Thirteen is the lucky number for Berwick Primary School, where 13 of the school’s 40 staff members are male.
Principal Kaye Seton said the male teachers, often rare in a Primary School setting, provided positive male role models for students.
“This has not been a deliberate staffing decision but over the years the number of male teachers has continued to grow,” she said.
“The male teachers are spread throughout the school as well as being teachers in specialist areas.”
“In today’s world many students do not have a male role model in the house but the opportunity of having a positive male influence is provided at school. These teachers provide positive male role models for the students at the school, showing how men value learning.”
Ms Seton said the male teachers were involved in all aspects of the curriculum including performing arts, sport, aerobics, environmental education and literacy and numeracy learning.
“Most days you will find the teachers outside after school, playing games with the students,” she said.
The male teachers include Assistant Principal Andrew Horsburgh; Music and leading teacher, performing arts Arj Bartholomeusz; Physical Education and leading teacher, Student Engagement and Well-being, Andrew Healy; Grade 1 teacher Shane Reid; Grade 2 teachers Joe Dannaoui and Ross Mielicke; Grade 3 and leading teacher, Gifted and Talented, Mark Roberts; Grade 4 teachers Adrian Carr and Andrew Power; Grade 5 teacher Michael Davies; ICT teacher Wayne McQuilten; Art teacher David Brown and Literacy Support teacher Frank Seton.