Veteran AFL School Ambassador wins prestigious education awardTuesday, December 10, 2013 - 4:09 PM

WA footy teacher Jeremy Bruse has been recognised with a prestigious Premier’s Award for his innovative approach to engaging students through football.

Mr Bruse, who is an AFL School Ambassador at Cecil Andrews Senior High School, took out the WA Premier’s Secondary Teacher of the Year Award at the WA Education Awards on December 2 at Crown Plaza.

He has implemented a range of innovative football programs over the last eight years designed to enhance the skills, development and engagement of students.

Working closely with the WA Football Commission and East Fremantle District, as well as Armadale Women’s Junior Football Club, Mr Bruse has delivered school clinics, coaching and umpiring accreditations and a range of educational outcomes for students.

He said that East Fremantle Development Officer Daren Bell in particular had been a great supporter of the students at Cecil Andrews.

“Every student deserves an opportunity to find what it is they’re good at. As teachers, it is our job to give them every opportunity to ensure that they can find it,” Mr Bruse said.

“I invited Armadale Women’s Junior Football Club to train at the school oval and create a link for female students at Cecil Andrews. This provided the girls with easy access to football, resulting in better attendance and an increase in social skills for some students.

“I have also become involved with coaching an East Fremantle District Development Squad, which will provide ongoing opportunities for both Cecil Andrews’ students and other students within the East Fremantle District,” he said.

Another initiative has been assisting ex-Fremantle Dockers star, Paul Hasleby with the ‘Bouncing Back’ program. The program sees a mixed group of Yr 8-10 students participate in resilience building workshops (both indoors and outdoors), which has resulted in many developing an increased ability to cope with the varying pressures associated with school, family, friends and work.

Cecil Andrews SHS also holds an annual NAIDOC day with activities run by indigenous students and their Aboriginal and Indigenous Education Officers. The students are able to further develop their instructional and organisational skills whilst showcasing contributions they make to the school and the wider community.