DIRECTORS' MESSAGE

Welcome to the October edition of TA Talk.

This month marks a very special milestone — ATA’s 10th birthday! What began over coffee and the seed of an idea, has grown into Australia’s leading professional learning community for teacher aides. 

On this day ten years ago, we held our first professional learning summit for teacher aides on the Sunshine Coast, and launched our website. Since then, we’ve grown from a team of two to eight, delivered hundreds of live web events, curated an extensive library of professional learning resources, hosted eight national awards programs, introduced the now widely celebrated Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week, published the Australian Teaching Assistant Professional Standards (ATAPS), and trained ATAPS facilitators across the country.  

Our celebrations wouldn't be complete without giving a very special mention to our first two member schools celebrating 10 years with ATA, Kinross Wolaroi School and Toukley Public School, both in NSW. We were especially thrilled with the opportunity to pay an impromptu visit to Kinross Wolaroi School in Orange, during a recent trip, and to meet with Mary Griffiths, the driving force behind the success and professional growth of the school's TA team.

Additionally, we were delighted to receive a letter this month from the Federal Minister for Education and the Arts, The Honourable John-Paul Langbroek MP, recognising ATA for its enduring contribution to improving education for all Australian children. 

On a separate note, we welcome the much-awaited publication of AITSL’s new Guidelines for the Optimal Deployment of Teaching Assistants in Australian Classrooms, which highlight the important role of professional associations like Australian Teacher Aide in supporting schools. We were honoured to have a consultative role in the development of these guidelines, and through our professional learning and the Australian Teaching Assistant Professional Standards (ATAPS) framework and resources, we are excited to offer a practical solution to meeting the 7 recommendations outlined for school leaders.

As we approach the end of the year, a quick reminder that our website ‘move’ begins in December, but members will continue to have full access to resources, throughout. If your membership falls due between now and mid January 2026, we encourage early renewals before 28th November, to ensure uninterrupted access to professional learning.

As daylight saving has now taken effect, our office hours are 8:30 am – 4:00 pm AEST and 8:30 am – 5:00 pm ADST.

Finally, a big thank you and much appreciation to all our members, subscribers and partners who have been part of the Australian Teacher Aide journey, so far. Here’s to the next ten years of collaboration, growth, and impact!

Warm regards,
Stella and Mandy

P.S Don't forget to enter our 10 year birthday competition! Details below.

CELEBRATE OUR 10TH BIRTHDAY WITH US

Celebrate 10 years of ATA with our exclusive giveaway!

We’re celebrating 10 years of Australian Teacher Aide with a special competition — WIN a personalised 45-minute coaching session with ATA’s own ATAPS Facilitator, Kim Nuske.

During this one-on-one session, Kim will guide you through the ATAPS framework, helping you explore what it means for your professional growth and how to use the standards effectively in your school. You’ll also gain exclusive insights from Kim and have the opportunity to learn directly from her about planning for professional growth, and overcoming challenges.

The competition kicks off today, our 10th birthday, and closes at midnight on Sunday, 9 November — that’s a 10-day celebration for 10 years of ATA!

Keep an eye on our Facebook page throughout the competition for clues to help you enter. If you miss one, don’t worry — the entry form (link below) will include all the clues and instructions, plus a bonus entry opportunity!

10 YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH

Celebrating our first 10 year membership schools!

As Australian Teacher Aide turns 10, we want to shine a spotlight on the schools that have been with us from day one. 

A special mention to Kinross Wolaroi School, NSW, and Toukley Public School, NSW, for their inspiring commitment to their teams' professional learning over the past decade. Both schools have made incredible strides in professional growth with their teaching assistants, creating positive ripples throughout classrooms and school communities.

This dedication shows just how much empowered teaching assistants can achieve – and we are proud to have been part of your journey. Here’s to the next 10 years of learning, collaboration, and continued success!

Pictured left - Mandy Bell, Co-Founder and Director ATA, and Mary Griffith, TA Coordinator at Kinross Wolaroi School.

UPCOMING EVENT

What teachers really need to hear from teaching assistants

Tuesday 11 November 3.30pm AEST

Join us for an insightful session with Kim Nuske, ATA Teacher and ATAPS Facilitator, as she shares practical strategies teaching assistants can use to provide effective, meaningful feedback to classroom teachers.

In this webinar, you will learn how to identify key flags when monitoring student progress, note the core elements when recording observations, and share the right information when communicating with teachers.

Kim will also share how to give feedback that helps teachers plan for learning.

Whether you are a new or experienced teaching assistant, this session will give you tools to support teachers and enhance student learning.

Don’t miss out – register now and take your feedback skills to the next level.

 NEW RESOURCE

Allocating Education Assistants to Departments in Secondary School

Have you thought about how to make the most effective use of Education Assistants (EAs) in secondary settings? Now you can learn from those leading the way!

In our latest video: Allocating Education Assistants to Departments in Secondary School, Rebecca Rourke, Head of Learning Diversity and Inclusion, and Melanie Green, Education Assistant, from St Mark’s Anglican Community School in WA, reveal their school’s innovative approach to deploying EAs. By moving to a departmental-based allocation, they’ve created benefits for EAs, teachers, and students alike.

Watch the preview now and discover practical tips to fill gaps in your own knowledge and feel more confident in your support role, along with innovative ways to reclaim ‘lost time’ through meaningful, everyday conversations between EAs and teachers.

UNDERSTANDING ATAPS - ONE FOCUS AREA AT A TIME

Engage with students to establish positive and respectful relationships

Positive relationships are created with students by building connections and rapport, expressing care, providing support, and developing trust. When we do this, we make it easier for students to express their needs and seek help.  

Knowledge & Skills to develop: 

• Learn about how to build relationships 
• Learn strategies to build rapport and connection 
• Understand the impact a positive relationship can have on learning 

Want to go deeper: 

• ATA Webinar: Helping Students Develop Positive Social Relationships 
• AERO Free Resource: Encouraging a Sense of Belonging and Connectedness 
• Explore the TA Standards more!  

 READ OUR LATEST BLOG

I've got a TA in my class, but I don't know what to do with them!

It’s a phrase many will recognise — and it highlights a challenge that’s more common than you might think.

Our latest blog explores how intentional conversations between teachers and teaching assistants can transform classroom collaboration and, ultimately, improve student outcomes.

Discover how a simple “script” of structured prompts, aligned to the Australian Teaching Assistant Professional Standards, can help teachers and TAs communicate with clarity and confidence.

Read the full blog on our website and learn how to move from co-existing to co-teaching — one conversation at a time.

HAVE YOU HEARD? THEY'RE HERE

New AITSL Standards

We are thrilled to see the newly released Guidelines for the Optimal Deployment of Teaching Assistants in Australian Classrooms has been released on the AITSL website.  

The ATAPS framework and ATA Professional Development library give schools the practical tools to meet the seven recommendations in these guidelines, and we are so excited to have been a part of the consultation and writing of this resource for school leaders! 

Contact us today to hear how we can support your school to put the guidelines into practice! 

MERRIWA CENTRAL SCHOOL CELEBRATE THEIR 175TH ANNIVERSARY

Congratulations to Merriwa Central School

Merriwa Central School have been a member school with ATA for 3 years and recently marked a remarkable milestone — 175 years of “Enduring Education.”

The celebrations reflected the school’s proud history and deep community spirit, and included a whole-school assembly where students heard stories from past students and staff, watched excerpts from a commemorative documentary, and sealed a school photo in a time capsule. 

Congratulations to Merriwa Central School, on this significant milestone!   

RESEARCH SURVEY OPPORTUNITY

Working Together for Neurodivergent Learners

Are you a parent or guardian of a neurodivergent child currently attending a mainstream school?

If so, then this research study through Monash University is looking for your input!

The survey should take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete.

The study explores how educators, paediatricians, and caregivers can work together to better support neurodivergent children in Australian primary schools. 

ATA IS A BUSINESS FOR GOOD

Empowering change together

Educators know that even small actions can have a profound and lasting impact.

At Australian Teacher Aide, our mission goes beyond strengthening our organisation—we strive to create meaningful opportunities.

To date, our community has made 4,859 positive impacts, supporting education, resources, clean water, and hope for children who need it most. Every membership—whether from an individual, school, or training organisation—contributes to this collective effort.

We invite more educators and schools to join us on this journey. With each new member, the difference we can make together grows even greater.

Thank you for being part of this movement. Your support is transforming lives both locally and around the world.

OUTSTANDING PARTICIPATION IN ATA PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

Congratulations to the following schools for achieving most highly, over the past month, in their professional development journey:

King's Christian College QLD
Denison College of Secondary Education - Kelso High Campus NSW
Newbury Primary School VIC
Mount Austin High School NSW

Keep up the great work, everyone!

DON'T FORGET TO USE OUR JOB BOARD

POSITIONS VACANT

Alta-1 College in Kimberley, Western Australia has a full time position available for an Education Assistant.

WHAT'S TRENDING ON THE ATA FACEBOOK PAGE

Nothing beats that moment when the strategy clicks! 

Sometimes the smallest victories in the classroom are the most rewarding. Moments when students successfully apply what they’ve been taught highlight the incredible impact teaching assistants have!

Every bit of support, guidance, and encouragement makes a real difference in students’ learning journeys.

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Leaders in Professional Learning for Schools

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