillar of the School.
- Developing the expanded co-curricular program.
- Coaching junior sporting teams – I love it, seeing students who may be struggling in the classroom blossoming outside of it.
- Outward Bound camps – I still hope to do one more before I retire! They are fantastic for students and staff.
But at heart, it is my work with students, both those in a bit of trouble, or those in the classroom, which I hope has had the biggest impact. I love teaching the Senior School Physics courses, realising that an educated person needs to have a good grasp of the Sciences in the modern world. So even though many of my Year 12 students may not study Physics beyond the School, I hope I have sparked an interest in them that may last them a lifetime. It is a passion of mine and the reason I still teach at the School!
