It was Nicholas Wilson’s parents who first told him there was a supplementary way of studying to be a teacher. Already halfway through a Bachelor of Health and Physical Education, Mr Wilson hadn’t considered any other pathway to teaching. 

So when he heard about The Anglican Schools Corporation’s internship program, he was intrigued and decided to apply in his final year of university. 

“I was always told you learn more on the job than at university, and you learn from other teachers,” he says. “I thought it was a good opportunity to be involved in Christian ministry, and serve as well as teach.” 

The internship program, which commenced in 2022, invites Christians studying education at a tertiary level to complete an internship two days a week at one of 18 Anglican Schools Corporation schools while completing their studies, with a view to ongoing employment with the corporation.

With headlines over the past few years trumpeting the national teacher shortage, Christian schools have not been exempt from the difficulty of finding quality educators to employ. The program was developed in response to the challenge of finding quality Christian teachers for Christian schools. More than 50 students have enrolled into the program in the past three years. 

The Anglican Schools Corporation comprises 18 schools, employs about 3000 teachers and educates almost 18,000 students.

The director of education and mission for the corporation, Merryn Clarksmith, says, “Two of our objectives are to provide quality education and to grow, in order to expand our reach in sharing the gospel. The fulfilment of both these objectives relies on being able to employ Christian teachers.”

Mr Wilson is now in his first year of teaching PDHPE at Wollondilly Anglican College, and says having the opportunity to observe and be mentored has made a huge difference. 

“I remember going into the first few days of professional development [last year] and being overwhelmed. But the intern program set me up well. I felt like I’ve added a year’s worth of experience, and I felt comfortable turning up on my first day of work.”

While an intern, Mr Wilson was mentored closely by fellow PDHPE staff and other experienced teachers. “My mentor, Ella, took me under her wing, she set up a timetable for me, organised my classes and I shadowed her for the year. I started teaching her classes and she would give me feedback and tips. We did marking together, reports, lesson plans. Everything to do with school, Ella taught me.” 

Adds Miss Clarksmith: “Our hope and prayer is that the program will continue to grow, continue to attract quality Christians and will continue to produce outstanding graduates with a heart for education, a love of Christ and desire to share the gospel as part of their vocation”.

For Mr Wilson, the internship is a no-brainer for young Christians pursuing a career in education. “It sets Christian teachers up to operate in a unique workplace. It’s really cool that there’s a window for young Christians to gain employment. There’s a uniqueness to a Christian school, and it provides Christians with an opportunity to work in a unique Christian environment, and learn and gain knowledge from older Christians.” 

PRAYER POINTS

• Give thanks for those who are enrolled in the intern program, and pray for their continued growth and development as Christian teachers
• Pray that many people studying education would feel called to apply for the intern program
• Pray that our Anglican schools would find many quality Christian teachers who can educate and support the Christian mission