Thinking outside the books – how Andra Rensburg’s innovative approach delivers results

Andra Rensburg knows teaching isn’t a profession where you can rest on your laurels and still expect great learning outcomes. With 20 years of experience in education, she understands that student success comes from continuous improvement and a forward-thinking approach.

It’s a mindset which recently saw her receive the 2026 National Education Summit Innovation in Teaching award – recognising the passion, creativity and commitment she brings to the classroom every day.

A modern teaching method

Gone are the days of the ‘chalk and talk’ teaching method with a reliance on textbooks. Andra’s approach centres around creating technology-focused environment that supports both independent and supported learning.

Based at OneSchool Global’s Maitland (NSW) campus but also teaching students across the entire state via Zoom, Andra recognises the challenges of teaching complex financial concepts across multiple campuses. That’s why she developed a Financial Services course framework that can be used by teachers across the organisation.

The results of her approach speak for themselves – with eight of her students receiving a ‘First in Course’ result in the NSW HSC Financial Services subject over the past seven years, including two recipients who tied for first in 2025.

The framework includes structured modules, quizzes, assignments and more than 50 step-by-step instructional videos which she recorded herself to guide students through accounting processes and problem solving. These resources allow students to revisit difficult concepts independently and are helpful for students needing additional learning support. The videos are designed to break complex tasks into manageable steps, ensuring students who fall behind can quickly regain confidence and progress their studies.

No such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach

The key to Andra’s consistently high teaching standards comes through a structured approach built on continuous feedback, deep subject expertise and personalised learning.

She begins each day by reviewing and marking student work and assessing their progress before classes begin. That helps her to know exactly where each student stands and whether she needs to intervene when a student is struggling, preventing gaps from widening in the compressed one-year HSC curriculum she delivers.

For Andra, providing personalised support is important because she knows each student learns differently. Advanced students are encouraged to progress independently through course material, allowing her to dedicate more time to students who require additional guidance. As a result, students remain engaged and supported.

“I have approximately 50 Year 11 and 12 students in my class, with around 10 of these students on individual learning plans, many of whom have additional learning needs. That’s why I carefully adapt my teaching approach to support these learners while maintaining the integrity and rigour of the course,” Andra said.

She also praised the school for fostering a culture of innovation and encouraging staff to strive for excellence.

“It’s one thing to have a passion for improvement, but you also need the school to encourage that behaviour among its people. OneSchool Global empowers teachers to drive meaningful change and backs us to deliver better outcomes for our students.”

In addition to Andra’s win, OneSchool Global’s Adelaide Campus Principal, Dr Jodi Gordon, was also named as a finalist at the National Education Summit awards in the same category, highlighting the school’s dedication to innovation across the Australian region.