1. 15 November, 2016
Firbank Grammar School
51 Outer Crescent
Brighton
Victoria
Australia 3186
Phone: +61 3 95915188
To Whom It May Concern,
Claire McConnell was employed as an English as an Additional Language (EAL) teacher at
Lianyungang Foreign Language School in China from Sept 18, 2015 to Nov 11, 2016.
Lianyungang Foreign Language School is a partner school to Firbank Grammar School in
Melbourne in their delivery of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE). In her role Claire
was supported by and in communication with EAL mentor teachers based at Firbank. As
Deputy Principal-International & Curriculum at Firbank Grammar I oversaw Claire’s work.
During this period Claire demonstrated great resilience and resourcefulness. She was the
only Western teacher working with a team of Chinese teachers and had therefore to rely on
her own capacity to produce engaging lessons and find resources to deliver the course. She
communicated regularly with her Australian mentors, demonstrating her capacity to work in a
team and to use modern technology to maintain this relationship.
Claire had no previous experience of the VCE but took on board the challenge of delivering
it and developing herself into a highly competent teacher of VCE EAL. She developed very
positive relationships with her students and mentored them through the challenge of
preparing for high stakes exams. They appreciated how hard she worked with them during
the year.
Claire worked collaboratively with her Chinese colleagues and assisted them in their
development of VCE pedagogy. They speak very highly of her and while she will be missed I
have no hesitation in recommending her for any position for which she might apply.
Kind regards
Wendy Grant
Deputy Principal-International & Curriculum
Firbank Grammar School
Melbourne
Australia