Teacher couple feel like “rock stars” since their move to Menindee.
Christened ‘Miss B’ by the children, Abby Barcham has fallen in love with Menindee Central School and its 76 students and their excitement whenever they see her makes her feel like “a rock star.”
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Moving to a town of 500 people isn’t for everyone, but Abby Barcham fell in love with
Menindee Central School and its 76 students after her teaching placement. Her enthusiasm
converted husband Josh. They moved from Newcastle to teach at Menindee, a remote
community an hour away from Broken Hill.
The couple have been there for 18 months and have put roots down. Barcham has been
christened ‘Miss B’ by the children and their excitement whenever they see her makes her feel
like “a rock star.”
“When you’re in the community you hear your name being yelled out and it’s really special
being a part of something that’s bigger than yourself,” Barcham says.
Every teacher wants to make a difference, but Crispin believes that living and working in
Menindee means “the difference in Menindee just matters that little bit more.”
Barcham agrees. “You see that direct impact to of your teaching and of your involvement with the families and communities,” she says.
“I pretty much have an open classroom in the morning and will have parents come in. All of our kids on are on personalised learning goals and we do a lot of consultation with our parents. If you’re in a larger community, you might only be able to touch base with those parents here and there, whereas in Menindee, it’s a constant conversation.”
During their time at Menindee, Crispin has led reformed teaching practices, including structured literacy programs. In 12 months, what was 85 per cent below benchmark turned into to 43 per cent of students meeting them.
By implementing a behaviour curriculum where students are encouraged to believe they are
‘Strong in their Identity, and Smart in the Classroom’ he is championing their abilities.
“We’re in an evidence-based profession, there’s so much research into how students learn best.
When we came to Menindee, we really had to advocate for our kids, not because we felt like the kids needed saving but because we needed our classroom practice to reflect that they are strong and smart,” Crispin says.
“That changed what literacy looks like in our in our school.”
The couple are expecting a baby in July and, in time, bub will attend Menindee Central School.
“Everyone tells you it takes a village to raise a child and we feel so fortunate that we don’t just have a village, we have an entire community,” Barcham says.
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Originally published as Teacher couple feel like “rock stars” since their move to Menindee.
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