A lifetime dedicated to education has earned Yarraville resident and MacKillop Institute’s Justin Roberts a national teaching award.
Mr Roberts was recognised in The Educator‘s 2024 Most Influential Educators Awards, which acknowledges inspirational leaders and change-makers who’ve made an impact on learners, teaching and school communities.
He’s a dedicated teacher and principal of 17 years, now leading ReLATE, a program he’s developed and innovated over the past 10 years working at Mackillop.
ReLATE provides a whole-of-school approach that focuses on safety, wellbeing and resilience, so that the learning outcomes for every child are enhanced.
ReLATE grew out of the need to create an innovative school for children and young people whose needs couldn’t be met in mainstream education.
“I came to MacKillop because I had the utmost respect for colleagues I’d worked with previously, who had also just joined that organisation. They were determined to design from scratch a program that would connect with kids, and I wanted to be a part of that,” Mr Roberts said.
“We embedded the trauma-responsive approaches right from the start. This culture-change program supports both adults and children to cope more effectively with adversity and stress and aims to prevent trauma symptoms.
“The key element in developing the ReLATE program is that we listened to the kids. We had instant feedback and they very clearly advised on what was and wasn’t working. The whole program is built on the lessons that the kids taught us, that’s how ReLATE can support students, their families and schools to connect with education, and feel part of a supportive community.”
As a direct result of the program’s guidance and support, Rebecca, 10, has flourished and become a living testimony.
“I’m happy to come to school now. I have my own safety plan which the teachers helped me put together. When things get too much for me, I know I can go outside and walk around the playground, and that helps me to feel calm again.
“The teachers are easy to talk to at this school. They really listen to us and make us feel better – school is not a scary place for me anymore.”
Witnessing students benefit from the program and reach their full potential is a career-defining moment for Mr Roberts.
“We soon realised we had something that worked. There was a massive decrease in critical incidents, attendance grew to 80 per cent and our staff satisfaction feedback was excellent,” he said.
“The work I did within MacKillop Education, and the success we had in engaging vulnerable students, will forever be the work I am most proud of. It’s incredible to think that some 10 years after we began, MacKillop Education has several schools in Victoria, is expanding into Sydney and beyond, and has a successful education model impacting schools across Australia. I feel so fortunate to continue this work and assist educators nationwide in supporting their students.”
While his goal has never wavered, the national award motivated Mr Roberts to go beyond and above for young people.
“At my core, I believe every child and young person has the right to access aspirational and transformative education. It is a privilege to work with schools across Australia to continually improve safety, wellbeing, and engagement through the ReLATE education model. I hope this recognition will help me and my team to expand our audience and share the best practices, theories, and strategies needed to ensure our schools are inclusive and safe for all,” he said.
This acknowledgment has also allowed him to reflect on his career and the lessons his students have taught him over the years, hoping it can encourage other educators.
“Given all they have given me, I feel it is my duty to share their greatest lesson: Students who struggle at school possess a wealth of wisdom if we are willing to listen and learn. Disengaged children and young people are not ‘the problem’; they are ‘the answer’ to a safer, more engaged, and inclusive education system and, ultimately, a more just society,” Mr Roberts said.
“Lastly, I would say: teach with love and courage, and be proud of your work. Important work is never easy, but it is worth dedicating your life to. Speak passionately and proudly about our profession. Though it may feel uncomfortable, doing so can remind us of the importance of our work and inspire new teachers to join this great profession.”
