Jim Gillies was posted to Yarrawonga High (now Yarrawonga College P-12) 42 years ago and has thrived professionally and personally ever since. " How lucky are we to work with young people " frames his thinking every day. In his final year of teaching, Jim would love to influence others by sharing his ideas.
Graduating from Rusden College with a Bachelor of Education (PE) he was well placed to support students learning in the physical education sessions from the beginning of his career.
Jim has been mindful that if he wanted to stay in the same setting, he needed to challenge himself. To that end he has taken on numerous leadership roles and obtained his master’s in educational leadership with Melbourne University ten years ago. He loves being part of a team that delivers positive change and has been quoted as saying’ The teachers that he works with know are the most professional and hard working he was ever worked with.
Jim collaborated with Jess Harris over a number of years and played a key role in hosting the annual HOPE conference in Yarrawonga in 2021
He has been a sporting coach in numerous roles within the community and helped shape the delivery of junior sport across a number of sports, most notably, Tennis, Football and Basketball.
Jim was aware that there was a cohort of kids that missed a crucial opportunity to develop their Fundamental Motor Skills during Covid. Strategically, he developed a range of learning opportunities that underpinned his classes in response to this challenge.
Jim believes building learning confidence in the Physical Education class will lead to community members who want to be active and connected in their community.
Jim is looking forward to the opportunity to share his ideas with others within his circle of influence at the conference.