Amy Lovell is Head of Junior School at Kingswood College, a co-educational K–12 college located in the eastern Melbourne suburb of Box Hill. In this Q&A with WhichSchool? magazine, Ms Lovell recalls how her Australian Politics teacher inspired her both personally and academically.
WhichSchool?: When did you commence in your position/role at Kingswood College?
Amy Lovell: July 2020
WS: What are the top three highlights you’ve experienced since working at the school?
AL: The top three highlights I have experienced in my role are:
- The trust and connection I have built with students, staff and families since I commenced in my role.
- Witnessing growth in student numbers. We commenced 2024 with our highest enrolment numbers on record and this is a testament to the outstanding quality of our staff and the genuine sense of community that exists at Kingswood College.
- Being part of a highly committed and skilled Executive Team and whole staff team, committed to achieving maximum learning growth for every student.
WS: What makes Kingswood College different from other schools?
AL: Our staff. Their genuine care for each other and our community is exceptional. Whilst titles and roles may be diverse, no one role is superior to another. Our Facilities and Administration staff, the ‘quiet achievers’ of the school, are known and respected in the same way our teaching staff are. Our teaching staff are committed to working together to ensure our programs are evidence informed and give every student the opportunity to thrive academically and personally.
WS: Why is Kingswood College a great place to teach?
AL: Kingswood College is a great place to teach because our students are kind, respectful and ready to challenge themselves. We know that children thrive when they are working in their zone of proximal development, doing ‘just right’ learning, and our structure and size allow us to differentiate our programs across year levels to ensure every child is met at their point of need.
WS: What are some of the challenges faced by teachers in the primary/secondary sector?
AL: Psychologist and teacher Judith Locke spoke to our school community earlier this year about how modern parenting is limiting children’s potential at school and what can be done to turn it around. Her messages resonated very strongly with me as it has been my experience that sometimes it is difficult to move students forward in their learning because they have been protected from experiencing any kind of discomfort or disappointment. This includes the uncomfortable feeling of owning one’s part in a difficult situation. It is vital teachers are able to work in partnership with parents to normalise feelings of discomfort for our young people.
WS: Tell us about your approach or philosophy to teaching?
AL: My philosophy to teaching has evolved over many years of experience. I firmly believe that every child deserves what the Berry Street Educational Model (BSEM) refers to as unconditional positive regard. The best teachers I have worked with set high expectations (for themselves and their students), have clear structures and routines in their classrooms, and base their practice on evidence informed strategies that have been proven to maximise academic growth. My philosophy includes a commitment to being guided by the Science of Learning.
WS: Did you have a teacher that inspired you? Tell us about them, and how they inspired you.
AL: My Year 11 and 12 Australian Politics teacher, Malcom Farnsworth, inspired me both personally and academically. His passion for politics was tangible and he ignited in me an interest in all things’ politics and history, both national and global, that I still enjoy today.
On a personal level he challenged me to have my own voice and to not be afraid to share my opinions, regardless of whether people agreed with them or not. When I was in his classroom, I felt challenged! He would say ‘tell me more about that’ or ask, ‘what makes you say that?’ He helped me question what I really thought instead of thinking about what was in the teacher’s head. I am so grateful to have had Mr Farnsworth as my teacher many years ago.
