Triabunna school honours late outdoor ed teacher Sean McCarthy’s lasting impact

A new documentary has paid tribute to a Tassie teacher credited for developing an ‘amazing culture’ and his lasting impact after dying from cancer six years ago. Watch >>

Triabunna District School students recently honoured late teacher Sean McCarthy, who implemented the school's outdoor education programs. Picture: Supplied

Triabunna District School has released a new documentary which pays tribute to one of its most popular teachers.

Dodges Ferry man Sean McCarthy was a long-term teacher at Triabunna and has been honoured for his lasting impact on students, colleagues and education.

Mr McCarthy began his career in 2009 and died in September 2017 following a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

Sean McCarthy was a surf life saver with Carlton Park Surf Life Saving Club.

Known for being an avid surf life saver and member of Carlton Park Surf Life Saving Club, it was Mr McCarthy’s passion towards outdoor education and the water that led him to establish the school’s outdoor education programs, including the Explore the Coast water program.

It is this legacy and results from the program that prompted Triabunna District School assistant principal James McKean to work with other teachers, students and film maker Talon Clemow to create a film acknowledging Mr McCarthy’s work and the outdoor education program outcomes.

“The idea has been in the back of my mind the last two or three years,” Mr McKean said.

“As the years progressed less and less students knew who Sean was and have an understanding of what he did to establish the program,” he said.

“I just wanted to get the film done this year to kind of make sure every year, we did pay a little tribute to him.”

Triabunna District School students recently honoured late teacher Sean McCarthy, who implemented the school's outdoor education programs. Picture: Supplied

The outdoor education and Explore the Coast programs encourage students to get outside and active in nature in sports like sailing, surfing, surf life saving and cycling.

The programs also encouraging basic skills like leadership, communication and teamwork.

As an avid surfer, Mr McKean has provided a different teaching background for the students compared to Mr McCarthy’s surf life saving skills.

It was still “big shoes to fill” for Mr McKean after Mr McCarthy’s passing.

“Because of the culture shown and created in the classes during his passing, the students really picked up a lot of what he left – Sean had developed such an amazing culture,” he said.

Mr McKean praised the school’s focus on outdoor education, stating the program has helped to improve educational outcomes for students in the local community.