Education Week 2015 May 17-23
Crack the code with maths
A message from the Minister for Education MINISTER for Education, James Merlino has said, “The Victorian Government is transforming Victoria into The Education State.” This represents a bold step forward, ensuring a prosperous, dynamic, fair and equal Victoria. Education is the key to a brighter future for every Victorian; it equips us with the skills we need to live good lives, to solve problems, to better understand those around us, to adapt to new technologies, to do our jobs and to contribute to our communities. Education will be the solid foundation on which our State’s economic and competitive advantage is built. The wellbeing of our communities and the robustness of our economy will rest on a population that can acquire new skills and knowledge. The theme of Education Week 2015 is ‘Maths’ - a fitting theme in the Education State. As part of ‘Crack the Code with Maths’, hundreds of schools and some early years education providers will open their doors to their school community to showcase how they are helping every child reach his or her potential, including in maths. “When are we ever going to use this?” Is a thought that has no-doubt passed through many young minds when faced with a tough algebra question. Education Week provides an opportunity to show that maths is relevant to all students, regardless of their career aspirations. Across Victoria, students are capitalising on the intersection of maths and coding; the programming languages, which operate computers, to ‘Crack the Code with Maths’. Some are collaborating with software developers on
programs such as lunchtime ‘Coding Clubs’, where students create their own software and smartphone apps. Students are using their maths skills to solve real-life problems, while others will tackle more imaginative tasks — such as programming Lego robots or creating a fictional virus, which causes humans to turn into deadly zombies. Higher level maths and coding skills are increasingly important in the workplace, including in ICT, engineering, architecture and medical research. However, almost every industry sector requires people with maths proficiency; nurses, chefs and tradespeople all need to perform calculations and measurements. Regardless of their choice of career, young people will use maths by exercising their skills in problem solving, logical thinking and creativity. The Victorian Government is determined to ensure that, in The Education State, children have the opportunity to develop maths skills early in life, and continue to be engaged by maths throughout their schooling. By supporting our schools, and through inspiring programs such as those delivered by Victoria’s superb Science and Mathematics Specialist Centres, we will ensure that Victorians have the maths skills they need to thrive in the modern world. I encourage all students, parents, teacher and schools to be inspired during Victoria’s 71st Education Week, May 17 to 23, to find out more, visit education.vic.gov.au/ educationweek EDUCATIONAL MESSAGE… Minister for Education, James Merlino. Photo: Supplied.
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Education Week 2015 May 17-23
Crack the code with maths
2014 SCHOOL LEADERS… From left, Wanganui Park Secondary College student, Lucy Merino, Shepparton High School students, Rhys Down, Liana Besim, Mooroopna Secondary College student, Tanvi Petal (front), Wanganui Park Secondary College student, Bronson Giuca (back), McGuire College students, Shazia Ahmadi and Aeman Abdullah and Mooroopna Secondary College student, Megan Berner. Photo: Supplied.
“Better Together” Secondary State Education better prepares students AS you may have seen in a number of media outlets in the previous twelve months, including The Adviser; Greater Shepparton’s four state secondary colleges are working on a range of strategies to better prepare students for life after their secondary education. Wanganui Park Secondary College Principal, Ken Murray said, “The world that we are preparing our young people for is constantly changing, and it is imperative that we adapt the way that we teach and they learn to prepare them ready for this. “At this time of the year, families are often making important decisions about choosing secondary schools for their children. There is a common view that if you send your child to a private school, your child will get better results. The current statistics prove that this is a common misconception.” A recent review of almost 30 academic studies revealed state schools achieve similar student outcomes to catholic and independent schools across a range of education indicators. The review showed there were no significant differences between the results of students from state, catholic and independent schools in national and international tests and in university completion rates. Furthermore, in the first year of university, students from state schools outperform other students; they have been shown to achieve higher grades in their first year of university than students from catholic and independent schools. You can read more about the review’s findings at www.saveourschools.com.au/ public-education/studies-show-public-schools-achieve-similar-results-to-private-schools Ken went on to say, “We believe it is important that families know about this information because it can assist with their decision-making. The review is one of many pieces of educational research showing that students from the same social background do as well in state schools as they do in catholic or independent schools. State schools achieve most in the area of developing your child’s potential and that’s the most significant thing.” For families considering these decisions, we encourage you to attend the information nights and open day sessions at each of our secondary schools, and see for yourself the things that we are achieving – better together. For further details information nights and open day sessions, see advertisement left.
An artful passion for change AT THE La Trobe University Shepparton campus you can specialise in disciplines including; History, English and Sociology as well as understand and make sense of the past and present social world. With subjects designed to challenge the way you think. La Trobe University, Shepparton campus also offers a Diploma of Arts, which provides a pathway into the second year of the Bachelor of Arts. Within the Diploma of Arts, students are taught skills including, referencing and how to write assignments, enabling them to successfully navigate through the Bachelor degree. Once students have passed their Diploma of Arts they can choose to continue into the Bachelor of Arts and be given credit for the entire first year. Dr Lucinda Aberdeen, the newly appointed Senior Lecturer Interdisciplinary at the Shepparton campus, is a fine example of the opportunities which a Bachelor of Arts can open for students. Lucinda graduated with an honours degree in Sociology from La Trobe University Bundoora, this then led her to working in local, state and federal government settings, in areas such as human rights, racism in regional Australia, disability, policy evaluation, social and environmental impact assessment and road accident research. Lucinda has also completed a Master of Arts and PhD at La Trobe Bundoora, and until recently was a lecturer in sociology at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Lucinda said she, “Is passionate about the power of humanities and social sciences, education and research
NEWLY APPOINTED AND INSPIRED… Senior Lecturer Interdisciplinary, Dr Lucinda Aberdeen, is looking forward to developing, promoting and extending the Bachelor of Arts offered by Latrobe University’s Shepparton campus. Photo: Supplied.
to transform lives and make a difference. Lucinda is looking forward to developing, promoting and extending the Bachelor of Arts in our region, and is excited to now be a part of the Shepparton community. To find out more about opportunities at La Trobe University, phone 1300 135 045 or visit www.latrobe. edu.au
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Libraries, the heart of a primary school BOURCHIER Street Primary School’s library is much more than just a place to borrow a book, it is a world of discovery and wonderment, a place where children learn the importance of books in their academic development. Bourchier Street Primary School Principal, Judy Park said, “One of the desired outcomes of the students’ regular visits to the library is for them to gain a gradual understanding of the joy and inspiration that books can bring into their lives.” From the first years of schooling and well beyond, wonderful and exciting stories are being read and shared in primary school libraries. Judy said, “At Bourchier Street Primary School the library is a catalyst for literacy and reading, for teaching and for scaffolding enquiry learning. “The school library plays a key role in the cultural and social life of our school. It facilitates the engagment in many different types of cultural activities, provides access to a broad range of information and reading material, assists in building knowledge, provokes deep thinking and creates lively discussion. “Our children love books and know the authors, this is largely due to the consistent exposure they have to books, but we also credit it to the passion modeled by our librarians.” To enquire about further services offered at Bourchier Street Primary School; phone 5821 3488.
PASSION FOR LEARNING… Bourchier Street Primary School Grade Two Teacher, Jon Treanor with students Summer Garner, Sophie Roberts, Eva Veis discovering the joy of learning. Photo: Supplied.
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