Andrew Fraser is the Senior Workstream Lead for Student Achievement. This role serves the students in CSBB schools to ensure high quality teaching and learning that recognises and responds to the diversity of our young people.
How has your career journey happened so far?
I have been fortunate to be inspired and mentored by great educators and leaders, and have been given opportunities to grow and develop.
I have been in Catholic education for most of my career. I was taught by some outstanding Catholic educators from the Marist tradition and decided to pursue teaching. I attended a teachers’ college with a strong Marist presence and initially taught in Marist schools (primary and secondary).
I moved into school leadership early in my career. This led to a system-level role in Religious Education and curriculum development with Catholic Education Office, Parramatta, before returning to a systemic school in the Sydney Archdiocese.
I returned to system-level work, which has seen me work as a system officer and leader with Catholic Education Parramatta, Sydney Catholic Schools (at regional and central offices) and Catholic Schools Broken Bay in a variety of roles including curriculum advisor, curriculum design and development, strategic programs, Government programs, education policy, professional learning and leadership development, people and culture, and teaching and learning roles, as well as secondments to NSW Institute of Teachers and as Associate Professor with Australian Catholic University.
How is your work making a difference?
The work that makes the biggest difference to student learning is done by teachers and leaders in schools. The work of the team I lead is concentrated on influencing what happens in the classroom through learning of the curriculum: What to teach? How to teach it? How to assess it? In doing this the focus is the systematic delivery of curriculum through implementing high quality teaching that recognises and responds to the diversity of learners.
What are your current goals?
My current goals have been to contribute to developing the strategy that ensures learning growth for all students, as well as focusing the work of Student Achievement on partnering with schools to deliver on our strategic priorities in delivering on our mission and purpose, whilst scanning the horizon as to the emerging future directions and possibilities in education.
Who do you look to for inspiration or mentorship?
I believe that in Catholic education we stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us: those system and school leaders, teachers and staff who have committed themselves to the Church’s mission of education.
I have been fortunate over my career to have worked with, and to continue to work with, great leaders both religious and lay. Some of these leaders have helped shape Catholic education in Australia. What was characteristic of these women and men was they all have a deep faith, a vision for what is possible through Catholic education and a determination to provide the very best for students and staff. They held the student at the centre of their work and saw their work as both a vocation and a profession. Many of these leaders are still part of my professional network and continue to inspire and guide me.
What motivates you?
Making a difference in the lives of young people; My passion for equity and in ensuring, that through education, young people’s lives are enhanced; seeing others flourish in their work.
How do you continue to grow and develop as a leader?
There is often ambiguity in leadership making the work bigger than that of one person. For me working with a team, listening to others, being reflective in my practice and seeking feedback allow for growth. I have a strong network both within and beyond Catholic education who provide support, challenge, insight and encouragement.
What is one thing that makes you proud?
Hearing years later from those I worked with of the positive impact that the work I was involved with has had on them, their work and leadership. Seeing team members grow and be successful teachers and leaders.
How do you align with the vision and mission of CSBB?
Our vision of authentic, professional Catholic education, delivered with care and compassion expresses my experience of those Catholic educators and leaders who were influential to me 20 or 30 years ago. Our vision and mission allow me to stand on the shoulders of great Australian Catholic educators so that we might inspire hearts and minds to know Christ, to love learning and to use their talents to be the very best they can be.
Thank you Andrew for sharing your vast experience and expertise with CSBB. We are lucky and grateful to have such a wealth of knowledge leading our Student Achievement team.