By TANIA PHILLIPS
ONE of Centaur’s original teachers is set to close her books, clean out her desk and start the next stage of her life.
Jill Kent has taught at Centaur since the school first opened in 1995 – a 19-year stint in a career that stretches back 35 years and has taken her from Sydney to Tweed.
Mrs Kent began her teaching career in 1975 at Casula Infants school west of Liverpool.
In the years that followed she completed a Diploma in Creative Arts, met and married husband Ray Kent (former principal at Fingal Public), had a daughter, Jacquelyn, and toured Australia before being appointed to Tweed Heads South School where she taught kindergarten and Years 1 and 2.
While at Tweed Heads South Mrs Kent ran the public speaking program in conjunction with the Tweed Valley Public Speaking competition organised by public school teachers.
Mrs Kent also sat on and led many committees including: Disadvantaged School Program, Science and Technology, and Visual Arts which saw her organise an art exhibition for Centaur’s peddlers’ parade in 1998.
It isn’t a surprise to learn that Mrs Kent also became an Advanced Skills Teacher.
Since joining the new school at Centaur in the mid-’90s Mrs Kent has become an important part of the school community.
It was there Mrs Kent set up and ran the school’s public speaking competition, then inspired by the positive promotion of effective communication skills learnt by the students. She created and implemented Centaur’s own Poetry Festival which has been held in term four each year since 1998.
“This whole school k-6 program maximised student participation in poetry studies and recitations/performances to class, grade peers and community members in our hall,” Mrs Kent said.
With the end of the year fast approaching, Mrs Kent reflected on her teaching history.
“I have loved and enjoyed teaching – it’s amazing – every class is full of individuals – no two students are ever the same,” she said.
“Teaching is creative and demanding however I love seeing the joy on a child’s face when they discover they can do something for the first time. I have been honoured to be in a position to have opportunities to encourage each student to develop an understanding of responsibility towards themselves and others, and to build positive attitudes and values – especially resilience, to have a go which is essential for a successful and happy life.”
Jill Kent is a teacher who has encouraged each child to be the best person that they can be, inspired hope, ignited imaginations and instilled a love for learning. She will be greatly missed.
