TA TALK

Issue 53

March 2020

As we all face unprecedented personal and professional challenges during these uncertain times, we would like to pay our respects and heart felt gratitude to all the education staff in schools who are at the coalface supporting students, parents and colleagues.

 

We speak with your school leaders daily and know that right now, many staff are running on empty, as you work out how to transition students to digital learning, and support anxious parents.

 

This is unchartered territory, and everyone is on a learning curve.

 

We are in this together, and teacher aides have a vital role to play.  Right now many teacher aides are unsure about their changing roles, but rest assured that you are not forgotten, and many schools are putting strategies into place right now, to move support staff online.

 

The role of teacher, teacher aide and student will look different over the coming months, and it is inevitable that along with some stumbles, that you will also discover new ways to connect with students.

 

Keep in mind that most teacher aides have already built strong relationships with students, and are well placed to support their mental health and wellbeing, and help them adjust to a new learning environment.

 

During these school holidays, which will be like no other, please take care of yourself, keep safe, and stay well. We are here for you, and will continue to support you. Please tell us how we can help.

 

Warm regards

 

Stella and Mandy

Thursday is our communication day at ATA. This newsletter goes out on the last Thursday of every month. Every other Thursday, we send a reminder about an upcoming event or a new resource. If your colleagues are not receiving our communications, ask them to check their communication preferences in their portal as they may have been switched off automatically due to too many emails returning as undeliverable. We encourage all members and subscribers to keep the communication preferences switched ON so that we can keep you in the loop of what's new and what's coming up.

Providing Early Intervention to Traumatised Children in the Middle Years

Providing Early Intervention to Traumatised Children in the Middle Years is the second webinar in a 3-part series on trauma, presented by ATA guest expert, Alexina Baldini, a psychologist with Enable Workplace Consulting.

 

You will learn to recognise characteristics of trauma  in upper primary and lower secondary students, as well as practical strategies to help them cope.

Providing Psychological First Aid for Children and Adolescents Exposed to Trauma

Providing Psychological First Aid for Children and Adolescents Exposed to Trauma is the first webinar in our 3-part series on trauma, presented by ATA guest expert, Alexina Baldini, a psychologist with Enable Workplace Consulting.

 

Alexina believes that the role of teachers and school support staff is crucial for children and young people exposed to trauma, or crises, and shares some key strategies on how to provide psychological first aid to alleviate distress.

TRAUMA WEBINAR SERIES: How to support children and young people exposed to trauma, or crises.

WEBINAR 3: Achieving Long Term Success Working with Students with a Trauma Background

7 April 2020 @ 3:30pm AEST

 

ATA guest expert, Alexina Baldini, is a psychologist with over 40 years’ experience. In this final webinar of the series, Alexina will discuss how to work collaboratively to ensure the success of children exposed to trauma, and how to communicate effectively with support teams.

WELCOME TO ATA!

Beaconhills College, VIC

Seymour College, VIC

Northern Beaches State High School, QLD

Al Iman College, VIC

Carlisle Adventist Christian College, QLD

Kawungan State School, QLD

TAFE NSW

St Mary's North Public School, NSW

Bray Park State High School, QLD

Caboolture State School, QLD
Oxenford State School, QLD

Caulfield Grammar School, VIC

Humpybong State School, QLD

Korowal School, NSW

Anglican Church Grammar School, QLD
Goomeri State School, QLD
Shalom College, QLD

Discovery Bay International School, HK

Bell State School, QLD
Innisfail East State School, QLD

Padbury Catholic Primary School, WA

MOM Training College, QLD

St Mary's School Merredin, WA

Trinity Lutheran College, QLD

St Patrick's College, TAS

Cranbourne South Primary School, VIC

Blackall Range Independent School, QLD

Reservoir East Primary School, VIC

St Kilda Park Primary School, VIC

Coomera Springs State School, QLD

Heatley State School, QLD

Drouin Primary School, VIC

Does your classroom look this empty yet?

9,504 views

233 reactions, comments and shares

 

We asked whether your school is closed, and where you are located. We received an amazing response from all over Australia, but the common theme was that student numbers were dropping dramatically by the day. Thank you to everyone who checked in with us.

Do you and your teachers get time to plan for student support?

8,307 views
790 votes

 

Earlier in the month, we asked our Facebook community the following question: Do you and your teachers get time to plan for student support? Of the 790 people that voted, a whopping 89% said 'no'. This is concerning. The largest study in the world on the effectiveness of teacher aides in schools, shows that the preparedness of teacher aides to support learning has a direct impact on student success. Want to know more? 

In challenging times, we are excited to see how schools are innovating and adapting to new ways of supporting the professional growth of teaching teams and maintaining productivity.

 

And you are keeping us super busy! Rest assured, our organisation is robust, and we are well prepared and resourced to respond efficiently to the accelerated level of demand we are experiencing for our online professional development, particularly as schools forward-plan for forced staff absences, cancelled classes and school closures.

 

Online professional learning for schools ... that's what we do ... everyday (with or without Rona)!

 

Are you part of the ATA community?