TA TALK

Issue 45

July 2019

It's the final countdown! You only have 5 school days left to nominate a teacher aide for the 2019 Australian Teacher Aide of the Year Awards.

 

The awards are an opportunity for teachers and school leaders to recognise the work of an outstanding teacher aide at their school and raise awareness, nationally, of the valuable contribution teacher aides make to student learning and wellbeing.

We know from your comments on our Facebook page that there are many teachers around Australia working with teacher aides who are doing an amazing job. Don’t let their work go unnoticed. Nominate a teacher aide today!

State finalists and the winner of this year’s Australian Teacher Aide of the Year Award will be announced during Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week 2-6 September.

Last month we launched our first web event on digital technologies.The first tutorial, An Introduction to Digital Technologies, is now available in our professional development library.

 

The next four live web events continue the digital technologies theme, with a focus on the thinking skills students need to create digital solutions.

 

Our theme coincided with our visit to the EduTech conference, where we learned how students are engaging with digital technology, and about the many programs available to help schools implement the Digital Technologies Curriculum.

 

We think you will enjoy our short video, about the FIRST® LEGO® League competition. You can watch the video and read about digital technologies trending in schools in our latest blog.

 

We wish you a productive Term 3 and look forward to telling you more about Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week, next month.

 

Warm regards

 

Stella and Mandy

HURRY! Nominations Close Friday 2nd August!

Time is running out to nominate a teacher aide at your school for the 2019 Australian Teacher Aide of the Year Awards. Make sure you get your nominations in asap! We are looking for excellence in the following areas: 

- Positive impact on student learning and achievement

- Contribution to student wellbeing

- Collaboration with colleagues

- Continuous improvement through professional development and training

How proud would your school be to showcase the 2019 Australian Teacher Aide of the Year? 

An Introduction to Digital Technologies

This tutorial will help you develop a basic understanding of digital technology and the knowledge and skills needed to support students.

You will learn:

• What is digital technology
• Common terminology and what it means
• Ways of thinking about digital technologies
• How digital technology connects with what you are already doing

Digital Technologies Trending in Education

Here at ATA many of us are digital immigrants who grew up before computers and the internet, and even though we work in the online education space, it is an ongoing challenge to keep up with the trends in digital technology.

 

Last month, we took the opportunity to showcase ATA at the EduTech Conference in Sydney. During our visit, we also learned about some amazing products available to schools to support the Digital Technologies Curriculum. 

MEMBER WEBINAR: De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats - How to Promote Critical Thinking

- Tuesday 13th August 2019 @ 4:15pm AEST

In this tutorial, we explore how to use De Bono’s Six Thinking Hat method to think critically in a digital world.

Risk Free Investment!  

 

We know that school budgets only stretch so far and that decisions about how to invest in the ongoing development of your most precious resource, your teaching teams, are not made lightly.

 

We are confident in our professional development offering and the services that we provide.

 

Our member guarantee removes all the risk from this important decision. If your school joins ATA and, within the first 14 days, decides that our professional development does not meet your needs, we will give you a full refund.

 

There is no better guarantee! Arrange a risk free membership for your teacher aide team, today!

Member Webinar Challenge

 

Congratulations to Ella McNeill who is the winner of July’s Member Webinar Challenge. Ella has won a monogrammed ATA polo shirt for correctly answering these 5 questions:

 

1)      What does IoT stand for?

2)      What does VPL stand for?

3)      What is the name of the latest Lego robot?

4)      What does AR stand for?

5)      What percentage of the digital curriculum  can be learned unplugged?

 

View the July member webinar: An Introduction to Digital Technologies for the answers.

What do principals really do?

40,521 views

2,805 reactions, comments and shares

 

What else but say the announcements and eat donuts!! Many of you found this extremely amusing, even the principals! We are so glad your sense of humour is still in tact. 

A child who reads will be an adult who thinks

24,252 views
1,611 reactions, comments and shares

 

Thinking skills are so important in this digital era. Over the next few months, during our member webinars, we will be focusing on the different ways of thinking required to solve problems in a digital world. Let us know if you see any correlation between your avid readers and achievement in the digital space.

WELCOME TO ATA!  

 

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Mackay, QLD
Parkland Christian College, QLD
Edge Hill State School, QLD

Chinchilla State High School, QLD
Belridge Secondary College, WA
Buckley Park College, VIC
Eastern Fleurieu School, SA
Toongabbie Christian College, NSW
Maroochydore State High School, QLD
St Paul the Apostle Primary School, NSW
Cambridge Park Public School, NSW
Invermay Primary School, VIC
Forest Lake State High School, QLD
Benaraby State School, QLD
Mooloolah State School, QLD
Mount Gravatt State School, QLD
Isis District State High School, QLD
Kilcoy State High School, QLD
Wauchope High School, NSW
Middle Ridge State School, QLD
Wynnum West State School, QLD
Dalby State High School, QLD
The Gap State High School, QLD
Biloela State School, QLD
Deception Bay State High School, QLD
Melton Christian Centre Ltd, VIC
Petrie State School, QLD
Kelvin Grove State College, QLD
Upper Mount Gravatt State School, QLD
St Mary's Catholic Primary School Warwick, QLD
Benowa State School, QLD
Pallara State School, QLD
Roma State College, QLD
Toowoomba Grammar School, QLD
East Devonport Primary School, TAS
St Declan's Catholic Primary School, NSW
Rochedale South State School, QLD
Broadford Secondary College, VIC

Illawarra Grammar School, NSW

School Membership Renewals  

 

If your school membership is due for renewal, and you are the administrator of the school or training organisation account, you can activate the renewal subscription from your portal. Renewing on time ensures your teacher aide team have uninterrupted access to resources and events. Not sure when your membership is due? Log in to your ATA account and navigate to My Portal.