The Cathedral School of St Anne and St James has this year welcomed two new leaders: Chris Anderson, Head of Middle School, and Simon Midson, Head of Senior School. We caught up with educators as they were preparing for the first school bell of 2018 to ring.

 

Tell us a bit about your backgrounds.

Chris: I have been at Bluewater State School since 2008 before coming to The Cathedral School of St Anne and St James. I also served as Principal at Mount Isa Central, Julia Creek, Belgian Gardens and The Willows. I have been a Principal for 16 years, and a teacher since 1995. My career has been of Primary background, I do enjoy History and this year I am able to teach History to the Year 8 and 9 students at Cathedral. I also have a passion for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, The Arts and Mathematics). The Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology is for the head, and the arts is for the soul. If you can combine all of the elements you have someone who will show creativity, communication, critical thinking, and collaboration.

Simon: My background has involved teaching Year 11 and 12 Modern History, Politics and Law and Year 7-10 Humanities and Social Sciences, in addition to educational leadership positions in two outstanding regional independent schools in Western Australia: Bunbury Cathedral Grammar and Great Southern Grammar.

I then completed a successful seven-year stint as Principal of St Andrew’s Grammar in Perth. All three schools are high performing K-12 co-educational schools. I am passionate about education and feel privileged to work with young people in pursuit of their goals
and aspirations.

 

“Kids don’t care what you know unless they know you care.”

–  Chris Anderson, Head of Middle School

 

Simon, what about The Cathedral School appealed to you, and led to you relocating from WA?

Simon: The Cathedral School is a very appealing opportunity for me to broaden my professional experience by embracing the context of education in Queensland. The school is also a suitable fit with my previous experience in regional independent schools. My experience
of leading two WA schools to top performing academic status will be beneficial to The Cathedral School as the Queensland system moves towards an external Year 12 University entrance examination in each subject.

 

The Cathedral School has a high standard of teaching and management staff, what do you consider to be your most rewarding professional achievement?

Chris: So far, my most rewarding achievement has been having past students letting me know what impact I had on them personally. Seeing them achieve their dreams has been a gift. Being a teacher has ensured that I am a better father, husband and a better person because you learn so much about yourself when you are helping others. It is a rewarding profession in so many ways.

Simon: Leading two WA schools to outstanding academic success, developing a successful Chinese study tour program, introducing student leadership programs that have developed the confidence, collaboration and talents of students and introducing a highly successful service learning program that provides students with the opportunity to support their community and those in society that are less fortunate than themselves.

 

Chris, the Middle School grades are really key transitional years for students – what challenges and opportunities does that bring for educators?

Chris: The Middle School years are a bit like the Oreo Biscuit with the cream in the middle. These are the years that will set the students up
for their senior subjects, and I believe the years in which students finally take ownership of their learning and pathways. So yes, cream does rise to the top. In any educational setting it is about the connection with the students. Kids don’t care what you know unless they know you care. Likewise it is imperative that as teachers we are clear and certain about the curriculum, assessment and feedback we give to students to enable them to achieve to the best of their ability.

Chris, your daughter is in Middle School, under your leadership.

Chris: I have a daughter who is in Year 9 at Cathedral this year. She will definitely give me feedback on how well I am going! She has already told me I can’t dance at assembly so that will be a fun ride home when
it happens.

 

“I am a strategic thinker with empathy and a positive approach to developing a high performance educational environment.”

– Simon Midson, Head of Senior School

 

 

Simon, we operate in a world that is changing, fast. How do you, as Head of Senior School, best ensure your students are prepared for life beyond the “comfort” of school?

Simon: In a rapidly changing world, all educators have a responsibility to prepare students for life beyond the comfort of school. It is imperative that we look for opportunities to grow the resilience of our youth through a range of experiences that include outdoor education, team sport and service learning. Students need to become discerning thinkers and remain true to the values that their family and The Cathedral School instil in them to become respected leaders in their community and workplace beyond school. Technological change ensures an ever-changing world that we all need to accept and embrace. However, a successful career in all fields of endeavour for our students will be built on a foundation of healthy and successful relationships.