| Wednesday, 8 February 2012 - ETA Newsletter February 2012 | ETA NEWSLETTER Click here to read the web version of this newsletter.
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Newsletter - February 2012
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Hi Colleague, Welcome to a new term and a new year of teaching and of learning and my apologies for the computer glitch that sent out the wrong newsletter earlier this week. We are delighted to announce that Mel Dixon, editor of mETAphor has been employed as the ETA Resources Officer for 3 days a week. Her superb achievement over several years in producing mETAphor (in her spare time!!) and her many other professional publications have given her outstanding experience. We look forward to her supplementing the voluntary work of the ETA Publications Committee and increasing the resources available to members. Thank you to all those who have already renewed their memberships and for those who have not yet done so, please note that there are new categories of membership including Faculty Membership and Associate Membership for members of ETAs outside of NSW wanting access to online resources. We also invite those who would like to increase their contribution to the wider profession to join an ETA committee. As we are running the national conference this year, all extra support would be greatly appreciated. This Newsletter contains
ETA RESPONSE TO NSW RECORD OF SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT EVENTS TERMS 1 AND 2 2012 INVITATION TO SUBMIT TO METAPHOR The editorial team of mETAphor would like to invite submissions of original work from teachers across the state for all issues, especially for stages 4 and 5. The recently introduced Try this section means that you can offer a small idea and know it will have a big impact. Issue 1 – Special Edition: Survival Kit for new teachers (and all of us occasionally). We would like short or long pieces on what has worked for you in the classroom - even an idea that can be part of a list of ideas (with your name added). If you have not contributed to mETAphor before, use this as an opportunity to break through into publishing. We have a team of "new" teachers already helping with this issue. Submissions close 18th February. Issue 2 - submissions close 31st March Issue 3 - submissions close 10th June Issue 4 - submissions close 6th October (post-conference) NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF ENGLISH TEACHERS Some wonderful papers were delivered at the national conference in Melbourne last December. Raymond Gaita spoke about contemporary ethics and how he explored these in Romulus My Father and its sequel After Romulus, the journalist George Megalogenis considered the idea of “Australian Greatness” and how educators might prepare students to shape it and Erin Mckean, the CEO of wordnik.com, an online dictionary, entertained people with issues around words and lexicography. Check out the dictionary as it is huge and its contextual information helps prevent, what she calls “Thesaurus abuse”, students finding synonyms and using them incorrectly. But no need to travel too far for next year’s national conference which will be held in Sydney. International keynote speakers will be - Andrew Burn is Professor of Media Education at the Institute of Education, London University. He teaches on the MA in Media, Culture & Communication, supervises research students, and works on funded research projects in the field of media and young people. He is Assistant Director of the Centre for the Study of Children, Youth and Media.
- Adam Bradley is an associate professor at Colorado University, Boulder. Dr. Bradley’s work considers the crosscurrents of literary and popular culture, from the fiction of Ralph Ellison to the lyrics of Jay-Z. What unites Adam’s work is his belief that the most powerful cultural expressions are equally the product of tradition and innovation. This vernacular process of fusing the inherited or even the imposed with the imagined helps explain the beauty we find in everything from a classical symphony to a gutbucket blues, from an epic poem to a rap freestyle.
We also have an exciting range of Australian guest speakers Watch the promotional video made by one of our Year 10 students to get a feel for it. NEW RESOURCES The ETA has just released its publication of Gwen Harwood’s poetry, updated to include the current HSC prescriptions. A recent additions was The Castle and due next week will be Extension 1 Coleridge with an Introduction to Romanticism. SeeMe is a new online media literacy resource developed in Victoria for the English classroom. It is suitable for junior classes and focuses on promoting positive body image. Visit the resource here: http://seeme.org.au/. At the other end of the spectrum is a new resource from The English Faculty which provides free, short films of university lecturers speaking on topics directly from the A-level curriculum in England. These stretch and challenge Advanced students, help them excel in their assessments, inspire deeper learning and smooth the transition from school to university. Highly recommended http://www.theenglishfaculty.org/. RESEARCH INTO IMPLEMENTATION: AUSTRALIAN CURRICULUM: ENGLISH Our research team is interested in finding out what teachers see as their professional learning needs associated with the Australian Curriculum, how teachers use curriculum documents and assessment information in their planning, and how they interpret statements in curriculum documents. We invite teachers to complete an online survey (best viewed using Firefox) developed by our team. There are separate surveys for primary and secondary teachers, each taking approximately 30 minutes. All responses are anonymous, and reports on the responses will be provided for mETAphor and other journals and newsletters, and for ACARA.
Teachers of English in primary schools can click on the following link:
Teachers of English in secondary schools can click on the following link:
Thank you from the team in anticipation of your input, Professor Peter Freebody (University of Sydney) and Professor James Albright (University of Newcastle). WHAT MATTERS? COMPETITION 2012 The Whitlam Institute is delighted to announce the details for our popular What Matters? writing competition for 2012. The annual competition asks young people in Years 5 to 12 across NSW and the ACT to write 400 – 600 words about what matters to them.
The competition will open in the first week of February and entries close on 4 May 2012. Entry forms and posters will be posted to all English Coordinators in NSW and the ACT, and they will also be available for download at www.whitlam.org from February 1 2012.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the winner and runner up in each category at an Awards ceremony on Friday 17 August. Every entrant will receive a certificate of participation.
For more information please visit www.whitlam.org or call 02 9685 9187. SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE:ED The Sydney Opera House House:Ed 2012 performance season is now open for bookings! Featuring some of the finest theatre companies from Australia and the world, House:Ed 2012 offers everything from Shakespeare and puppetry to virtual ‘choose-your-own-adventure’ theatre. From verbatim theatre to Indigenous performance and dance as well as film, music and multi-media engagement.
And in 2012, we are excited to offer for the first time, our Digital Education Program for primary and secondary students as well as teachers. Use your school’s video conferencing system to bring Sydney Opera House directly into your classroom! Whether it is onsite, offsite or online, we’re certain our program will inspire you and your students in the year ahead! INVITATION FROM PLANE PLANE (www.plane.edu.au) is one of four projects funded through the Australian Government’s ICT Innovation Fund (ICTIF) to support pre-service teachers, in-service teachers and school leaders to develop the skills, knowledge and experience to become confident in embedding ICT into teaching and encouraging students to use ICT productively for their learning. PLANE would like to engage the services of some teachers to form the following two groups: The first group will consist of exemplar primary and secondary teachers who will create learning experiences for the Australian Curriculum based on powerful stimulus material in a prompt, stimulus, response model. These teachers will be required to create or source quality stimulus material and write "prompt" questions related to the Australian curriculum. PLANE will provide guidelines and support to assist in this process. Those involved would need to be able to attend our Parramatta office for a series of up to three workshops, each lasting one day. Those teachers interested in joining this group can express their interest at http://bit.ly/planeAC by the 17th of February. The second group will provide advice and feedback in relation to the structure and content of the professional development experiences in PLANE. These teachers would need to be able to attend our Parramatta office for a series of up to three workshops, each lasting one day. We would like this group to include both experienced and newer primary and secondary teachers, and to include teachers with varying degrees of technological expertise. Those teachers interested in joining this second group can express their interest at http://bit.ly/w6Uzre by the 28th of February. For both groups, PLANE will provide appropriate casual relief to cover the time commitment involved. If it takes approved applicants more than two hours to drive to Parramatta, PLANE will pay for a return flight and provide accommodation if necessary. If you would prefer not to receive further messages from us: 1. Click on the Reply button.
2. Replace the Subject field with the word REMOVE and your email address.
3. Click the Send button. Privacy Statement: The English Teachers Association NSW respects and upholds your rights to privacy protection under the National Privacy Principles contained in the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000.
| | Wednesday, 8 February 2012 - * ETA Newsletter December 2011 | ET ETA NEWSLETTER Click here to read the web version of this newsletter.
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Newsletter - December 2011
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Dear Colleagues, Congratulations to all teachers who guided their students through another year of successful results and fascinating learning experiences. The ETA Executive and staff wish you all a joyous end of year season and a relaxing break over the summer holidays. This Newsletter contains
Thank you to all members who contributed to the ETA response to the Board’s consultation on the Record of School Achievement. The document we submitted to the Board can be found on our web site http://www.englishteacher.com.au/AboutUs/ResponsetoGovernment.aspx February
24th Students HSC Paper 1 Day Sydney University March
3rd Inside HSC marking Sydney and participating ETA branches
11th HSC Extension 2 Day for students and teachers
24th BIG DAY OUT for Early Career (1st 3 years) Teachers May
Saturday 12th Personalising the Learning
Sunday 13th HSC Extension 1 Student Day
Friday 15th Student HSC Modules Day Some wonderful papers were delivered at the national conference in Melbourne this month. Raymond Gaita spoke about contemporary ethics and how he explored these in Romulus My Father and its sequel After Romulus, the journalist George Megalogenis considered the idea of “Australian Greatness” and how educators might prepare students to shape it and Erin Mckean, the CEO of wordnik.com, an online dictionary, entertained people with issues around words and lexicography. Check out the dictionary as it is huge and its contextual information helps prevent, what she calls “Thesaurus abuse”, students finding synonyms and using them incorrectly. But no need to travel too far for next year’s national conference which will be held in Sydney. International keynote speakers will be - Andrew Burn is Professor of Media Education at the Institute of Education, London University. He teaches on the MA in Media, Culture & Communication, supervises research students, and works on funded research projects in the field of media and young people. He is Assistant Director of the Centre for the Study of Children, Youth and Media.
- Adam Bradley is an associate professor at Colorado University, Boulder. Dr. Bradley’s work considers the crosscurrents of literary and popular culture, from the fiction of Ralph Ellison to the lyrics of Jay-Z. What unites Adam’s work is his belief that the most powerful cultural expressions are equally the product of tradition and innovation. This vernacular process of fusing the inherited or even the imposed with the imagined helps explain the beauty we find in everything from a classical symphony to a gutbucket blues, from an epic poem to a rap freestyle.
We also have an exciting range of Australian keynotes Watch the promotional video made by one of our Year 10 students to get a feel for it. To keep up with the latest details friend our Five Bells facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/English-Teachers-National-Conference-2012/263593450363253?sk=wall It’s almost time to write!
The Whitlam Institute is delighted to announce the details for our popular What Matters? writing competition for 2012. The annual competition asks young people in Years 5 to 12 across NSW and the ACT to write 400 – 600 words about what matters to them.
The competition will open in the first week of February and entries close on 4 May 2012. Entry forms and posters will be posted to all English Coordinators in NSW and the ACT, and they will also be available for download at www.whitlam.org from February 1 2012.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the winner and runner up in each category at an Awards ceremony on Friday 17 August. Every entrant will receive a certificate of participation.
For more information please visit www.whitlam.org or call 02 9685 9187. If you would prefer not to receive further messages from us: 1. Click on the Reply button.
2. Replace the Subject field with the word REMOVE and your email address.
3. Click the Send button. Privacy Statement: The English Teachers Association NSW respects and upholds your rights to privacy protection under the National Privacy Principles contained in the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000. A
| | Wednesday, 8 February 2012 - * ETA Newsletter November 2011 | ETA NEWSLETTER Click here to read the web version of this newsletter.
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Newsletter - November 2011
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Dear Colleague, This Newsletter contains
PROPOSED NSW RECORD OF SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT
CONSULTATION
Now that HSC marking has come to an end, we are consulting members for their views on the NSW Board of Studies’ proposed Record of Achievement. Given the difficult time of year, we have kept this consultation short and are focussing only on matters that could affect the teaching and assessment of English. Please take the time to respond to this survey before 12th December so that we can present your views to the Board. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XCYV7SX
NEW ETA SERVICES FOR 2012
In the past 5 years there seems to have been a change in the culture of the profession. Teachers have increasingly less time to look beyond the confines of their own school to see what is being done in other schools and sectors of education. In an attempt to enrich professional discussion within faculties and to counterbalance the trend away from broader dialogue across the profession as a whole, the ETA is introducing new products in 2012.
1. Online courses: The first of these has already been written and will focus on aspects of grammar and how it can be incorporated into your teaching.
2. Faculty packages: These will describe an element of English and its role in the curriculum, providing a programming scope and sequence from yrs 7-10 with indications towards 11 and 12 and appropriate teaching/learning and assessment strategies.
3. Newsletters will be tailored to your type of membership. ETA MEMBERSHIP CHANGES We will also be offering different types of memberships providing different resources for each kind. What we hope will happen is that this will increase traffic on the ETA web site and stimulate discussion with the wider professional community through the ETA blog and the other social media. In NSW we will now be distinguishing between Corporate Membership (available to institutions other than schools) and Faculty Membership for English faculties or school libraries. We are also inviting members of ETAs in other states to become Associate Members for access to our online resources. The benefits that come with each of these types are: Membership types
Join ETA by post or fax or online.
RESEARCH INTO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AUSTRALIAN CURRICULUM: ENGLISH
The research team is interested in how teachers use curriculum documents and assessment information in their planning, how they interpret statements in curriculum documents, and what teachers see as their professional learning needs associated with the Australian Curriculum. Teachers are invited to complete a survey that the team has developed. There are separate surveys for primary and secondary teachers. The survey can be completed on line and will take around 30 minutes. Responses are anonymous. Reports on the responses will be provided for various journals and newsletters, and for ACARA.
Teachers of English in primary schools can click on the following link:
http://monasheducation.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_4N44qETO9LoR3Q8 Teachers of English in secondary schools can click on the following link:
http://monasheducation.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_00BpXaW5AajxVLS
Sincere thanks in anticipation of your input from the team, Professor Peter Freebody (University of Sydney) and Professor James Albright (University of Newcastle). ETA EVENTS 2012
Fri Feb 24 HSC Paper 1 Day University of Sydney
Sun Mar 11 Extension 2 Student Day Beverley Hills Girls High School
Sat Mar 24 Early Career Teachers Day - Knox Grammar
Sat Apr 21 HSC Marking - SYDNEY Video conference to branches
Sat May 12 Personalising the Learning
Sun May 13 Extension 1 Student Day Newington College, Stanmore
Fri Jun 15 HSC Modules Day
Tuesday, October 2nd Preconference Institutes
Wednesday October 3rd and Thursday October 4th English Teachers' National Conference
ENGLISH TEACHERS NATIONAL CONFERENCE SYDNEY 2012
In 2012, the National Conference comes to Sydney. We are very excited as this occurs only once in seven years. A steering committee has been working to develop the theme for the conference and has sent out a Call for Papers. Please note 2nd to 4th October 2011 in your diaries. This is one you will not want to miss! If you would prefer not to receive further messages from us: 1. Click on the Reply button.
2. Replace the Subject field with the word REMOVE and your email address.
3. Click the Send button. Privacy Statement: The English Teachers Association NSW respects and upholds your rights to privacy protection under the National Privacy Principles contained in the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000.
| | Wednesday, 8 February 2012 - * ETA Newsletter September 2011 | ETA NEWSLETTER Click here to read the web version of this newsletter.
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Newsletter - September 2011
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Dear Colleague, Well the horror term is almost over and Year 12 have been given their cheerful farewells. Now it's time for you to enjoy your break and and to look beyond the immediate. This Newsletter contains
• The ETA response to the Draft NSW 7-10 English Syllabus
• The writing about Belonging competition
• Information about student days
• Details about the National conferences in 2011 and 2012 Thank you to all members who contributed to the ETA response to the Draft English K-10 Consultation by the NSW Board of Studies. The document we submitted to the Board can be found on our web site http://www.englishteacher.com.au/AboutUs/ResponsetoGovernment.aspx Prue Greene (President), Lisa Peterson (Manager Curriculum and Assessment) and I presented your views at a meeting with Board Officers (Tom Alegounarias, (President); Carol Taylor (Chief Executive), Paul Hewitt Director, Curriculum and Assessment and Don Carter Inspector, English. We also discussed ways in which the Board might be able to address your concerns outlined in the document. We were also given an update on the National Curriculum. ACARA has made modifications on its draft achievement standards in line with their validation processes. The Board of Studies will assess the impact of the revised achievement standards on the Stage Statements in the NSW draft syllabuses. The Board will be holding a further round of draft syllabus refinement and consultation on the NSW syllabus to allow teachers to respond to these developments and any changes made as a result of the recent consultation. The ETA is running a competition for the best example of student writing about belonging. Send in your students’ writing that you think demonstrate quality writing about belonging in their response to the 2009 or 2010 HSC Paper 1 Section ll. The winning entry will receive $100 for the student and a set of 25 copies of the resource for the winning school. Students whose entries will be accepted for print will receive a $25 voucher. ETA will compile the best of these into a resource which will be supported by teaching notes, marking criteria, student activities and student tips. Entries must be
• emailed to admin@englishteacher.com.au by 19th October
• written in Word, Arial 10 font with minimal formatting
• accompanied by the student's completing the attached permission form and statement that the composition is “all my own work”. This is NOT a game of chance, but will be judged on the basis of skill and merit. The judges’ decision is final; no correspondence will be entered into. Winners will be notified by email. Area of Study and Extension 2 day
When: Monday 14th November2011
Where: Wesley Centre, Pitt St, Sydney
Cost: Students Area of Study: $40 (GST free)
Students Extension 2: $25 (GST free)
Students whole day: $60 (GST free)
Teachers accompanying a group of students are free of charge
Members not accompanying students: $85 (includes GST)
Non-members not accompanying students: $190 (includes GST/Membership) The Wesley Centre is a much smaller venue than our previous one. Please register and pay early to ensure a place.
Keynote speaker: Simon Palomares Bookings by fax or post Note these student days for 2012 Paper 1 (Adv, Std & ESL): Friday 24th February, University of Sydney
Extension 2: Sunday 11th March, Beverley Hills Girls High School
Extension 1: Sunday 13th May, Newington College, Stanmore
Modules (Std, Adv & ESL): Friday 15th June, University of Sydney or University of Technology. The Victorian Association for the Teaching of English (VATE) has released the program overview of the AATE national conference Finding a Place for Falstaff in Melbourne 3–6 December 2011. For sports enthusiasts, note that it will be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. In 2012, the National Conference comes to Sydney. We are very excited as this occurs only once in seven years. A steering committee has been working to develop the theme for the conference and has sent out a Call for Papers in NSW. Please note 2nd to 4th October 2011 in your diaries. This is one you will not want to miss! Respond to Call for Papers online.
If you would prefer not to receive further messages from us: 1. Click on the Reply button.
2. Replace the Subject field with the word REMOVE and your email address.
3. Click the Send button. Privacy Statement: The English Teachers Association NSW respects and upholds your rights to privacy protection under the National Privacy Principles contained in the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000.
| | Wednesday, 8 February 2012 - * Consultation NSW Draft Syllabus | ETA NEWSLETTER Click here to read the web version of this newsletter.
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Consultation NSW Draft English 7-10 Syllabus
August - September 12 2011
Only one more week to have your say!
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Dear Colleague, With the delay in the implementation of the Australian Curriculum in NSW, the Board will have more time to develop a quality curriculum. Under these circumstances, responding to the consultation is key to ensuring that the curriculum meets the needs of your students. The ETA is consulting members to ascertain your response to the NSW Draft 7-10 English Syllabus incorporating the national curriculum content. Mindful of the difficult time of year, we have developed materials to support faculty discussion in this important matter. These include Activities that could inform your discussions - Run a PMI on particular outcomes
- Test the outcomes and content of the draft against units or activities that have resulted in sound learning for your students.
Members can
1. Complete the ETA survey or
2. Email evagold@englishteacher.com.au with your open comments and the number of members contributing to them. Click here to access the survey
Please complete your surveys by September 12 to allow us time to prepare the response.
| | Wednesday, 8 February 2012 - * Newsletter July 2011 | ETA NEWSLETTER Click here to read the web version of this newsletter.
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Newsletter - July 2011
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Dear Colleague, Welcome to Term 111 and the news that the Board of Studies has further delayed the release of the draft NSW 7-10 English syllabus which is now due on 1st August. EXTRA PLENARY SESSION AT ETA CONFERENCEIf the document is released on that date, the ETA will run an extra plenary session at 4.15 on Friday 5th August at the Making Connections that Count conference as a first step in our consultation process. This newsletter has information on
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGNotice is hereby given that an Annual General Meeting of the English Teachers Association of NSW will be held at the Australian Technology Park on 6th August at 3.20 p.m. AGENDA
1. To consider and if thought fit, pass the following special resolutions hereunder.
a. Conversion to a company limited by guarantee
That the Association convert from an association incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 to a company limited by guarantee under the Corporations Act 2001.
b. Name of Proposed Company
That the company register its name as “English Teachers’ Association Inc”.
Further, that English Teachers’ Association of NSW Inc. apply to approve the registration without the word “limited”. c. Notification of proposed changes to the constitution
That on conversion to a company limited by guarantee that the company adopt the Constitution substantially in the form annexed hereto and marked “A”. Draft constitution WRITING ABOUT BELONGINGOne area that often does not get sufficient attention in students’ imaginative writing. The ETA is therefore preparing a resource using authentic student writing, stories of belonging, which will be supported by teaching notes, marking criteria, student activities and student tips. To compile this resource, the ETA is running a competition for the best example of student writing about belonging. Send in examples of your students’ writing that you think demonstrate quality writing about belonging appropriate to response to the Paper 1 Section ll. You will also need to send in a copy of the task. The winning entry will receive $100 for the student and a set of 25 copies of the resource for the winning school. Students whose entries will be accepted for print will receive a $25 voucher. RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. All entries must be emailed to admin@englishteacher.com.au by 19th October.
2. Entries should be written in Word, Arial 11 font with minimal formatting.
3. All entries must be accompanied by the student's completing the attached permission form and statement that the composition is “all my own work”.
4. Entries will be judged on the basis of skill and merit. The judges’ decision is final; no correspondence will be entered into
5. Winners will be notified by email. ETA CONSULTATION: DRAFT ENGLISH 7-10 SYLLABUSWith the delay of the release of the Draft NSW English 7-10 syllabus bringing the consultation period into the busiest time of year for secondary English teachers with senior classes, we will try to minimise the effect on teachers by including an additional plenary in the ETA conference Making Connections that Count. 4.15 – 5.00pm Plenary: Analysing the Draft English 7-10 syllabus. We will also
1. Develop support material through which the English 7-10 material may be read, as we did for the national curriculum.
2. Provide agendas for the faculty meeting and key questions and issues so that faculties can work through the document in a way that is professionally satisfying.
3. Develop an online survey focussing on the appropriateness of the document for the teaching of English to your students. So check the ETA web site www.englishteacher.com.au as soon as you get the new Board document. If we can make this model work, we can save time by turning consultation into faculty professional development. NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2011The Victorian Association for the Teaching of English (VATE) has released the program overview of the AATE national conference Finding a Place for Falstaff in Melbourne 3–6 December 2011. For sports enthusiasts, note that it will be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Program now available HSC 2012 STUDENT DAYSNote these days in your diary for your current year 11 students. Area of Study and Extension 2: Wesley Centre, Pitt St Sydney, Monday, 14th November 2011
Paper 1 (Adv, Std & ESL): Friday 24th February, University of Sydney
Extension 2: Sunday 11th March, Beverley Hills Girls High School
Extension 1: Sunday 13th May, Newington College, Stanmore
Modules (Std, Adv & ESL): Friday 15th June, University of Sydney or University of Technology.
CAP THAT!
Captioned for Learningcap that! is asking teachers Australia-wide to turn on captions in schools for literacy and learning benefits for all students. Enter and WIN! Tell us your best idea or activity for using captions in the classroom to WIN 1 of 8 ClickView 2 subscriptions for schools and entertainment DVDs and movie passes for teachers. By simply turning on captions – a tool already available on many DVDs, online videos and TV shows used in the classroom – you can boost literacy for your students. Captions are essential for Deaf and hearing impaired students and improve comprehension for ESL students, struggling readers and children with learning disabilities. Visit the cap that! website to enter your idea, for teaching resources that incorporate captions for literacy and for information on how you can use captions in the classroom for your students. RAINBOW’S END PRODUCTIONAn inspiring story of hope and resilience shared by three generations of Koori women Three generations of Koori women, Nan Dear, her feisty daughter Gladys and clever teen Dolly live on the outskirts of a country town in a shack on the river banks. For Nan, even life on ‘the Flats’ represents progress of a kind, but Gladys has bigger ambitions for a real house and a real job for Dolly in the town. When Gladys takes on buying the Encyclopaedia Britannica to improve Dolly’s chances, their lives take an unexpected turn.
Written with gentle irony and humorous affection by Jane Harrison, the writer of the award winning play ‘Stolen’, and flawlessly directed by Craig Lott, ‘Rainbow’s End’ is now on the HSC syllabus as a prescribed text in the Area of Study Belonging Stages 5 – 6 Curriculum links English, Drama, History and Religion.
For bookings and info visit www.casulapowerhouse.com or phone 9824 1121 If you would prefer not to receive further messages from us: 1. Click on the Reply button.
2. Replace the Subject field with the word REMOVE and your email address.
3. Click the Send button. Privacy Statement: The English Teachers Association NSW respects and upholds your rights to privacy protection under the National Privacy Principles contained in the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000.
| | Wednesday, 8 February 2012 - * ETA Newsletter June 2011 | ETA NEWSLETTER Click here to read the web version of this newsletter.
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Newsletter - June 2011
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Dear Colleague, We’re coming into the last stretchof what has proven to be a very full term. Take a minute to look beyond your desk to see how ETA can make your life easier…and enjoy your July break. This newsletter has information on
For those who have seen the developments of the national curriculum as something for the distant future, now is the time to focus attention on this document. The Board of Studies has been working on incorporating the Australian Curriculum: English into an English K-10 syllabus for NSW. This document is to be available for consultation from 18 July to 2 September 2011. This is not simply a tight timeframe but one that comes at an extremely busy period for English teachers, particularly teachers of years 11 and 12. The ETA recognises that this is not a good time for people to attend consultation meetings and so will be consulting members using a different model from what we have done in the past. This model can be used individually, within your own faculty, or if you choose, several faculties in your area. We will
1. Develop support material through which the English 7-10 material may be read, as we did for the national curriculum.
2. Provide agendas for the faculty meeting and key questions and issues so that faculties can work through the document in a way that is professionally satisfying.
3. Develop an online survey focussing on the appropriateness of the document for the teaching of English to your students. So check the ETA web site www.englishteacher.com.au as soon as you get the new Board document. If we can make this model work, we can save time by turning consultation into faculty professional development. The ETA has secured funding from Global Education for the development of a significant language resource entitled “The Language of Connection”. The resource will be available online in December 2011 and will support teachers in delivering the new 7-10 English syllabus incorporating the Australian Curriculum. If you are interested in doing some writing for this resource please contact Eva Gold at evagold@englishteacher.com.au. The cultural background for the language resource will be provided in the Global Education strand, programmed on Friday 5th August in our conference Making Connections that Count. Registrations for the ETA Annual Conference Making Connections that Count are now available through the ETA web site at www.englishteacher.com.au. August 5th and 6th - Australian Technology Park
Note program change:
Friday F5-2 at 2.50: Creating a Seamless Screen Story - Advanced techniques in screen literacy is being replaced by
Teaching English through social Issues: Youth homelessness The issue of school bullying has gained significant public exposure recently. An issue as complex and diverse as bullying requires a multi-tiered approach where all key stakeholders play their part. With this in mind, Bullyed have collaborated with leading mental health educators and teachers to develop a comprehensive 217 page Anti-Bullying Program. This program is based on current best practice and includes theoretical components as well as age specific practical activities for use in the classroom.
The Anti-Bullying Program is entirely free and available via www.bullyed.com.au. Knox Grammar School welcomes Phil Beadle as 'Teacher in Residence', July 18th-22nd 2011. Phil Beadle is an avant-garde English Teacher whose passion for developing creativity and literacy skills is unparalleled. He has piloted nationwide programs in the UK teaching literacy through kungfu, football skills and other imaginative methodologies. Every English Teacher should attend a Phil Beadle workshop at least ONCE in their career as he challenges and provokes you to push the boundaries in the classroom. Knox is hosting a 'Masterclass with Phil Beadle' on Thursday 21st July - please see Knox’s website for booking details and information http://www.knox.nsw.edu.au/_webapp_850042/A_Masterclass_with_Phil_Beadle Members in northern NSW will have the opportunity of hearing Professor David Buckingham from the Institute of Education, London University, where he directs the Centre for the Study of Children, Youth and Media. His research focuses on children’s and young people’s interactions with electronic media, and on media education.
Professor Buckingham will be speaking on 27 July 4pm – 5.30 pm at Queensland Academy of Health Sciences in Southport on Media Literacy and Media Education in the Age of ‘Media 2.0’: A Critical View
Hear the provocation. Join the debate. If you would prefer not to receive further messages from us: 1. Click on the Reply button.
2. Replace the Subject field with the word REMOVE and your email address.
3. Click the Send button. Privacy Statement: The English Teachers Association NSW respects and upholds your rights to privacy protection under the National Privacy Principles contained in the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000. ETA NEWSLETTER
| | Wednesday, 8 February 2012 - * ETA Newsletter May 2011 | ETA NEWSLETTER Click here to read the web version of this newsletter.
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Newsletter - May 2011
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Dear Colleague, Registrations for the ETA Annual Conference Making Connections that Count are now available through the ETA web site at http://www.englishteacher.com.au/Events.aspx. Note the earlier time for the conference this year so as not to conflict with the AATE conference in Melbourne in December. This newsletter has information on
National Curriculum UpdateThe Board of Studies is close to releasing the new K-6 and 7-10 English Syllabuses for consultation. The syllabus is organised in stages of learning (not in years of schooling, as per the Australian Curriculum). The content is organised by objectives and learning outcomes. At the core of the syllabus are: - English as a student-centred, active and meaningful study of language and texts
- learning about language by using language in meaningful contexts
- the study of a wide range of different types of texts
- composing and responding remain as central processes
- the current flexibility available for text choice and programming will be retained.
ETA Events SummaryJune August 20 Free Double Movie PassesAre you interested in a new, powerful related text on Belonging? Or do you simply love movies? One of our members, teacher/ film journalist/critic Mary Colbert (editor of 2009 SMH booklet on Belonging) has organised for Icon Film Distribution to offer 20 FREE DOUBLE MOVIE PASSES to see ORANGES AND SUNSHINE, the compelling drama about the enforced immigration scheme of thousands of British children to the colonies. The film is directed by Jim Loach, (son of acclaimed director and social/political activist Ken Loach) and stars Emily Watson, David Wenham, Hugo Weaving and large Australian ensemble cast) Mary has also secured from Random House 10 FREE COPIES of Margaret Humphreys' Empty Cradles, the book that inspired the film. If you would like to receive either the book or the tickets, please email admin@englishteacher.com.au stating stating - your membership number
- postal address and
- your preference for the movie or book.
The first 30 with all details will receive confirmation by email and your material will arrive in the post. An article on Margaret Humphreys will be published in an upcoming SMH Good Weekend and Mary's article (link below) in Review section of The Weekend Australian (7/5/2011) traces the film's genesis and themes/issues (interviews with Loach, award winning screenwriter Rona Munro and actors)
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/tracing-footsteps/story-e6frg8n6-1226049108203 If you would prefer not to receive further messages from us:
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| | Wednesday, 8 February 2012 - * ETA Newsletter April 2011 | ETA NEWSLETTER Click here to read the web version of this newsletter.
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Newsletter - April 2011
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Hi, Today we would like to welcome you to the new ETA web site. We hope that you will enjoy our new facilities which allow you to search for teacher resources through several different search engines. You will also be able to add your own comments to all articles on the site. These might include some related information about the topic under discussion or perhaps comments on how these ideas played out in your classroom. Each article has the potential of becoming a professional conversation. Check out the ETA blog on the lower right hand side of the home page. This will keep you updated on important issues relating to English teaching will also allow questions and discussion about posted issues. Facebook continues to allow you to post any online resources that you think may be of use to others. As with all new sites, there may be the occasional hiccup. Please let us know at admin@englishteacher.com.au if you experience any difficulties with any of the services. This newsletter has information on NATIONAL CURRICULUM UPDATEThe Board of Studies has formed writing teams and work has begun on the new K-6 and 7-10 English Syllabuses. The NSW Syllabuses will incorporate, but will not be limited to, the content of the Australian Curriculum: English (1.1). The Board’s work is being undertaken through the normal Board syllabus development process entailing engagement with the NSW teaching profession, parents and other experts. If they have not done so already, ETA members are strongly advised to subscribe to the BOS news via email, RSS or Twitter, ensuring you are always up-to-date with curriculum announcements and developments, particularly those relating to the timeline and procedures for the consultation process. With the K-10 English national curriculum now published, ACARA is turning its attention to the findings of the consultation it undertook on the Draft Senior years curriculum. A stakeholders meeting was held in Sydney on April 5, beginning the next stage of the development process. Stay tuned for more information. ETA EVENTS SUMMARYStudent Study Day: HSC Extension 1, Sunday 15th May, Newington College Stanmore. Student Study Day: HSC Advanced, Standard and ESL Modules, Friday 17th June UTS Broadway August 5th and 6th - Australian Technology Park Making the connections that count for students is integral to their educational success and personal growth. This conference will showcase and explore the myriad ways in which English educators and those with a professional concern with English in NSW are making the sorts of connections that truly count for students and which will effectively support teachers in the transition to the Australian Curriculum and other national initiatives. We have received some new and exciting proposals for presentations and workshops and the PD committee are currently reviewing these to develop the program which should be ready soon. We hope to be able to take bookings by the beginning of Term 2. MASTERS DEGREES FOR PRACTISING TEACHERSAre you interested in a specialised qualification in English Studies? The Department of English at Macquarie University offers Masters degrees and Post-graduate diplomas in English Literature, Childrens’ Literature, and Creative Writing. All offer advanced qualifications relevant to Secondary English teachers, and provide enjoyable engagement with the production and critical reception of texts. Candidates normally have a Bachelor’s degree with a relevant major (e.g., education, English), though applicants with other qualifications might also be eligible for admission. The program may be taken full- or part-time, and is offered in on-campus (mainly evening) and online distance modes. Applications are made through UAC, closing 30 May for mid-year entry, and 28 October for semester 1, 2012. Further information is on the Department website: www.engl.mq.edu.au, Dr Rosemary Colmer (rosemary.colmer@mq.edu.au, 9850 8731 — for English Literature; Dr Victoria Flanagan (victoria.flanagan@mq.edu.au, 9850 6804) — for Childrens’ Literature; and Dr Jane Messer (jane.messer@mq.edu.au, 9850 8738) — for Creative Writing. PREMIER'S ENGLISH SCHOLARSHIPAs a result of the generous support from the Premier applications are invited for the Premier's English Scholarship. All teachers currently teaching English K-12 in NSW schools and TAFE NSW Institutes are eligible to apply. The award is for a study in English. It is anticipated that successful applicants would spend up to five weeks involved in a study program. Teachers from NSW government schools and TAFE NSW Institutes will be entitled to leave and the school/institute will be entitled to relief. Teachers from non-government NSW schools will need to negotiate relief with their employing authority. The recipient’s itinerary must be organised to complete their travel by 30 June 2012. Time need not be spent in formal study, but may involve a program of visits to sites, schools and institutions to conduct interviews, observe exemplary practices and collect resources for the preparation of teaching materials related to English education. One scholarship of $15,000 will be awarded in 2011. DOROTHEA MACKELLAR POETRY AWARDSAnnual national children’s poetry competition 2011 optional theme ‘Making Pictures’Attention English coordinators, here is a great way to cover a number of learning outcomes and reward creative writing efforts of your students. Nation-wide recognition for the best work and participation certificates for every child entered. Helpful resources and all the details on www.dorothea.com.au. Entry fee per school: up to 30 students - $25.00, over 30 students $50.00. Students may submit up to three poems each. Entries open from 1st March to 30th June 2011. For more information call (02) 67421200 or email dorotheamackellar@bigpond.com. DESPERATELY SEEKING ENGLISH MASTER TEACHERS FOR MACQUARIE UNI STUDENTS!!A number of our final year students still require placement in a school for 2011. These students require 45 days in school spread out over the year including two short blocks in July and September. Mentoring a beginning teacher is one of the requirements for accreditation at a Professional Competence Standard with the NSW Institute of Teachers and being a Macquarie Master Teacher is one enjoyable way of gaining that experience. Our Master Teachers receive strong support from the university staff who are there to assist in any way we can. We are in the process of organizing an online forum for Master Teachers which will offer further collegial support.
If you are interested in being part of the Macquarie team, please contact Amanda Stavert at amanda.stavert@mq.edu.au or phone 9850 8608 or 0417 49 55 33. FREE ACCESS TO AUSTLIT FOR AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLSThe Australian Literature Resource, the most significant single information resource available for the study and teaching of Australian literature, is now offered directly to Australian schools through your education authority. Please contact your education authority for a username and password for distribution to staff and students in your school. AustLit www.austlit.edu.au provides - daily updated information
- comprehensive coverage of Australian literature and literary criticism from the late eighteenth century to the present day
- choice of search options
- newsletter and newsflash service with information of literary interest.
AustLit includes - biographical information about Australian authors, publishers and literary organisations
- citations, abstracts and selected full text from over 230 regularly indexed print and electronic journals, newspapers and magazines
- full text of several hundred classic Australian works of verse and prose, including children's literature
- links to other online resources such as PANDORA, Trove and The Australian Dictionary of Biography Online
- specialist datasets within AustLit including the acclaimed BlackWords subset and information on children's literature, drama, multicultural writers, regional writing, Australian literary responses to Asia and Australian popular theatre and an online Anthology of Criticism.
We have been delighted by the response received so far from teachers and librarians. We believe AustLit will prove an invaluable resource for Australian schools. If you no longer wish to receive these emails from ETA, please email admin@englishteacher.com.au.
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