Today sees some changes in the Sydney Radio Education field. Natalie Pozdeev leaves AFTRS and, after 14 years, Ben Starr signs off as radio and media teacher at TAFE.
Ben Starr has been instrumental, along with Brian Newington, in making radio dreams a reality for his students. He was part of the team which designed and built simulated educational learning environments for TAFE students to gain real radio experience in a classroom.
Starr says his greatest achievements have been creating Sydney TAFE Radio with Brian Newington and building a new technology course. “TAFE Radio is a real simulated radio learning environment for our students… and the development of the Broadcast Technology course trains students to become radio technicians for today’s radio environment.”
Starr and Newington have taught over 3000 students over the years and influenced industry and education in developing courses that get results for students.
Ben Starr will sign off from his full time teaching duties at 5pm today, ending a 14 year full time teaching career.
“I started at TAFE at age 26 not knowing what to expect. At age 40 I now look back with fond memories of a time of innovation, change and gratitude.
“When Bob Rodgers ended my contract 14 years ago I was devastated. Thanks to Bob I had to reinvent myself and today I am a better man for being in the presence of the students. Bob taught me resilience and thanks to my twist of fate in radio I leave today knowing that I have made a valuable contribution to thousands of lives . I came here just knowing radio and leave today as a radio mentor, a leader, a visionary, and an award winning educationalist. Teachers are so important and as mentors our job is to believe in our students and provide opportunities for employment,” Starr told radioinfo.
He has been asked to teach just one class from Semester 2 in radio at night, so if you want the Starr treatment enrol at Petersham TAFE for the Part Time radio course.
Starr is currently acting Head Teacher of Media and from June 16 will take up a new senior executive role at TAFE as Business Industry Liason for the CreatIT Faculty where he will work with industry partnerships across Fashion, IT, Media, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Fine Arts, Set Design and Theatre.
As reported in our Movements section earlier this week, Natalie Pozdeev will return to TAFE after resigning from her role as Head of Radio at AFTRS. Lisa Sweeny will replace Pozdeev at AFTRS.