IE April, 2013

the professional voice of the Independent Education Union

issue 1|Vol 43|2013

Starting Strong

Firm foundations for new career teachers Brain training|Making homework work|Get money smart|Asian century for education?

17 & 18 June 2013 Sydney Town Hall

BOOK BY 31 MAY & SAVE $155 OFF THE FULL 2 DAY CONFERENCE FEE + $260 OFF THE FULL GOLD PASS FEE! USE PROMO CODE HGSW TO REGISTER!

Young Minds 2013 is a unique forum exploring the vital issues facing our youth today. Be inspired by a summit of 40+ leading thinkers Whether your goal is to better educate your students, inspire young people in your care or empower your children to reach their full potential, the Young Minds conference is for you. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for educators, psychologists, healthcare, social and youth workers, parents and anyone with an interest in the wellbeing and future of young people.

KEYNOTES INCLUDE: His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate

Dr Wendy Mogel, USA, acclaimed clinical psychologist, parenting expert and best-selling author

Carl Honoré, UK, leading proponent of the Slow Movement and award winning journalist

Professor Carla Rinaldi, Italy, internationally renowned advocate for children and childhood, Adelaide Thinker in Residence 2012

Marc Prensky, USA, internationally acclaimed writer and visionary on education and learning

Patrick McGorry, Executive Director of Orygen Youth Health Professor

Professor Carol Dweck, USA, leading psychologist and researcher in

Professor Todd Kashdan, USA, clinical psychologist and pioneering researcher into curiosity, resilience and happiness

Professor Toni Noble, leading educator and educational psychologist Matthew Cowdrey, Australia’s most successful Paralympian… plus many more!

40+ SPEAKERS 1000+ DELEGATES youngminds.org.au

Starting Strong New career teachers

Executive Editors John Quessy Deb James Terry Burke Managing Editor Tara de Boehmler Editorial Committee Cathy Hickey Fiona Stutz Gloria Taylor Tara de Boehmler Sue Osborne Journalists Tara de Boehmler Sue Osborne Fiona Stutz Design Chris Ruddle About us IE is a tri-annual journal published by the NSW/ACT, VicTas and Qld/NT Independent Education Unions for members and subscribers. It has a circulation of more than 65,000. IE’s contents do not the IEU or the editors nor imply endorsement by them.

Email NSW: ieu@ieu.asn.au QLD/NT: enquiries@qieu.asn.au IE online

Editorial Kaleidoscope Australia wide

Life in the fast lane

Feature

Starting Strong – New career teachers Quality education requires quality induction

P10 P11 P13

for early career teachers

Teaching + learning

IE in order to minimise costs.

(02) 9519 8268 ISSN 1320-9825

P4 P4

Islander people in the Constitution

P14 P16 P17 P18 P20

Advertising Chris Ruddle (02) 8202 8900

Subscriptions IE to members of the IEU, or by subscription.

Kayla Skorupon: (02) 8202 8900 Printing

P24 P6 P8

Reconciliation

Contributions Contributions and letters from members are contributions may be edited at the editor’s discretion.

Never too young to get money P20 smart

Positioning Australian schools for the Asian century A bridge too far?

Successful students kit

Leadership Diverse roles Technology Legal Diary/Letters Talking point Review

Focus on performance

P22 P23 P24 P25 P26 P28 P30 P31 P32 P34

independent education| issue 1|Vol 43|2013|3

ice of the sional vo ion the profes Education Un dent Indepen

3

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issue 1|V

Strong ions t Founigdha t The r stuff for eer r new ca s e teach r

oney rk|Get m ework wo king hom ning|Ma Brain tra

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Building resilience Every teacher has had the experience of

in front of a classroom. Getting to know your colleagues and the workplace culture you’ll be operating in.

are a member of support staff, a school or system leader or another stakeholder in the Early Career Teachers: Stories of resilience, the best chance of success in their chosen profession. Early Career Teachers uses case

teachers from p10. And remember, the IEU industrial and professional support that all members enjoy. Contact your state or territory branch for more information.

Australian schools are adequately positioned for the ‘Asian Century’ as

The Quaker school was my salvation.

Email iemagazine@ieu.asn.au 4|independent education| issue 1|Vol 43|2013

Kaleidoscope

Life in the fast lane Among her many honours, plastic surgeon Fiona Wood can list an Order of Australia medal for her work with Bali bombing victims and being named Australian of the Year in 2005. She is the director of the Royal Perth Hospital burns unit and the Western Australia Burns Service. In addition, Fiona is also a Clinical Professor with the School of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of Western Australia and Director of the McComb Research Foundation. However, her early schooling was not all plain sailing. She talks about her formative years with IE Journalist Sue Osborne.

of my maths. been beaten up a lot more if I couldn’t run they used to take me out of class and make

led me to my future career. of my cohort from middle school left school at do the exercises, and then she’d teach the

as a mature student.

I bumped into my old physics teacher

The 11+ had been disbanded but I did

opportunity, not expect the school to do independent education| issue 1|Vol 43|2013|5

NSW The NSW Government has frozen grants to schools from 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2017. The freeze includes per capita grants, building grants and teacher development costs.

enhanced salary outcomes in 2014.

schools are salaries, the freeze impacts

three-band schools’ last installment of

2011 election promise not to reduce and independent schools. of Teachers-endorsed professional

beyond the cap is palpable. The Union

ACT Win on Exemplar Teacher access After recovering more than $4.5million on behalf of NSW/ACT IEU members in 2012, the Union is off to a good start this year, recovering over 12 months back pay for an ACT member who had been told she was ineligible to

achieve the Territory’s Exemplar Teacher Three year-trained teacher Claire Walsh

the case has implications for many other three-year trained teachers in the ACT status.

Victoria and Talented Students. Of the 65

Last year the Ballieu Government outlined a number of new directions for schools and teachers. Three policyfocused documents placed even greater demands on schools in respect to increasing programming and resource commitment.

recommendations.

The Report of the Inquiry makes the claim that “the Victorian education decreased. At the time of publication,

discussion document entitled New Directions for School Leadership and the Teaching Profession

Committee’s fundamental approach in

decent pay rise.

Education stated that:

Australia Wide, IE Issue 3 Vol 42 2012). recommendations of the Education and Training Parliamentary Committee Inquiry into the Education of Gifted

6|independent education| issue 1|Vol 43|2013

stimulation they need to transform their

Queensland Amendments to the Education (Queensland College of Teachers) Act 2005 and Regulation take effect from 2013. The enactment of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers brings some changes to the requirements for Teacher Registration in Queensland.

For teachers with Full Registration:

important to remember that for those

Queensland Teachers.

As these processes are quite detailed,

commenced in 2012 or earlier, the

to keep all documentation for the period Provisionally Registered Teachers:

they understand the processes that apply to them. experience required remains 200 days (one year).

for part-time or casual teachers.

20 hours per year.

South Australia In October 2011, MCEECDYA endorsed a proposal regarding a nationally consistent approach to eight key elements of teacher registration. One of these elements is renewal of registration.

Board of South Australia (SATRB).

the professional practice requirement.

Professional Practice - a requirement for renewal of (full) Registration.

to undertake and keep a record of:

the TRB. Audits of a randomly selected

Professional Learning - a requirement for all teachers holding (full) Registration and Provisional Registration.

to ensure the declarations made by

of a minimum of 60 hours of professional

professional practice - a requirement for renewal of (full) Registration.

Tasmania No more cheap holidays Tasmania has now joined the rest of the country in embracing a four-term school year. However, with the vagaries of the Easter break being taken into account, the school year is: Term One 11 weeks, Term Two nine weeks and Terms Three and Four both 10 weeks.

and the community to plan ahead. Nonschedule.

unfortunate consequence of this national harmonisation is that Tasmanian school

there is some unhappiness about that.

independent education| issue 1|Vol 43|2013|7

Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Constitution A new resource has been rolled out in Australian schools giving students the opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities for achieving recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, both generally and in the Australian Constitution. IE Journalist Fiona Stutz examines how the School Learning Guide will help teachers and students become more informed about this important issue.

Torres Strait Islander people the Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Constitution School Learning Guide and students to understand the efforts of freedoms in Australia.

The resource, aimed at secondary students

includes a timetable of the key Islander people since 1948, and Torres Strait Islander people, and

Teaching and learning outcomes of the resource include:

classroom debate offered to students.

Why is this resource important for students?

Constitution has been amended since 1901

Strait Islander people and other Australians.

the referendum process Strait Islander people

their contribution to the country.

The introduction of this resource comes their commitment to hold a referendum to people in the Constitution sometime after the proposed 2013 federal election.

8|independent education| issue 1|Vol 43|2013

Other education resources to use at school In addition to the School Learning Guide, further school resources for students to learn Islander cultures: Share Our Pride: Reconciliation Australia’s

says this resource students understand the historical

WHEN: :

WHERE YO

VITE U’RE IN

Strait PART peoples, in the context of a AKEIslander D TO T

Reconciliation Australia books:

students about the reconciliation journey and Apology to the Stolen Generations: online

1967 Referendum:

Strait Islander Australians in the national

resources.

Overwhelming support An Auspoll An earlier Newspoll

Islander Peoples in the Constitution’

‘Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait

independent education| issue 1|Vol 43|2013|9

The right stuff for new career teachers

Classroom management, complex and demanding work, becoming comfortable with one’s professional identity and building new relationships are just a few of the common issues faced by beginning teachers. The following articles highlight successful approaches for supporting those navigating the new job maze.

10|independent education| issue 1|Vol 43|2013

Feature

STARTING STRONG

Early career resilience - voices from the front line Professor Barry Down tells IE Journalist Tara de Boehmler about a new resource providing a practical approach to supporting early career teachers when, how and from whom it is needed.

Week three, Term 2 and an early career

education departments, Catholic systems, associations of independent schools and trade unions.

maintain her distance and not be seen to take recommends: Another teacher’s story sees her slumped

Employers, unions, universities and other professional groups

tired, caffeine-reliant and stressed about She is concerned about the impact of her

access to the special education teacher,

School leaders

Early Career Teachers: Stories of resilience, promote a culture of shared responsibility for

Early career teachers really value the opportunity to be heard.

It was helpful for them just to talk through their work.

practices based on coherent theoretical and support.

Colleagues Beyond the talk, each case study is

shared responsibility for all students

team-teach lessons, and

and teacher identity.

Early career teachers

Almost 70 early career teachers and 40 school principals participated in the project

students, and classroom.

independent education| issue 1|Vol 43|2013|11

teacher resilience.

“When early career teachers talked about emotional issues.

“There are also stresses around standardised

practices affect early career teachers. For instance, if they are placed on a contract this

Early Career Teachers: Stories of resilience

by Bruce Johnson, Barry Down, Rosie Le Cornu, Judy Peters, Anna Sullivan, Jane Pearce and Janet Hunter is published by UniSA. It can be downloaded for free at www.ectr.edu.au.

Teachers’ work principals, and the inclusion of ‘wisdom from related literature’ bring Early Career Teachers: Stories of resilience to life. The following conversation starters are taken from the Teachers’ Work section.

make mistakes, learn from that experience, School leader)

(Lydia, ECT)

kind of felt really upset about it because I

12|independent education| issue 1|Vol 43|2013

beliefs and practices that support student

Feature

STARTING STRONG

Quality education requires quality induction for early career teachers These should include:

We hear a lot about ‘quality teaching’ from politicians and employers these days, particularly in terms of its role in the goal of lifting the performance of Australian students to the top of the international league table, writes VicTas Education

teacher as a co-ordinator of induction in the school

the inductee and support teacher or mentor access for the inductee and mentor to

Cathy Hickey.

What makes a good induction program?

The Independent Education Union (IEU)

to professional competence at this entry

made explicit processes in any school and system. a better combination of time release and induction roles and responsibilities are clearly outlined and formally linked to professional teacher from unreasonable demands, Entitlements to induction should be

community.

implementation can be ensured.

The IEU is opposed to any form of probationary employment, contractual

processes established at the system and independent education| issue 1|Vol 43|2013|13

Arrowsmith aims to train the brain Sydney CEO education provider in Australia to offer the Arrowsmith Program to limited numbers of students with a learning disability, IE Journalist Sue Osborne writes.

$8000 per student.

or symbols. neuroplasticity, or that the brain can be machine that could not be altered.

and teachers.

Brain that

Changed Itself.

computerised, auditory and pen and comprehension, memory, numeracy, motor part of the brain for example, or tell time on

Changed her Brain.

The Woman who

Outcomes such as emotional

I was amazed when I heard about this stuff and I thought ‘Why haven’t educators been told about neuroscience?’

at Sydney CEO and the principal to Australia.

disorder, could attend an a copy of The Brain that Changed Itself.

‘’I also spoke to Seamus O’Grady, Director of Curriculum at the 14|independent education| issue 1|Vol 43|2013

Above: Rob uses an eye patch to direct learning into the correct part of his brain. Far left: Rob and Debbie in Canada. Left: Rob outside the Arrowsmith School in Canada.

Debbie says as soon as Rob returned from Canada, family members could see a difference in him.

“He used to be on the periphery of

to undertake proper random control trials to The Conversation

also research the academic and social and been in my care in the last 30 years that No clinical trials either in Canada or “Without a controlled clinical trial, if it is documented better outcomes from that could account

References

The Woman Who Changed her Brain, Harper Collins Australia Ltd Castles A 2012, Brain Training or Learning as We Like to Call it call-it-9951

Castles says. one-on-one attention and taken to another centre. And there’s the placebo affect. To carry out proper trials you need be done in Sydney.

IE

The Woman Who Changed her Brain your name, address and membership

by 15 April. independent education| issue 1|Vol 43|2013|15

Time for a new look at homework Parents expect it, students dread it, and it creates challenges for teachers. Is homework really crucial to a student’s learning? IE Journalist Fiona Stutz spoke with Central Queensland University Professor Mike Horsley who argues that we need to take a different approach to homework.

Reforming Homework: Practices, Learning and Policies research, structured around:

We’ve probably got to think about homework as helping the kids get themselves organised.

16|independent education| issue 1|Vol 43|2013

consolidate and cement particular concepts and skills.

characteristics and is aimed at that particular

construct there’s a lot of drill and practice

and coordinated. curriculum to be planned at the same time as

Paper Boats – Journeys to Australia How can you know what a refugee student has been through without knowing their story?

How can a student seeking asylum feel understood if no one knows why they went through so much to call Australia home?

IE Journalist Tara de Boehmler speaks with Author and Teacher Yasar Duyal.

or asylum seeker students from around

Paper Boats: An anthology of short stories about journeys to Australia his students. he felt deeply touched and but also inspired

mainstream students understand.

“It also assists mainstream students. They

Paper Boats

could hear a pin drop. The experiences that had been discussed by their families as they for them.

one of these students.

Paper Boats tell their stories and present their ideas.

“The students explore themes and ideas Paper Boats

Cross Society.

IE has one review copy of Paper Boats to give away. To enter, write your name, address and membership number on an envelope marked ‘Paper Boats’, and send to Publications, Independent Education Union, GPO Box 116, Sydney NSW 2001 by 15 April.

It raises these students’ voices and instills a knowledge that their stories matter and that mainstream students understand.

independent education| issue 1|Vol 43|2013|17

How gender friendly

is your school?

The challenge of dealing with bullying in schools can be confronting for students, teachers and administrators due to its pervasive nature, especially if it is reinforced by unchallenged institutional, cultural, peer-related and However, sustained focus should be directed towards creating gender friendly, safe schools.

IEUA-QNT Organiser Susan O’Leary looks at the opportunities that abound every day in the classroom, playground, create gender friendly, inclusive schools.

Positive insights

students, they are certainly not immune to

Strategies and considerations: Bullying and masculinity Common assumptions are that boys typically

of Teaching Boys: Developing Classroom Practices that Work linked to a sense of entitlement and particular constructions of masculinity. Weakness, unacceptable. natural rejection of homosexuality and a and ‘normal’. Women are typically seen as

construct of ‘successful masculinity’.

18|independent education| issue 1|Vol 43|2013

ensure that anti-discrimination principles are

authoritarian approaches that can be

Bullying scenarios require different levels or types of intervention from problem solving and mediation to the more punitive. We need to focus on restoring the well-being of those who have been

say that more needs to be done. The links

use White Ribbon Day and National Day platforms to focus on the issues.

Approaches to bullying and harassment

harassment.

From the National Safe Schools Framework – Research summary independent education| issue 1|Vol 43|2013|19

Positioning Australian schools for the Asian century

A bridge too far?

In October last year the Gillard Government released a white paper Australia in the Asian Century, a weighty 300-plus pages which outline the key areas, objectives and pathways leading to a more “prosperous and resilient” Australia. It lays out an ambitious agenda for schooling, one which many would say on current and proposed levels of investment, is impossible to achieve.

Is it another case of ‘gyoza in the sky’?, IEU VicTas Education

The term Asian Century is popularly used to describe the projected 21st century dominance of Asian politics, economics and culture. There’s no doubt about the importance of Asia to Australia, and as a

into the mix is the concept of Asia-

many, many decades. already in the Australian Curriculum. It is the scale that is different. clear is that the roadmap for Australian school

the most recently articulated Australian and Japanese.

the Australian Education Bill 2012. This has been passed in the House of

Cathy Hickey asks.

Expectations

performance and ensure all Australians can participate and contribute. Capabilities for 20|independent education| issue 1|Vol 43|2013

Committee Inquiry.

does not appear in the early iterations of

Objectives

student numbers increased by 9% in 2008, less than 6% of Australian students studied Indonesian, Japanese, Korean or Indonesian than in 1972, and

The paper proposes that the Asian-related

student numbers fell by 16% from 2000 to 2008.

Curriculum (particularly in the cross-curriculum Priority Asia and Australia’s Engagement with Asia

Broadband.

concerns about the impact on schools that

And the money?

(Queensland). and the Australian Education Bill 2012 makes

teacher supply and education, introduction

Feasibility?

While many business and education leaders

(especially transition from primary to and increased leadership requirements, led policies and practice.

Australia’s policy landscape at federal learner ratios, and more teachers, of all Asian

implementation and feasibility problems.

Language learners

References

Australia in the

and build on the current state of play. A major factor here is the actual decline in the

Asian Century

is small and has actually fallen in recent times:

Australia in the Asian Century: Recognising the Language Imperative.

Australia in the Asian Century: Implications for Australian Schooling. Seminar Series 219 Centre for

independent education| issue 1|Vol 43|2013|21

Successful students kit A new practical guide supports students from disadvantaged and non-English speaking backgrounds to engage and learn.

In fact its approach applies equally to all students, according to author Regina Hill, Director of Effective Philanthropy.

The Toolkit is based on an international

practices that they had put in place often fell The Successful Schooling Toolkit

secondary education. A number of schools

In all cases the schools tended to adopt

them realise their academic potential.

22|independent education| issue 1|Vol 43|2013

they do it, tools to help teachers and school leaders explore the different topics. access tools to help them to apply those practices. and accomplished teachers alike.

Download the Toolkit for free at www.effectivephilanthropy.com.au. To provide feedback or for more information email reginahill@effectivephilanthropy.com.au.

It was fantastic to see some students speak in front of other students.

Junior Rangers An environmental program engaging Indigenous students and giving them an opportunity to combine their traditional knowledge has been adopted by a Northern Territory school.

IE Journalist Fiona Stutz looks at the program which consolidates students’ theoretical knowledge with practical activities.

by the teacher. and researched.

and share their experiences on excursions in

easily do so. “The school needs to collaborate NRETAS (Department of Natural Resources, the opportunity to participate in numerous

promotes the fact that Kormilda supports

mainly outside the classroom. The unit needs to use the local natural resources and the

For more information, visit www. parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au/kids/juniorrangers. independent education| issue 1|Vol 43|2013|23

Never too young to get money smart literacy resource is encouraging even the youngest students to take charge of their a long-term view of their consumption and its impact, writes IE Journalist Tara de Boehmler.

students opportunities to consider the cash in hand.

been in debt consumer debt

and impact of a consumer society on and explore concepts of personal consumer

phones, and the basic numeracy skills required to meet Australian Curriculum, can be used at home

More than half the population doesn’t have the basic numeracy skills required to meet the demands of everyday life and work.

To access the Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s MoneySmart Teaching resources visit www.teaching.moneysmart.gov.au. independent and Catholic primary and

additional task zeroes in on the process of

Wilbur Want and Nellie Need plan to help their cupboards. Students identify and compare

24|independent education| issue 1|Vol 43|2013

Leadership

Focus

In the context of the increasing focus on teacher performance and development, IE continues its examination of approaches that really support quality teaching and spoke with coaching expert Di Henning about a model of constructive and respectful

on performance

IE: Why is collaborative coaching effective in building teacher capacity?

Di:

It is underpinned by the assertion that

action and data collection (feedback).

IE: What should be avoided?

Di: on this approach need the skills and time often been criticised as ‘soft’ in terms

IE: Is this different from mentoring?

Di: the experiences of the teacher. The role of the

IE: Finally, how do you use data effectively?

Di: role is to support focussed attention on data of analysis and interpretation by the teacher.

This is a skilled process.

Data is information collected for a purpose, data can help create a picture of current reality and the process of analysis and

IE: What are the skills and techniques needed to get the best out of this approach?

Di: ideas and explore patterns in a teacher’s

action. Data is also collected to analyse Di Henning has been a teacher, principal and principal leader in the Tasmanian education system. Di works extensively in the education sector as a coach trainer, workshop designer, leadership consultant and author. More information about CoCoaching workshops can be found at www.growthcoaching.com.au independent education| issue 1|Vol 43|2013|25

There is a great atmosphere and we all get along. If there is a deadline we all work together knowing we are all doing it for the same reason – for the education of the students.

26|independent education| issue 1|Vol 43|2013

Taking care of business Michele O’Shea was a student of Our Lady of the Sacred At that time she equally split her 30-hour Heart College in Kensington, NSW. Now as Business support duties.

Manager she is an integral part of its structure, IE Journalist Tara de Boehmler writes.

On the money

“Last year I completed a Diploma of

“The CEO tailored a course to suit business

“We really appreciated the course and the

centenary year.

Centenary celebrations

the day.

due for completion in October, in time for the centenary celebrations.

but it’s the people that make all the difference.

school.

Plenty of variety

independent education| issue 3|Vol 42|2012|27

Short and tweet: a principal tweeter The way school principals liaise with each other and the wider community has evolved dramatically.

De La Salle College Principal Michael Egan tells IE Journalist Daniel Long how the way educators communicate.

could be conducted.

able to attend in person. laid a platform for teachers and principals policy. Why rob families of surety around

“The opportunity to tap into a thread and really useful.

28|independent education| issue 1|Vol 43|2013

The current Twitter usage in education circles allows a multitude of experts to contribute to the public record on a topic.

Promote your school

Facebook feeds are also more likely to contain personal information, such as family photos. reluctant to open this up for any interaction

Keeping it on topic Twitter alternatives

use #ceoelearn and #edfocus, to name just

“Like many users, I read it much more than I theoretically connected to one another and all

Some critics continue to maintain that

democratic reach that has helped shape the

control and the reputation and consistency

independent education| issue 1|Vol 43|2013|29

Safe at home, safe at work Domestic violence and the workplace Australia is leading the world in recognising domestic violence as an issue which can potentially impact on workers and workplaces, Therese O’Loughlin, IEU VicTas Women’s

and employers nationally on the adoption

introduced into Australian enterprise

persistent effects on physical and mental Key principles: Dedicated additional and paid family and assured and respected ensure protection of employees should be parties concerned employees to appropriate domestic Nominated/contact person(s) must be Employees entitled to family and domestic

of their disclosure of, or experience of, family

federally funded and operates out of the Centre for Gender and Violence Studies at

employer Queensland Rail.

the end of June 2013, is to reduce the impact them to stay in their jobs and in their homes. entitlements.

30|independent education| issue 1|Vol 43|2013

Diary

diary IEU Teach Survive Thrive Conference For teachers in their early career years.

Friday, May 3, Mercure Hotel, Sydney Keynote speaker is Dr Les Vozzo, Senior Lecturer, Badanami

Australian Teacher Education Association Conference practice.

30 June-3 July, QUT SEC Precinct, Brisbane

To register contact Iva Coric on 02 8202 8900 or email iva@ieu.asn.au

IEU Women’s Forum and Dinner 14 May, Newcastle, NSW Details: pam@ieu.asn.au

Details: www.atea.edu.au

Girls in Education

History Teachers Association of Victoria Conference

20-21 May, Cliftons, 440 Collins St, Melbourne

25-26 July, Venue TBA

histories.

Details: www.hatv.asn.au Details: www.criticalagendas.com.au or ring 1800 638 012.

IEU Environment Conference

Young Minds

16 August, Mercure Hotel, Sydney

17-18 June, Sydney Town Hall

and so much more.

To register contact Iva Coric on 02 8202 8900 or email iva@ieu.asn.au

Australian Society for Music Education National Conference Details and bookings: www.youngminds.org.au

Happiness and its Causes Tools and Techniques for a happier life 19-20 June, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

29 September – 1 October, Hotel Realm, Canberra Details: www.asme2013.com.au

ACSA Biennial Curriculum Conference Australian Curriculum

Details: www.happinessanditscauses.com.au

25 - 27 September, Darwin Convention Centre Details: www.acsa.edu.au

IEU Women’s Forum 21 June, Port Macquarie, NSW Details: pam@ieu.asn.au

ACE Conference - Forward Thinking: 21 June, Rydges Hotel, Melbourne

Details: www.austcolled.com.au independent education| issue 1|Vol 43|2013|31

Does handwriting

still matter?

Mark Twohill, Principal, Holy Family Primary School, Merewether Beach, NSW now. Last year one son, who is left-handed, broke his left arm just before Year 11 exams and had it in plaster for six weeks.

forms can be done online, it is more common to be

presentation counts for a lot.

Dr Bernadette Summers, Lecturer, School of Education, Australian Catholic University, Vic I know that I prefer to hand write a thank you note rather than type a thank you email.

I write my shopping list on paper rather than on my iPhone and I draft my thoughts with pen and a note pad before I interact with a keyboard. if they completed tasks that utilised their mastery of computer skills rather than their mastery of

32|independent education| issue 1|Vol 43|2013

s

different tools to scribble or make their marks on paper or expression.

Hayley Wells, Prep Teacher, Sacred Heart Primary School, Sandgate, Qld I believe that handwriting should remain an important and valued part of schooling. It is done in one form or another each and every day in my prep classroom and to have seen the children progress as far as they have is just amazing.

the task at hand.

place and one important part is that the children

certain letters and sounds. children cannot be expected to understand

Key to communication Kahlia Currie, Year 12, William Clarke College, Kellyville, NSW

if this leads to the decline and eventual eradication of the skill of handwriting, it would limit mankind to an uneasy dependency on technology – capricious technology that we all know can prove communicate.

little more eloquently that unique part inside of us that makes each

independent education| issue 1|Vol 43|2013|33

With recent multiple awards, including Best Film, presented to The Sapphires at the 2nd annual Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards, indications are clear television have become popular and more

history of Australian colonisation, and the has become reasonable and subject to

directed Jedda (1955) that depictions of

relocation in Rabbit Proof Fence Brendan Fletcher presented the issue of male Mad Bastards Baz Luhrmann’s Australia (2008) is an attempt Jindabyne

producers are producing Aboriginal stories. success of Redfern Now, Mabo, and The Straits.

The Sapphires is based on the true story of

understood the tensions and attempts to Green Ants Dream (1984).

Where the

Australian Rules (2002), Rolf Ten Canoes Bedevil (1993), Stephen Johnson’s Yolngu Boy stories and issues.

Clouds (2002) and Toomelah

Beneath

The Last Wave dramatic The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith The Fringe Dwellers (1987), John Honey’s Tasmanian set Manganinnie (1980) and Ned Lander’s musically focused Wrong Side of the Road (1981).

lauded Samson & Delilah

Nue Dae

Walkabout

Bran

Stone Bros (2009). Beck Cole’s under-appreciated Here I Am

the Australian Film Critics Association, and commentary on radio and in print.

34|independent education| issue 1|Vol 43|2013

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Starting your teaching career?

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25

years service: 1988-2013

NGS Super is the Industry SuperFund dedicated to education and community-focused organisations and we exist only to benefit you...

No commissions and low fees Competitive award-winning insurance cover Personalised service with free seminars and learning tools A strong understanding of the education sector with professional development scholarships available

Compare us today by visiting www.ngssuper.com.au/compare-us