Holly Photiou, Ormiston College
year-5 teacher
Holly Photiou has demonstrated a strong passion and ever-expanding knowledge of the complex process of 21st century teaching and learning, making a remarkable impression upon the entire junior school community, students, staff and parents.
Photiou uses innovative ways of presentation to provide students with the very latest pedagogy and technology. She encourages sharing in student/parent learning and achievement, by organising positive notes, twitter updates, emails, and frequent opportunities for conversation. She also makes a concerted effort to stay in touch with both parents long after their year-five experience, and takes an active part in coaching sporting teams, playground interactions, and college community events.
Recently, Photiou received an Innovation Grant, allowing her to acquire mixed-reality headsets, to improve the quality of students’ descriptive writing and understanding of a wide range of scientific and mathematic concepts using virtual reality. She also embedded cutting-edge practices into mainstream units. Students in her year are using Minecraft and coding platforms to bring 3D communities to life. Learners also collaborate online.