A virtual classroom is supporting students across Queensland to access a variety of subjects online, regardless of their location.
Brisbane Catholic Education’s FisherONE serves as an online offering for traditional schools to enhance educational offerings and flexibility for students.
FisherONE Principal Britt Gurnett said the concept was born out the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms Gurnett, who is also principal of St John Fisher College Bracken Ridge, said during the pandemic the bricks and mortar school leadership explored digital solutions for senior students.
“It was this transformative journey that ultimately gave rise to FisherONE,” she said.
“COVID-19 forced us into the digital realm as students shifted to learning from home.
“When we returned to classrooms, we recognised the benefits of integrating online education as a viable option for students, both within our school community and beyond.”
Ms Gurnett said if a student desired to pursue an additional subject not available at their school, they now had the option to enrol in subjects offered by FisherONE taught by a specialist teacher in the field.
“FisherONE has evolved with global trends to create an innovative solution to provide high-quality, accessible education for senior students across Queensland.”
She said students should have access to subjects they were passionate about, regardless of which school they attended.
“Whether they’re facing illness or residing at a distance, we’ve worked diligently to ensure these students have avenues to pursue their interests.
“I truly believe FisherONE’s hybrid model offers students the best of both worlds, live online lessons and flexible learning options which opens the doors for students and creates new career pathways.”
She said students accessed subjects via FisherOne for a number of reasons.
“It may be a timetabling clash or low interest at the base school, but one of the main reasons is the access to specialist teachers in regional and rural areas.”
Ms Gurnett said in addition to supporting students, it helped Brisbane Catholic Education retain specialist teachers who were looking for a more flexible way of working outside of a traditional school environment.
“It takes a special teacher to be successful in a virtual classroom as you need to be able to connect and engage and build relationships within a very short time frame each week.”
She said FisherONE teachers were passionate about their area of expertise, and this translated into the virtual classroom.
“Our teachers are all fantastic – they are doing exactly what they love doing, they’re motivated and keen to share and learn from each other.”
For FisherONE Specialist Mathematics teacher Narelle Morris, teaching students from across Queensland aligned her two great passions – rural and regional education and Mathematics.
Ms Norris said this year, 23 Year 11 students from Catholic schools across Queensland joined her class.
“To be able to focus solely on my area of expertise with students who are highly motivated and high achievers has truly reignited my love for teaching,” she said.
“I was looking to retire from full-time school teaching, but I wasn’t ready to retire from Mathematics education.
“FisherONE has given me the flexibility to continue to share my skills and experience with students who may not have had the opportunity to take this specialist course.”
Ms Gurnett said FisherONE was named a Microsoft Showcase School, one of only six in Australia recognised for pioneering innovative approaches to learning.
She said using powerful Microsoft 365 tools allowed educators to deliver lessons that were interactive, engaging, and accessible to all students.
“FisherONE is not just adapting to the changing educational landscape; we are actively shaping the future of online education,” Ms Gurnett said.
“By fully utilising Microsoft 365 technology, we create student-centered, immersive, and inclusive learning environments that inspire lifelong learning and cultivate essential future-ready skills – regardless of where the students live.”
Teachers interested in a career at FisherONE can email careersbce@bne.catholic.edu.
