DIRECTORS' MESSAGE

Welcome to the May edition of TA Talk.

This month we are thrilled to announce we have welcomed two new team members to Australian Teacher Aide. Marie Maroun brings her extensive experience in customer service to the Customer Service Consultant role, and Amy Davies, also a teacher aide at a Queensland school, is our new Marketing Officer. If you are talking to either Marie or Amy over the next little while, we are sure you will agree that we have added some brilliant talent to our already brilliant and talented team!

Earlier this week we achieved another milestone in the development of the Australian Teaching Assistant Professional Standards (ATAPS) as we completed the School Pilot Program. We are grateful to the school staff who participated in this pilot, providing us with valuable feedback about the practical use and relevance of the standards.

There are just 4 weeks left to nominate a teacher aide or a teacher aide team for this year's Australian Teacher Aide of the Year award. With the end of term looming, we urge you to get your nominations in as soon as possible. Good luck!

Warm regards

Stella and Mandy

AUSTRALIAN TEACHER AIDE OF THE YEAR AWARDS 

Has your school nominated yet?

Do you work with an exceptional teacher aide or teacher aide team? With only 4 weeks to go until nominations close, it is time to get your school’s recommendations in, and give your colleagues the national recognition they deserve.

Find more details on our website, and spread the word!

UPCOMING EVENT

Differentiation Part 1 - What is differentiation and why is it important?

Tuesday 11th June 2024 at 3:30 pm AEST

Join ATA content writer and facilitator, Kim Nuske, as she unpacks how to support and challenge each student through tailored and personalised learning.

In part 1 of this 2-part series, learn how differentiation is used and the importance of teacher aides in this process.

 NEW RESOURCE

Practical Strategies for Working with Small Groups of Students in a Classroom

ATA content writer and facilitator Kim Nuske shares her tips and expertise on how to run small groups effectively.

Watch the preview of this comprehensive resource to see Kim introduce some of the many strategies she covers including what language to use, how to set out learning intentions and addressing misunderstandings effectively.

 AUSTRALIAN TEACHING ASSISTANT PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS (ATAPS)

This week schools participated in the last workshop of the ATAPS School Pilot Program.

The workshops have enabled participants to use the Australian Teaching Assistant Professional Standards (ATAPS) to reflect on practice to identify strengths and opportunities for professional growth, set goals, identify professional learning that aligns with their goals, collect evidence to evaluate their progress, and map their professional growth across all seven Standards.

Australian Teacher Aide will present the data gathered from schools to the industry reference group for ratification, with a view to publishing the Standards by the end of this year.  

Thank you to the schools that participated in the ATAPS School Pilot Program, and provided valuable feedback to help ensure that the Standards are meaningful and relevant to teaching assistants in all school settings. 

ACT: Galilee School – Communities at Work

NSW: Tallowood School, Monaro High School

NT: Katherine School of the Air

QLD: St Joseph's Nudgee College, The Sycamore School

VIC: Montmorency Secondary College, Padua Secondary College

WA: Arbor Grove Primary School, Ocean Reef State High School, St Mark's Anglican Community School

Catholic Education Sandhurst: St Augustine's School – Wodonga, Borinya Wangaratta Community Partnership, Catherine McAuley College – Bendigo, Doxa School – Bendigo, St Francis of Assisi Primary School – Baranduda, St Francis of the Fields School – Bendigo, St Joseph's School – Rochester, St Michael's School – Tallangatta, St Mary's Catholic Primary School – Inglewood, St Monica’s School - Wodonga, St Patrick's School – Tongala, Sacred Heart College –Yarrawonga.

School leaders who are interested in implementing the ATAPS performance and professional growth framework, can register their interest in the 2025 School Leadership Workshops.

OUTSTANDING PARTICIPATION IN ATA PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

This month, we celebrate the following five schools for their outstanding participation in ATA professional learning. 

Newbury Primary School (VIC)

Mount Austin High School (NSW)

Catholic College Wodonga (VIC)

Cedars Christian College (NSW)

Stretton State College (QLD)

DON'T FORGET TO USE OUR JOB BOARD

Positions Vacant

Park Ridge State High School in Queensland has a position 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. 

UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE SURVEY - CAN YOU HELP?

The research team at the University of Melbourne is conducting two short online surveys to find out what Australian adults, who work and live with children, know about supporting children’s health and mental health. Can you help? if so, here are the survey links:

Examining Adults Knowledge of Child Mental Health:

https://melbourneuni.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3eKrlcBovNIK21w

Examining How Adults Support Children’s Mental Health

https://melbourneuni.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5hVrjudHTnGZhky

WHAT'S TRENDING ON THE ATA FACEBOOK PAGE

Nominations are closing soon

13,590 views
62 reactions, 16 comments and 36 shares

With all the excitement around this year’s awards it's not surprising that our awards post is trending this month! Incredible teacher aides are everywhere – make sure your school gets a nomination in before June 27th.

Leaders in Professional Learning for Schools

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