Shane Rancic
Teacher of Sport and Applied Science
On work-life:
“At NewVIc, I mainly teach the practical based units and excel at passing on coaching and teaching advice and experience to students to perform highly in their leadership units and practical sport units. Alongside this subject I also teach applied sciences at Level 2 with the Anatomy and Physiology unit which is particularly successful with progression for students helping them onto the level 3 programme.
Having performed highly in all sports, I was fortunate to have many trials at big football clubs and spent time in various academies including Queens Park Rangers, Charlton and Brighton before becoming a full-time teacher. The biggest highlight for me was representing England U15s at an international tournament in Belgium. This experience is invaluable to pass on to aspiring football players within the college to make sure that they appreciate the opportunity given and to work hard to get to where they want to be, advice that is given to all students on the programmes here at NewVIc.”
“Giving NewVIc students opportunities and inspiring them to work hard to get to where they want to be.”
On the most inspiring person you have met:
“The most inspirational person I’ve met would have to be my first football coach. He gave me the opportunity in football and saw something in me that I probably didn’t see in myself at the time. He showed total faith in me and believed in my potential. He was also extremely dedicated and not afraid to make mistakes. I try to replicate a lot in my teaching, in particular believing in students' potential and not being afraid to make mistakes seeing them only as opportunities to learn and improve.”
On your teaching career:
“I started my career as a teacher in secondary schools and sixth form colleges in Sport, as well as teaching Public Services, Outdoor and Adventurous activities and Health and Social care. I moved to NewVIc from East Sussex in 2016 and completed my degree – BSc In Sport and Exercise Science at Brighton University, before completing my teacher training at Canterbury University gaining a grade 1 in 90% of observations and finishing the year with the same overall grade.
In my role at NewVIc I teach, monitor and track students throughout their time at the college, I’m also the lead internal verifier for all of the levels on the programme. The sports department is amazing and I feel very privileged to be part of that. Newham and the students are very diverse and it’s a challenge every day which I really enjoy as no day is the same. Students seem to love sport which makes things easier when we have practical lessons and getting students motivated and involved. I have really enjoyed my 6 years at NewVIc Immensely and look forward to meeting more great students over the next few years and enjoying the success achieved together.”
On student progression:
“Sports brings out a lot in people, obviously it can help with your health both mentally and physically, it can also help with confidence, teamwork, social skills and communication.
Students experience sports that they may never have played or seen before and as a department we like to encourage and take students out of their comfort zones. This helps not just with lessons and life at the college but makes students more comfortable in their day to day lives. Two of my former students that come to mind who left last year included Milan and Bhoomi, two siblings who were our best performing students to date. Milan studied A Level Biology and achieved a B alongside his Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sports achieving D*D*D*. Milan is now at Canterbury Christ Church University studying Physiotherapy. Milan’s sister Bhoomi, also studied Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sports achieving D*D*D* and is at the University of Hertfordshire studying Sports Therapy.”