Graduate Assistant Programme 2023

4 ST EDWARD’S, OXFORD

Experiences of Graduate Assistants at St Edward’s in their own words

Conall McHugh

Henry Irving Graduate Assistant, History 2022/23

What are the challenges and how are you supported? Teaching is challenging and, at the start, being in a classroom can be a little daunting. However, the staff here always offer warm and supportive advice. What is it like working in a boarding school? Working in a boarding school is all encompassing! You contribute a lot to school life, and this has great rewards. It means you get to know the children much better than in other schools, since you see them both inside and outside the classroom. After a very successful 10 months, Henry Irving became a full-time teacher at Teddies. The Modern Language assistants are responsible for preparing Sixth Form pupils for the spoken component of their exams in MFL (IB & A-level). We contribute to the wider life of the School’s Modern Languages Department, for example by hosting a foreign language table in the Dining Hall, promoting and attending the Department’s various society events (eg film nights) and maintaining the wall displays in the Department. At Teddies, the pupils are delightful and fun to be around, they have a great sense of humour and they enjoy their language learning. It’s a great place to work for a young graduate from Europe, especially in such a multi-lingual and international environment! Magdalena Koch Graduate Assistant, Modern Foreign Languages 2022/24

Graduate Assistant, Music 2022/23 What are your responsibilities as a Graduate Assistant? As the Music Graduate I have a range of responsibilities: teaching Music in the classroom; assisting the leading of ensembles; accompanying recitals, grade exams and rehearsals; running the Teddies Music Blog and assisting pupils with writing their articles; helping with Departmental administration. While this may sound like lots of spinning plates, I feel it is a fair representation of the varied demands of working in a fast-paced department like the Music Department here at Teddies. What are the things that you are enjoying most about working at the School? I enjoy lots about my job, but I think most fulfilling aspect is definitely teaching in the classroom; it’s a special feeling working with the pupils and watching them progress. Beyond this, it is great to a part of a staff body which has a real community feel. What is it like working in a boarding school? This is my first experience of life in a boarding school so, when I started, it was all very new. However, it didn’t take long to settle in. I enjoy the multifaceted nature of the working in a boarding school and the wearing of many hats: it’s nice to be able to interact with the pupils in the many different arenas of school life whether that be in the boarding house, in the classroom or in the dining room. In a

Why did you want to become a Graduate Assistant at Teddies? Last year, I decided to change my career and become a teacher. The Graduate Assistant role at Teddies gave me the perfect opportunity to get first-hand experience of life in the classroom as well as gain an insight into other aspects of school life, such as coaching sport and working in a I am a History Graduate and currently teach four sets at the school. I’m also a tutor in a boarding house and look after six Fifth Form pupils who I meet with on a weekly basis. This term, I have coached the Under 14B rugby team and I will be coaching football and tennis in the next two terms. Beyond that, I help around the History Department by assisting in weekly clinics and societies. What are the things that you are enjoying most about working here? The School itself is incredible and I have enjoyed walking onto the campus every morning and seeing the beautiful buildings and grounds. I’ve also enjoyed the social aspect of the School. The Common Room is vibrant and there’s always an event or occasion to go to. Oh, and the food is excellent! boarding house. What are your responsibilities?