PO Box 1238 Coorparoo QLD 4151
Ph: 07 3394 2566
Freecall: 1800 671 114
Facsimile: 07 3394 2599
Email: speld@speld.org.au
www.speld.org.au
ABN: 40 536 194 614
Speld Qld eNews
In this Month’s eNews:
 A word from the EO
 Article
- Four Steps to Happier
Homework.
Issue: 25 Month: February 2016
A Word from the Executive Officer
Hope you have been able to find some reprieve from these very hot days – we
need to consider especially when tackling homework, the impact it is having –
some year 7’s used to air conditioned classrooms at Primary school are
exhausted after lunch – a little article on “Four Steps to Happier Homework” may
be just what you need at the moment.
 Schedule of Events 2016
 Webinars
 In the Community
 Assistive Technology
We have been gathering statistics on the services offered by Speld in 2015/16.
Of particular interest and worth sharing are the following:

181 assessments were conducted in 2105 (90 academic and 91
psychometric)
 Moving Giveaway

We answer on average 1000 emails and 250 phone enquiries each month
 Member Online Services

Currently we have 1300 members which includes 185 schools
 Library Service

In term 1, our team of experienced Educational Advisers will be working
in Jimboomba, Robina, Star of the Sea, Australian Catholic University,
Burpengary, St Dympna’s, and
Gatton to deliver Professional
development sessions to staff and parents.
 Specialist Teacher Service
If you would like to access a professional development session for your school
please contact the office, we would love to assist you. Please check the
attachment in this eNews for future planned events in 2016.
The move is on, so just to let you know the plans in place:

TERM 1 2016


27 January - 24 March
Our office will be closed from the 21st-24th March whilst we physically
relocate.
Assessments scheduled during this time will still be conducted.
All workshops from now on will be held at our new premises, 141 Merton
Road, Woolloongabba (Corner of Park Road and Merton Road) which
offers plenty of parking and access via Park Road Train Station or Boggo
Road Stop, Eastern Busway.
We will be planning an official launch of our new home and I hope to be able to
provide you with these details next eNewsletter.
Marion
141 Merton Road
Woolloongabba Q 4102
Parking is available onsite.
Public Transport: Park Road Train Station or Boggo
Road Stop, Eastern Busway.
EVENTS
Saturday 5th March
9.00am – 3.00pm
Working Memory and
Learning: Identification,
Assessment and Planning
Presenter: Amanda Tocci
Saturday 21 May 2016
9.00am – 3.00pm
Identification and
Response to SLDs: the RTI
Model and DSM 5
A workshop specifically
designed for Guidance
Officers and Learning Support
Teachers
Presenter: Mandy Nayton
Thursday 21 April
Friday 22 April
9.00am – 3.00pm
Understanding Dyslexia
and Literacy Learning
Stage 1 and Stage 2
Two day workshop
Presenter: Leslie Keast-Patch
Article
Four Steps to Happier Homework
Homework. It’s a word that’s often met with groans and
frustration from parents and children alike but it
shouldn’t be that way. Taking these simple steps to
create a positive learning environment can turn those
groans into grins.
Creating a study space
The first step is to create a physical environment that’s conducive to learning.
Distractions are everywhere and children don’t need any extra excuse to lose
focus so try and keep the space clear and noise level low. Apart from ensuring
the table and chairs are comfortable and at a suitable height (their feet should be
able to touch the floor when sitting) it can be good to add one underrated piece
of technology – a simple clock. A clock helps children to see small 10-15 minute
blocks of homework instead of a never ending pile of it! These manageable
blocks of time can be slowly increased as your child builds his or her powers of
concentration.
The apple never falls far from the tree!
Secondly, take a closer look at your attitudes towards homework. When your
child has trouble with maths homework, do you tell them lengthy stories of how
you struggled with maths or do you encourage them to keep trying and praise
them for their efforts?
Many parents openly admit their maths shortcomings and in some cases, even
brag about struggling with maths when they were at school. A 2015 study by the
University of Chicago found that a parent’s attitude towards maths homework
quickly rubs off on their children which can lead to everyone feeling nervous
when the calculator comes out. So what’s the solution? It’s best to take your
personal experience out of the equation and try to see homework as a learning
opportunity. Talk to your teacher about how to make use of maths apps, books
or games or research learning programs for an extra helping hand.
Sunday 22 May 2016
1.00pm – 5.00pm
Parent Expo
Come along and listen to a
range of speakers in the
areas of Learning Difficulties,
Advocacy, Dyscalculia,
Assistive Technology and
helpful strategies you can use
at home.
Children are welcome!
Guest Speaker: Mandy
Nayton
More details about this event
will be released soon.
The three hardest words
The next step is to see learning opportunities as they happen and take full
advantage of them! In a world where knowledge is often at our fingertips and
children look up to us for answers, the three most difficult words to say have
become ‘I don’t know’. Instead of seeing this phrase as a failure, the next time
you’re stumped by a primary school geography question, embrace it by
cheerfully admitting you don’t know and asking your child to teach you when
they find the answer or, if time permits, find the answer together. This is a great
way to lead by example in showing your child the enjoyment that can come from
learning or discovering something new. To further increase the effectiveness of
this step, allow your child to make some mistakes along the way and praise them
for their persistence rather than their answer.
Spotting the differences
We’d love to hear from you!
And lastly, learn from your child and your child’s teacher. While you may work
best at night, your child may be a morning person. While you may work best
alone and in complete silence, your child may like the background noise of people
being nearby. The perfect homework formula may never be found but with these
tips, we’ll all be getting a lot closer.
Article reproduced from Your local Families magazine – February/March 2016
Schedule of Events for 2016
Speld Qld will be offering a variety of events this year targeted to Teachers,
Guidance Officers, Learning Support Teachers, Pre-service Teachers and Parents.
14th October
2016
Our events include:






Our Patron, Jackie French
will be the Guest Speaker
at our Lunch on Friday
14th October 2016 at
Shangri
La
Gardens,
Wynnum.
Tickets will be released
soon.
Professional Development
Webinars
Parent Information Sessions
Pre-Service Teachers workshop
Parent Expo
Special Lunch with Guest Speaker Jackie French
View the Schedule of events 2106 brochure here.
Your ticket includes free
flowing wine & bubbles
plus
a
delicious
two
course lunch.
Webinars
There will be a Silent
auction and lucky door
prizes.
20 Jan
Understanding Learning Differences
$100.00pp or $800.00 per
table of 10.
9 Feb
Evidence-based Maths
23 Feb
Assistive Technology
9 Mar
Assessments
Webinars scheduled for Term 1
Speld Qld will be presenting Webinars this year through Education Qld’s
OneChannel. If you are a Teacher and have access to OneChannel, you can
register directly, otherwise Members can access the recorded webinar after the
event at www.speld.org.au/events
Jackie French
Senior Australian of the Year 2015
Australian Children's Laureate 2014-15
In the Community
Australian Catholic University
On Wednesday, 17 February, Marion attended ACU’s
inaugural Transition to the Profession Conference where she
met with many Pre-service teachers.
Assistive Technology
Ghotit Real Writer and Reader
Office Hours
Monday to Thursday
8.30am – 3.00pm
School Terms
Ghotit Real Writer and Reader is a desktop program for reading, writing and
spelling support. Ghotit is regarded as having some of the best quality spell
checker software available to Dyslexic students as it was designed specifically for
students with Dyslexia, Dysgraphia and other learning difficulties. It boasts a
96% spelling and grammar correction rate for writing produced by Dyslexic
students. It is a great balance of quality software and affordability at only
$199.95. It is compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems.
Features include:




Text-to-speech
Word prediction, Context and phonetic spell
checker
Grammar and punctuation checker
Talking dictionary
Specialist Teacher Service
Renewing your Membership for 2016
Both Speld Specialist Teachers and families accessing their services are required
to keep their Membership current. Please take the time to ensure you are a
current financial Member for 2016.
If you are unsure, please email
admin@speld.org.au to enquire.
Moving Giveaway – excess furniture
Three office desks available.
Dimensions:
Main desk: 180cm x 90cm
Return:
90cm x 60cm
If you are interested in these desks
please contact admin@speld.org.au
One 3 drawer filing cabinet also available.
Member Online Services
Membership Login
Your Member Login Username is your email address. If you are unsure of your
username, please send an email to admin@speld.org.au to enquire. If you have
forgotten your password, you can reset it at the time of login.
Library Service
Do you have overdue resources?
Do you have overdue library resources?
soon as possible to avoid late fees.
Speld Qld
Please return these to our office as
Alternatively please email admin@speld.org.au - if you would like to renew your
items.
Annexe Level 1
Queen Alexandra Home
347 Old Cleveland Road
Coorparoo, Qld, 4151
(07) 3394 2566
(07) 3394 2599
speld@speld.org.au
www.speld.org.au
Our Generous Sponsors