Welcome to the March edition of TA Talk.
This month we have successfully delivered another series of workshops to schools participating in the Australian Teaching Assistant Professional Standards (ATAPS) pilot program. The focus for Workshop 2 is professional learning and practice, and school leaders have told us that these workshops are helping teaching assistants gain the clarity to articulate what they do, where they are at and what they need to do to improve.
We continue to have productive conversations with education departments across Australia around the application of ATAPS as a national framework to support the performance and professional growth of teaching assistants, and its potential positive impact on the National Teacher Workforce Action Plan (NTWAP).
During this month, we added another webinar to our live web event calendar, A Whole School Approach to Mental Health. We encourage you to visit our Web Events page and register for this event, and others, as soon as possible to avoid missing out. We also have a few more exciting events in the planning phase which will be announced shortly after the Easter break.
We recognise that this first term has been quite hectic for many of you, and we hope you are able to wind down soon and take a relaxing break over Easter and the school holidays.
Take care and stay safe. |
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Warm regards Stella and Mandy |
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MAXIMISE YOUR SCHOOL MEMBERSHIP |
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Planning for success is key, and over the years schools have revealed to us the 7 most common strategies they use to ensure maximum value from their school memberships with ATA. They: - Attend a New School Member Orientation with ATA
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Nominate a teacher/ school leader to mentor education support staff on their professional learning journey
- Allocate regular time for education support staff to complete professional learning individually or in teams. They utilise staff professional development days, teacher meetings, school assembly time, and sports days
- Use the Professional Development Record to identify school, team, and individual goals
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Use the Professional Development Planner to identify professional learning activities that support the achievement of performance and development goals
- Timetable regular meetings with education support staff to review individual development goals, and reflect on professional learning
- Request education support staff bring a copy of their CPD (Continuing Professional Development) diary, evidence of completion, and certificates to performance and development review meetings.
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| 3 Ways to Build the Capability of Teaching Assistants and How Schools Benefit
Tuesday 9 April 2024 @ 3:30pm AEST
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Monaro High School has developed a framework to build the capacity of their SLSO team, which includes formalised inductions for new staff, education, collaboration and ongoing support.
Join us and ATA guest presenters, Rachel Hawkins (SLSO) and Nathan Schubert (Assistant Principal) to hear about Monaro High School's journey over the past 2 years that led to the implementation of a proactive and positive model for up-skilling and supporting the professional growth of SLSOs. |
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| How Teachers and Teacher Aides Work Together to Support Students with Autism
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Are you wanting to enhance your skills in supporting students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? Ros Sullivan, Deputy Principal, and Laura Newman, Head of Teaching and Learning, work at The Sycamore School, a school for young people living with ASD. During this webinar, they delve into the strategies they use at The Sycamore School that make a significant impact on the educational journey of their students. |
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OUTSTANDING PARTICIPATION IN ATA PROFESSIONAL LEARNING |
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| This month, we celebrate the following four schools for their outstanding participation in ATA professional learning. Newbury Primary School (VIC) St Mary's School - Echuca (VIC) Yarra Valley Grammar (VIC) Xavier High School - North Albury (NSW) |
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DON'T FORGET TO USE OUR JOB BOARD |
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| Positions Vacant
The Sycamore School and Park Ridge State High School, both in Queensland, have positions vacant for a teacher aide.
Looking for staff? Schools with ATA membership can advertise positions vacant for education support staff on our Job Board. Looking for work? Individual ATA members can advertise positions wanted. |
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OUR PROFESSIONAL LEARNING CHAMPION SCHOOLS |
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Congratulations to the following schools celebrating their 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th continuous year of membership with ATA! This milestone reflects the commitment of the schools' leaders to the professional growth of their education support teams. 8-year Professional Learning Champions
Fisher Road School NSW
Kioma State School QLD Peachester State School QLD
Waverley Christian College VIC
7-year Professional Learning Champions
Atwea College NSW
Rowland Hassall School NSW
The Southport School QLD
6-year Professional Learning Champions
Beerwah State High School QLD
Calvary Christian College - Carbrook QLD
Chisholm Institute (RTO) VIC
Haileybury VIC Isis District State High School QLD
Maleny State High School QLD
Nashville State School QLD
NT Christian Schools (Corporate) NT
Redlynch State College QLD
Sacred Heart College - Kyneton VIC
St Joseph's College - Mildura VIC
Townsville Community Learning Centre QLD
5-year Professional Learning Champions
Blackall Range Independent School QLD
Craigslea State High School QLD
Goomeri State School P-10 QLD
Heatley State School QLD
North Metropolitan TAFE (RTO) WA
Oxenford State School QLD
Wollondilly Anglican College NSW
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WELCOME TO OUR NEW SCHOOLS AND TRAINING ORGANISATIONS |
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NSW
Ariah Park Central School Beresford Road Primary School
Dubbo Christian School Kesser Torah College Redfern Jarjum College
Marsden Park Anglican College
Mount Austin High School
Strathfield South High School
NT
Ross Park Primary School
VIC
Avila College Catholic Regional College - North Keilor De La Salle College EduTrain Australia (RTO) Geelong High School
Lalor Secondary College
Mercy Regional College
Mernda Hills Christian College
St Brigid’s Catholic School - Healesville
Yarra Valley Grammar
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| QLD
Bohlevale State School Clarendon State School
Finch Hatton State School
Gaven State School
Glenwood State School
Grace Lutheran College
Gundiah State School Jandowae Prep - 10 State School
Lawnton State School
Ming-De International School Toowoomba Inc
North Eton State School Sheldon College
St Patrick's College - Mackay
St Rita's College
Wallumbilla State School
Wyandra State School
SA
Riverdale Primary School
WA
Carnarvon Christian School
Hillcrest Primary School
TAS
Franklin Primary School |
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WHAT'S TRENDING ON THE ATA FACEBOOK PAGE |
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| Thank goodness it's the weekend, I'm quanked! |
24,225 views
839 reactions, 275 comments and 138 shares
Quanked, it seems, is a hugely popular word, and there were many creative and funny comments posted which we thoroughly enjoyed reading. LeeAnn commented, 'Thank goodness it’s Friday!! We’re all quanked, from the youngest to the oldest … little ones are the worst quankers. My new word ... thank you.'
You are welcome, LeeAnn :) |
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Leaders in Professional Learning for Schools |
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