Team in Focus: Renae Fraser – Professional Learning Coordinator

Team in Focus: Renae Fraser – Professional Learning Coordinator

Renae joined the ACHPER Victoria team as our new Professional Learning Coordinator in late 2021. For the past twenty years, she has taught in primary, secondary and TAFE settings, teaching across all levels of Health and Physical Education as well as Cert 3 VET Sport & Recreation.

Renae has also held a number of leadership and curriculum roles including Head of Department and has been involved with the HPE VCE curriculum through SAC reviewing and exam marking.

We sat down recently for a cuppa, here’s how it went:

Share a funny work-related story

A challenging question, as there is always fun stuff going on with our team, both in the office, off site and online.  We are not afraid to laugh at ourselves or give each other a little ribbing when they say or do something silly or funny. 

After our site visit to Monash, Laura and I decided to have some lunch.  When sitting out the front of a café waiting, we received a text from Greg with a photo of Hilary pointed at us from inside the same café with a funny look on her face.  It turned out they were having a lunch meeting at the very same café!

What element of your role do you find most rewarding?

Talking to teachers and reinforcing the great work that they are doing, and/or supporting them to improve their teaching and learning experiences for the students in their classes.  Working with a team of passionate, dedicated, supportive and encouraging people who have a shared vision for HPE.  Being supported to take on new challenges and suggest ideas to promote our work through schools and the wider community.

What are your goals for 2022 (professional or otherwise)

Professional

• developing more resources and programs to support teachers with their professional capacity as well as their wellbeing
• maximise the number of students engaged in physical activity for enjoyment and health benefits
• continue to learn and grow in my current knowledge and the changing landscape of HPE  

Personal

• to see my final daughter complete her VCE and gain entry into a course that will enable her to reach her own goals.
• travel and tick off some of my bucket list items with my husband
• watch my Bombers win a Grand Final

What professional growth have you experienced during your time with ACHPER Victoria?

I have been able to expand my curriculum knowledge and connections with a variety of teachers and other people/organisations in the physical activity/education sector.  I have added to my VCE skill set and had the opportunity to present at conferences, in-school workshops and tertiary institutions. 

I think that by taking the risk to step away from teaching after twenty years, I have developed a new understanding and appreciation for the variety in HPE, the diversity of teachers and students, and realised skills that I had forgotten I had.  This role has also allowed me to strengthen my skills in teamwork, project management and communication on a deeper level. 

What is one piece of advice you would be lost without?

• It’s hard to focus on one piece of advice as there are so many wise words and actions that relate to different parts of your life:
• That you need to fit your own oxygen mask before you can help others – Hilary on taking care of yourself and managing prioritise both at work and personally.
• Preparation and organisation are the key to quality outcomes and time management – Jo has reinforced this through the way in which we both operate.  We are very similar in this way which is why we work well together.
• Being surrounded by people who appreciate, respect and support you will make any task/day at work seem like a holiday.
• My Dad always reminded me that “if it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you”.  Get out of your comfort zone and take the chances that come up so you never live life with regrets.
• Also, there is no problem too big that a good wine can’t fix!! 

Check out some of the awesome work Renae has been involved in here. And if you need support to deliver quality HPE, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!