James Darlington is proud to acknowledge that his incredible experience as a student of Moree Secondary College helped inspire his teaching career – but it’s only now, as a professional, that he is starting to fully appreciate the unique opportunities smaller local schools provide.
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Currently living and working in the UK, James has experienced a diversity of classrooms, and personally attests that smaller is better.
“I always enjoyed being part of a small school and student body,” he said.
“I didn’t realise it at the time but smaller class sizes and year groups allows for more productive teaching and learning, and leads to a stronger, close-knit school community.
“This has definitely been put into perspective through my involvement in many larger, metropolitan schools since becoming a teacher.”
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After finishing school in 2010 James completed a Bachelor of Digital Media, majoring in Photojournalism, through Griffith University on the Gold Coast.
Following this, he studied a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) externally through Southern Cross University from the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland.
James is now a qualified English and Media Studies teacher, referring often to his favourite Moree Secondary College teachers for inspiration.
“Miss Maybury was one of many standouts, she created a fantastic learning environment and treated her students as budding young adults,” he said.
“Miss Maybury also encouraged me to get involved with student leadership, which led to many character-building opportunities, including state conferences.”
And he laughs that you could always rely on Mrs Tickle to "tell you how it is" or reward you for your competencies - or incompetencies, in some cases!
With weeks spent teaching and weekends and holidays enjoyed travelling the UK and Europe in his 1981 Volkswagen campervan, James is full of youth and adventure.
It’s a lifestyle highly coveted, and one, he credits, is thanks to his years at the Moree Secondary College.
“My experience at the school was so positive, and certainly played a role in shaping my attitude, aspirations and achievements so far,” he said.