ALLEGRA School Coffs Harbour teacher and Leader of Student Support and Strategy, Kelly Green, recently took part in the 2025 Bell Shakespeare National Teacher Mentorship program—an experience that continues to have a profound impact on teachers, students, and school communities across Australia.
Held annually at Bell Shakespeare’s Sydney headquarters, this program brings together educators from around the country for an intensive four-day training experience.
As one of 30 teachers selected for this year’s mentorship, I had the opportunity to dive deep into innovative Shakespearean teaching strategies, active learning principles, and performance-based techniques designed to engage students across all year levels.
Through hands-on workshops, we explored ways to break down the complexity of Shakespeare’s language using immersive, theatrical approaches—making these timeless texts accessible, engaging, and, most importantly, relevant to modern classrooms.
The strategies I’ve gained from this mentorship will help shift negative perceptions and past experiences with Shakespeare, transforming it from something daunting into something students can truly enjoy. One of the most powerful takeaways for me was the realisation that students don’t need to read an entire play to grasp its meaning. Learning this from industry experts who are passionate about Shakespeare was a game-changer—it removes a major barrier and opens the door for exploration, creativity, and connection.
It’s incredibly rewarding to see students who may have once felt disconnected from literature suddenly light up when they experience Shakespeare in a way that resonates with them. The mentorship reinforced the importance of play, movement, and storytelling in education—principles that align closely with Allegra School’s commitment to student-centred learning.
The program, supported by Teachers Mutual Bank, has been led by Bell Shakespeare’s Head of Education, Joanna Erskine, since 2012. “For many teachers, it is a life-changing opportunity,” Joanna shared. “It pushes them outside of their comfort zones, encourages collaboration with like-minded colleagues, reminds them why they became teachers, rebuilds confidence, and reignites a love of learning.”
I’m incredibly grateful to have been part of this experience, and I look forward to bringing the energy, insights, and strategies from the Bell Shakespeare National Teacher Mentorship back into my classroom and the wider Allegra School community.
Kelly Green
Leader of Student Strategy & Support
