AEU ANNUAL
MIDDLE SCHOOLING CONFERENCE
9.15am – 4.00pm, Friday 14 November 2008
DRAFT P R O G R A M
(as at October 19)
Taking control of methodology in testing times
9.15
Welcome, Acknowledgement of Country & Housekeeping
(Main Hall)
Marcus Knill, Vice President AEU
9.30
Keynote Address – “Creativity in teaching and learning across the curriculum”
Clare Mc Carty, currently completing a PhD on “Creativity in Teaching and Learning” and tutoring in Teacher Education at Uni SA and
Flinders University
10.30
Morning Tea
11.00
CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS
Workshop 1
Words into practice-
(Rm 1)
The development of an effective middle school from a commonly accepted vision of learning
Staff, students and parents have agreed to a vision of learning which includes “to provide a challenging educational
environment that develops responsible and resilient citizens who are active learners, capable of achieving the
highest quality outcomes”. Henley HS has put this vision into practice leading to:

middle school curriculum teams being established with a focus on planning innovative and engaging
practices in teaching, learning and assessment

excitement and debate on how to support middle schooling learners

explicit teaching and assessment practices now an expectation

students are more engaged and have a clearer understanding of expectation and assessment feedback

stronger relationships between students, teachers and parents.
The focus of the school is now clearly on improving curriculum and pedagogy.
Lou Ward, Kay Gillett, Sean Fletcher and students from Henley High School
Workshop 2
Characteristics of creativity and learning in practice
(Rm 2)
A list of characteristics in a creative methodology, culled initially from creators, creativity experts, neuroscientists
and cognitive psychologists, are consistently present in data and observations of successful learning. Most
prominent of all is engagement, without which learning simply can not happen. Connections are not made.
Engagement is integrally connected to purpose and product which together with a creative process will be
illustrated in the workshop. Participants will also have the opportunity to try out a template developed from the
combined characteristics of learning and creativity.
Clare McCarty, currently completing a PhD on “Creativity in Teaching and Learning” and tutoring in Teacher
Education at Uni SA and Flinders University
Workshop 3
‘Learning, Meditation and Neuroscience – fostering adolescent wellbeing’
(Rm 4)
The clear links between adolescent brain development, meditation practices in schools and the social and
emotional health of students of all ages will be explored. There will also be an investigation of the cognitive impact,
including outcomes for students with ADHD. Implications for our classrooms, how teachers, parents and
community members can be involved, and the role of the DECS Learner Wellbeing Framework will also be
included. This session is evidence based and practical in nature. We will take part in a range of spot mindfulness
This program was correct at the time of publication, but may be subject to change.
meditations so that participants can experience the benefits of “pressing pause” on their thinking, as well as
discovering the simplicity of using meditation in schools.
Jim Jackaman, A/Curriculum Manager - Mathematics
Workshop 4
‘Restorative Justice and Circle Time’
(1st fl Conf Rm)
Restorative Practices is a technique widely used to improve relationships and communication skills. Suzanne has
been using this technique with middle schooling students
Susanne Swan, Morphett Vale HS
Workshop 5
Putting it all together
(Rm 3)
Studies of Society and the Environment is (SOSE) an important subject in the curriculum. Why I it one that students
dislike? It is time to review what we do. This session will discuss ways we can keep the old and add new, innovative
and authentic ideas to our curriculum.
Helen Hewitt, Mount Barker High School
12.30
Lunch
1.15
CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS
Workshop 1
‘A compass for our work ‘
(Rm 1)
What makes the difference for students’ learning – you do!
The Learning to Learn team from Curriculum Services will share the work of hundreds of SA teachers, leaders and
academics captured in the SA Teaching for Effective Learning Compass. This simple but powerful framework
identifies the big ideas that teachers know from their wisdom of experience, but sometimes do not have a language
for. It articulates the essential relationship between affect and cognition – and that learning is much more complex
than we realise. But most of all, this workshop will demonstrate how important you are – the single most important
factor in learner engagement and success!
Margot Foster, Leonie Sawley and the Learning to Learn Team
Workshop 2
‘Numeracy learning in a middle years classroom’
(Rms 2 & 3)
Structuring a numeracy learning session which caters for individual learning needs in a middle years classroom
Jacqui Cain, Yr 6/7 teacher and Numeracy Coordinator, Hewett Primary School
Workshop 3
‘Learning, Meditation and Neuroscience – fostering adolescent wellbeing’
(Rm 4)
The clear links between adolescent brain development, meditation practices in schools and the social and
emotional health of students of all ages will be explored. There will also be an investigation of the cognitive impact,
including outcomes for students with ADHD. Implications for our classrooms, how teachers, parents and
community members can be involved, and the role of the DECS Learner Wellbeing Framework will also be
included. This session is evidence based and practical in nature. We will take part in a range of spot mindfulness
meditations so that participants can experience the benefits of “pressing pause” on their thinking, as well as
discovering the simplicity of using meditation in schools.
Jim Jackaman, A/Curriculum Manager - Mathematics
Workshop 4
‘Roundtable assessment-a reflection after implementation across a school’
(1st fl conf rm)
Seaton High school has established the use of roundtable assessments across the middle school. This is a much
more authentic form of assessment. Jenny Burford, the middle school coordinator will reflect on this journey, warts
and all.
Jenny Burford, Seaton HS
2.45
Reconvene in Main Hall
3.00
Closing Correna Haythorpe
3.30
Close
This program was correct at the time of publication, but may be subject to change.
(Main Hall)