By DAN WHEAT
World staff writer
WENATCHEE-"G'day, mate," became a common greeting in the halls of Wenatchee High School this past year after Ray Hinchey arrived.
Students found out garbage cans are garbage bins, that sidewalks are foot paths and that aluminum is really al-you-min-eee-um. A yellow yield sign warning of"kangaroos next 10 km" appeared on the door of Science Room 301.
Hinchey, a science teacher from Coffs Harbour, Australia, finishes a yearlong exchange this week with Wenatchee High School science teacher Joyce Block. She took his job and house in Coffs Harbour, and he took her job and house here a year ago. Now, they're each heading home.
"Students ask me questions not to hear what I have to say, but the accent," Hinchey said."But I told them at the beginning: 'I don't have an accent. You do.' It took them a while to pick up on the Australian slurring and chopping off of words.
"It's been stressful and threatening but worth it in the long run. When you think about it - people are going to judge Australian teachers on what you do. They'll think I'm a typical Australian teacher, and I may not be. So you have to be more than perfect."
At 51 and with 28 years of teaching behind him, Hinchey said the exchange has rejuvenated him and that more teachers should have such opportunities to see other systems work and pick up different teaching techniques.
Hinchey and his wife, Janette, arrived amid a snowstorm early last February and had to spend a night at Sea-Tac Airport before flights resumed to Wenatchee. They found the flight over the sunlit, snowy Cascades spectacular because it doesn't snow in Coffs Harbour. Midway between Sydney and Brisbane, the climate is similar to San Diego's.
Hinchey also arrived just a few days before the big defeat of the district's $21.6 million bond proposition and about in the middle of the district's year of turmoil which culminated in the buyout of Superintendent Bob Lehman's contract and the departure of several other administrators.
"I read a lot of articles and didn't understand what they were about, and no one wanted to tell me," Hinchey recalled."I thought, well, that's probably par for the course for the American system. We have a lot of turmoil at home, too, at the state level.
The Australian system is state, not district, run. The New South Wales Department of Education determines funding, curriculum and testing. Locally elected councils for each school help principals with daily management. Fights sometimes erupt between the teachers' union and minister of education.
Australian students aren't motivated as early as American students because grades and exams aren't counted for college entry until the final two years of high school, Hinchey said. He prefers that because he thinks American students face too much pressure to get good grades.
The American system could borrow a little more grade standardization from the Australian system to ensure that an A or B in one school or district means the same in another, Hinchey said. He said it also would make a better connection to college because American students think they are A-ranked but aren't really sure until they take college entrance exams.
The Australian system, Hinchey said, could borrow the idea of greater funding from America. "The equipment and facilities are better here," he said."We don't have computers in every classroom and quick-link (e-mail) among teachers. The student support available here amazes me - the number of counselors, assistant principals for discipline and support services before and after school.
"We have one counselor for 1,100 students (at Toormina High School where Hinchey teaches geology, biology and physics) who just recently became full time, yet we have the same social problems.''
On a more personal note...
We (the science department and WHS) have very much enjoyed having Ray and Janette in Wenatchee during the past year. It would be safe to say that the learning experience has gone both ways and has been great! I've learned a great deal about the geography, politics, education system and beauty of Australia (and it's close neighbors). Ray and Janette have always been open to new experiences, "easy going" about mishaps and emergencies and very warm to all. And we shall miss them both.
Well done, Mates!
If you wish to drop him a line in Australia email him @ rhinchey@omcs.com.au