Making a huge difference in kids’ lives

If you want to see the difference a truly dedicated and inspiring teacher can make, look no further than St Martins Lutheran College Head of Junior School Wellbeing Robyn Teakle.

The much loved teacher and colleague has celebrated 30 years of shaping lives at the college, joining the staff as a fresh faced graduate and being at the coalface of the school’s development, which has run side by side with her own career.

Joining the St Martins family in 1990, Mrs Teakle has been a constant for three decades, save for time off to have her two daughters, evolving from classroom teacher to a variety of leadership roles before securing her current position as Head of Junior School Wellbeing.

Now the longest serving staff member at St Martins, when she began her tenure there were only 118 students, seven staff members, and there was no senior school.

Since then, the college has grown to close to 800 students, with countless classroom expansions, new facilities and the creation of ‘The Ark’ – a secondary learning area.

At the end of last month, the tributes flew thick and fast at a College Worship Service, including a video tribute including clips from past and long-standing staff members.

Mrs Teakle was then presented with a gift and flowers from the college and later celebrated with a morning tea with staff, with the Junior School surprising her with a special scavenger hunt, as well as preparing gifts and songs in celebration of her service to the college community.

“Over my years as a teacher, I have truly enjoyed the work of a classroom teacher, bringing the curriculum alive and witnessing the growth of young minds,” Mrs Teakle said.

“In the early days, it was so special being part of a small school, where everyone pitched in and helped out with everything from netball coaching, and singing carols from the back of a semi-trailer at Christmas time.

“On ‘my best school day ever’ the College community reminded me how important it is to keep it simple. One of the Year 4 classes sang a song to me about the messages I send to them, ‘work hard, be kind, have fun’, and I would have to say that is how I have gone about my teaching career.

“I am thankful for the support I have received from my leaders, colleagues as well as my dear family, and friends.

“It has been a real highlight and inspiration, being a part of a growing and flourishing school is very special and while the years have added up, I do still feel that I have a great deal to give to this community especially the students and staff.”

Deputy Principal Kat Elliott (pictured opp. page presenting Mrs Teakle with flowers), who is a new face in the St Martins Lutheran College community, emphasized the role Mrs Teakle has played over three decades.

“Robyn brings many things to our college, including love and care for our students, energy and enthusiasm for great teaching and learning, and a great sense of joy and humor,” Ms Elliott said.

“Her 30 years of experience provides her with a wealth of knowledge and wisdom, guiding staff and students alike. The celebration was an expression of how much she is valued by the community.”

“Basically Robyn and I have worked side by side for those 30 years. I was there when she arrived as a fresh faced college graduate, full of enthusiasm. Right from the start, you could tell she was able to build good relationships with kids and she had the goods.

“Robyn is a committed stalwart of St Martins. She loves taking the mickey out of her colleagues and she can certainly take it as well and loves it when they give it back.

“She is very, very student focussed in every area and really strong in the behavior management space – she handles it in a way that the student is very much part of the process – it is not just her making the decision.

“Her work ethic is second to none – she never compromises on doing things to the highest possible standard. She is one of the hardest-working members of staff I have ever known and she is very loved and respected by kids, parents, and staff alike. Robyn will never ask you to do anything she is not prepared to do herself – she is very hands-on.

“She is an inspirational leader, brilliant at her job and when she went into the leadership roles, we lost an invaluable, inspiring classroom teacher but she is where she is meant to be – you can’t have it both ways and she has such an impact as a school leader.”

DAMIAN BRADLEY (LONG-STANDING COLLEAGUE)

“Since it opened in 1982 St Martins has been built on an ethos of service to others and the importance of community, and Robyn has been at the heart of that in her thirty years at the school. She has worked in a variety of roles in the college ranging from a classroom teacher, to multicultural studies teacher and then as the Deputy Principal and Head of Junior School. Regardless of what role she has been in, service to the students, families and school community has always been her driving motivation. Her love of the students is evident in everything she does.

“In more recent times her love and service has spread further as she has led the development and growth of a service learning partnership with a primary school in Indonesia. The passion she has shown during this project has been the key to building a positive and successful relationship with the Indonesian community.

“Robyn has been right at the heart of St Martins growth from a small primary school to a thriving Reception to Year 12 school across the last three decades. She has been a tower of strength and compassion to the students, staff and families of St Martins. I have no doubt there is still plenty of inspirational leadership and service to the school community ahead of her.”

ELOISE BEVERIDGE (FORMER COLLEAGUE)

“I was fortunate to meet Robyn when I was living in Mount Gambier in the early 2000s. Robyn is without a doubt one of the biggest influences in my life, specifically, within my career as an educator and in my life, as a role model.

“Passion, enthusiasm, innovation, and integrity are all personality traits that exude who Robyn is.

Robyn has been selfless in her service to St Martins Lutheran College, St Martins Kindergarten and Lutheran Education, Australia wide. She has influenced the lives thousands of young people, parents, and the members of the wider community. She leads by example and will always go the extra mile to make a difference for those she is teaching, working with, and caring for.

“It has been a privilege to serve alongside Robyn, to watch her fearless in her belief of St Martins, her ability to take a risk and try new things, all to benefit the learners in the college. It has been a privilege to see Robyn’s focus on building culture and community be instrumental in shaping St Martins into the college that it is today. It has been a privilege to see Robyn make a difference in the lives of so many.”

“Thank you, Robyn, for being someone who has not only shaped my life and who I am today, but also for making a difference in the lives of so many others. “

MRS TEAKLE IN ACTION: (Above from left) Always hands on, climbing a tree with students; 1990 staff photo & accepting gifts from Junior School students to celrbate her 30th anniversary at the school.