Lifelong learning and a commitment to professional growth are essential for staying at the forefront of teaching and learning. At Ascham, our dedicated staff embody our School values of collaboration, courage, responsibility and ambition, through their commitment to challenging themselves professionally and staying informed about current issues and research in educational best practices. These values guide our ongoing commitment to continuous learning and professional growth. Furthermore, the Dalton principle of responsibility emphasises the importance of taking ownership of one’s learning and actions.
Staff Fellowships enable our teachers and Corporate Services colleagues to design professional growth programs that inspire them and go beyond conventional professional learning. They can be used for further study, conferences, professional experiences, work-integrated learning, industry programs and study tours. Recipients are expected to share their new knowledge with colleagues and students, enriching our entire School community.
The recipients of our 2025 Staff Fellowships are Bronwyn Jones, Lindy Montgomery and Sarah Bowen.
- Bronwyn Jones is a Senior School Visual Arts Teacher and has been awarded the Su Lee Fellowship for Teaching Excellence. Her fellowship will allow her to attend the Rencontres d’Arles Festival and participate in the Eyes in Progress workshop in France. By engaging with leading photographers and visual artists, Ms Jones aims to more deeply explore contemporary visual media, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative techniques back to the classroom, as well as showcase her own exhibition at Ascham for students and staff.
- Lindy Montgomery is Coordinator of Vocal Studies in the Senior School and has also been awarded the Su Lee Fellowship. Ms Montgomery will attend the Walking in Beauty Festival – A Celebration of Contemporary Choral Music, featuring guest composer Norwegian-American Ola Gjeilo. By participating in workshops and conferences there, Ms Montgomery will enhance her skills in vocal studies and new techniques, bringing her insights back to Ascham and enriching the Music program, for example incorporating a unit on female composers into the Stage 6 Music curriculum.
- Head of Wellbeing Sarah Bowen has been awarded a Staff Fellowship, the impact of which will be felt across the School from Prep to Year 12. Her fellowship proposal involves collaborating with David Bott, a renowned expert in applied wellbeing science, to further enhance Ascham’s Wellbeing for All strategy. This collaboration will focus on integrating wellbeing with learning, while emphasising academic resilience and belonging.
In addition to our Staff Fellowship program, many of our staff challenge themselves and contribute to the professional growth of others by pursuing further study and presenting at various conferences, showcasing the incredible work they do at Ascham.
Congratulations to all my Ascham colleagues for their commitment to professional learning, big and small, as they actively participate in developing their craft for the benefit of our students. We are proud of their accomplishments! By investing in professional development, we ensure that our colleagues remain at the forefront of their fields. By role-modeling curiosity and ambition, our educators inspire students to pursue their own passions and strive for excellence in all their endeavours.
Image: Bronwyn Jones, Lindy Montgomery and Sarah Bowen have all been awarded 2025 Staff Fellowships
By: Matthew Massey | Director of Professional Learning
