DIRECTORS' MESSAGE

Welcome to the March edition of TA Talk.

 

It has been a busy first term for schools and we know that many of you are exhausted, and counting the days until the holidays. 

 

Likewise, our days are full, as we continue to challenge ourselves, by committing to projects that align with our mission to empower educators. 

 

One of our most ambitious projects, to date, is to develop a set of Standards for Paraprofessional Educators in Schools. We wish to thank the dedicated industry reference group members from around Australia, who are contributing their time and expertise to this essential project. We held two virtual meetings in March, and as a result, we are very close to finalising the draft Standards, and will keep you updated on our website.

   

Whilst we have a number of projects on the go, our focus remains on the development of evidence-based professional learning for education support staff. We are impressed with the number of members who are using our video resources to improve their practice, and in March we issued a massive 649 certificates of completion! 

 

We continue to welcome new and returning schools to ATA, and acknowledge the Professional Learning Champion schools who have been ATA members for up to 6 years. These schools are to be congratulated for their long term commitment to the development of their teacher aide workforce.

 

On a more sombre note, our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the many communities in Queensland and New South Wales, still affected by the unprecedented floods, and in particular the people in the Lismore region who sadly, for a second time, are being impacted. As mentioned in last month's newsletter, ATA gives to a number of worthy causes, and for the next few months all our giving will be going to flood affected communities.

 

We wish everyone a much deserved holiday and look forward to being in touch next term.

 

Warm Regards

Mandy and Stella

UPCOMING EVENT

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Understanding the Impact of Adversity and Trauma on Behaviour in Schools

Michelle Murray is a Senior Manager with Life Without Barriers, as well as a Speech Language Pathologist. Michelle has extensive experience working in schools, and believes that teacher aides can play a vital role in breaking down barriers for children who have experienced trauma.

 

In this webinar, Michelle will discuss the impacts of adversity and trauma on children’s development, engagement, and behaviour. 

Register Here

 NEW RESOURCE

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Strategies to Support Students with Intellectual Disability

Students who are diagnosed with an intellectual disability often need extra assistance within the classroom so they are
able to complete a curriculum that is meaningful for them. 

 

In this webinar, Jane Wenlock, a teacher at Kolbe Catholic
College in Victoria, explains how students with intellectual disability are diagnosed, and how education professionals can work effectively with students who have an intellectual disability. 

Watch the Webinar Now

AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS REFERENCE GROUP

Thank you to our Industry Reference Group members who are helping to develop the

AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS FOR PARAPROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS IN SCHOOLS.

 

ASPES Industry Reference Group Members

Leanne Hillman, Bolster Education NSW | Sharon Stone, Deputy Principal, Tallowood School, NSW | Sharon Crowther, Teacher, TAFE – Miller, NSW | Pragati Bhat, Teacher/ Assistant Principal, & Morgan Costa, Assistant Principal, Ponds School, NSW | Haley Will, Teacher Aide, Landsborough State School, QLD |  Sarah Trussell, Executive Assistant, Lucindale Area School, SA |Angela Toniolo, Education Support, Mt Beauty Primary School, VIC | Jane Keating, Administrator, Padua College, VIC | Michelle Nunn, Principal, Newbury Primary School, VIC | Jane Wenlock, Coordinator Learning Support, Kolbe Catholic College, VIC | Glynnis Few, HR Manager, NT Christian Schools | Claire Jackson, PhD Candidate, Monash University/ Education Services Australia, VIC |  Kerrie Atkins, Senior Director & Esther Duffy, Business Manager, Business Improvement and Support, ACT Public Schools | Astrid Morgan, Deputy Principal, Arbor Grove Primary School, WA  | Jen Twine, Middle Leader of Pedagogy, Mater Dei School, Camden, VIC | Nigel Bowra, Lecturer, North Metropolitan TAFE, WA | Kim Thompson, Lead Education Assistant, Ocean Road Primary School, WA | Lianne Reedyk, Education Support, Somers Primary School, VIC | Renae Whyte, Lead Education Assistant, Byford Secondary College, WA | Roxanne Picoaga, Homebush West Primary School, NSW | Michelle Newell, Industry Innovation Specialist, TAFE NSW | Susan De Silva, Education Officer - Learner Diversity, Catholic Education, Sandhurst, VIC | Julie Buick, Teacher Aide, Kolbe Catholic College, VIC | Paul Sedunary, Principal, Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School, VIC | Bex Nikotemo, Deputy Principal, Currumbin Community Special School, QLD | Shantell Pike, Secondary Learning Support Coordinator, Kingsway Christian College, WA | Denis Mercier-Lee, Deputy Principal, Redeemer Lutheran College, QLD |

 

We have an outstanding commitment from all New South Wales and Victorian education sectors, and would like to establish further representation by the other States and Territories.   

 

If your school would like to be part of this significant improvement to the workforce development of paraprofessional educators, please use the EOI link on our Standards page.

Read About the Standards

END OF TERM TASKS

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Let's tick off some tasks!

It is always a good feeling to go on holidays with a completed to-do list! Here are four tasks you may like to tick off your list before Term 2.

  1. Check that all staff are linked to the school membership
  2. Download the PD Planner and use it to schedule PD for upcoming Staff Development days
  3. Register for web events
  4. Check your membership is current for Term 2

HAVE YOU DOWNLOADED OUR WEB EVENTS FLYER?

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Share this with your colleagues today

We have recently uploaded a flyer to our Web Events page, featuring all our live web events for 2022. We hope you will download a copy and share it with your colleagues as they, too, might be interested in attending our webinars.

 

You can also post the flyer on the school staff noticeboard, or in your staff room :)

 

Download the Flyer

WHAT'S TRENDING ON THE ATA FACEBOOK PAGE

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Introducing the Cloud Spotter!

39,282 views
1,333 reactions, comments and shares

 

There was much sharing and tagging of this post. Most thought it a simple but brilliant idea - outside, on the grass, and looking up at the sky through the 'cloud spotter'. Couldn't think of a better way to learn about clouds!! 

Join 21,774 other happy ATA Facebook followers

ATA PROFESSIONAL LEARNING CHAMPION SCHOOLS

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6 year Professional Learning Champion schools
Congratulations to the following schools celebrating their 6th continuous year of professional learning with ATA.

 

Fisher Road School NSW

Kioma State School QLD

Peachester State School QLD

Wamuran State School QLD

Waverley Christian College VIC

5 year professional learning champion schools
Congratulations to the following schools celebrating their 5th continuous year of professional learning with ATA. 

 

Atwea College NSW

Rowland Hassall School NSW

Bungunya State School QLD

Capalaba State College QLD

Middlemount Community School QLD

Redlynch State College QLD

ATA PROFESSIONAL LEARNING CHAMPION SCHOOLS

WELCOME TO OUR NEW SCHOOLS AND TRAINING ORGANISATIONS

ACT

Chapman Primary School

 

NSW

Gunnedah South Public School
Mimosa Public School

Richard Johnson Anglican School

 

NT

Living Waters Lutheran School

 

QLD

Bribie Island State High School 

Caboolture Special School

Carbrook State School

Chevallum State School

Coomera State Special School

Currimundi Special School

Foxwell State Secondary College

Glennie Heights State School

Glenview State School 

Good Counsel College 

Gowrie State School

Hills International College

Ignatius Park College

Kalbar State School

North Lakes State College

Palmview State Special School

St Brendan's Catholic Primary School

St Columban's College

St Joseph's College Coomera

St Mary's College, Toowoomba

St Peter's Primary School Rochedale

 

VIC

Camberwell Primary School

Heritage College 

John Paul College Frankston 

King's College Warrnambool

Lalor North Secondary College

Lightning Reef Primary School

Marist College Bendigo

St Monica's School Wodonga

Wallan Primary School

 

WA

Dale Christian School

Leschenault Catholic Primary School 

St Joseph's School Southern Cross

 

Your impact goes beyond the classroom!

When you purchase or renew your ATA membership, not only are you providing professional learning to your team, you are also helping to improve the health and education of children around the world.

 

Leaders in Professional Learning for Schools

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