The Curriculum and Pedagogy Newsletter is sent every month. To subscribe/unsubscribe to the newsletter, please login and update your subscription preferences under the "Update my Details" tab in the member dashboard.
Previous newsletters can be viewed below:
AISWA Curriculum and Pedagogy Newsletter - April 2024
AISWA Curriculum and Pedagogy Newsletter - March 2024
AISWA Curriculum and Pedagogy Newsletter - February 2024
- Early Childhood
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Wendy Gorman - Manager
Janelle Dickinson - Administration
Rebecca Duncan - Consultant
Wendy Candy - Consultant
Melissa Kennedy - Consultant
Lynee McCarney - Consultant
AEDC
Are other languages spoken at home? Did the child attend Day Care?
A quick survey template is available on the AISWA website to assist you gather additional information that pre-primary teachers will need complete the data collection instrument.
Click here and scroll right to the bottom of the AEDC page to find a document you can modify for your school use.
Early Years Learning Framework v2
The Principles of Sustainability, and Aboriginal Perspectives are heavily embedded into the updated EYLF. We have been buoyed by the EYLF grant reports with schools sharing stories of success in their Aboriginal Perspectives journey.
Credit - AISWA Consultant Andrew Beck, at Treetops Montessori School
Our current focus is to support early childhood educators in their understandings of the three dimensions of Sustainability - Economic, social and environmental. Our next network meeting is promising to be a hands on, practical workshop at Perth City Farm. Click here for more information or to register.
Highlights from Term One
2024 PROJECT - BUILDING LEADERSHIP CAPABILITY IN THE EARLY YEARS
AISWA Early Childhood recently commenced an exciting project in collaboration with Amie Fabry - Director of Early Childhood at The Learning Future.
I draw on my multifaceted experience in teaching, academia, consultancy and research to design and facilitate professional learning programs that empower and enable educators, leaders and children to flourish in early education settings. - Amie Fabry
The goal of this project is to help participants build their understanding of early childhood leadership and gain confidence in their capacity to lead effectively. The project is based on an Early Childhood Leadership Framework that has been developed through 6 years of research on the role of early childhood leaders in school settings. Participants will work together to explore the Framework and gain a deeper understanding of the purpose of their role as well as practical strategies to implement continuous improvement in the early years. During the project, participants will identify an area of pedagogical practice that they believe can be improved in their school and will be provided with the tools to plan how to lead this change through collaboration with their colleagues and school leadership team.
Leading for and Through Inquiry Project with Kath Murdoch
Leaders and aspiring leaders from 11 schools were excited to commence the year-long project facilitated by renowned inquiry pedagogies expert, Kath Murdoch, and AISWA Early Childhood consultant, Bec Duncan. Day One was rich with conversations about growing a culture of inquiry across K-6 settings, with each school team designing an action research plan, based on one aspect of Kath’s ‘Community of Inquiry’ framework. The project continues over the remainder of 2024, including interviews with highly successful inquiry-based leaders, and numerous further opportunities to learn with Kath.
Literacy Bites - Webinar
The teaching of literacy can at times be space of conflicting ideas and methodologies. Our Literacy Bites afterschool sessions are aimed at providing a diverse range of literacy expert speakers so that you can broaden your knowledge, be reflective in your own practice and gain some practical strategies and ideas. Please join us for the next Literacy Bite webinar where Lisa Burman will discuss Word Study Inquiry. Click here for more information or to register.
Sponsorships available: ‘Intersections- Connecting the Reggio Emilia Approach to the EYLF’ (REAIE workshop)
AISWA Early Childhood is excited to sponsor several AISWA educators to participate in Reggio Emilia Australia Information Exchange (REAIE)’s upcoming workshop, ‘Intersections: Connecting the Reggio Emilia Approach to the EYLF’. Expression of Interest for one of AISWA Early Childhood’s sponsored places (valued at $440) can be made HERE and close Fri 3 May at 4pm.
This workshop has been extremely popular nationally and will be coming to Perth on Saturday 8 June (9am-3:30pm). Led by pedagogical experts, Catharine Hydon and Leanne Mits OAM, this workshop provides an engaging and interactive opportunity to explore the connections between the educational principles of Reggio Emilia and the EYLF v2.0, through examples of current practice. To learn more about the workshop click here.
We encourage every AISWA educator who is interested in attending the workshop to apply for one of AISWA Early Childhood’s sponsored places.
- Leadership and Learning
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Meika Pfeiffer-Gough (Manager)
mpfeiffer-gough@ais.wa.edu.auTerm 1 Highlights
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Educators across the sectors gathered together early in Term 1 to attend the AISWA Early Learning Languages PL. Wendy Candy, Early Childhood Consultant together with Clare Slyth, Languages Consultant unpacked the EYLF and presented ideas and strategies to apply the framework in a languages classroom.
Feedback:
I gained more understanding of the EYLF, as well as getting practical ideas that I can easily replicate in my own language classroom to make my lessons more engaging.
Thank you so much for organising such a meaningful and valuable workshop.
It was great networking with other language teachers and picking up ideas that actually work in the classroom.
- AISWA School Leadership Team has commenced our 2024 Middle Leaders program and Women in Educational Leadership Network. Registration is still open for the Middle Leaders program. Please read below for more information.
- Purnululu Aboriginal Independent Community School achieved official alternative curriculum recognition for their Gija Languages and HASS curriculum by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority. AISWA has been supporting and working with Gija speakers, linguists and teachers to develop a school-based curriculum relevant to the needs of children in the community, through a Consultant in Residence partnership program.
Featured Professional Learning
In partnership with AITSL, AISWA would like to invite all current Nationally Certified Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers to attend the 2-day Annual HALT Summit being held on 9-10 May 2024 at the Shangri-La Hotel Sydney. More information can be found HERE.
Women in Educational Leadership
Our network fosters a supportive environment for women educators to exchange insights, cultivate leadership skills, and break barriers in the leadership landscape. Through collaborative efforts and shared experiences, we aim to inspire, amplify diverse voices, and advance gender equity. Whether you’re a teacher, administrator or researcher, join us as we make meaningful connections and celebrate the achievements of women to pave the way for a brighter, more equitable future for all. Click here for more information and registration.
Due to overwhelmingly positive feedback from past participants, AISWA and Tina Altieri have partnered again this year to deliver our exclusive media training program. More information can be found here.
Targeted Projects
National Certification of Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers (HALT)
Are you a highly effective and skilled classroom practitioner who regularly guides, supports or leads others? Then why not be recognised for your excellent in education and become nationally accredited? Discover more here.
Calling all mentors! A transformative initiative poised to elevate those who are stepping into this crucial role. This 1-day insightful workshop will equip mentors to cultivate valuable skills, foster meaningful connections, and navigate their professional journey with confidence. The feedback from the February workshop overwhelming positive, and places are filling fast for this second and final intake in March. Secure your seat here.
This 4-day scoped and sequenced program is tailored specifically for those in their initial years of the profession. The program creates a supportive environment to enhance your skills, build confidence, and thrive in the classroom. You'll gain invaluable insights and necessary skills and strategies to navigate the joys and demands of teaching. Join us as we empower the next generation of educators to make a lasting impact on students' lives and shape the future of education. Register here for the Term 2 intake, commencing 22 April 2024.
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- Literacy
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We hope the new school year has started well. It is a very short term which has raced by and NAPLAN will most likely consume most of the last few weeks.
Remember we are only an email away if you are looking for support with all things Literacy.We are available to work at your school with teachers, small groups or the whole staff.
Kerry Handley khandley@ais.wa.edu.au
Christopher Witt cwitt@ais.wa.edu.au
Upcoming Literacy events offered by AISWA
The following Literacy events are planned. Details and registration are available on the AISWA website.
Sharp Reading (March)
Two sessions are available this term one focusing on Decoding and another on Comprehension. This is your opportunity to upskill new teachers at your school or to find out more about Sharp Readingand see if it is what your school, is looking for.
Handwriting, Why and How to Teach It (April)
The teaching of handwriting remains an essential component of education for young learners across the early and primary years.
What’s new with Brightpath? (webinar -April)
You may be aware that the new owners of Brightpath are 3M. Hear from Kate McGrath, 3M Strategic Account Manager about the long-term partnership with SCSA funding Brightpath and their commitment to WA schools.
Secondary English Network Days (March and May)
These are held in conjunction with CEWA and are a great opportunity to network with like-minded teachers. These days are tailored for specific groups- such as Foundation and General English, ATAR Literature and English.
Literacy Bites - Word Inquiry (webinar - April)
Literacy Bites are a series of workshops focused on Literacy and hosted by experts in the field. Workshops are stand alone, you can attend all or one of the workshop series. The next Literacy Bites will focus on Word Inquiry - and will be facilitated by Lisa Burman
More News
Schools participating in Brightpath
Schools participating in Brightpath must be registered with the School Curriculum and Standards Authority. If your school is not currently registered for Brightpath, you can register through Maureen Lorimer (maureen.lorimer@scsa.wa.edu.au)
The remaining date for transferring data to Brightpath in Term 1 is Friday, 22 March 2024. For more details see the SCSA K to 10 Circular Edition 2, March 2024 here.
- Numeracy
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David Dunstan (Numeracy Coordinator)
Sheila Griffin (Numeracy Consultant)
Timeline of the Review of the Western Australian Curriculum: Mathematics
The School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) is in the process of adopting and adapting the Australian Curriculum v9 within the P – 10 Western Australian Curriculum and Assessment Outline (the Outline).
The Authority plans to have the revised Western Australian Mathematics curriculum for Pre-primary to Year 10 available for familiarisation in 2025, and implementation in 2026.
The Authority has published the following timeline:-
2024 Review and Consultation
2025 Familiarisation and Professional Development
2026 ImplementationUpcoming Numeracy Professional Learning at AISWA
Developing a Whole School Approach to Problem Solving in Mathematics - Year 2 to Year 8 (Friday June 21)
This workshop uses Polya's four - step process as the foundation for adopting a whole school approach to problem solving in mathematics. A range of problem-solving tasks, with an emphasis for years 4 to 6, will be work-shopped, and these tasks will incorporate the fluency and reasoning proficiencies that will assist in developing the students' mathematical understandings.
- Targeted Programs
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Peter Farmer (NAPLAN)
pfarmer@ais.wa.edu.auFor the latest NAPLAN information and updates please click here.
Wade McLeod (VET)
wmcleod@ais.wa.edu.auAISWA provides ongoing support to VET Coordinators, Careers Educators & Workplace Learning Supervisors.
Our consultant - Wade McLeod, is keen to get out to your school to meet any new staff that have commenced a new role in 2024, or anyone that needs further support and mentoring in this space.
As well as ongoing support to your staff, AISWA continues to provide some funding grants for:
- VET Student costs – applications open term 2, and
- Year 9 Career Taster Program – Expressions of Interest welcome any time
Please contact Wade for more information on how to apply for funding, as well as to arrange a time for a school visit – wmcleod@ais.wa.edu.au
AISWA holds VET & Careers Network meetings each term, where we invite presenters from Industry, Training Providers, SCSA, Department of Training and Workforce Development and many more.
We aim to provide schools with as many industry and training links as possible, in order to provide your students with a multitude of pathways.
Upcoming meeting dates for 2024
Term 2 – Friday June 14th
Term 3 – Friday September 13th
Term 4 - Friday November 29th
Upcoming events by Education Services Australia (ESA) during National Careers Week
Introduction to myfuture: Key features and resources - Tuesday 14 May 2024, 1:00pm (AEST). Register here
Career education for social justice and equity - Tuesday, 14 May 2024, 7:00pm (AEST). Register here
Quality career Education in schools: An introduction to key principles and practice - Wednesday 15 May, 1:00pm (AEST). Register here
Accessible, effective, and equitable careers and study information for low socio-economic students - Thursday, 16 May 2024, 12:00pm (AEST). Register here