DescriptionThis interview consists of one audio recording and transcript (in progress). Jacquie Azzam was interviewed on 23 November 2012 at the Whitlam Library, Cabramatta by Marilyn Gallo.Interview SummaryJacquie was born in Lebanon in 1962. In 1971, she migrated to Australia with her parents at the age of nine. She lived in Lidcombe, and attended St Joachim’s Catholic Primary School. She then went to High School at St Johns Girls High School in a nearby suburb (Auburn).
After school Jacquie went to Teachers College to train as a primary school teacher. Due to a lack of available job openings in primary schools, she became a casual teacher at Condell Park High School. During her time teaching she transferred her primary teaching qualification to a high school qualification.
In 1989, Jacquie transferred to Bossely Park High School as a history teacher.
The remainder of the interview discusses Jacquie’s thoughts on teaching at Bossley Park and the education sector overall. Jacquie has maintained close relationships with many of the staff and students at the school. She calls several former students her “surrogate children” and has attended significant events in their lives including weddings.
Jacquie values the fact that Bossley Park High School has well-developed welfare programs to support struggling students and students with disabilities. The school is very multicultural, and Jacquie views this as one of the school’s greatest assets. Bossley Park High school has embraced technology; many class rooms have electronic whiteboards. Jacquie believes that despite its challenges, technology enables students and teachers to connect with each other.
Jacquie is dedicated to teaching. In addition to being a teacher, Jacquie has worked as a HSC marker and has taken shifts on the HSC telephone helpline.
