Mr Stephen Laurence

The MLTA's longest-serving President, for his advocacy of languages and his dedication, service and commitment to and leadership of the MLTA and to language teaching/learning over 43 years of teaching at schools and universities, including nearly 10 years on the MLTA committee and four and a half years as President. Stephen has a B.A. majoring in French and German, University of Sydney 1969-1971, a Dip. Ed. University of Sydney 1972 and an M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies) University of Sydney 1993-1996.

He taught at Monaro High School Cooma (1973-1978), was Head Teacher of Languages at South Grafton High (1979-1983), and served as Head Teacher at Liverpool Girls’ High School (1984-1989). While at Grafton and Liverpool, he acted as a Languages Regional Support Consultant, running many In-Service courses for teachers in these regions. He was Head of Languages at Newington College (1990-1993) and Deputy Principal at the International Grammar School (1994-2001). He served as Principal and German teacher at William Cowper Anglican Secondary Boys’ School in Tamworth (2001-2005) and was Co-Head of Senior School and Director of Studies at Penrith Anglican College (2005-2010).

Stephen retired from high school teaching at end of 2010. From 2010-2015 he taught pre-service Languages education courses at ACU (Strathfield Campus) for Dip. Ed. and Master of Teaching students as well as “Teaching and Managing Learning Environments” to second year students. He was Chairperson of the Board’s German Syllabus Committee from 1987-1994 (member from1981) during which time he led the development of the new German syllabuses. He was a member of the Board’s LOTEKLACC and A.C.O.L.). He was an HSC German marker from 1984-1994 Supervisor of HSC German marking (1992) and a German exam committee member (1991-1993).

 

Stephen was granted four scholarships and fellowships by the Australian and German Governments to study in Germany and was awarded the William Walker Award for Excellence in Educational Leadership by ACEL while in Tamworth.

Stephen has been a member of the MLTA since 1973. He was President of the North Coast Branch (1979-1983) and German Convenor from 1984-1985. He spoke at numerous MLTA Schools’ Nights and Days. He was the longest-serving MLTA President (1985-1990). Committee member 1984-1993. He spoke at many In-Service courses and public group meetings, especially on HSC Assessment, syllabus development and the role of the MLTA. He has written many articles in MLTA publications regarding MLTA involvement in the teaching/learning of languages. He oversaw three lengthy MLTA submissions to the Board of Secondary Education (1987), the Working Party on State Language Policy (1988) and the Discussion Paper on Curriculum Review in NSW Schools (1989) regarding the rightful place of languages in the curriculum. Membership of MLTANSW peaked at 690 during his time as President. He served as an AFMLTA Executive member for 3 years (1990-1992) and he convened the 1987 FIPLV World General Assembly in Sydney before attending the World Congress in 1988.