Professional experience during your degree
Professional experience is essential to an education degree. It is often referred to as the core of teacher education as it assists students gain vital experience applying their university learning in real world contexts such as schools and/or early childhood centres.

Students studying an education degree will complete a number of professional experience placements in a range of situations. During these experiences, students will develop skills including planning and lesson implementation, creating resources, assessing and analysing student learning, classroom management and reflection on practice. Experienced mentor teachers will guide the development of student teachers, who will also be supported by a university adviser to ensure they reach their maximum potential as an education professional.
To ensure professional experience programs are of a high quality, the Faculty of Education works closely with school staff and teacher accreditation bodies including the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), the Queensland Collge of Teachers (QCT) and the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). By working closely with such accreditation bodies, SCU teacher education students are ready to gain employment after graduation.
Professional experience at Southern Cross University is accredited as a full-time block in a school or early childhood centre. By teaching full-time under the guidance of an experienced mentor teacher, students can demonstrate sustained teaching that will prepare them for the profession. Full-time professional experience placements means students may need to consider their work and/or childcare commitments.
Professional experience support staff are based the Lismore, Coffs Harbour and Gold Coast campuses. Below are the contact details of staff and their location. All professional experience enquiries can be directed to educationplacements@scu.edu.au.
Professional experience staff contacts
Name | Role | Phone | |
---|---|---|---|
Ms Cathy Lembke | Director, Professional Experience | +61 2 6620 3138 | cathy.lembke@scu.edu.au |
Ms Sandra Kenny | Professional Experience Placement Coordinator | +61 2 6620 3295 | educationplacements@scu.edu.au |
Ms Jenny Barron |
Professional Experience Placement Officer, Coffs Harbour Campus |
+61 2 6659 3657 | educationplacements@scu.edu.au |
Ms Judy de Vries | Professional Experience Placement Officer, Lismore Campus | +61 2 6626 9320 | educationplacements@scu.edu.au |
Ms Alison Adams |
Professional Experience Placement Officer, Gold Coast Campus |
+61 7 5589 3126 | educationplacements@scu.edu.au |
Professional experience documents
You can access documents, forms and reports for professional experience for Southern Cross University Faculty of Education below:
- PEx Frequently Asked Questions
- 2020 Professional Experience Handbook
- Dealing with a Student at Risk Policy
- Student At Risk Developmental Support Plan Template
- Early Childhood - Planning and Teaching Feedback Record
- Primary and Secondary Setting – Lesson Observation Feedback – Option 1
- Primary and Secondary Setting – Lesson Observation Feedback – Option 2
- Primary and Secondary Setting – Lesson Observation Feedback – Option 3
- Faculty of Education Professional Experience Requirements
- Mentor Teacher Claim for Professional Experience Allowance
- Professional Experience Make Up Days Form
- Incident and Hazard Management System
- Professional Experience Attendance Record
- Evidence guide for supervising teachers
- Professional Experience Placement Adjustment Application
- Notification of School Camp/Excursion during Professional Experience Placement
- Professional Experience Calendar
- Professional Experience Calendar - Independent Study Units
- Professional Experience Calendar - Grad Diploma in Education (Early Childhood)
- Professional Experience Calendar - Bachelor of Technology/Bachelor of Education
- Professional Experience Calendar - B Arts/Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
- Professional Experience Calendar - B Arts/B Education (Primary/Secondary)
- Professional Experience Calendar - B Arts/B Education (Primary/Early Childhood)
- Professional Experience Calendar - B Arts/Bachelor of Education (Primary)
- Professional Experience Calendar - Master of Teaching (Early Childhood)
- Professional Experience Calendar - Master of Teaching (Secondary)
Contact the Faculty of Education
Executive Dean
T: +61 7 5589 3130
E: amy.cutter-mackenzie@scu.edu.au
Associate Dean (Research) & Director HDR
T: +61 7 5589 3132
Associate Dean (Education)
T: +61 2 6620 3618
Director of Professional Experience
T: +61 2 6620 3138
spacer