Jacque dressed as Grandma Poss from Possum Magic
Meet Jacque, who works as an Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) and the Operations Leader at Gowrie Docklands Kinder.
Jacque has an interesting background, having worked in various roles across different countries before joining Gowrie. Travelling has been a huge part of her life, both locally and internationally. She has lived and worked in five different countries and was overseas for about ten years.
What were you doing before joining Gowrie?
I worked in the hospitality and tourism field, working in and then managing the kids club for a resort chain in Asia, for five years. I then worked as a primary school teacher in the UK for two years. Returning to Melbourne, I worked in recruitment for a few years – recruiting teachers to go and work in the UK. I then moved onto the OSHC field, working as a Regional Manager of 42 programs and then the training team to organise the inductions and the administration of the RTO. Then the Global Financial Crisis hit and I was made redundant from my role. This was a challenging time as I didn’t know what I wanted to do. Do I go back to teaching, working in OSHC or in office?
I was grateful to be hired as an unqualified educator (my primary degree was not recognised at this time) while I took some time to make my decision. While working there, I found my drive and what I wanted to do, so I looked at becoming an ECT. I studied my Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood at RMIT, working full time and attending classes on Saturdays and Sundays. Upon finishing and looking for work, I then made the decision to go to Kenya, where I lived and volunteered in a school for 2 years.
When did you join Gowrie and what have been your roles?
I joined Gowrie Victoria in 2012 on a 3–month contract at The Harbour, and here I am 12 years later (only short trips overseas now!!)
I began at The Harbour as an ECT and then moved over to Gowrie Docklands Kindergarten (GDK) when it opened four years ago. I now have two roles at Docklands Kinder – I am an ECT of a four-year-old sessional program (3 days) and I am the Operations Leader (2 days). Working in two roles keeps me on my toes – no day is ever the same and there are different tasks for each role.
What do you love about being an ECT?
What I love most about being an ECT is being able to be part of a child’s foundation years of learning, making them fun and enjoyable. I also enjoy sharing the learning with their parents. It is truly an honour to be part of their child’s life and a part of their educational path.
What’s your favourite thing about working at Gowrie Docklands Kinder?
What I love about working at GDK is being able to keep connected with some of the children after they leave kinder and move to school. The first of our children at GDK are now in Grade 2 and have come back to play with our kindergarten children as part of our buddy program with Docklands Primary School. The Grade 2’s this year will be the Prep buddies next year. The Buddy program encourages the kindergarten children and Grade 2’s to form friendships and learn to socialise and play with children of different ages.
How do you help children transition into primary school?
Being inside the school, we are surrounded each day by school children playing in the courtyard below and above us as well as walking up and down the stairs past our garden spaces. We walk through the school to the playground, which builds a familiarity with the surroundings, so that when it comes time for transitions to school, the children are ready and confident to walk up the stairs to the classrooms and have developed a sense of belonging and connection to the school.
I also LOVE Book Week and try to make an effort each year!
Now for something a little different! Can you tell us about your favourite childhood memories?
My favourite childhood memories are celebrating birthdays with family, having the extended family come over for dinner and cake (we would choose the design, and mum would make the Women’s Weekly cakes – showing my age here!!!).
My other favourite memories are being outside – riding bikes, playing in my cubby and tree house, climbing trees, swimming, boating and playing sport. I used to spend my Saturday’s playing, umpiring and coaching netball.
What are some of your favourite joys in life?
Being an aunty and my dog Asali are my greatest joys – coming home to Asali makes any rough day good again, she makes me laugh with her quirkiness. Asali is a Kiswahili word which means ‘honey’ (Asali is a honey/caramel colour).
