The Bulletin 3 December 2020 Term 4 - Issue 9

Headspace Schools - Support over the School Holidays

2020 has been a challenging year in many ways, and we are mindful that whilst the holidays can be a great opportunity to take a break and recharge, it can also be a time where staff and students are away from their usual routines and the support networks that schools do such a wonderful job of providing for young people. The holidays can be a time of increased vulnerability and heightened emotion, particularly around significant events which for some can hold certain social expectations such as Christmas and/or New Year. It is therefore important to emphasise the need for students, staff and families to stay connected, look out for one another and access available support when needed. Links and resourcing to support this messaging can be found Here.

2021 Brightpath PL Program

Please find attached the Brightpath Professional Learning Program 2021. There are a few new offerings for 2021. For information, please click Here     

Literature & Ideas for Secondary Students at Perth Festival

As a part of Perth Festival’s Connect: Creative Learning Program free Literature and Ideas sessions across two days for secondary students are available.
With sessions specifically targeting both middle and upper school English, this is an unmissable opportunity for students to engage with a range of texts:  media, fiction and non-fiction.  Exploring the relationships between conventions and language (and how they change across genre with regards to audience and purpose), the authors will give fascinating insight into their writing process.
For information, please click Here 

NAPLAN Narratives – Effects of the “No-Show” NAPLAN 2020 

If you teach in a NAPLAN year level (Year 3,5,7 and 9 teachers) you can participate in this project titled NAPLAN Narratives – Effects of the “No-Show” NAPLAN 2020 which seeks to investigate the effect of the absence of NAPLAN testing in 2020 on staff and their work. Your participation in this research project will involve completing an online survey that will take approximately 15-20 minutes. No NAPLAN in 2020 gives a unique opportunity to gauge how teachers’ work in NAPLAN years and how schools planning may be affected. The results will contribute to ongoing research on the effects of NAPLAN testing on staff work, school planning as well as staff and student wellbeing. To find out more information and to complete the survey please click Here 

Growing Up Greatness

Growing Up Greatness has a deliberate aim to identify and build intentional, transparent and research-based quality teaching in every classroom. Context-specific, strategic, whole-school review & planning to include and create opportunities for students of all learning needs and abilities in every classroom and context. Services can be customised to suit the needs and context of your school, organisation, classrooms, students, strategic goals and educational philosophy.
Please see attached flyers for PL opportunities Growing Up Greatness has on offer (so far) for 2021
Gifted in the Early Years PL 08032021 pdf
Educating the GT (3 day course) 2021.pdf
Leading Gifted and Talented Education (1 day course) 16082021.pdf
Growth Coaching 2021.pdf
G&T Online Professional Learning Series 2021.pdf

Guidelines for the Acceleration of Students Pre-primary–Year 10 (SCSA)

SCSA has released information to assist schools when they are considering the acceleration of a gifted student into a higher year curriculum. Follow this Link to access the required SCSA application form.
A set of guidelines of good practice and an accompanying checklist are also attached. These have been developed and approved by the SCSA Board for schools to use when considering the acceleration of students in Pre-primary to Year 10.

Search For Future School Leaders Begin (FED)

Teachers in regional and rural schools can now apply to join a new leadership program that will help develop the next generation of school leaders. Minister for Education Dan Tehan today announced the opening of applications for the Future Leaders Program pilot in Western Australia. The Future Leaders Program will provide individualised coaching and support as well as a professional peer network for teachers working in regional, rural and remote schools. For more information please click Here