Education Times
Volume 15, Number 13
August 16, 2007
Pike takes
reins
VICTORIA’S newly appointed
Education Minister, Bronwyn
Pike, has reaffirmed education
as the State Government’s
number one priority, saying it is
vital for ensuring future growth
and prosperity.
Speaking in Parliament last
week, Ms Pike said she and her
government colleagues were
ready, willing and eager to
address the new challenges and
opportunities that come with
running a statewide education
system.
Published fortnightly by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Eco
legends
Principals’
Big Day Out
3
10
Seeds for
Change
23
Fresh and free: fruit enlisted to fight fat
STUDENTS at almost 300
Victorian government schools will
be able to enjoy free fresh fruit
every Friday from this week after
the Victorian Government unveiled
a new $11 million initiative.
Launching the Free Fruit Friday
program last week at Fitzroy
Primary School, Premier John
Brumby said the program would
encourage students to turn to
healthy alternatives and avoid food
with high levels of fat or sugar.
“It’s never too early for students
to learn about healthy food and
take up a lifetime of healthy eating
habits,” Mr Brumby said.
“Children need fresh fruit and
vegetables to grow up healthy and
strong. This initiative is part of my
emphasis to tackle the epidemic of
preventable chronic diseases,
including diabetes and obesity.”
Mr Brumby said experts predict a
dramatic rise in childhood obesity if
the rise in unhealthy eating habits
and poor physical activity is not
stopped.
A report released by the National
Heart Foundation of Victoria
shows that 4,500 Australians die
annually from diseases attributable
to a lack of fresh fruit and
vegetables in their diet.
Education Minister Bronwyn
Pike said the program didn’t
only include the free fruit; the
students would also be taught
the benefits of healthy eating
habits at school.
“Along with families, schools play
a crucial role in teaching young
people how to adopt healthy eating
practices,” Ms Pike said.
Schools participating in Free
Fruit Friday will be able to access a
range of educational materials to
teach children the benefits of
healthy eating and participate in
regular physical exercise.
Schools that have indicated an
interest in healthy eating programs
will be the first to be part of
Free Fruit Friday, resulting in
35,000 students getting free fruit
from today.
The program will be phased in
over four years on a voluntary basis
for all Victorian schools with Prep
to Year 2 students.
Ms Pike said schools will be
encouraged to purchase fresh
produce from local businesses as
part of the Free Fruit Friday
initiative.
“Not only are we ensuring our
young people get the best possible
start in life, we are encouraging
schools to buy local and support
their local communities,” Ms Pike
said.
Other Victorian Government
initiatives to encourage healthy
lifestyles among students include
the ‘Go for your life’ Healthy
Canteen Kit and the removal of
high sugar content soft drinks
from school canteens.
For more information, visit
www.education.vic.gov.au
“Victorians can be confident
that under a Brumby Labor
Government, education will be
and will remain our number one
priority,” she said.
The former Health Minister was
appointed as Victoria’s new
Education Minister earlier this
month by Premier John Brumby.
A mother of five who was first
elected
to
the
inner
metropolitan seat of Melbourne
in 1999, Ms Pike began her
career as a secondary and
tertiary teacher before taking on
roles as a community services
manager and as Director of the
Uniting Church’s Unit of Justice
and Social Responsibility.
Since
joining
the
State
Government in 1999, she has
held a range of portfolios,
including Health, Housing, Aged
Care, Community Services, and
Minister Assisting the Premier
on Community Building. In May
2007, Ms Pike became the
longest-serving female minister
in Victoria's history, a milestone
shared with Public Transport and
Arts Minister Lynne Kosky.
Feeling fruity: Education Minister Bronwyn Pike and Premier John Brumby enjoy a healthy snack with Fitzroy PS students Kiri, Sweeta and Jasmin.
Inside
Early childhood
New focus
3
Sexual assault
Principal guidelines
5
Education bullseye
The Wiske workshops
7
Big Day Out
Where to next?
10
Green abroad
Japan visit
4
Bravo Brauer
Talk circuit winners
5
Students rock
The bush tour
9
Virtual classroom
Life online
17
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EDUCATION TIMES • AUGUST 16, 2007
3
Department’s new focus on early childhood
By Karen Harbutt
BRINGING early childhood development
into the education fold is a move that has been
welcomed by principals at a time when
unprecedented numbers of Victorian children
are being encouraged to enrol in
kindergartens.
In announcing the move, Premier John
Brumby remarked: “This initiative marks the
beginning of a new era in the education and
development of our children.
“We know that a child’s learning starts from
day one and that a child’s early experiences
have a direct impact on their future prospects.
“We also know the transition into school is a
critical stage of a child’s life. The task of the
new Department of Education and Early
Childhood Development will be to give
Victorian children the best possible start in life
by streamlining the transition to Prep.”
Minister for Children and Early Childhood
Development Maxine Morand supported the
Premier’s comments, promising that “under
my leadership as the new Minister, the Office
for Children will continue to strengthen
services to boost children’s health,
development and learning”.
More Victorian children than ever are being
given the opportunity to attend kindergarten, with
disadvantaged children to benefit the most from a
$28.9 million Victorian Government initiative to
raise the subsidy fee from $330 to $730.
“This means about 85 per cent of children
whose parents are concession card holders will
be able to access free kindergarten,” Ms
Morand said.
At Dallas Primary School, acting principal
Valerie Karaitiana has welcomed the
Department’s new focus on early childhood
development, believing it will create “a
seamless education for children from birth
through to secondary school”.
The school became one of the first
government schools in Victoria to run a
kindergarten on its grounds following an
Education Department memorandum in 1998
allowing such a move, Ms Karaitiana said.
Dallas Primary School moved to establish
itself as a ‘K–6 Learning Centre’, jointly
operating
the
kindergarten
with
Broadmeadows Uniting Care, before taking
over the licence in August 1999.
Having an on-site kindergarten results in
improved access, improved literacy and
numeracy, improved transition and greater
convenience for parents, Ms Karaitiana said.
“It is our intention that the kindergarten
and the school work together in close cooperation, sharing expertise and resources,
thus providing the very best educational
experience for the children in attendance from
kindergarten to Year 6.”
The school has been involved in early
childhood development programs through the
Broadmeadows Early Years Partnership and
Best Start Program – a transition initiative run
by the State Government.
Action was taken by educational leaders
several years ago when it became apparent
that only about half the number of eligible
children had been enrolled in local
kindergartens, Ms Karaitiana said.
Through the Best Start Program, the school
was able to ensure children for whom English
was a second language at home came into the
primary years with a desire to learn to read
because of a bilingual reading initiative in the
kindergarten.
Transition is also made easier through a
buddy system in which Year 3 – 4 students
spend time reading with kindergarten and
Prep children, and the creation of digital
portfolios on every kindergarten child
showing their development over the
previous year.
“Research is clear that preschool education
can make a difference to a child’s future
achievements, especially if the child is from a
disadvantaged background,” Ms Karaitiana.
“The research also shows that parent
engagement in their children’s learning has a
Best start: Kindergarten students (back row)
Erol, Yasemin, (front row) Sinan, and Shalia with
Dallas PS principal Valerie Karaitiana and (front)
teacher Jenny Kozlowski.
significant impact on learning outcomes.”
Premier Brumby noted the potential the
departmental change has for benefiting
individual children who might otherwise begin
school at a disadvantage.
Tracking a child’s development through his
or her early years would ensure that the child
starts school when ready and allows early
intervention when learning difficulties are
detected, he said.
“Linking children’s services and schools
together will assist in providing the help that is
needed as early as possible, before problems
escalate.”
Minister Morand said local government
will continue to be
“a key partner in
supporting universal
access to early years
services”, and noted
that the best model
for provision of
kindergarten
services is still being
developed.
Maxine Morand, Minister
“A
review
of
for Children and Early
kindergarten cluster
Childhood Development management
is
currently underway and the review will
continue and guide us to further strengthen
and shape this management model,” she said.
On-site kindergartens are already being
discussed in the planning of new community
hubs. In the Frankston area, a hub next to
Karingal Primary School is expected to
include two kindergarten classrooms, three
Prep classrooms, an occasional care room,
facilities for maternal and child health
services, a neighbourhood house and
potentially a gymnasium, according to
Karingal
Primary
School
principal
Chris Gay.
The $6 million Karingal Family and
Children’s Hub is about reaching families
and securing educational foundations for
children before they begin primary school.
“We’re a very low socioeconomic area and
there are a lot of problems before children
start in Prep,” Mr Gay said. “The idea is that
we have access to parents through this hub
and to make it a more educational
environment.”
Professional
interaction
between
kindergarten and Prep teachers would allow
good relationships to develop and make for
seamless transitions for young students, Mr
Gay said.
Asked what he thought of responsibility for
early childhood development being included
in the Education portfolio, he responded
simply: “I think it’s going to be great.”
Outgoing Ministers proud of making a difference
By Karen Harbutt
TREASURER John Lenders described his
time as Education Minister as “magical”,
saying he would continue to watch the progress
of initiatives like the Blueprint for Government
Schools because they showed the Department
has been a leader in education provision.
Professor Peter Dawkins, Secretary of the
new Department of Education and Early
Childhood Development, farewelled both
Mr Lenders and former Education Services
Minister Jacinta Allan in front of staff and
colleagues earlier this month.
“Although Mr Lenders has been with us for
a relatively short time he’s made a big
impact,” Prof. Dawkins said of Mr Lender’s
eight-month term.
While his role involved spearheading the
Government’s $1.9 billion Victorian
Schools Plan, Mr Lenders had put his mark
on the portfolio through his forceful
opinion that all libraries built in Victorian
Leadership
Opportunities
in Victorian
Government
Schools
schools be designed as shared community
facilities. He has also taken a holistic view of
service delivery and has attempted to
reduce red tape and visit as many schools as
possible – he got to 80 of the state’s 1605
government schools.
Mr Lenders had a busy day on the day he was
farewelled by the new Department of
Education and Early Childhood Development.
In a last engagement Mr Lenders described
as ‘poetic’, he spoke at the Plain English
Speaking Awards, before taking Treasury
documents with him to read while making his
regular blood donation.
Despite his overlapping commitments, at
the end of the day, Mr Lenders was still able
to beat one of his favourite drums, telling
Department staff farewelling him, “ If we are
going to convince parents that there are
values in education that make it a worthwhile
system, it’s critical that we can articulate that
to them.”
He noted that, without him, new school
buildings will still go ahead and “be great
community hubs”, but suggested he would
find it hard to leave the Department behind.
“I’ll follow the Blueprint (for Government
Schools) with real interest because this
Department has truly led to the extent we have
had the guts to put our colours to the mast”.
Ms Allan, who was with the Department
for four and a half years, is the new Minister
for Regional and Rural Development and
retains the portfolios of Skills and Workforce
Participation.
In her farewell speech, she praised her staff
and noted significant achievements, saying
that Victoria’s approach to students with
disabilities would “reshape how people here,
nationally and internationally think about
supporting people with special needs”.
The School Start Bonus was also something
the Minister was proud of, in supporting
Victorian families.
Both Ministers spoke passionately about
the honour of being able to work in
Information about exciting school
leadership opportunities is posted on
www.education.vic.gov/schooljobs
and will be available from the relevant
online posting dates indicated.
a portfolio in which it was possible to make a
real difference to peoples’ lives at such
a critical juncture.
Ms Allan said her last engagements
“reminded me that education is very much a
vehicle that produces equal access and equal
opportunity regardless of where you live”.
She expected to maintain links with the
Department, saying she wants to “keep the
connection strong and vibrant… to make
sure young people successfully make the
transition from school to the wider world”.
Mr Lenders noted that the Department
was one of the few that dealt with members of
the community on a daily basis.
“Parents are just so passionate about their
kids; they want them to have the best possible
opportunities and their future is in our hands
– we’re in a partnership with them,” he said.
“I’ll watch this Department with great
fondness because it is making a difference to a
whole group of young people and you can’t aspire
to do anything more in public life than that.”
Education Times
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News
EDUCATION TIMES • AUGUST 16, 2007
Environmental message taken to Japan
CROYDON Hills Primary School’s
sustainability program received
more international recognition
recently, with principal Graeme
Caudry presenting at a seminar in
Japan.
Mr Caudry was asked by the
Federal Government to represent
Victoria and present the Croydon
Hills story at the Australia-Japan
Foundation
Environmental
Education Seminar, where he was
well received.
“The audience at the seminar
seemed very interested and
responsive,” Mr Caudry revealed in
a report written on his return. “The
panel session was full of questions
and discussion.”
It is the second time in recent
years that the school has received
international recognition after being
given the top award of Sustainable
School of the Year at the 2005 and
2006 annual Waste Wise and
Sustainable Schools Awards.
Earlier this year, the school was
chosen to be the face of the
Victorian program in a special short
film presentation for the Energy
Globe Awards.
Winning second place in the
worldwide awards (from 79 entries),
the Waste Wise project was
presented through the film in a
special broadcast by international
television stations from the home of
the European Parliament in April.
In his report, Mr Caudry said the
seminar had explored ways of
working with Japan to address the
global challenges of sustainability.
“We looked for ways we might
share our experiences and establish
partnership
arrangements
in
relation to our respective education
for
sustainable
development
activities,” he said.
Mr Caudry outlined the Australian
Sustainable Schools Initiative
(AuSSI) at the seminar, explaining
how the national program is
designed to improve a school’s
management of resources and
grounds (considering such things as
energy, waste, water, biodiversity and
landscape design) and to integrate
this approach into the curriculum
and daily operation of schools.
He said it had a three-tiered
approach,
combining
the
Sustainable Schools Project (based
on the AuSSI program), Waste Wise
education and student leadership
on environmental issues.
The Gould Group’s Waste Wise
Schools program, which is
financially supported by the
Victorian Government, is being
implemented nationally. More than
1200 schools have joined the
program, with more than 1500
teachers trained. Since its inception,
the production of more than 28,000
tonnes of waste has been avoided,
according to the Gould Group.
Mr Caudry joined the chief
information officer from the
Green team: Croydon Hills PS ‘eco legends’ Laura, Lauren, Bec (front) Casey, Teresa and Elise spread the school’s
sustainability message.
Commonwealth Department of
Environment and Water Resources,
Peter Woods, and a Queensland
principal, Michael Zeuschner, of
Bulimba State School, at the
seminar held at the Australian
embassy in Tokyo and hosted by the
Vice Minister of the Environment,
Yoshio Tamura, and the ministry’s
manager of the Office of
Environment Education, Katsumi
Kitazawa.
The Australians also attended a
tour through Nagoya looking at an
environmental education centre
and a secondary school with large
underground water tanks and solar
panels on its roof, which connect
back to the electricity grid, among
other things.
Mr Caudry, who described the
trip as “both exhilarating and
exhausting”, said he hoped the
exchange of ideas would “build
stronger links between our
countries in such a critical area that
affects us all”.
Centre the place for inquiring minds
Schools in the Mornington Cluster are
embracing a new program that takes them
out of the classroom and into the community
to mix with other schools, build relationships,
and explore the open-ended possibilities of
inquiry-based learning.
Mornington Cluster educator Clare
Sicuro’s varied experiences in student
welfare and behaviour management have
inspired a long-term passion for fostering
inclusive learning that caters to individual
learning needs.
This year, she has been running the
Mornington Inquiry Learning Centre (MILC),
a supportive, focused environment for teachers
to observe and participate in their own
students’ learning experiences over two weeks.
The seeds of MILC were planted in 2004 by
a group of innovative principals, who had the
vision of a cross-cluster, inquiry-based
learning centre. The vision materialised in
2007, starting with 60 Middle Years educators
from across the cluster meeting to plan how
the professional learning needs of the cluster’s
teachers could most effectively be met.
Snakes alive: A Mornington PS student learns first
hand about reptiles.
“My area of interest has led me to look very
intensively at different learning models and
to think of about possible ways we can change
the system to suit the child rather than
changing the child to suit the system,”
explained Ms Sicuro, who operates MILC
from Mornington Primary School.
“An identified need of our teachers was to
learn how to more effectively co-construct
curriculum with their students, through
inquiry learning.”
It was decided that students at MILC would
devise their own investigative group projects,
supported by their teachers and then work
closely with local business, community
support
groups
and
philanthropic
organisations from inception to completion.
At the beginning of each program, primary
and secondary students from three schools in
the cluster are immersed in the inquirylearning process.
After collaboratively devising a topic focus,
student groups go into the community and
investigate. They make phone calls, send
emails and confirm appointments to meet
with community groups.
“During the whole process, teachers are
encouraged to reflect on both the students’
and their own learning,” said Ms Sicuro.
“The students celebrate their learning
journey by participating in a final
presentation, during which they reflect on
their own learning experience.”
To date, more than 400 students and 20
teachers have attended MILC this year and
many more are lining up to participate.
As a teacher new to the cluster, Benton
Junior College’s Melanie French found
MILC very beneficial.
Over the fortnight, her Year 5 students
worked with others from Mornington Secondary
College and Moorooduc Primary School on an
inquiry into environmental sustainability.
“The groups came up with their own
research questions, including ‘how is litter
affecting our beaches and marine life?’ and
‘what kind of introduced plants affect native
wildlife?’,” she said.
“I was very impressed by the amount of
community support that was given to
students and teachers at MILC.”
For Ms French, MILC also provided an
opportunity to share ideas and techniques for
good practice with other teachers.
“Often in professional development you
learn a lot of theory – it’s far better to see the
theory in practice, and better still, to be a part
of the process,” she said.
“We push for our students to ‘learn by
doing’, so it is a great idea for teachers to have
the same kind of learning experiences.”
CONTACT
Clare Sicuro,
Mornington PS
sicuro.clare.c@edumail.vic.gov.au
5975 2561
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By Melanie Corben
News
EDUCATION TIMES • AUGUST 16, 2007
5
Brauer students talk the talk and win
BRAUER College has reinforced
its reputation as Australia’s
premier school for public speaking
and debating, taking out the talk
circuit’s hat trick.
In the last month, the
Warrnambool school has won the
National
Apex
Debating
Championship, the National Bond
University Mooting Championship
and the State Plain English
Speaking Competition.
Brauer College becomes the only
school in Australia to have won the
Bond Mooting Championship
twice (in 1996 and this year) and,
this year becomes the only school in
Australia to have held both
national titles simultaneously.
“We are so proud of our students,
their efforts and hard work,”
principal Michael Cusick said.
“The achievements are also the
result of the hard work of our staff
over a long and sustained period of
time and a strong public speaking
culture within the school,” Mr
Cusick added, noting also the
contribution of several founding
directors.
A team of three students – Tom
Ballard (Year 12), Justin Powell
(Year 11) and Andrei Khaidurov
(Year 12) – represented the school
at
the
National
Mooting
Championship, held in Queensland
in late July, with Justin also taking
out the coveted Best Advocate
Medallion.
Mooting is simulating the legal
argument that lawyers present in
court during an appeal. The trio
admitted that at the start of the year
they didn’t even know what mooting
meant. Despite this they were able
to use their research and debating
skills to win their way through
regional and state finals and then
the prestigious national final, which
was held before a judge.
Dream team: Brauer College mooting and debating team coaches Anne Knappett and Emma Williams with team members
(front row) Freya Cole, Justin Powell, (back row) Tom Ballard, Andrei Khaidurov and Matthew Orchard.
They argued a case in which a
15-year-old girl had attended a party
held at her school and become
drunk. She then drove a ride-on
lawnmower into a hole that had been
dug out to build a new swimming
pool. The girl successfully sued the
school for her injuries and the
students were representing the
school in an appeal.
The college’s public speaking
and debating co-ordinator Emma
Williams said Brauer College was
one of only two government schools
to make it to the Gold Coast
national final.
The college’s successful National
Apex Debating Champion team
comprised Tom Ballard, Freya Cole
(Year 11), Matthew Orchard
(Year 12) and Justin Powell.
The third leg of Brauer College’s
extraordinary trifecta was the State
Championship of the Plain English
Speaking Competition, won by
Tom Ballard, who is now preparing
for the national competition, to be
held in Canberra on August 20,
and, if successful, he will have the
opportunity to compete at an
international level.
“We all feel very fortunate that our
school is Brauer,” Tom said. “The
opportunities are very extensive.
There are lots of extracurricular
programs that students can choose,
including public speaking, sport,
drama, and the outdoors.
“I think Brauer really encourages
students to participate in public
speaking to the best of their ability
and that’s certainly been a huge
benefit to me.
“Thanks to Brauer’s supportive
teachers and parents, we’re able to
enter into these competitions and
compete at such a standard.”
Tom is the second student from
Brauer College to win the Victorian
section of the Plain English
Speaking competition in five years.
In 2003, Julien du Vergier went on
to be runner-up in the national final
and to represent Australia in
London at the international
competition.
On August 3, Tom and five other
state finalists enthralled a packed
audience at Treasury Theatre in
Melbourne with speeches that
tackled living with fear, heroes and
communication challenges of the
21st Century. The title of Tom’s
speech was ‘Bullying dot com’.
Four of the finalists came from
government schools. Joining Tom
were Terry Kenos (Strathmore
Secondary College), Kellymaree
Butler (Mac.Robertson Girls’ High
School) and Tallon Mason-Kaine
(Melbourne High School).
Earlier this year, Tom featured in
the VCE Season of Excellence
where he performed his Theatre
Studies monologue at Top Class
and Top Acts. Previous Victorian
winners have gone on to study law
and engineering but Tom’s
ambition is to be an actor.
The Plain English Speaking
Competition, managed in this state
by the Victorian Curriculum and
Assessment Authority, began in
Victoria in 1977. It grew into a
national competition and is now in
its 30th year.
Department releases sexual assault guidelines
VICTORIAN government schools will now
have clarity in dealing with allegations by
students of sexual assault with the release of
new guidelines.
The guidelines include information on the
definitions of sexual assault, responsibilities of
principals and teachers, actions to be taken
and contacts of relevant departmental and
external support agencies.
In one of her final engagements as
Education Services Minister, Jacinta Allan
launched the guidelines – Responding to
Allegations of Student Sexual Assault –
Procedures for Victorian Government
Schools – earlier this month with Victoria
Police Chief Commissioner Christine
Nixon.
Ms Allan said that while Victoria had always
had “rigorous and clear guidelines” for
principals, the Department wanted to ensure
new principals and teachers coming into the
system had a defined process to follow to
ensure students were immediately supported
and protected.
“Parents, students and school staff can be
confident that if an allegation of sexual
assault is reported in a school, it will be dealt
with in a timely and sensitive manner,” Ms
Allan said.
“Although such incidents are infrequent and
Department of Education and Early Childhood
Development Secretary Prof Peter Dawkins, former
Education Services Minister Jacinta Allan, student
wellbeing general manager John Allman and
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon.
some principals may never have to respond to
an allegation of sexual assault, we want to
ensure these processes are available for them
to use if a situation did arise.”
The guidelines were formulated
following a year of consultation involving
the Victoria Police Sexual Offences and
Child Abuse Unit, the Department of
Human Services Child Protection Unit, the
Department’s
regional
directors,
principals and student support services
officers.
An advice brochure for parents and carers is
also being formulated and will soon be
available to schools.
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6
News
EDUCATION TIMES • AUGUST 16, 2007
Shaping leaders in the making
NOTICE BOARD
Dahle Suggett
Deputy Secretary
Office for Education Policy and Innovation
Innovation and Next Practice
All education systems are being
challenged to prepare competent and
productive citizens for an increasingly
global and knowledge-driven world.
In this environment, innovation is a
non-negotiable priority.
But, by its very nature,
innovation is not something that
can be ‘managed’ in a traditional
way; it requires taking some risks;
analysing why some approaches
work better that others; providing
opportunities for new styles of
collaborative planning; and,
importantly, sharing knowledge so
others can follow.
So, what are some of the new
ways that education in Victoria
might foster innovation?
We are establishing a new
approach. The Innovation and Next
Practice Division has been recently
formed to promote school and
system level innovation stimulate
and incubate innovation, and,
importantly, ensure that successful
innovations can assume scale and
become mainstream practice.
We have made a modest start.
We have held a number of
showcasing events. For example, in
May this year over 600 educational
leaders came together at the MCG
to explore innovation in our
schools. The day offered a valuable
opportunity for hands-on
exploration of new concepts in the
use of space and design;
personalising learning and using
‘student voice’ through ICTs; new
models of community partnerships;
and new leadership styles for
transforming teaching practice.
Groups of schools are being
supported to initiate specific
innovations, share knowledge, and
evaluate progress so the system as
a whole can benefit. For example,
two new Design Teams are
focusing on pedagogy and space,
and new models for improving
literacy. The Design Teams include
principals and teachers from 30
schools who are already active in
leading innovative practices. Each
team has the opportunity to work
with like-minded practitioners and
a range of experts from outside
education, such as architects,
business partners, media and
information technology experts and
international partners.
The Knowledge Bank website
now includes Rich Picture Case
Studies on integrating new
technologies across the curriculum
areas, including pocket PCs and
podcasts, digital storytelling and
interactive whiteboards, to enhance
student engagement
(http://www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/
knowledgebank/).
The next step for Knowledge
Bank is to use web 2.0 tools.
Knowledge Bank: Next Generation
will be an interactive tool that
captures innovation and best
practice and enables sharing and
knowledge creation across the
system, and is integrated with the
forthcoming Ultranet.
We know innovation is
happening across our system. Our
challenge is to capture it at all levels.
For example, the Leading Schools
Fund supported 162 schools to link
pedagogy, space and technology.
We can now see more than 120 new
learning spaces. Many of these
schools are already sources of
intelligence for the system. We need
to spread these learnings more
widely and to identify the many
other sources of inspiration.
Our new approach is designed to
establish ways to spread good
practice across our schools, in order
to foster bottom-up change. We have
set the challenge to not only share
current knowledge and practice, but
to generate ‘next practice’ for
schools and their students to flourish
in the 21st Century.
The journey of an aspiring leader can
be an overwhelming challenge, with
candidates exposed to uncertainty
and feelings of isolation as they strive
for a leadership position.
The Leaders in the Making
Program is addressing these issues
by providing Victorian educators
with opportunities to develop
leadership
knowledge
and
understanding within a supportive
and encouraging environment.
The program is one of the new
programs being delivered as part of
the Office for Government School
Education’s (OSGE) Learning to
Lead Effective Schools strategy.
Teresa Bossio, a senior project
officer in the OSGE’s School
Leadership Unit, said the program
was designed to strengthen
leadership capacity within school
networks and support the design of
succession planning models.
“It is a unique program in that
from the start, networks take local
ownership of the program,” she said.
“Networks themselves identify
their high-potential aspirants and
provide them with a diverse range of
leadership development experiences
at the local level.
“The 18 networks participating in
the program this year have designed
a leadership development plan that
provides their aspirants with
localised learning experiences, such
as mentoring, shadowing, school
visits and study groups.”
This year, more than 230 primary
and secondary teachers and assistant
principals are set to complete the
12 month program, which provides
participants with a system view of
education
and
a
broader
professional context as they work
collaboratively to address a
challenge facing their network.
The networks’ activities are
complemented by a statewide
leadership learning program,
delivered for the Department by
RMIT University.
Dr Suzanne Perillo, from RMIT,
said the research that informs the
program’s development draws on
both leading theory and practice.
“This program is committed to
nurturing leadership aspirations,”
Dr Perillo said.
“To do this, there is a very close
link between ‘what’ and ‘how’ the
participants learn and the actual
leadership experiences they are
already involved in at work.
“By participating in workshops,
coaching sessions and an online
leadership
‘Learning
Hub’,
individuals
develop
effective
leadership capabilities.
“These capabilities will not be
focused on producing super heroes;
rather, the participants in this
program will be positioned to
cultivate school cultures that expect
and benefit from practices that
distribute
leadership.
More
effective schools for students and
improved learning outcomes will be
the value added – something we can
sincerely be excited about.”
Gippsland’s Wellington Network
co-ordinator Craig Felstead told
Education Times that 10 aspiring
leaders from his network are
working on a project centred on The
Developmental
Learning
Framework for School Leaders.
“The team will work together
to familiarise themselves with
the framework, identify which
of
the
five
leadership
capabilities they need further
development in, canvass network
principals to identify professional
learning
opportunities
and
develop a leadership development
matrix.
“Our aim is to implement a
sustainable process for accessing
professional learning opportunities
with network principals. This will
then be used to support new
principals and aspiring leaders
within the network.”
Program participant Susan
Gilmore, from Rosedale Primary
School, said the program had
provided an invaluable experience
to network with other educators
who have aspirations for their
professional learning and who want
to strengthen and sustain effective
learning environments.
The Leaders in the Making
Program will run for the next
three years.
For
further
information,
email
Teresa
Bossio
at
bossio.teresa.m@edumail.vic.gov.au
Answers
for Educators
see back page
Onward and upward: Leaders in the Making program participants – Sale College teachers David Mowbray and Gay Findlay –
with principal Craig Felstead.
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News
EDUCATION TIMES • AUGUST 16, 2007
7
Bullseye of education a Stone’s throw away
By Karen Harbutt
STONE Wiske is taking it all in her
stride. The highly regarded
consultant employed by the
Harvard Graduate School of
Education, who has had a full day in
Barwon South Western Region
schools, is happy to be interviewed
on speakerphone as she is driven to
her next appointment.
Dr Wiske, who was picked up at
8am, has left Corio Bay Senior
College and is on her way to talk to
teachers at Camperdown College,
who are undertaking the WideScale Interactive Development for
Educators (WIDE World) online
professional development course
she runs for Harvard. It is a 90minute drive and she doesn’t expect
to be back in her Geelong hotel
room before 9pm.
Energy is something Dr Wiske
has in bucketloads and it is
something she was pleased to find
among the principals of the nine
schools involved in the Corio
Norlane Regeneration Project, who
she has met in the previous few days.
“I’ve seen lots that I think is
fascinating; probably top of my list
of what’s fascinating is the energy of
principals to really think about
what promotes the kind of learning
we’re all pursuing,” she said.
Dr Wiske has a reputation for
being able to see individual trees
and positioning each of them to
strengthen the forest, an attribute
that made her an attractive
educational consultant to the
Barwon South Western team.
“The whole Corio Norlane
regeneration has been a discussion
point for a long time,” regional
Rolling Stone: Prof. Stone Wiske discusses school transformation with Corio Bay
Senior College acting principal Arda Duck.
senior education officer Glenn
Brown, who has been accompanying
Dr Wiske on the tour, said.
“Stone works with Richard
Elmore (a professor who also
visited Victoria this month and is
featured in this issue of Education
Times) so her work is largely based
around linking theory of practice –
helping people move from a
research situation – to what that
means and how that can be
translated into an educational
framework,” Mr Brown said.
Schools within the Corio Norlane
area have set up research and
development teams to define their
practice, focusing on different age
groups, covering birth to age four,
Prep to Year 4, Years 5–9 and Years
10–12 and beyond, in preparation
for a major regeneration involving
nine schools.
The visits have been “timely”, Mr
Brown said, because the schools are
having a common curriculum day in
October where the teams will
present their research findings and
begin setting directions.
“To have her come in at this
particular time and bridge that gap
between theory and likely practice
will help them firm up and accelerate
that process, so they’re more likely to
be ready for that session.”
Flinders Peak Secondary College
principal Jennifer Hawkins was
impressed by how the visitor had
been able to give school leaders
practical advice relevant to the
school after such a short appraisal.
“She was just amazing in what she
picked up,” Ms Hawkins said. “I
gave her a background context of
the school, told her the sort of things
we do to improve teaching and
learning, literacy, numeracy and
attendance and she took that on.
“I told her about our Year 9
cultural unit, integrated studies and
problem-based learning, then we
visited a Year 7/8 class and another
Year 7/8 class and she spoke to
some students and teachers.
“She was probably here for an
hour. In our meeting that we had
with our Years 5–9 research and
development team she put what we
talked about into context and used
an example from Flinders Peak;
it was quite phenomenal; she took
what had been being discussed, gave
her ideas and then said, ‘I’ll put it
Prof. Stone Wiske meets with Corio Bay Senior College staff. Picture: PETER GLENANE
into context for a unit of work’.”
Dr Wiske is matter of fact. “I’m
in a position to see some crosscutting themes that you might not
understand if you’re embroiled in
them,” she says.
In meetings and workshops, Dr
Wiske tried to help groups move
towards a common language,
explaining that if colleagues within
and across schools could not
describe good work that was
happening in a classroom, it would
be harder to measure the quality of
that work.
“My work is involved in
articulating frameworks, so I would
say part of what I urged all these
groups to do was to focus a little
more specifically on the language,”
she said.
Reflecting on what she had seen in
Victorian schools and the work of
the Department, Dr Wiske
remarked on the commitment of her
audience to improving education.
“I’d like to emphasise how
impressed I have been – from the
work done by (deputy secretary)
Darrell
Fraser’s
office
(of
Government School Education) and
Glenda Strong (regional director of
the Barwon South Western Region)
and Glenn Brown right through to
the level of principals in the Corio
Norlane regeneration project,” Dr
Wiske said.
“They are constantly focused on
the bullseye of education, on highquality learning and how to
promote that. You might think that
all educators are interested in that,
but there are a lot of other things
they can be distracted by!”
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News
EDUCATION TIMES • AUGUST 16, 2007
9
Tour to develop real fellas
By Karen Harbutt
WHEN Midnight Oil went
on the road with the
Warumpi Band for the
Blackfella/Whitefella tour,
one reviewer would later
note: “most politically
active bands concentrate
on
raising
the
consciousness of their
audiences, but this tour was
Midnight Oil’s attempt to
raise its own.”
More than two decades
later, with both bands
defunct, Ben Pisani is
taking his students on a
remarkable rock tour of
regional Victoria and into
New South Wales to raise
their
awareness
of
Indigenous and regional
communities,
and
of
course, a muso’s life on the
road.
The
Sandringham
College
teacher
was
inspired by a book covering
the
1986
Blackfella/
Whitefella tour, which saw
Midnight Oil, headed by
now
Federal
Labor
politician Peter Garrett,
team up with the Warumpi
Band, from Papaunya in
the Northern Territory,
formed by Neil Murray, a
Victorian
‘whitefella’
working as a teacher and
labourer in the region, with
an Indigenous man from
Elcho Island, who died this
year of lung cancer, and
local musicians Gordon
and Sammy Butcher.
Thirty-eight Year 11 and
12 students, playing rock,
pop, jazz, alternative, folk,
acoustic and electric music,
will play on the banks of the
Murray River at Swan Hill,
in Victoria’s north west,
then cross the New South
Wales border to Broken
Hill, the original home of
the Wiljakali people, to
play for students at the
local high school and
broadcast to outback
stations via satellite and the
School of the Air.
At Menindee, home of
the Barkindji people, they
will be welcomed by senior
students
from
the
Menindee Central School
and an elder from the local
Indigenous
community
around a campfire in the
Kinchega National Park,
before playing at the school
the following day.
Back
in
Victoria,
Mildura Rural City Council
has even organised for the
students to be the headline
act in a three-state battle of
the bands.
Mr Pisani already has
some experience of being a
teenager on the road. As a
Year 10 student in
Mullauna
Secondary
College’s wind section, he
went on a similar tour.
“I got an appreciation for
life on the road, and got the
experience of sharing
music with a variety of
different people,” he said.
“Living in the city, you
think everything’s the same
as for you, but when you go
to the country you actually
get an impression of what
life’s like with no Southland
around the corner, or
Kmart down the road.”
The
Sandringham
College students will also
get a taste of the work
involved in putting a show
on the road, with Victorian
Certificate of Education
(VCE) music students
fulfilling their group
performance requirements
with the support of
Vocational Education and
Training (VET) students
who will work as engineers,
roadies, tour and stage
managers, and produce a
‘rockumentary’ and image
bank for band promotion.
The experience will add
to
their
sense
of
community, Mr Pisani, the
school’s VCE/VET music
co-ordinator, said, with
students having already
performed gigs to raise
money
for
droughtstricken farmers and World
Vision.
Will travel: Sandringham SC students Rhys Marchment, Madeline Ulbrick, Dorian Very and Matt Patterson
rehearse for the tour.
Picture: MORGAN BROWN
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Ask your local bookseller if they can supply or
contact Tracey and Margaret at Indij Readers:
Email info@indijreaders.com.au
Tel: 02 9597 7844
Fax: 02 9597 7855
STAGES
First three stages of reading.
Download an order form directly from the web:
www.indijreaders.com.au/order-books
10
Feature
EDUCATION TIMES • AUGUST 16, 2007
Elmore:
It’s about the
instruction
the knowledge base and research and the
majority of his work – here was this
Harvard professor who was grounded in
terms of spending time in the classroom
and observing,” she enthused.
This year he has come, on invitation
again, brought his family and stayed for
about their work and their receptivity to
longer. With growing familiarity with
this idea that everybody’s involved in the
the Victorian system, not only are his
improvement business, and I think that’s
insights and views valuable, but he is also
important,” he said of the changes he has
able to provide the Department with
seen since 2005.
critical feedback, Ms Petch said.
“It’s probably had some major
The skills he has developed in
changes in practice, but one of the major
observing, reflecting and putting that
things we know about this work is it
analysis to good use are
doesn’t take evenly across the whole
ones Prof. Elmore believes
system. And part of the problem of
can be, and should be,
The ‘egg crate’ school learnt by every principal
managing the work… is creating the
conditions that manage all that
reinforces the view of wishing to improve results
variability.”
in their classrooms.
With typical directness, Prof. Elmore
A key element of his
teaching as an isolated
simultaneously nails the Department’s
approach is to train the
practice and we have trainers, making principals
mission on the head and reinforces why
he is a part of it.
– every principal –
to figure out an
Judy Petch, general manger of the
accountable for improving
Department’s Teacher and School
teaching in their schools.
alternative to that
Capacity Building Executive, was among
He does not subscribe to
because it’s killing us the idea that there are
those who organised his first visit as a
response to the first Big Day Out in 2004
natural leaders, saying that
(which revealed a thirst to hear from
“if those people exist there
educational thinkers of international
are never going to be enough of them to
standing). “The level of interactivity was
go around”.
pretty compelling, (as were) his views,
At least one principal who heard the
professor speak at the Gippsland
Principals’ Conference earlier this
month, found his views “provocative”.
“I think he’s advocating being hard in
terms of change,” Tarwin Lower Primary
School principal Walter Birkenbeil said.
Harvard
“He wasn’t inviting people (to change)
University’s
or offering them a choice; he was telling
Prof. Richard
them ‘It’s what’s required’ and that’s a
Elmore.
hard thing.”
Prof. Elmore, who advises promoting
change through peer analysis, reflection
and questioning, says it is a principal’s
obligation to get his or her team on
board.
“First of all, you don’t have the option
of not doing it – that’s the accountability
part,” he told Education Times after his
presentation. “It may be more
comfortable for you to do it in certain
ways, but when push comes to shove,
that’s your job – to create a vision and get
Every function of a school should be about getting it right
in the classroom, with teaching a shared experience,
Prof. Richard Elmore tells Education Times’ KAREN HARBUTT.
R
ichard Elmore’s name is
brandished in red on a list of
thinkers decorating the front of
house at central office’s 33 St Andrews
Place. He is in the company of De Bono,
Gardiner, Montessori and even
Aristotle!
On an adjacent wall, facing visitors
signing in, are the words of Einstein:
“The important thing is not to stop
questioning’.
Professor Elmore is one of the
Department’s favourite sons, not only
because he doesn’t stop questioning, but
also because he encourages educators to
pose the ‘right’ questions, often of each
other, and shows them how this can
improve their classroom practice.
This year’s visit, featuring as keynote
speaker at the recent principals’ Big Day
Out, visiting schools and attending
regional conferences, is the third to
Victoria by the Harvard University
professor in as many years.
“There have been some fairly major
changes in the way school leaders talk
Education Times
www.education.vic.gov.au/about/news/edtimes
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IVANHOE
PROFESSIONAL
LEARNING
teachers involved in helping you figure
out the implications.”
Teachers may need to redefine their
roles in this process, with principals
encouraging them to see the value in
doing that. “You’ve got the teacher who
might be quite good who’s off in a corner
of a building doing whatever it is he or
she does, but the other teachers never
really get the benefit of that,” Prof.
Elmore explained.
“That teacher is likely to say, ‘so
explain to me why and how I benefit’ and
you have to convince that person that
they have a leadership role and that
there are things that they can learn by
taking on a leadership role.
“Then there are the teachers who are
afraid to expose their practice to other
people’s scrutiny because they know that
there are things that they don’t do very
well. For those people you have to get
them over the hump of getting used to
working collaboratively and having
other people in their classroom and
thinking hard about instructional
practice and, more importantly, thinking
hard about what they’re asking students
to do.”
The professor has been impressed
with what he has learned of the school
regenerations underway in Bendigo and
Broadmeadows, which he describes as
an “amazingly creative” response to
changing demographics and student
needs in those areas.
“People are going to come from all
over the world to see these. There’s
nothing like this,” he told Education
Times. “In both instances, they are
designing the physical structure to
correspond to the kind of instruction
they want to occur in that structure. I’ve
never seen anything quite like it.”
The schools that will house the
reformations in Bendigo and
Broadmeadows feature open areas,
flexible learning spaces (allowing team
teaching), hubs of specialised learning,
and pods supported by technology. The
teaching principles behind them are
similar to those espoused by Prof. Elmore
and promoted by him during his visits.
These principles involve breaking
down a practice where teachers work in
Feature
EDUCATION TIMES • AUGUST 16, 2007
11
Change agent:
Prof. Richard
Elmore speaks at
the 2007
Principal’s
Big Day Out.
their own spaces without input,
reflection or support from their
colleagues.
“The ‘egg crate’ school reinforces the
view of teaching as an isolated practice
and we have to figure out an alternative
to that because it’s killing us,” Prof.
Elmore said. “It produces highly
variable practice from classroom to
classroom (and) students really suffer in
terms of getting access to high-level
learning.
“Teachers need to learn how to
practise in each other’s sight, so you
need a structure that reflects and
reinforces that notion that you’re
breaking down this egg crate structure.”
Teaching will not improve unless
teachers themselves are committed to
the idea of open learning, Prof. Elmore
suggests, adding that he has already seen
one teacher in a transformed school
blocking up an internal classroom
window with a makeshift curtain.
When Prof. Elmore visited
Broadmeadows West Primary School
last year, staff were already primed,
having begun a “journey of school
improvement”, principal Philip
Clinkaberry said.
“What hit home when he came out was
the notion of putting professional
development in the context of the
classroom and ensuring the work that
was being done to enhance capacity of
teachers was classroom related.”
The school now has three ‘coaches’
who visit classrooms regularly – a
literacy specialist, a middle years cluster
educator and a school improvement
officer from the Northern Metropolitan
Region office. They observe, reflect and
share their ideas with classroom
teachers.
There is already a feeling that a more
positive culture is being fostered at the
school, Mr Clinkaberry believes.
“The first change is that teachers are
more focused on their (teaching and
learning) practices. It’s the whole idea of
being reflective practitioners as opposed
to waiting for something to come up and
then going off site to a PD – it’s about
reflecting continuously on themselves
and others.
“It’s something Elmore says; it’s a real
skill to observe descriptively as opposed
to being judgmental or putting your own
bias on it.”
Mr Clinkaberry is also involved in
coaching the coaches, saying the role is
about “asking the right question, setting
goals, guiding them to find the right
answers”.
“In the classroom, it’s got to be about
research – asking what the experts are
saying about that, comparing that with
what I’m doing and building on the new
research.”
When Prof. Elmore visited St Arnaud
Secondary School a few years ago, the
school had already begun an
improvement agenda, inspired by
criteria for the Leading Schools Fund
and favouring more team teaching, an
open learning environment, thinking
curriculum and creating a greater
awareness among students of their
learning styles, principal Ian Peel said.
“Elmore was able to talk about whole
school improvement and the way in
which to move towards that,” Mr Peel
said. “One of the things he was
emphasising was the need to develop our
own staff and make sure that we invested
time in professional development of the
staff and sharing of ideas within the
school. The other thing he identified was
the wealth of knowledge that existed in
the people he spoke to.”
Several St Arnaud Secondary School
teachers recently went to a cluster PD to
learn how to use the school’s new
interactive white boards and, in turn,
taught their colleagues. A couple of the
younger members of staff “started
experimenting” with the idea of digital
portfolios, became proficient at the
project, taught their colleagues and now
the school is being asked to make
presentations to other schools, Mr Peel
also noted.
With a new flexible learning centre,
more resourceful access to professional
development and initiatives such as
weekly teacher team meetings, there is a
more productive buzz about the school,
he added.
“I think morale is very
high, there’s a lot of
collegiate sharing of
information and a lot of
powerful conversation
about improvement. A lot of
Teachers need to learn
talk around schools can be
how to practise in each
quite negative – talking
about a problem child and
other’s sight, so you
that kind of thing. Now I’m
finding the conversation is
need a structure that
about what you can do about
reflects and reinforces
it and how you can improve
the situation.”
that notion that you’re
Technology, such as that
being developed in St
breaking down this egg
Arnaud’s new flexible
crate structure.
learning centre, is another of
Prof. Elmore’s areas of
interest. He believes poor
use of technology has as
much potential to undermine
teaching practice as good use of it does
to enhance learning.
The Ultranet, being introduced in
Victoria now, could be a powerful tool if
used to its full extent, Prof. Elmore said.
“If I’m a teacher in Mildura and
I am doing a unit on Othello, there’s no
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reason why I shouldn’t have access to all
the other teachers, at least in Victoria
and possibly in the Commonwealth, who
have struggled with the same problems
I’ve struggled
with in teaching Othello and there’s no
reason why that shouldn’t be common
property,” he suggested as an example.
With access to lesson plans, research,
film and audio materials and curriculum
outlines, “there’s no excuse for not
teaching content at high levels”.
Prof. Elmore’s teachings have found
traction in Victoria because they have
practical appeal. He sums up the
educational norm and the ‘better model’
with equal simplicity.
“The traditional model has been that
the principal handles the external and
the surface managerial tasks of the
organisation and the teachers manage
instruction with each individual in their
classroom. That will get you a more
pronounced version of what you already
have, which in Australia is relatively high
performance, but with huge variability.
“A better model is one where the
management and organisational issues
relate directly to what is happening in
the classroom.
“So how you organise time in the
school has to support getting better
instruction; the schedule, the way you
use external resources and generate
money that comes into the organisation,
how you organise people and how you
use their time, how you organise your
relationship with the community – all
that has to support the classroom.”
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News
EDUCATION TIMES • AUGUST 16, 2007
Educating for Uncertain Futures
The World Education Forum (Vic) and
The Catholic Education Office Melbourne
invite all interested educational leaders
and teachers to a forum with CEO
principals to discuss:
Learning Matters
Educating for uncertain futures.
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13
Seven steps to writing success
By Tina Luton
SCHOOLS from across the
Shepparton
cluster
have
participated in a major writing
initiative involving renowned
author and motivational speaker
Jen McVeity, whose ‘Seven Steps to
Writing Success’ reportedly enables
teachers to take their new skills into
the classroom the very next day.
Author of more than 23 books and
a highly awarded professional
speaker, she has travelled to Society
of Children’s Book Writers and
Illustrators
conferences
in
Australia, Asia, and to nine states of
the USA. In 2003 she was awarded a
Churchill Fellowship to showcase 40
Australian authors to USA
publishers.
Her Seven Steps program breaks
writing down into seven basic
components and shows teachers
how to brainstorm 100 story ideas in
10 minutes and write five great story
beginnings in five minutes. It also
introduces them to top author
‘cheats’ to make dialogue sound
terrific and clever ways in which to
eliminate ‘all the boring bits’.
“The aim of the initiative is to
provide teachers with practical tools
for teaching writing, to make writing
fun for students and, in time, to see
an improvement in our writing
data,” said Shepparton cluster coordinator Debbie Humphries.
The Shepparton cluster consists of
three secondary schools, 17 primary
schools and the Verney Road
School, which caters to children with
intellectual disabilities.
So far, 19 government schools,
105 primary and secondary teachers
and approximately 2500 students
within the cluster have taken part in
the initiative, which involved a full
day of action-packed teacher
training and a fun series of
classroom modelling sessions with
Write stuff: Seven Steps author Jen McVeity with Tallygaroopna PS
teacher Laurie Tyndall.
Ms McVeity across all schools.
A further two days of training was
provided for teachers who will
implement the initiative, along with
resources
to
support
its
introduction, including newsletter
articles to help parents become
involved with the program.
Ms Humphries said that having
the opportunity to work with a
highly skilled and acknowledged
author such as Ms McVeity was
invaluable in terms of professional
development. She has since
implemented several steps to ensure
the program’s ongoing success,
including a ‘driver’ training session.
“I wanted a bank of useful tips,
more practical ideas and activities to
share with the teachers who may
have been experiencing difficulties
when implementing the program or
just wanted some new ideas to keep
building the momentum of the
program in their classroom,” she
explained.
“It was the first time Jen had
facilitated such a session, but the
feedback was really positive. The
session also included tips for AIM
tests and starting to connect the
Seven Steps program to the VELS
(Victorian Essential Learning
Standards). Information and
resources are also posted on our
Shepparton cluster sharepoint site
for member schools to access.”
Ms Humphries is organising a
second round of classroom
modelling sessions for September
and liaising with schools on what
they might require in order to
continue the Seven Steps program.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
Keep your students switched on with Dr Kawashima’s
BRAIN TRAINING.
When students switch on and
start playing Nintendo’s Touch
Generation’s game, ‘Dr Kawashima’s
Brain Training’ it’s possible they’ll
find themselves getting hooked
on the often -dreaded times
tables. Inspired by the theories of
prominent Japanese neuroscientist
Dr Ryuta Kawashima, Brain Training
features activities that stimulate
the brain and give it an academic
workout in a fun, engaging way.
Maths, problem solving, drawing,
reading and memory exercises
are all assessed and students are
given a ‘Brain Age’.
The sequel, ‘More Brain
Training’ continues to stimulate
different parts of the brain and
introduces writing, arithmeticbased challenges, music, reaction
tests and new tasks to help
students stay sharp and active.
And to see your class build up their
analysis skills, set them to work
on ‘Big Brain Academy’; it’s the
one time your students will want
a big head! Guaranteed to give
young minds a complete workout
and train their brain in 5 different
categories,
Students have already realised
that exercising their brain can be
as fun as playing a game – take
it from the students at Greenhills
Primary School, Victoria. Grades 5
and 6 were some of the first to trial
Nintendo’s Touch Generation range
of games in the classroom, and
not only were they sticking to their
school curriculum, but tackling it
with real enthusiasm.
Challenging, engaging, and
most importantly fun, the Brain
Training games are a useful tool in
any classroom. To find out more
about the power and potential that
the Nintendo DS could have in
your classroom and at your school,
please visit www.nintendo.com.au
Kieren and Symantha Perkins exercise their brains every day with “More Brain Training”.
“ When I introduced the Nintendo DS in the classroom, the program and technology
instantly grabbed all the students’ focus and attention.”
James Penson, Teacher Greenhills Primary
TM, ® and the Nintendo DS Logo are trademarks of Nintendo. © 2005 – 2007 Nintendo. © 2007 Nikoli Co., Ltd.
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14
eLearning
EDUCATION TIMES • AUGUST 16, 2007
Introducing interactive,
enhanced learning
Learning Objects @ a glance!
What’s On Spot
www.education.vic.gov.au/digilearn
Links to Victorian
Essential Learning
Standards
R7146: Storm Boy, 1976:
‘You run like a blackfella!’
Links to VELS
Discipline-based learning /
English /
All dimensions
Interdisciplinary learning /
Communication /
Listening, viewing and responding
and presenting
Digital resources are a collection of
digital content collected from a
range of cultural institutions and
comprise single assets such as
moving images, photos and audio
files.
Digital resources are great when
used with data projectors and or
interactive whiteboards.
The clip shows scenes from the feature
film ‘Storm Boy’. Released in 1976, the
film was an immediate commercial
success in Australia and overseas.
Based on a popular children’s book by
Australian author Colin Thiele, it uses
the overlapping themes of alienation,
marginalisation and loss that connect
Storm Boy, his father Hideaway Tom,
Fingerbone Bill and the pelicans to
tackle issues such as black and white
relations, family and environmentalism.
This digital resource is one of many
that can be found in digiLearn but is
part of the Australia Screen online
website.
www.australianscreen.com.au
eLearning Professional
Development Opportunities
Event:
Date 1:
Venue:
Date 2:
Venue:
Contact:
Advanced Kahootz Training
Tuesday, August 21
Flinders Peak SC
Wednesday, August 29
at Hawkesdale College
macpherson.wendy.w@
edumail.vic.gov.au
Event:
Unpacking the ICT
Progression Points
Tuesday, August 28
Warrnambool College
macpherson.wendy.w@
edumail.vic.gov.au
Date:
Venue:
Contact:
Event:
Keynote:
Live to Learn: Learn to Blog
“Edublogs are Go! How Blogs
are changing teaching and
learning online” by James
Farmer
Date:
Thursday, August 30
Venue:
Ivanhoe Grammar School,
Ridgeway campus
To register: www.vitta.org.au/events
Event:
Date 1:
Date 2:
Contact:
Event:
Conference: ULearn07
Personalising Learning in a
Digital World
Date:
October 3–5
Venue:
Sky City Convention Centre,
Auckland, New Zealand
To register: Go to www.ulearn.org.nz
Event:
Advertising
Date:
Venue:
Display ad rate:
Contact:
$18.70 per cm per one column width (5cm per column)
Visit:
Classified ad rate:
88 cents a word, minimum charge $26.40
(prices include GST)
To advertise, contact:
Wayne Maxwell
Tel: 9637 2868 Fax: 9637 2626 Email: maxwell.wayne.p@edumail.vic.gov.au
TigerTurf
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Primary eLearning forums
Wednesday, September 12 at Moe
Thursday, September 13
at Leongatha
fusinato.margaret.m@
edumail.vic.gov.au
Event:
Date:
Venue:
Go to:
Contact:
Pixar: 20 Years of Animation –
Education Programs
Until Sunday, October 14
Australian Centre for the
Moving Image
Sarah on 8663 2441. Advance
bookings essential
www.acmi.net.au/learn.htm
for more details.
6th International Conference
on Mobile Learning
October 16–19
Melbourne Exhibition and
Convention Centre
http://www.mlearn2007.org
enquiries@mlearn.org
SCHOOLS in Australia and
overseas are increasingly using
Interactive Whiteboards (IWBs) to
engage students through touch
screen, multimedia environments.
To support the introduction of IWBs
in Victorian schools, the Department
has given teachers the opportunity to
trial them to explore how they can be
used to greatest effect, what schools
need to consider before purchase and
how to integrate IWBs into classroom
practice.
Derrimut Heath Primary School’s
eLearning and innovation leader,
Georgina Pazzi, was involved in the
trials and found the IWBs to be
invaluable tools.
“The most effective classrooms
were in schools that had not only
purchased boards, but had also
invested
time
and
money
developing an eLearning vision and
strategy to implement them
successfully,” Ms Pazzi said.
“This included professional
learning opportunities for teachers,
leveraging off the ‘early adopters’,
ensuring the IWBs were physically
accessible, providing adequate
technical support and having
dedicated
computers
and
peripherals fixed to each board to
enhance the interactive experience.”
One of the greatest advantages of
using IWBs, Ms Pazzi said, is the ability
for teachers to share resources and to
build up a bank of materials that can be
adapted and used across the school.
“Teachers are able to create
exciting lessons wherever and
whenever they need them, without
having to be at school in the early
hours of the morning to write up their
lessons on the board.
“They can also use any software
available on the computer, not just
the bundled software that comes with
the board, to add excitement and
interest to all learning experiences.”
Diamond Creek East Primary
School principal Robert Rostolis
informed by trials and research, has
established standards and provisions
to be met when or if schools decide to
purchase this equipment.
For details on the preferred
suppliers, product and pricing details
and the process to purchase IWBs for
your school, visit www.sofweb.vic.
edu.au/ict/itproducts/whiteboards.htm
PEEL is pleased to offer the following in-services:
(this is a repeat of a very popular
program held earlier this year)
1. Establishing and Sustaining Learning Teams
2. Visions for VELS
There is an increasing trend to establish learning teams involving
all staff, or all the staff at some year levels in Victorian schools
at present. Learning teams have the potential to stimulate high
quality professional development and to help build a school
culture of collaboration, sharing, reflection on and extension of
practice. They also have the potential to fail and seriously set
back such long term goals.
The interdisciplinary domains of VELS present new challenges
to schools as to how they can be integrated into whole school
programs. The Project for Enhancing Effective Learning has
much to offer schools and teachers in implementing these
domains. PEEL has developed a wealth of expertise through the
work of practising teachers. PEEL offers a database of over 200
classroom-tested teaching procedures and 1400 cases in which
teac hers tell their stories of using these as well as teacher
friendly theory which helps teachers explore the thinking behind
the four domains.
This in-service will focus on how to implement the
interdisciplinary domains of:
This seminar will draw on the experiences of many teachers
who have worked in learning teams over long periods of time.
Dr Ian Mitchell is co-founder and convenor of the 22 year long
Project for Enhancing Effective Learning (PEEL). He has a long
and varied experience teaching and learning as well as in
professional development including a wide range of different
types of learning teams. In this workshop/seminar, he will
draw on these experiences to highlight factors and structural
features that are and are not likely to result in learning teams
being successful. These will include establishing goals and foci
that are meet teachers existing concerns and that are likely to
sustain good group dynamics and development.
For further details and registration forms for both
these programs, please contact:
www.tigerturf.com.au
Switched on: Monica and Adrian, Mentors In
Computer Education leaders at Derrimut
Heath PS, uncover the world of opportunities
offered by interactive whiteboards.
PEEL (The Project for Enhancing Effective Learning) was founded in 1985 by a group of teachers
who were dissatisfied with the prevalence of passive, unreflective, dependent student learning, even
in apparently successful lessons. The project has spread to many schools and operates as a network
of autonomous groups of teachers who focus on how their students go about learning, and who
operate in what we would now call ‘professional learning teams’. The goals of PEEL map onto several
intended outcomes of current initiatives and PEEL can help schools achieve these.
Presenter: Dr Ian Mitchell,
Venue:
Faculty of Education,
Monash University, Clayton
Date:
Tuesday September 11th 2007
Time:
8.45am - 4.00 pm
Cost:
The cost is $240 (inc GST), this includes
lunch and materials.
Tel: 1800 802 570
has installed 17 IWBs at his school,
one for each classroom.
“We’ve had no problems
introducing these tools – every one of
our teachers has sung their praises,”
he told Education Times.
“Most students are visual learners,
so we use the boards at the start of each
class to stimulate the discussion and
engage the students with the topic.
“We’ve offered professional
learning days for our team to search
the web to find sites that can be used
for all classes.
“We’re now working more
collaboratively,
efficiently
and
effectively. Instead of individual
teachers putting energy into just
preparing for their own class, together,
they research, develop share and store
materials on a central intranet, pull
them up when needed and get on with
the teaching and learning.”
The Department has selected a
panel of three suppliers to provide
IWBs and all associated products for
Victorian schools. This strategy,
Howard Brown, PEEL Office
Phone: 9905 2791 Fax: 9905 2779 or
email howard.brown@education.monash.edu.au
Personal Learning, Interpersonal Development, Communication
and Thinking Processes
t
t
#VJMEJOHNFBOJOHGPSUIFEPNBJOT
8IBUXPVMEDMBTTSPPNTMPPLMJLFXIFOUIFTFEPNBJOT
are being implemented?
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t *TTVFTPGUFBDIFSDIBOHF
This in-service is aimed at Curriculum and Professional
Development leaders in schools, and those aspiring to take on
such leadership roles.
Presenter: Drs Ian and Julie Mitchell,
Venue:
Faculty of Education,
Monash University, Clayton
Date:
Friday September 14th 2007
Time:
8.45am - 4.00 pm
Cost:
The cost is $240 (inc GST), this includes
lunch and materials.
eLearning
EDUCATION TIMES • AUGUST 16, 2007
Useful sites for ...
15
All sites are available through the Education Channel. Most games require Flash and some require downloads.
Digital Imaging
Recommended sites from the Victorian Education Channel team can be found at
www.education.vic.gov.au/teacher
To recommend sites, email Russell Blackie at blackie.russell.r@edumail.vic.gov.au
Kodak
For free PD related to online curriculum resources and the Victorian Education
Selecting a camera, photo tips and
Channel contact Carolyn McCabe: mccabe.carolyn.s@edumail.vic.gov.au
tutorials, projects and ideas and suggested
SITE OF THE WEEK
Popular Photography
Top commercial site with current news and product info and reviews, imaging blogs,
podcasts and feature articles..
www.popphoto.com
How digital cameras work
storing and sharing images.
www.howstuffworks.com/digital-camera.htm
An encyclopaedic guide to all aspects
of digital photography, including saving,
Sim Cam
HP Scanning tips
Virtual camera site with basic information and
photography tips.
www.photonhead.com/simcam/
Self-paced instruction in using scanners,
including for creative projects.
http://preview.tinyurl.com/398l8p
Digital Photography 101
Hotlist for tech co ordinators
Tools for teaching science with hands-on
activities, a digital library, current activity spotlight
and class activities on the explore page.
www.ictpd.net/moodle/course/view.php?id=13
From Filamentality, a comprehensive collection of
online resources for the teaching of digital media.
Not all links are VEC inclusive.
www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/
listtechcoorsu.html
Online tutorials in using Microsoft Movie Maker
with techniques, projects and sharing content.
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/movie
maker/create/default.mspx
u t
aL stunity ThiStart
nking !!!
Opport
? Make a DVD
cker
? bumper sti
logan
? billboard s
VE
BE IN N O V AT I
The Information Kit
and application form
are available now at
www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/druged/
School Community
Approaches to Drug
Education have enabled
schools to achieve some
fantastic student outcomes
including, increasing student
engagement and attendance
at school.
ICT Domain
The Department’s domain page for ICT including
links to VITTA , ATOM and ACMI.
http://preview.tinyurl.com/3b2hod
where thinking and learning meet
4 s
rm n
te ssio
se
ru
Grants
up to
$15,000
photo themes.
http://preview.tinyurl.com/35z5of
How the Intel QX3 digital microscope works,
sample images and ideas for class use.
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/optics/intelplay/
intelanatomy.html
Movie Maker
Additional sites to visit
Digital microscope
...thinking, learning and assessment are three
parts of one inseparable ‘whole’.
Designing
learning opportunities with this in mind, it is
possible to improve test scores while
simultaneously raising learners employability
skills. It isn’t either / or. We can do both!
lane clark
term 4 seminars and workshops
Regional Senior Program
Officers are there to assist
you in this process. Their
contact details are available
from the drug education
website.
one day seminar
preparing learners for their future NOT our past
Contact Julie Millar,
Senior Project Officer
Department of Education,
on 9637 2028 for further
information.
two day real assessment workshop
SCADE GRANTS
FINAL YEAR
Applications close 4pm Tuesday 18 September 2007.
This project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training under the National School Drug Education Strategy.
$250 ($205 before end of term 3)
(principal invited FREE with 2 teacher registrations)
TAYLORS LAKES: Tues. 30th Oct. 2007
$450 ($405 before end of term 3)
TAYLORS LAKES: Wed. 31st Oct thru Thurs. 1st Nov. 2007
three day real thinking workshop
(pre-requisite is seminar Or real assessment)
$595 ($535 before end of term 3)
TAYLORS LAKES: Wed. 14th thru Fri. 16th Nov. 2007
WATCH OUT FOR LANE’S NEW BOOK
‘Where thinking and learning meet!’
(published by Hawker Brownlow Education)
contact us for more info and registration form
phone: 0407 99 81 83
email: office@laneclark.ca
fax (03) 9243 5510
10% OFF all bookings taken
web: www.laneclark.ca
before end of term 3!
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News
EDUCATION TIMES • AUGUST 16, 2007
17
Virtual classroom goes 24/7
By Tina Luton
BLACKBOARDS, photocopiers
and memory sticks could be a thing of
the past at Broadmeadows Secondary
College with the launch of a real-time
interactive virtual classroom.
The online classroom is accessible
via the Internet, 24-hours-a-day,
seven days a week. Just like a faceto-face classroom, it can be a very busy
place with students utilising stored
documents, chatting online about
assignments and keeping in touch with
their teachers and classmates through
instant messaging.
The college, which is part of the
Victorian Schools Plan, began
working on ‘millennial learning
models’ for students in mid-2006.
The school worked closely with
Virtium, an Australian-owned
company that offers primary and
secondary schools access to customdesigned multimedia platforms and
software which sit on Microsoft
Office Groove to deliver 21stcentury learning, teaching practice,
resources, models and development
support via a secure network.
“The emphasis is on collaborative
with each other and their teachers
any time, in real time.
Students can work offline and,
once online, all the changes to data
are instantly shared and updated
with fellow students and teachers,
who can track work in progress and
provide online support, advice and
encouragement.
“Research, and our experience,
suggests that these kids like to be
connected. They like to collaborate
and
are
used
to
having
communication at their finger tips.
They are impatient in that they want
things to happen instantly, including
getting teacher feedback, and they are
experiential learners able to multitask. This program provides for all of
that and more,” said Ms Meek.
The virtual classroom, managed
by teachers, is secure with little
danger of cyber-bullying because
everyone online is identified and
there is no access for the uninvited.
Ms Meek said another advantage is
that students need never fall behind
with their work due to absence.
“As long as they can connect to the
Internet they can connect to class,
their classmates and their teacher.”
Online education: Broadmeadows SC student and 2006 Digital Laureate winner Mari Mansour (second from right) with teacher Liz
Cassar, principal Greg Williams and Virtium CEO George Sorgi.
learning,” said assistant principal
and millennial pedagogy leader
Bronwyn Meek.
“Then we can go on this journey
into virtual collaborative learning,
expand what is possible and connect
our students and teachers in ways
that can only enrich and extend the
learning experience,” she said.
The first virtual classroom
involves 20 students in Year 10. The
program will extend to other classes
as
teachers
become
more
competent with the technology and
the learning principles that drive it.
The students will follow the same
school curriculum but use computers
to access it, either via the college’s
wireless network or from their home
Internet. The customised software
enables the students to communicate
Expos highlight latest scientific gear
WITH all Victorian government schools
offered grants to buy specialist science
equipment in April, two secondary colleges
have held timely expos to help them make a
considered choice.
Amanda Gluyas, a laboratory technician
with Berwick Secondary College, organised
the expo at her school, inviting the major
suppliers to put their equipment on display
for teachers to peruse.
Keilor Downs Secondary College held a
similar expo after being impressed with
Berwick’s event.
Up to 90 teachers visited the Berwick expo,
Ms Gluyas said, and were able to see
demonstrations of different types of equipment.
“When it came out (government grants for
science equipment) a lot of primary schools
rang me up and asked what they should buy,”
Ms Gluyas explained.
Noting that each schools’ needs were
different, she decided to organise an expo
with suppliers and spread the word through a
laboratory technicians’ online ‘talk line’ set
up through the Science Teachers Association
of Victoria.
“It was very valuable,” Ms Gluyas said.
“For example, a teacher from Warragul
wanted new microscopes and for somebody
to go down to Warragul with just one
microscope would be really inconvenient.
“She brought a co-ordinator with her
because they could look at different
microscopes and make a decision on the spot
and say, ‘This is the microscope we want’.”
The Department has recommended
particular science equipment, including data
logging kits, which, using sensors, allow
students to measure changes in light,
temperature or sound.
Recommendations have also been made
on a range of microscopes that were on
display at the expos.
These included digital microscopes,
which allow students to capture
microscopic images and present them to
Crystal clear: (Far left) Berwick SC science leader Annette Williams looks on as visiting teachers inspect
the latest digital imaging equipment.
share their findings; stereomicroscopes,
which provide a high level of detail; and, for
secondary students, video microscopes,
which allow students to make short clips of
microscopic explorations.
Other equipment schools might consider
include the digital spectrophotometer, which
measures
concentrations
through
colorimetric analysis; the Cathode Ray
Oscilloscope, which measures oscillations of
voltage and current; and the Global
Positioning System (GPS), which enables
students to explore the use of global
positioning in earth and biological sciences.
Utilise the Current Science &
Mathematics Equipment Grant*
Science !
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For more information about Motic’s
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Phone: Melb: 03 9729 9399 Syd: 02 9543 5518
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Email: nsw@ausinst.com.au
18
News
EDUCATION TIMES • AUGUST 16, 2007
Organised chaos sparks
creative learning
By Karen Harbutt
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Financial Services
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Department of Education employees.
Q Evaluating the 54 year/11 months option benefits
Q Retirement Planning
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NOT everyone is a fan of organised
chaos, but when that chaos occurs
under the philosophical umbrella of
the ‘Reggio Emilia approach’ it
takes on a whole new creative spin.
Such is the art room of Julie Van
Etten at Corio South Primary
School. It is where Ms Van Etten,
who has also worked in the early
childhood and tertiary sectors, has
found her spiritual home.
Before her students enter the
room, it may look like any other
space in which a teacher has
planned a program, provided the
tools to carry it out and could
reasonably predict what will result
from the preparation.
But that is not the Reggio Emilia
approach and nor is it that of Ms
Van Etten, who is only too happy
not to be the sole driver when it
comes to learning.
“It’s about the relationship
between the teacher and the child,”
she said. “It’s about working
together; it’s not a teacherdominated approach.”
Ms Van Etten says she is a “keen
observer” of where students are at
and what they aren’t able to do or
use, in terms of skills and materials,
and guides them in pursuing their
own projects.
“It’s a combination of what you
need to do (in terms of meeting
curriculum goals or those associated
with the Victorian Essential
Learning Standards for example),
but you can design your program
around the children’s interests
because if they feel it’s what they
want to do they’re more engaged in
what they’re doing.”
So how does this play out in the art
room? Ms Van Etten sets up
different collections of materials on
about six tables which “evolve”.
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While a new activity is introduced
every few weeks, the children are
not obliged to undertake it, allowed
instead to choose what they create
and how, learn from others and
follow different leads.
The materials put out reflect the
children’s choices and peer reviews
encourage them to develop or
pursue new directions.
The room might typically feature a
drawing centre, painting area, clay
and playdough area, a construction
zone and tables with materials for
making collages, crafts and jewellery.
Responding to the spontaneity of
the students and their creative urges
takes a lot of energy but it is worth it,
according to Ms Van Etten.
“A lot of art teachers look at me
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Phone: (03) 9820 8688 Fax: (03) 9820 8333
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Work in progress: Julie Van Etten advises students Tyler, David and Liam on their
evolving artworks.
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and shake their heads in horror, but
I think once you’ve got the program
going, the things you’ve introduced
in one activity that goes on for a few
weeks naturally lead into another,
so the activities in the following
weeks just evolve.”
The Reggio Emilia approach is
named after that which still operates
in the Reggio Emilia community in
the hills of northern Italy. The
community rebuilt itself from the
rubble of post-World War II with
preschools that broke away from the
Mussolini era with a more ‘fluid’
approach to learning.
Parents and the environment
were thought to be ‘co-teachers’ and
lesson plans took their cues from the
interests of the children.
Education Times
www.education.vic.gov.au/
about/news/edtimes
News
EDUCATION TIMES • AUGUST 16, 2007
19
No place to hide
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Take your education
skills to the world stage
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AusAID, the Australian Government’s overseas aid program,
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Students rules: Cobden PS students celebrate their harmonious playground.
By Tina Luton
‘I DON’T know the rules’ is no longer
an accepted excuse at Cobden
Primary School where students can
now reach into their pockets for a
handy pint-sized reminder.
Each student carries a small
laminated card printed with a
simple set of values expressed in one
or two words: ‘Be: respectful,
careful, fair, caring, honest,
responsible.
Remember:
no
swearing, stay in bounds, no litter,
be punctual, no fighting.’
“We wanted uncomplicated rules
that would live in the classroom and
the playground, not in a dusty
folder. Having rules that can be put
into action helps to remind children
to be needful of other people, their
property and, importantly, their
feelings,” said teacher Virginia
Waldron.
Students must carry the card at all
times and each week at assembly
Prep to
VCE
programs
‘Hands-on’ mobile
energy education
we come to you!
• Solar Electricity
• Pedal Power Bike
• Solar Hot Water • Energy Transformed
• Wind Power
• Fossil Fuels
• Hydro Power
• Climate Change
“The Energy Explorer
was a great success
with students and
expertly presented”
“...a fantastic display.
A very worthwhile
experience”
Teacher, Year 3/4
Mt Evelyn P.S.
Environmental
Projects Officer,
City of Casey
Environment Expo 06
P.O. Box 2113 Lygon St. North, Brunswick East,
Victoria 3057 M 0427 366 464 P (03) 9386 6914
E indy@habitatenviroed.com.au
www.habitatenviroed.com.au
principal
Anthony
Dowling
nominates a rule that will receive
special attention that week and
highlights if certain rules have been
observed or ignored.
“The system works well because
the children cannot say that they
didn’t know that was a rule. There is
no place to hide in the event of a
misdemeanour,” laughed Ms
Waldron.
All behaviour is referred to in the
terms of the rules, with good
behaviour acknowledged through
positive reinforcement.
“For example, (a teacher might
say) ‘I saw you sharing your play
lunch – that was caring’ or ‘when you
owned up to that bad behaviour,
that was honest’,” she explained.
In the event of a misdemeanour,
such as bullying, the rules are referred
to as a way of helping the child to do
better next time. All incidents are
followed through with a round-table
discussion involving all parties.
“We talk about social bullying,
such as exclusion and verbal abuse
and we have worked very hard to
dispel the myth that reporting
bullying is ‘dobbing’,” said Ms
Waldron.
“We try to sit down calmly and get
everyone to talk about what
happened. It is very important to
maintain everyone’s dignity at all
times.
“We have made a point
of allowing the victim to be
heard, with a strong emphasis
on how they felt when bullied,
such
as
embarrassed
or
humiliated, so that the perpetrator
gets a better understanding
of the effects bullying has
on people and how it makes
them feel.
“It is also very important for
teachers to understand the
deleterious effect bullying has on the
bully, so that they can help the person
who is misbehaving,” she said.
Living Forest Experience
A fun filled day of adventure in the Toolangi State Forest
Leap into the new
Water for Life program
Primary and Secondary
New price for 2007 only $7 per student
Special bus deals available in some areas
For a brochure or booking call
NRCL on 5962 9033
See our website www.nrcl.org.au
X-Ray Vision
Medical Radiations Science in the 21st Century
CAREER OPEN DAY
Medical Imaging
Sunday, 26 August 2007
12 noon– 3.30 pm
Radiation Therapy
(last tour leaves at 3.00 pm)
Nuclear Medicine
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
St Andrew’s Place, East Melbourne
The open day is for students interested in
careers in the medical radiations professions.
Staff will conduct tours of these departments
and provide important career and professional
information. University course providers will
also be in attendance.
Make the most of this rare chance to see the
latest in high-tech modern medicine!
Parents and teachers are most welcome.
Medical Physics
Teacher Tax
Returns
3 Maximum Refund
3 Electronic Lodgement
3 14 Day Refund
3 Fee from refund
3 After hours appointments
available
3 Download a free checklist
from our website
For more details:
Phone: 9656 1375
Email: RTEducation@petermac.org
Web: www.petermac.org/career
258 Dorset Road, Boronia
(03) 9761 3616
RI¿FH#QSWD[FRPDX
www.nptax.com.au
Circulars
EDUCATION TIMES • AUGUST 16, 2007
S261-2007 School-based Consultation Reporting Requirements
For all schools and principals. Principals are asked to
distribute this message to all school staff.
The Victorian Government has removed the limit on the
amount employees are able to salary package in light of
the new superannuation measures announced by the
Commonwealth Government.
https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/Schools/
Circulars/2007/s256-2007_salarypackage-clr.doc
For all principals, schools, school council presidents
and regional directors. Principals are asked to
distribute this message to all school staff.
Principals must report by 1 September 2007 on whether
or not school consultative arrangements have been
agreed with both teaching and non-teaching staff.
A report is required even if consultative arrangements
are to continue unchanged from last year.
https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/
Schools/Circulars/2007/s2612007_schoolconsultation-clr.doc
S257-2007 Public Service Medal
Australia Day Honours List 2008
S262-2007 Review of Educational
Outcomes for Indigenous Students
S256-2007 Changes to Superannuation
and Salary Packaging Arrangements
For all schools, principals and school council
presidents.
Nominations for the Public Service Medal Australia
Day Honours List 2008 are now being sought. The
closing date for nominations for the Public Service
Medal (Australia Day Honours List 2008) is 17 August
2007.
https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/Schools/
Circulars/2007/s257-2007_pservicemedal-clr.doc
For all schools, principals, business managers, SSO
administrative staff, school council presidents, central
and regional staff.
The Department of Education will undertake a Review of
Educational Outcomes for Indigenous Students in
conjunction with the Victorian Aboriginal Education
Association Incorporated (VAEAI).
https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/Schools/
Circulars/2007/s262-2007_
outcomesindigenous-clr.doc
S258-2007 Mid-Year School Census
Collection 2007
S263-2007 Research into the Effective
Use of Equity Funding: Online Survey
of Schools
For all schools, principals, business managers and
SSO administrative staff.
This circular advises schools of the 2007 Mid-Year
School Census collection and the requirement to
produce the Electronic Student Census return using
the CASES21 Census Application. It also provides a
link to the census website for documentation and
other links to associated data collections that must
also be completed. All government schools are
required to submit their 2007 Mid-Year Electronic
Student Census return by close of business, Friday 3
August 2007.
https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/Schools/
Circulars/2007/s258-2007_midyearcensus-clr.doc
S259-2007 David Burgess Foundation
Annual Scholarships
for Year 12 students
For all secondary and P-12 schools and principals.
Information regarding the David Burgess Foundation’s
Annual Scholarship Awards for Year 12 students at
Victorian government secondary schools.
https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/Schools/
Circulars/2007/s259-2007_dbfoundation-clr.doc
SUPPORT FOR LANGUAGE
PROGRAMS
TEACHING ASSISTANTS –
2008
The Teaching Assistants Program places
native speakers of French, German or
Japanese to work in Victorian government
schools. Allocations are for one school
year and new applications are required
each year.
Applications are invited from secondary
colleges and primary schools, with
qualified teachers of language, that wish
to participate in the Language Teaching
Assistants Program for 2008.
The assistants, whose salaries are paid
by the Department of Education &
Training, will work four days per week and
be placed in small clusters of schools.
They are usually between 24 and 28 years
of age, are required to have at least three
years of tertiary study and must be native
speakers of French, German or Japanese.
Applications must be received by Friday
September 14, 2007 and should be
mailed to:
Language Assistant Program
International Division – Dept of Education
GPO Box 4367 MELBOURNE 3001
Application forms are available by e-mail
from wykes.ian.j@edumail.vic.gov.au or
by telephoning the International Division
on (03) 9651.3947.
For all principals, central and regional staff.
Monash University has been contracted to investigate the
use of equity funding to improve outcomes in schools. An
online survey has been developed for completion by
schools receiving such funding.
https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/Schools/
Circulars/2007/s263-2007_equitysurvey-clr.doc
S264-2007 Interactive Whiteboards
Supplier Panel
For all schools, principals, central and regional staff.
The Department has established a panel of suppliers
for the provision of Interactive Whiteboards and
associated products.
https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/Schools/
Circulars/2007/s264-2007_whiteboards-clr.doc
S265-2007 State Schools’
Relief Committee Appeal
For all schools and principals.
Friday, 24 August is the fundraising day for the State
Schools’ Relief Committee appeal, with each school free
to decide on the activities they will organise.
https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/Schools/
Circulars/2007/s265-2007_stateschoolrelief-clr.doc
Direct to Schools
S253-2007 The New PAYG Payment
Summary for the 2006/2007
Financial Year
For all departmental staff.
Information regarding the new format for the PAYG
Payment Summaries issued for the 2006/2007
Financial Year.
https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/Schools/
Circulars/2007/s253-2007_paygsummary-clr.doc
S254-2007 Amendments to the
Workplace Relations Act 1996
For all departmental staff.
All existing employees need to be aware of
amendments made to the Workplace Relations Act
1996 regarding their rights and obligations.
https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/Schools/
Circulars/2007/s254-2007_workrelationsact-clr.doc
S266-2007 Microsoft
Licensing Agreement
For all schools, principals, business managers,
learning technologies coordinators, technicians,
central and regional staff. Principals are asked to
distribute this message to all school staff.
The Department has entered into a new licensing
agreement with Microsoft for the supply of selected
software for use on Departmental computers in
schools, Departmental offices and nominated
agencies. The agreement also includes limited
provision for Departmental staff working at home and
for purchase by students at discounted prices.
https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/Schools/
Circulars/2007/s266-2007_
microsoftagreement-clr.doc
S268-2007 Student Attitudes to School
Survey reports now available
For all principals and schools.
The 2007 Student Attitudes to School Survey reports
are now available. This circular provides information
regarding the download of your school’s report and
where to get assistance in interpreting them.
https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/Schools/
Circulars/2007/s268-2007_studentattitudes-clr.doc
S271-2007 School Community
Approaches to Drug
Education Project
For all schools, principals, central and regional staff.
Grants of up to $15,000 are available to all Victorian
schools to explore innovative and creative partnership
approaches to drug education.
https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/Schools/
Circulars/2007/s271-2007_scade-clr.doc
S274-2007 An invitation: Regional
briefings introducing legislative
requirements for use of animals in
Victorian schools
For all school, principals, central and region staff.
School staff are invited to information sessions to
update them on legislative requirements for schools
that use animals in teaching. Details will be provided
on what schools need to do to comply from 2008. A
new website and online reporting system has been
created for this purpose. Sessions will be held in all
regions during late August and September. Science
staff and laboratory technicians, in particular, are
encouraged to attend.
https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/Schools/
Circulars/2007/s274-2007_animallegislation-clr.doc
S275-2007 Release of Responding to
Allegations of Student Sexual Assault Procedures for Victorian Government
Schools
For all schools, principals, school council presidents,
parent association/club presidents, and all central and
regional staff.
Responding to Allegations of Student Sexual Assault Procedures for Victorian Government Schools was
launched on 2 August. The flowchart in Appendix 6 of
the Procedures outlines the compulsory actions for
principals when responding to allegations of student
sexual assault.
https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/Schools/
Circulars/2007/s275-2007_allegationsssa-clr.doc
S276-2007 Principals Satisfaction
Website Survey
For all principals, and all central and regional staff.
The Department is conducting a review to evaluate the
effectiveness of the Principals entry page on the
Education web site.
https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/Schools/
Circulars/2007/s276-2007_websurvey-clr.doc
S269-2007 Regional Director Positions
- Northern Metropolitan Region and
Western Metropolitan Region
For all schools, principals and school council
presidents.
Applications for the positions of Regional Director,
Northern Metropolitan Region, and Regional Director,
Western Metropolitan Region, will be called for on
Friday, 10 August 2007 and close on Friday,
24 August 2007.
https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/Schools/
Circulars/2007/s269-2007_rdpositions-clr.doc
over
Used in
13,0ro0om0s
Class
S272-2007 HRM Online Newsletter,
Issue 8-2007
For all principals, business managers, schools and
HRMS users.
HRM Online provides news and information for
principals, business managers and HRMS users
concerning human resource management and
administration matters and the operation and use of
the Human Resource Management System.
https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/Schools/
Circulars/2007/s272-2007_hrmonline8-clr.doc
S267-2007 Parents Victoria Conference:
Education In The 21st Century
For all schools and principals and all parent
association/club presidents.
Parents Victoria is holding a two day conference
“Education in the 21st Century” on 15 - 16 August
2007 at Rydges Hotel in North Melbourne.
Registration for this conference should be completed
no later than Friday, 10 August.
https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/Schools/
Circulars/2007/s267-2007_
parentsconference-clr.doc
T) 03 5367 5122 F) 03 5367 8360
S270-2007 Principals’ Forum on
Indigenous Education
“Key Challenges for the DoE on
Koorie Education 2008 & Beyond”
For all principals, schools and regional directors.
School Principals are invited toparticipate in a forum
on Indigenous Education, to be held on the 5th and
6th of September 2007.
https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/Schools/
Circulars/2007/s270-2007_principalsforum-clr.doc
S273-2007 Seminar for principals –
Languages at schools: Spanish a Global
Language 20th August 2007
For all principals and schools.
The seminar aims to provide information to Victorian
school principals who are interested in expanding or
introducing a Spanish language program in their
schools. Applications must be received by 5:00 pm
Thursday, 17 August 2007.
https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/Schools/
Circulars/2007/s273-2007_spanishseminar-clr.doc
oam i n g R
eptil e
• EDUCATIONAL •
• INTERACTIVE • Presentation
Public
designed by
• FUN •
Liability
teachers
Insurance
WE GUARANTEE
no student attacked by
the crocodile
(unless requested)!
S277-2007 Last Call for the 2007
Victorian Schools’ Garden Awards
For all principals and schools.
Schools across Victoria are reminded that their entries
for the 2007 Schools’ Garden Awards are due in this
Friday, 10 August. This evergreen program
encourages students to make the most of their
grounds and gardens, and offers them a great
opportunity to explore fresh ideas in the face of climate
change. Remember, all Victorian schools - including
those affected by recent drought or the Gippsland
floods - are invited to enter the Awards by completing
the attached entry form.
https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/Schools/
Circulars/2007/s277-2007_gardenawards-clr.doc
Information sent to schools by EduMail is also published
in EduLibrary. Recent material can be found at
https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/ edulibrary/Schools/
Circulars/ or via the Outlook Public folders under
EduLibrary/Schools/ Circulars/. The full archive of DoE
MAIL to schools prior to 2005 is available under
EduLibrary/ Schools/Official Memoranda, Circular &
Notices/ (select appropriate folders under this area.
International Teaching Fellowship (ITF) Program 2009
to Canada, Denmark, Germany, NZ, Switzerland, UK and USA
Applications are invited from teachers and principals in government
and non government schools in Victoria for the International Teaching
Fellowship (ITF) program for 2009.
Fellowships may be available with Canada, Denmark, New Zealand,
United Kingdom and the USA. Some exchanges may also be available
in International Schools.
Language Teachers: Teachers of French, German and Italian may
apply for a Fellowship in Switzerland and teachers of German may
also apply for a Fellowship in Germany, stating in which German State
they would prefer to teach.
Fellowships require the direct exchange of teaching positions and
accommodation and are tenable for 12 months - January to
December 2009.
Applicants must be full-time, in on-going positions and have a
www.edumax.com.au
Primary Teaching Unit ™
For all schools and principals. Principals are asked to
distribute this message to all VPS staff.
This circular advises that VPS managers and staff
should meet to discuss and develop VPS
Performance Enhancement Cycle plans for 2007/08,
with the view that they are completed and agreed by
31 August 2007.
https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrarySchools
/Circulars/2007/s255-2007_vpspecplans-clr.doc
For all schools and principals, business managers
and SSO administrative staff.
This circular is to notify schools that there is a new
Retention and Disposal Authority for records of
common administrative functions. Schools should
follow the links to download the new Authority and
view information on managing their records available
on the DoE website.
https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/Schools/
Circulars/2007/s260-2007_commonadminrda-clr.doc
Sent Week ending 10 August
s
S255-2007 VPS Performance
Enhancement Cycle (PEC) 2007/08
Planning Phase
S260-2007 New Retention and Disposal
Authority for Records of Common
Administrative Functions
R
Sent Week ending 3 August
21
minimum of four years tertiary education. Selection will be based on
the applicant’s aptitude, experience and contribution to their profession.
All successful applicants will be required to undertake an area of
research or investigation that is relevant to their school’s programs
and System’s priorities.
Schools will be required to give assurances as to the support that will
be provided to both the Victorian and overseas International Teaching
Fellows.
Application forms must be returned no later than the close of business
on, Thursday, 18 October 2007.
For Application Form and General Information see:
http://www.study.vic.gov.au/OthrIntPro/ITF.htm
For further enquiries contact: Mary Kelleher, ITF Program Manager,
on (03) 9651-3978 or email: kelleher.mary.r@edumail.vic.gov.au
Invite our Magnificent Mini-beasts
to crawl around your school or kinder.
Beetles, Stick Insects, Scorpions, Spiders,
Giant Cockroaches and more!
Targeting Challenging students Years 3–11.
We bring live: Lizards, Sporpions,
Bird-eating Spiders, Giant Cockroaches,
Huge Snakes and Crocodiles.
International Teaching
Fellowship Program 2009
— INFORMATION SESSION
The International Teachers’ Association is
conducting an information session for
prospective applicants. Lesley Hall (President
ITA) and Mary Kelleher (ITF Program
Manager) along with members of the ITA will
speak about their experiences on living and
teaching in another country and will answer
questions from prospective applicants about
the program and application process.
When: Tues, September 11, 2007, 6–7:30pm
Where: Australian Education Union,
Head Office, 112 Trenerry Crescent,
Abbotsford. Ph: 9417 2822
Enquiries: Mick Mirovic Ph: 9366 1356
Mary Kelleher Ph: 9651 3978
22
Classifieds
EDUCATION TIMES • AUGUST 16, 2007
Classifieds
RETIREMENTS
EMPLOYMENT
GREG HOLMAN
Upwey High School wishes to invite friends and
colleagues of Greg Holman to attend a retirement
gathering to celebrate his contribution to education in
Victoria, his thirteen years as an assistant principal and
principal of Upwey HS and his valuable support to the
community. The gathering will be held at Upwey HS
library at 4.30p.m. on Thursday,20th of September. A
contribution of $25( to go towards the gift, food and
drink) can be made with your RSVP. RSVP- UpweyHS97542838 by the 7th September
APPLYING FOR A JOB?
Teachers, principals, support staff: Let us do the
difficult work! Friendly, professional service. Effective
résumés, selection criteria, letters, interviews, help to
apply online. Anywhere in Victoria. Experienced in
schools, staff selection. Quality guarantee;
testimonials. Contact Geoff: 03 9590 0174 or
geoff@sagacityservices.com.au
RENATA DICKENS
Carwatha College P-12 invites friends and colleagues
to help celebrate the teaching career of Renata
Dickens. Renata’s retirement function will take place
on Wednesday 19th September, 4:30pm at Carwatha
College in the Inquiry Learning Centre. The cost of $25
will include finger food, tea/coffee and gift
contribution.
RSVP by 7th September to: Carwatha College P-12
Ph.03 97955848 or
braybon.jillian.j@edumail.vic.gov.au
RUTH KNIGHT
The Lyndale Primary School community invites friends
and colleagues of Ruth Knight to celebrate her
outstanding contribution to the education of students
in Victoria for the past 42 years both as a teacher and
principal. Ruth’s retirement celebration will be held at
Lyndale Primary School hall, Oakwood Avenue,
Dandenong North on Thursday 13th September
between 5.00 – 7.00pm. RSVP by 6th September to
Leonie Viney, ph. 03 9795 2271. Staff and school
community congratulate Ruth on a remarkable career.
ETHICAL EDUCATION
The Humanist Society of Victoria invites expressions of
interest from volunteers who are prepared to deliver
Ethical Education during the Religion Instruction (RI)
period in government schools for the children of
parents who may want an alternative to traditional
forms of RI.
The proposed syllabus is based upon manuals
developed by the Dutch Humanist Association and a
committee of the Queensland Education Department;
see also http://www.ethicaleducation.net/
Interest has been shown by parents in two schools
east of Melbourne. Volunteers could attend for no more
than one or two half days per week during terms
designated for RI.
Contact Dr Harry Gardner, Education Spokesperson,
Humanist Society of Victoria, 72 Heathwood St,
Ringwood East, 3135, Tel. 03 9870 8998
EDUCATIONAL
MATERIALS/SERVICES
AUDIO ENTERTAINMENT – MOBILE DJ
Specialising in Primary and Secondary school discos,
socials, formals and events. Latest music, sound and
lighting. Servicing Melbourne Metropolitan area.
Please feel free to contact us to discuss your
requirements. Phone Keegan 0412 301800
Popular Performing Arts Incursion
Bush Dancing
Songs & Stories of Australia
V.I.T. Reg. Music Teacher
PHONE
0419 236 314
www.lazyharryaustralia.com.au
COLLINGWOOD ENGLISH LANGUAGE SCHOOL
130th year Birthday celebration of Collingwood
English Language School and Collingwood Primary
School- Cambridge St. All former staff, school
councillors, students and parents/guardians are
invited to attend our Open Afternoon and Art Show on
Monday September 3rd 2007 between 2.30 and 6.30.
Join us for tours, afternoon tea and view the
memorabilia. Enquiries to Laima Novackis or Mary
Walsh- 9419 7633.
ROSANNA GOLF LINKS PRIMARY SCHOOL
Join with us in celebrating 50 years of excellent
education at RGLPS, Sunday 26th August 2007,
11.00 am to 4.00 pm. Refreshments, food,
memorabilia, tours, displays and performances. Past
and present teachers, parents and students are invited
to share the many memories.
Enquiries to gorham.susan.s@edumail.vic.gov.au or
ring 9457 4178.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
FOR SALE – KIP MCGRATH EDUCATION CENTRE
Tutoring franchise using well established, nurturing
program for Reading, English, Mathematics - primary
and secondary levels. Growth potential in highly
sought after location. Suit soon to retire teacher. Phone
9878 4888.
9532 9500
FINANCIAL PLANNING
MESSY RECORDS?
Business Records Management. Robyn Ross,
specialising in Share Portfolio Administration for
private investors and superannuants. Computerise for
easy tax, easy buys and sells. Mobile 0419 006 255
Email robynross@billnewton.net.au
SSO Staff & Salary Packaging
Seminar Dates Terms 3 & 4 2007
Email us at: admin@salarypackagers.com.au
Rob A Anderson Pty Ltd trading as
Super Resources Group is an Authorised Representative
of AMP Financial Planning Pty Limited,
ABN 89051208327, AFS Licence No. 232706
HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION
AIREYS INLET
Three bedroom house set on one acre garden. Two
living areas, large decks, barbecue, wood fire, valley
and ocean views. Walks to beach and bush. Special
weekend rate. Phone 0416 234 808 or 5244 2081.
ANGLESEA
In Point Roadknight with magnificent sea views. Self
contained, three bedrooms, sleeps seven/eight, with
log fire, large garden area for boat or caravan, 600
metres to safe family surfing beach. Ph 5263 2477,
fax 5263 2323, email info@smythanglesea.com.au
APOLLO BAY
3BR holiday house, 2 bathrooms, 2-story, 2yo, ocean
views, fully furnished, appliances, cutlery etc,
TV/DVD, huge deck with BBQ, 5 mins walk to beach,
sleeps 7 (+2 on foldout). You bring sheets & pillow
slips. $140per night, min 2 nights. Call 0408 080767.
CAIRNS, PALM COVE
Fully self contained one bedroom apartment in the
Novotel Resort. Overlooks pool. Short walk to beach.
$100 per night. Phone (03) 5674 1760, 0409 776 954.
ENGRAVED GLASSES
Have your reunion or commemorative message
permanently laser engraved on glassware. Contact Ian
Newman, telephone/fax 9645 8699, or PO Box 5164,
Middle Park Vic 3206.
MURRUMBEENA PRIMARY SCHOOL
90 Year Anniversary celebrations - Saturday 25th
August 2007. All past staff, students and families are
invited to attend an Open Day. From 11.30am –
4.00pm. Join us for tours, some reminiscing, photo
displays, a sausage sizzle & afternoon tea.
Celebrations will continue with a Cocktail Party at
night. This will be held at the Elsternwick Bowling Club
at 7.30pm. For more details contact the school on 03
9568 1300 or www.murrumbeenaps.vic.edu.au
Tel
To make a booking, check our references or
find out more, Business Managers of Schools
or their nominated staff member should contact
the Principal, Rob Anderson, on telephone
03 9783 9000 or toll-free 1800 673 260 or
REUNIONS
COBURG WEST PRIMARY SCHOOL
90 Years On…….Still Growing Strong! Our 90th
Birthday celebration will be held on Sunday 9th
September 2007. 10:00am – 2:00 pm All former staff,
students and families are invited to celebrate. Emailcoburg.west.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au , Phone93861286, Fax- 93834426
DESIGN PRODUCE EVAULATE
www.woodworkroom.com.au
Following our successful series of school
seminars held for SSO Staff over the last three
years we’re now taking bookings for terms 3 & 4.
Sessions are presented as a free service to nonteaching staff and are without cost or obligation.
Time allowed is approximately one hour. They are
best held during an SSO Cluster Day or studentfree day at school.
RETIRING SOON?
Volunteers for Isolated Students’ Education Inc is
recruiting retired teachers to assist isolated families
with their Distance Education Programs on selected
outback stations. Travel and accommodation is
provided in return for six weeks teaching. Visit
www.vise.org.au and enrol now or ring George
Murdoch on 9017 5439 or 0427 474 702 or Ken
Weeks 9876 2680.
ALEXANDRA HIGH SCHOOL
Alexandra HS is celebrating 50 years since the opening
of the building with a reunion on 8 & 9 September
2007. Past students, parents and teachers are invited
to attend. Open School and Dance on Saturday and
Barbeque/Street Parade Sunday. For further
information: Dot at alexandra.sc@edumail.vic.gov.au
or phone 03 5772 2713 or Gael Thompson at
rongael@mcmedia.com.au or phone 03 5821 5797.
Woodwork Workshops
Incursions/Excursions Prep-Gr8
Hands On
Science!
Attention All Primary Schools
• Science & Technology teaching
specialists for Primary Schools
• A Learning Experience! Not a show
• Practical workshops for children
90 minutes of educational fun and learning
individual grade lessons are our specialty
• Many topics and themes available
• Family Science Nights
• Gifted and OHSC Programs
• No need for a bus
We come to your school
Contact: Emily or Robyn
Phone: (03) 9852 0054 or (03) 9857 8444
www.handsonscience.com.au
COWES, SILVERLEAVES, PHILLIP ISLAND
Holiday house sleeps 8. Avail w/ends and weekly.
Beach /golf/gen store/café all 3 mins walk. Suit
families or couples. Ph. 9890 0866.
www.ellencottage.com
FAR EAST GIPPSLAND
Go bush to remote wilderness with all home comforts.
Cosy 3 bedroom house. Wild beautiful spectacular
mountains and Snowy River. Friendly and helpful
hosts. Call Joanna 02 6458 0216
GIPPSLAND LAKES, PAYNESVILLE
Two bedroom units three minutes walk to beach, three
bedroom house with lake frontage. Fully self contained
for a comfortable holiday or short break. Phone
5156 6395, email info@lakewoodpark.com.au
LAKES ENTRANCE, RAINFOREST COTTAGES
Luxurious cottages in superb, peaceful setting. Spas
and wood fires. Only 1.8 km to town centre and 300
metres to the lakes edge. Phone 5155 1957,
www.kalimnawoods.com.au
METUNG
Unit 2, spacious, self-contained two bedroom
apartment. Kitchen, laundry, bathroom with spa,
heated pool, barbecue. Overlooking Lake King, jetty
and beach. Walk to restaurants, Sleeps six. Perfect
getaway. Phone 5156 2166.
GRAFFITI REMOVAL
Sparkling Impressions is a specialist graffiti removal
and pressure cleaning business with over 15 years
experience. Call Phill Jenkins on 0418 322 689 for
prompt service.
MYSTIC MOUNTAINS HOLIDAY COTTAGES,
MARYSVILLE AREA
Over 30 fully self contained holiday cottages,
catering from 2 for a romantic weekend
getaway up to 15 (for larger family groups).
20 Murchison Street, Marysville Vic 3779
Ph (03) 59 63 3254 www.mysticcottages.com.au
www.visitmarysville.com.au
holidayinfo@marysvillerealestate.com.au
NOOSAVILLE TERRAPIN APARTMENTS
Peaceful, 50 metres to river and restaurants. 2 Bed, 2
Bath, full kitchen, heated pool, BBQ, 2 mins to yacht
club and boating activities. 15 The Cockleshell
Noosaville. Ph 07 5449 8779 www.terrapin.com.au
Special 7 nights $725 Month of Sept Oct Nov
PHILLIP ISLAND
Family beach house only 3 years young,
spacious open plan living.
• Fully equipped kitchen
• 3 bedrooms - 2 queen, 2 single
• 2 bathrooms
• 2 TVs, DVD and CD players
• Split system heating/cooling
• Fully fenced
• Only 2mins to GP Track, 3mins to Smith
Beach, Town Centre, Restaurants, etc.
5mins to Penguin Parade & Nobbies
(Seal Rocks)
Phone 5952 3090 OR 0412 432 304
PHILLIP ISLAND SUNSET STRIP ESTATE
Fully Self-contained 1 bedroom unit. Sleeps up to 2-4
people. Also room to put boat, caravan or tent. Private
Garden area and BBQ. Child and Dog friendly. Rural
setting 10minutes walk from Smiths Beach and close
to Cowes, Penguins, Race Track, Nobbies and Seal
Rocks. $80 per night. Contact Kerryn anytime 5952
5465 or 0422 395 168
PHILLIP ISLAND, SURF BEACH
Cosy two bedroom beach house, sleeps four to six.
100m to surf beach, 10 min drive to Cowes. Quiet and
relaxing spot. Contact Erin at equint@bigpond.com
JOINERY & SHOPFITTING
Kitchens, washroom cubicals, bathrooms, furniture
and offices. All to suite your budget. Free quotes. See
our larger ad below for more details. National Joinery &
Shopfitting Ph: 9357 0318.
LINE MARKING SERVICES
Playground line marking, sports courts and car parks.
Melbourne Line Marking. Phone Barry 0419 315 431,
Drew 0419 315 353, fax 9555 7966. Quality assured.
LINE MARKING
Impact Line Marking:
Peter Rowell, 0415 565 351 or
FAX 03 5974 4378
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
Answers for
Educators
SORRENTO 10 DARLING ROAD
A quiet, boutique retreat for individuals or couples.
Unique self-contained cottage with private garden,
centrally located. Reflexology and Shiatsu-style
massage are complimentary options included in the
tariff. Details and online booking at
http://10darlingrd.netbookings.com.au or phone
0400 303 991.
SCHOOL CAMPS
WARANGA HOLIDAY CAMP
We are situated 4 kms from Rushworth, a 70 square
mud brick complex offered on a catered or self catered
basis to groups of 20–64. Phone for further details,
5856 1243. Email info@lakewaranga.com
Lakewood Park Paynesville
Making memories for life
CAV Accredited Camp
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Up to 100 students
Luxury staff quarters
Safe, secure farm environment
Lakes cruise
Beach activities, water skiing, sailing,
canoeing, raft making, nature walks,
orienteering, ropes, hut building
see
Page 24
Dyslexia and other Learning Disabilities Support
BRAIN GYM
Professionally presented Brain Gym workshops.
Books and other resources also available. Phone Claire
Hocking 0419 569 071 or visit ww.wholebrain.com.au
INTEGRATION AIDES, TEACHER AIDES AND
TEACHER ASSISTANTS
Nationally Recognised Training: • Course in Education
Integration Support – develops the knowledge,
competencies and employability skills for working in
the education-disability field. • a combination of
classroom, workplace and flexible learning
experiences. Contact: Triscott Educational Services P:
5962 2848 F: 5962 4796 E: info@triscott.com.au
TAX RETURNS
TAX RETURNS FROM $70 Teachers Special Offer
Most refunds in 14 days. With 18 years experience we
ensure maximum refunds by claiming all allowable
deductions and tax offsets. After hours and Saturday
appointments available. Contact Mr M Georgy, 9467 7842.
TRAVEL
BOOK NOW for 2008
Contact us – limited dates available in 2007
www.lakewoodpark.com.au
Phone 5156 6395 or 0427 516 050
email info@lakewoodpark.com.au
FRANCE, PROVENCE
Fully equipped and restored 17th century house in
mediaeval, fortified village of Entrevaux. Sleeps seven.
Close to Nice, Cote d'Azur and Italy. Phone owner 5258
2798 or (02) 9948 2980. Website
http://www.provencehousestay.com.
PRAGUE
Australian accommodation service in Prague. For
information visit the web site
www.aussieapartmentsprague.com . Benefit from
excellent low cost accommodation with extra benefits
such as airport/station pickup.
MISCELLANEOUS
BLINDS Repaired & New
Includes • AV venetians • verticals • hollands
• canvas • heavy duty venetians
*maintenance service *laundering *repairs *sales
GP Blinds ph 9844 0817, fax 9844 0199
WANTED
WANTED–PHOTOCOPIERS
Photocopiers all brands and many models. Working,
faulty, obsolete or surplus. Also telephone systems,
IT/computer items. Contact David on 0402 469 111,
and fax 9388 9810. Email
bbs_copy@westnet.com.au. Call all hours and
collection arranged.
NATIONAL JOINERY & SHOPFITTING
CAR HIRE
A.B.L. CAR RENTAL GOLD COAST AIRPORT,
QUEENSLAND
Cars from $29 @ day. Free pick up at Coolangatta
Airport. View and book on sight at
www.ablcarrental.com.au Phone (07) 5598 3900 or
Free call 1800 672 344 for further information.
PORTABLE
PLANETARIUM
AND THEATRE
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Titles:
“Earth’s Wild Ride”, “Microcosm”,
“Oasis in Space”, “Future Moon”
COUNSELLING
COUNSELLOR ANGELA DI PASQUALE.
For individuals and couples. For details on student and
teacher PD programs and meditation class dates visit:
www.ntpages.com.au/therapist/6196 Ph: 9337 3886
or 0432 531 569. Grnd Floor, 196 Buckley St,
Essendon 3040.
MORUYA, FAR SOUTH COAST, NSW
One bedroom and two bedroom bush cabins. Open
fires. $400 per week, $150 per weekend. Phone (02)
4474 2542, 0427 199 156. www.naturecoasttourism.com.au/highridge/
COSMODOME AUSTRALASIA
www.journeyman.net.au
BOOKINGS 9748 8326
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NATIONAL TOILET PARTITIONS
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FREE QUOTES, SERVICING ALL AREAS
PTY LTD
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EDUCATION TIMES
•
Regional Roundup
AUGUST 16, 2007
Eastern Metropolitan
Loddon Mallee
Healesville HS VCAL students are
busy promoting the 2008 edition of
the
Healesville
Community
Calendar, produced through their
company, Bang Productions.
Bang Productions is supported by
the Rotary Club of Healesville
through its Youth Business
Enterprise initiative and is project
managed by local businesspeople
who volunteer their time.
This year’s calendar features
photographs of Healesville’s many
attractions and carries advertising
from
local
businesses
and
organisations.
Budding tennis players at Hesket PS
will have better reason to hone
their skills when the school’s hard
tennis court gets a makeover.
The court is set to be resurfaced
and repainted after the State
Government announced a $6000
grant through the Go for your life
Healthy Start in Schools Program.
Macedon MP Joanne Duncan
said the project would play a part in
promoting healthy eating and
fitness among students.
“The grants give schools extra
support for students to get fit and
active during their time at school,”
she said.
23
Digging deep to go green
Northern Metropolitan
Commonwealth Games javelin
thrower Kathryn Mitchell was a
hit with students when she visited
Carlton North PS late last month as
part of the Sportspersons in
Schools Program.
The visit provided students
with an opportunity to learn more
about sport, while discussing
concepts such as achieving goals,
overcoming setbacks and striving
for your dreams.
The Sportspersons in Schools
Program was established in 1995
as a joint initiative of the
Department and the Victorian
Institute of Sport.
The program uses elite athletes
to deliver healthy lifestyle
messages and to encourage
students to participate in sport
and recreational activities.
Southern Metropolitan
Carrum PS Prep student Zoe and her
schoolmates enthusiastically
celebrated National Tree Planting
Week by adding a splash of green to
their school grounds.
Signing up for art
Barwon South Western
Clifton Springs PS students got an
insight into how artistic skills can be
put to work when local signwriter
Steve Rebesco visited the school to
lead a special project.
Mr Rebesco worked with the
students to create a series of
illustrated bollards.
Visual arts teacher Corinne Bentley
co-ordinated the visit to provide her
students with first-hand experience
of how their art skills can be applied
in possible careers.
All students planted new grasses
and ground covers during the week in
their own ‘Care Area’.
Project co-ordinator Julie Shaw said
that each class had their own
dedicated Care Area, which students
had responsiblity for.
“The students take care when
walking around and playing ball
games,” Ms Shaw said.
“We would like our school to be
a beautiful environment for all of
us to enjoy.”
Western Metropolitan
Hume
The Glen Orden PS community is
looking forward to the school joining
a State Government project designed
to ensure all Victorians share in the
benefits of the internet revolution.
The Werribee school is taking part
in a pilot program, which will see
100 of its parents receive a computer,
12 months of broadband internet
access and training at the school.
The $167,000 project – the first of
its kind in the state – aims to help
parents to become more engaged
with their children’s education,
more positive about their own
development, and to improve their
computer literacy skills.
The Whorouly PS community
recently
celebrated
the
official opening of the school’s
new
$50,000
information
technology lab.
Principal Malcolm McKinnon
said the school planned to use the
computers for class work and also
share the lab with the broader local
community.
“At this stage, we plan on
conducting adult classes on
computer skills,” he said.
The project was funded through
the Commonwealth Investing in
Our Schools program.
Grampians
Gippsland
Swift’s Creek PS and Omeo PS are
participating in a new program
which promotes the schools as safe
and friendly ‘hubs’ for their local
communities.
The High Country Connections
Project has been designed to boost
the health and wellbeing of the
schools’ students while also
improving educational outcomes.
The schools recently held an
Outbook Fair for families of local
kindergarten students.
Co-ordinator Rowena Turner
said families were able to browse
the collection of books and make
discounted purchases.
Year 7 students at Edenhope
College are making the most of a
new set of wireless-enabled
notebook computers purchased
with support from the Victorian
Government’s Leading Schools
Fund.
The new computers are being
used to deliver key components of
the school’s Year 7 curriculum
program.
Students
are
using
the
computers to research project
topics and are making use
of
a
range
of
software
packages
that
allow
them
to
create
animations
and
presentations.
24
EDUCATION TIMES
•
AUGUST 16, 2007
Professional Learning
Open days to share benefits of accreditation
By Tina Luton
Performance and Development Culture
reference schools are gearing up to host a
series of open session professional learning
activities in Term 4.
To date, 368 schools across Victoria have
achieved accreditation and, to assist those
still in the process, reference schools are
holding activities such as workshops, school
visits and the sharing of supporting resources.
Helen MacCalman of the Office for
Government School Education’s School
Improvement – Performance and
Development Culture team said creating
and sustaining a Performance and
Development Culture had significant
benefits for schools.
“Accredited schools are able to improve
student outcomes by identifying areas for
the improvement of individual teacher’s
professional practice and providing targeted
professional development to address these
areas,” Ms MacCalman explained.
“Having a Performance and Development
Culture also assists in the creation of a more
enriching, supportive and motivating
environment for staff.”
Among the schools opening their doors
to colleagues across the system is Princes
Hill Primary School, which is offering tips
on structuring the application, collecting
the supporting evidence and finetuning
what to include.
Another reference school, Waverley
Meadows Primary School, is providing
Victorian educators with the chance to
inspect its open learning spaces to see first
hand the school’s use of team teaching and
peer coaching.
The school is also offering teachers the
opportunity to discuss its structure and
teaching and learning culture and to reflect
on customised individual teacher
development plans.
Waverley Meadows Primary principal
Kerry Clayton said her school had adopted a
learning partners’ model for peer coaching,
linked to the school’s induction program,
which provides valuable feedback and
professional learning opportunities for
teachers.
“Our teachers recognise that constructing
and building their own effectiveness, and
that of their colleagues, is critical to their
core business,” she explained
As a large secondary college with more
than 100 teaching staff, Keilor Downs
College faced a number of challenges in
achieving accreditation and, as a reference
school, is happy to share what it learned
with other schools.
“We can show other schools how we
collected feedback and prepared staff for
accreditation and improved the processes
resulting in the college meeting the required
benchmarks of staff assessment,” explained
principal Peter Starford.
Culture vultures: Princess Hill PS team members Rita Jokubaitis, Barb Allen, Heather McDonald,
Inge Kearney, Annette Halsall and Tim Aris.
“We are also able to share our
experience in writing our final application
and how attaining accreditation has
provided a basis for further involvement
by the college and all staff in seeking
performance feedback from parents
and students.”
The accreditation scheme for schools
demonstrating a Performance and
Development Culture was introduced in
2005, with the objective of all schools being
accredited by 2008. For more information,
visit www.education.vic.gov.au/management/
schoolimprovement/panddc
Professional development programs and courses
(ACHPER) is conducting a professional
development session on Physical Health
and Sport Education (PHASE) innovative
girls sport and physical activity, from
9am–4pm on August 27 at Parkville.
Examination preparation for teachers of
VCE Health and Human Development
Units 3 and 4 will be held from
10am–1pm on August 31 at Fairfield.
For VCE Physical Education Units 3 and
4 teachers, examination preparation
sessions will be held from 10am–1pm on
September 3 at Parkville.
PHASE Implementing the Victorian
Essential Learning Standards (VELS) in
Health and Physical Education from
Prep–Year 10 will be held from 9am–4pm
on September 10 at Moorabbin.
For more information and to book, visit
the ACHPER website at
www.achper.vic.edu.au or contact
ACHPER on 9851 6966.
ART
The Heide Museum of Modern Art will
hold a professional development session
titled ‘the female image in the art of Albert
Tucker’ utilising the community of inquiry
thinking curriculum process.
It will be held from 1pm–5pm on
September 7 at the Sidney Myer
Education Centre, with guest curator
Dr Sheridan Palmer and innovations and
excellence educator Cathy Price.
For more information visit
www.heide.com.au or call 9850 1500.
HEALTH & PE
The Victorian Home Economics and
Textile Teachers Association (VHETTA) will
hold VCE exam preparation sessions for
teachers and students looking at concept
summaries and revision techniques.
Teacher exam preparation workshops for
Food Technology and Health and Human
Development will be held on August 25,
while student revision sessions will be
held across the state from August 28. For
more details visit the professional
development section of the VHETTA
website at www.vhetta.com.au or call
VHETTA on 9888 2240.
The Australian Council for Health,
Physical Education and Recreation
HISTORY
The History Teachers Association of
Victoria (HTAV) will hold its annual
conference from October 25–26 at the
Hemisphere Conference Centre,
Moorabbin, while on December 3, a
conference for teachers new to history will
be held at the Treacy Conference Centre,
Parkville. For more information contact the
HTAV on 9417 3422 or visit
www.htav.asn.au/pd/index.html
HUMANITIES
Social Education Victoria (SEV) will hold
a Civics and Citizenship Education (CCE)
workshop from 5pm–7pm at the
Statewide Resources Centre on November
8. The SEV conference, with a focus on
the Victorian Essential Learning Standards
and VCE will be held from 9am–3.30pm
on December 3 at Deakin University’s
Burwood campus. For information and
bookings, email Warren Prior at
arren.prior@sev.asn.au or Diane Mansour
at diane.mansour@sev.asn.au or call
9349 4957.
MATHS
Professional development sessions on
the Secondary Mathematics Professional
Learning Program, which focuses on the
Victorian Essential Learning Standards
(including linking with other domains), the
principles of learning and teaching P-12
students and assessment, will be open to
teachers across Victoria in August and
September.
Professor Kaye Stacey and a team from
the University of Melbourne have created
the program and an online resource to
support secondary mathematics teachers.
Module workshops will cover fractions,
algebra, variation (chance and data),
contours and percentages.
For more information contact Helen Gist
on 9637 2079 or regional offices.
MUSIC
The Victorian Curriculum and
Assessment Authority (VCAA) is inviting
submissions to its review of VCE Music
Solo Performance elements including the
prescribed list of notated solo works for
Contemporary Piano, Contemporary
Double Bass, Drumkit, Electric Bass,
Guitar – contemporary popular, Organ
electronic, Synthesizer, Voice –
contemporary popular.
Submissions may focus on categories,
requirements and/or repertoire for these
instruments or proposals regarding
performance of works, use of prerecorded backing tracks and/or
additions/deletions to repertoire on
specific instrument lists.
Submissions regarding new repertoire
must clearly identify title, composers,
arrangers, publication details, availability
of pre-recorded backing track, and
suggested reference recording.
A copy of the sheet music and/or a
recording of the work should be included
or information about stockists provided.
Answers for Educators
Dyslexia and other Learning Disabilities Support
This Seminar examines a colour-coded grammar system that can improve a student’s
spelling and writing skills.
03 9489 4344
OUTDOOR EDUCATION
The Victorian Outdoor Education
Association (VOEA), on behalf of the
Department, will be delivering a series of
12 briefing seminars during August on the
safety guidelines for Education Outdoors.
These guidelines are available online at
www.education.vic.gov.au/management/s
chooloperations/edoutdoors
For details about the briefings visit
www.voea.vic.edu.au/events or call the
VOEA on 9349 4311.
SCIENCE
Teachers of science interested in
ecology, genetics or space are
encouraged to visit the following
organisations websites to check out the
latest student activities and teacher
professional learning available for Terms 3
and 4: Ecolinc at www.ecolink.vic.edu/au,
the Gene Technology Access Centre
(GTAC) at www.gtac.edu.au and the
Victorian Space Science Education Centre
(VSSEC) at www.vssec.vic.edu.au
5 September
Auditory Processing: Diagnosis to Management
Grammar Magic - a colour-coded approach to teaching grammar
Christine Killey Learning Made Easy PG Dip, M Ed (Special Ed)
For more information or to register phone:
Submissions should be forwarded to
Helen Champion, curriculum manager,
performing arts,VCAA, at 41 St Andrews
Place, East Melbourne. For more
information call 9651 4668 or email
champion.helen.h@edumail.vic.gov.au
or visit
Dr Chyrisse Heine
17 Oct
www.speldvic.org.au
BA, MA (Audiology) PhD (Public Health)
This Seminar will provide participants with a knowledge of functioning of central auditory
pathways, definitions of (Central) Auditory Processing Disorder, AP test batteries,
and rehabilitation approaches.
Topics include historical development and controversial issues, current assessment procedures and
profiling, current research, evidence-based practices and classroom management/intervention.