Education Week May 2017

Healthy Mind, Healthy Body Sunday 21st - Saturday 27th May #edweekvic

A healthy mind leads to a healthy body This year’s Education Week will be celebrated from May 21 to 27 with the theme of Healthy Mind, Healthy Body.

Education Week is an opportunity for all primary and secondary schools and early childhood services to showcase the work they are doing for students to help ensure healthy minds and bodies.

The week aims to profile and celebrate everything from sport, dance, mentoring, yoga, meditation, reading, and art, to camps, excursions, breakfast clubs, healthy canteen menus, stress management and resilience and more.

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Exploring language and art together S

By Nicholise Garner I VISITED Bourchier Street Primary School’s grade four class. I’d heard about their ‘Content and Language Integrated Learning’ (CLIL) program and to see it in action really was a beautiful sight.

Bourchier Street Primary School art and Italian language teacher, Rosie Leonardi said, “Under the banner of the CLIL program, our Italian language lessons are combined with our art classes and the children learn very quickly. The program offers a great opportunity for children to use the language necessary to complete the artwork, learning correct terminology as they create and analyse their artwork using the Italian language.”

The grade four students at Bourchier Street Primary School were creating and exploring examples of cubism and Rosie is clearly getting wonderful results, as quite honestly, I’d be happy to hang any one of these pieces on my wall. The children proudly recited a list of Italian words and phrases they use regularly in class. It is clearly a very powerful way of engaging children in learning a second language.

Bourchier Street Primary School principal, Denise Howley said, “We’re very lucky to have Rosie here.

We’ve sponsored her from Italy and her work is getting great results. CLIL is a fabulous emergence program and the children really look forward to these classes.”

Bourchier Street Primary School is located on the corner of Bourchier Street and Balaclava Road, Shepparton. For more information, call 5821 3488.

LEARNING AND FUN… Bourchier Street Primary School grade 4 students, Summer Garner, Lachlan Faller, Isabella Lawrence, art and Italian language teacher, Rosie Leonardi and grade 4 student, Corbyn Fletcher. Photo: Alicia Niglia.

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Building children’s confidence and gaining success

By Nicholise Garner I’VE got four little boys who have their share of troubles learning their times tables.

Walking into Shepparton’s Kip McGrath Education Centre last week, I was surprised by the logical and clear learning resources they have designed for use in their centres.

I started talking to business owner Willem Badenhorst about how impressed I was with the tools he has available there.

Willem said, “All parents should be made aware how important it is for children to learn the basics like times tables and spelling rules. Children are more likely to succeed in mathematics and English when the gaps in the learning disappear.”

All the staff at Kip McGrath are passionate about educating children to help them get a head start and to develop their confidence in the classroom. Willem said, “We generally like to get children to work in small groups.

This is important because it teaches children to be able to work more independently rather than having them become dependent on only a one to one teaching system. We have a comprehensive curriculum with fantastic resources and computer programs to help children to succeed in their learning. We

INDIVIDUALISED TUTORING… Not only for children who are struggling, but for those who need more of a challenge as well.

Kip McGrath Education Centre business owner, Willem Badenhorst.

Photo: Alicia Niglia.

aim to make learning rewarding and easy for them. It is ultimately very important that children feel that they are succeeding, as success builds confidence and encourages growth. The individually designed learning

programs offer plenty of opportunities to reinforce skills, as well as linking to further development and learning.”

Shepparton’s Kip McGrath Learning Centre are having an open day on Friday, May

19 from 12pm to 6pm and invite anyone interested to come along. Visit Kip McGrath Education Centre on the corner of Verney Road and New Dookie Road, Shepparton or call 0437 260 434 for more information.

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Hold an Education Week activity at school BELOW are some ideas of activities related to the Healthy Mind, Healthy Body theme to help guide your celebration of Education Week.

Activities can be as large or as small as you like – large scale events will make for great stories and imagery.

• Open day/school tours • Create a Stephanie Alexander school kitchen garden • Yoga, mindfulness sessions or meditation • Healthy breakfast club

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• Sport competition – e.g. teacher vs. student • Healthy eating activities • Screen body positive films to facilitate/lead discussions • Healthy minds ABC video/teacher resource • Happiness ABC video/teacher resource • Resilience ABC video/teacher resource • Spoken word poetry, dance, performance pieces *Resources available at www.education.vic. gov.au/about/events/Pages/edweek.aspx

REACH YOUR GOALS… Congratulations to GOTAFE Project Management graduate Cheryl Moylan.

Give GOTAFE a call to see how they can help you reach your future goals. Photo: Supplied.

Go places with GOTAFE DON’T miss out on the opportunity to boost your skills by starting a course midyear.

Project Management graduate Cheryl Moylan commenced studying in July 2015 and completed a Diploma the following June while juggling study with her full time job.

“I was confident I could fit study around my life because I had already sorted out my routine at the start of the year; I knew I had the time. Our main assessment tasks were staggered around traditional busy times at work, which also helped.”

GOTAFE’s Business & IT commercial manager, Jo Craig, said there are many

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benefits to taking up study mid-year.

“Being able to start your course mid-year enables you to have time to gain work experience before you start studying,” said Ms Craig.

GOTAFE offers real world learning experiences, flexible hands-on training and a wide range of accredited courses across regional Victoria.

For more information on GOTAFE’s midyear offerings visit a GOTAFE Campus in Shepparton, Wangaratta, Seymour, Benalla, Warragul or Werribee or phone 1300 GOTAFE (1300 468 233).

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Nurturing resilient children SIRIUS College is a beautiful small school on a mission to empower students to become critical thinkers and socially responsible individuals who are motivated by moral values and a belief in tolerance, diversity and harmony.

Catering to children from Prep to Year Eight, Sirius College, Shepparton provides for all areas of child development, particularly focusing on knowledge as well as skills.

Sirius College principal, Adem Engin said, “We aim to develop children’s knowledge through a strong use of technology, excursions and incursions. Their emotional and physical skills are developed through their interactions and physical play. We see it as very important that our students

have access to technology and to physical education.”

A visit to the Grade Prep room was met with beautiful big smiles from children sitting at different activities around the room.

Sirius College Grade Prep teacher Stacey Koktas said, “There are a lot of children here with English as a second language and so we make it a priority to really develop their language skills. Role playing and nursery rhymes are great for their language development in the early years.”

To take a look at their facilities and to get to know the teachers visit Sirius College at 685 New Dookie Road, Shepparton. For more information, visit www.sirius.vic.edu. au or phone 5829 9852.

ENCOURAGING CRITICAL THINKERS… Sirius College foundation class, five year old students, Ayesha Khan and Dua Qambari develop language and social skills through play. Photo: Alicia Niglia

Boosting digital education for rural and regional students THREE-HUNDRED and forty-seven 347 small rural and regionally based Victorian government schools will receive a better digital education, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.

The Victorian Budget 2017/18 included a $16.4M state-wide investment to improve bandwidth and digital connectivity for students in rural and regional Victoria.

It will double the internet bandwidth of these smaller rural and regional schools and level the playing field so that students and teachers outside of our cities aren’t left behind.

Rural and regional schools will have faster and more reliable access to online teaching and learning resources to support learning programs and an extended choice of subjects to choose from.

This year’s budget also includes $67.9M for better IT support for schools and students across Victoria.

This funding will see information technology across all government schools upgraded to provide reliable access to digital services in the classroom that are

essential to teaching and learning.

It also compliments the roll-out of 10 new ‘Tech Schools’ by renewing Wi-Fi in schools and implementing a new statewide virtual conferencing system for more than half a million students in Victorian government schools.

These investments in digital education are part of the Labor Government’s larger investment of almost $300M in a range of school-based programs to help boost the skills students need to thrive at school.

Ac t i ng Prem ier a nd M i n ister for Education, James Merlino said, “We are doubling the bandwidth provision to 347 small rural and regional schools across Victoria to make sure all students can access a first-rate digital education regardless of where they live.

“By investing in digital connectivity for rural and regional schools we can ensure our teachers can offer the same standard of digital education as metropolitan schools.

“No student should miss out on learning the skills they will need for the jobs of the future.”

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A word from Wendy Lovell,

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your local member of parliament AS a local member of parliament I have the wonderful opportunity of working in closely with our local kindergartens, schools and other learning institutions and I am privileged to witness firsthand the hard work being done by both local students and teachers across the Shepparton district.

During Education Week, other members of the community will be able to have the same firsthand experiences as I have had when local schools and kinders open their doors to the community.

For me, a visit to a kinder brings back wonderful memories of doing puzzles, painting and playing games, and a visit to a school brings back great memories of starting to learn the important things, and developing friendships that have lasted a lifetime.

I encourage everyone who has the chance to visit their local school or kinder during education week – I’m sure you’ll be inspired by what you see.

BE INSPIRED… Member for Northern Victoria, Wendy Lovell is encouraging the community to get out and about and see what local schools and education facilities have to offer during Education Week. Photo: Supplied.

Nominations open to induct past students NOMINATIONS have opened to determine the next inductees into the Wanganui Park Secondary College (WPSC) Hall of Fame.

Initiated in 2008, the Hall of Fame

acknowledges the outstanding achievements of individuals who have previously been associated with the school and has already seen 14 high achieving ex-students inducted.

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Photographs of the inductees hang on the wall in the school’s foyer.

Nomination forms and the guidelines for the Selection Criteria are available from the

College, and information can be provided to you by phoning Ken Murray on 5820 9900 or emailing events@wanganuipsc.vic.edu.au

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It’s never too late to study IT’S not too late to start a university education in 2017. La Trobe University’s Shepparton campus has a variety of study options available, with classes starting in July. Starting mid-year enables students to get started in their course now rather than delaying until the traditional February start.

The transition into study at mid-year is seamless as students start new subjects each semester so students are at no disadvantage.

Lecturers are supportive and students commencing during the year are welcomed through an orientation program so mid-year students can connect with one another.

La Trobe University also offers Diplomas in Business and Arts which can be completed full time over 12 months. Part time options are also available.

Sophia Sfetcopolous was offered a place in La Trobe University’s Bachelor of Business (Event Management and Marketing) Bundoora campus at the completion of year

12 at Goulburn Valley Grammar School in 2015.

Sophia wasn’t able to secure accommodation in Melbourne in time to commence in Semester 1, 2016, but the Shepparton campus was able to bridge this gap. The process was seamless and Miss Sfetcopolous was able to continue her studies at her home campus.

Sophia said, “Transferring to marketing was extremely easy due to the core subjects in the first year of university being similar in many courses.”

Sophia completed the core subjects at the Shepparton campus and applied for a campus transfer to the campus for semester two, 2016, after enjoying the Shepparton campus experience.

Visit La Trobe University’s Shepparton campus at 210 Fryers Street, Shepparton or book a one-on-one consultation at www. latrobe.edu.au/regional-consultations

SHEPPARTON’S LA TROBE UNIVERSITY IS TAKING ENROLMENTS… One of La Trobe University’s education students assisting primary school students. Photo: Supplied.

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It’s time to think about Kindergarten for 2018

SUDDENLY we’re into the middle of the year and it’s time for parents to think about choosing schools and kindergartens for 2018. It seems like yesterday that Wyndham Early Learning was still being built, but now it is blooming with children and families who are delighting in the space.

Wyndham Early Learning (WEL) director, Kathy Beer said, “We’ve had such a lovely start to the year here at WEL and we’ve really enjoyed watching our family community grow.

I’d really love to invite parents and families along to the centre to tour our beautiful facility and to meet our amazing team of passionate and dedicated educators. Families are always more than welcome to come and have a look at what we have on offer at any time that suits them.

“Not only do we provide quality early years education programs with our wonderful facilities and flexible care arrangements, but we also have a beautiful 44 place kindergarten with a qualified kindergarten teacher.

“It’s important to also remind parents that Kindergarten Central Enrolment forms must be returned to council by July 31, and with places filling quickly, I’d encourage parents to come in, have a look around and pick up an enrolment form while they’re here.”

Wyndham Early Learning is located at 617 Wyndham Street, Shepparton. To arrange a visit or to enquire about enrolling your child, email enquiries@wyndhamearlylearning.com or phone 5822 2372.

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A DELIGHTFUL SPACE… Wyndham Early Learning is inviting parents and families to explore the beautiful facilities and meet their amazing team of passionate and dedicated educators. From left, Mila Freer, 2 with qualified assistant educator, Hannah Crawford and health and nutrition educator, Sarah Freer with Zander Corrigan, 3. Photo: Supplied.

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READING CHALLENGE KICKS OFF… Help to get your kids school ready by seeing them participate in the Premiers’ Reading Challenge for the Early Years. Photo: Supplied.

Ensuring kids are ready before school THE Andrews Labor Government has launched a new campaign to highlight the importance of reading to children in the years before they start school as part of the annual Premiers’ Reading Challenge for the Early Years.

Sharing books with your kids from the day they are born is a simple way to boost their literacy and numeracy skills, and improve their school results and future job prospects.

Research shows that regular reading with young children from birth has a direct impact on their performance at school and cognitive skills later in life.

The theme of this year’s Premiers’ Reading Challenge for the Early Years is ‘Share a Book Today,’ in recognition of the positive impact simply sitting with a young child and opening a book can have.

The challenge encourages families and early childhood centres to help children who have not yet started school to experience 40 books before September.

This year it will be accompanied by a digital campaign promoting the benefits that books have for young kids, including interviews with

authors, ideas on great books to share and other helpful resources to help families with young kids.

More than 8,000 children and families participated in last year’s Premiers’ Reading Challenge for the Early Years, reading more than 265,800 books.

Children can be registered for the Premiers’ Reading Challenge for the Early Years online or at their childcare service.

The 2017 Challenge closes on September 8, with over 2,000 books on the early years booklist, which can found by visiting www. education.vic.gov.au/about/events/prc/ Pages/booklist.aspx Minister for Families and Children, Jenny Mikakos said, “Sharing books with children is one of the most powerful things we can do to help build a child’s love of literature and reading.

“We want more Victorian families reading to their kids more often because we know how beneficial it is.

“We’re launching a new campaign as part of the Premiers’ Reading Challenge for

the Early Years – so every parent knows the benefits of reading to their kids from day one.”

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