Conversations Evening

Reflections on the Code of Ethics

 This end of year ECA NSW gathering will focus on the newly released version of the ECA’s Code of Ethics with guest speakers Carol Burgess (NSW President of NSW ECA & ECA – COE Review Writing Team member) and Dr Linda Newman

 Agenda

 6.00 – 6.30pm               General Meeting

6.30 – 8.30pm                Guest Speakers

Guest Speakers Bio:

Carol Burgess – Carol is the Course Director for the Bachelor of Education (Birth to Five), the Bachelor of Teaching (Birth to Five) and the Associate Degree Early Childhood (Birth to Five). Carol’s papers and presentations have included areas on practice-based learning, fieldwork education, educational interactions and curricula, team-based leadership and exploring relationships between quality leadership activities and outcomes for professional development for early childhood teachers. Carol was part of the writing team for the ECA Code of Ethics.

Carol Burgess

Dr Linda Newman

Dr Linda Newman – Linda’s doctoral studies into professional ethics led to the development of the widely used Ethical Response Cycle [available in Newman & Pollnitz (2005). Working with Children and Families: Professional, Legal and Ethical Issues].

When: Thursday 10^th November 2016

 Where: Maitland Gaol – Auditorium 6 – 18 John Street, East Maitland

Light meal & drinks provided

This event is sponsored by ECA NSW . There is no cost for participants.

 For more information and RSVP (essential), please contact:

huntereca@nsw.earlychildhood.org.au

The NSW Office of Preventive Health is pleased to launch the Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Resource Package for VET and Tertiary Providers of Early Childhood Qualifications.
The resource package has been specifically designed to support Vocational Education and Training (VET) and tertiary providers for use with adult learners studying early childhood education qualifications and highlights the importance of healthy eating and physical activity for young children.

The resource package consists of three sections:
• ‘Section 1 – Healthy Eating & Physical Activity Topics’ which is centred around the ‘Healthy Eating and Physical Guidelines for Early Childhood Settings (0-5yrs)’ as noted in Get Up & Grow: Healthy Eating and Physical Activity for Early Childhood and aligned to the National Quality Standard and the Early Years Learning Framework.
• ‘Section 2 – Curriculum Map’ is mapped for the Australian Government Community Services Training Packages which includes CHC30113 – Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, CHC50113 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care and any other relevant tertiary units for NSW universities.
• ‘Section 3 – Resource Guide for Adult Learners’ includes an overview of the topic, links to key resources and relevant websites for accessing program ideas for children.

If you are a training provider and interested in receiving an electronic copy of the resource package and participating in some evaluation of the resource package, then please email Amanda Lockeridge, State Program Manager – Munch & Move (Amanda.Lockeridge@sswahs.nsw.gov.au).

As a result of the support of KU Children’s Services, Early Childhood Australia – New South Wales Branch, Gowrie NSW and Uniting, the Premier’s Early Childhood Education Scholarship was offered again in 2016. The award is for a study in early childhood education. All teachers currently teaching in a long day care service, pre-school, primary school or TAFE NSW Institute were eligible to apply.
One scholarship of $10,000 was awarded to Laure Hislop. Laure is the Director at KU Killara Park Preschool.
Laure and the team at KU Killara Park have an interest in exploring how technology can be used to enhance learning within early childhood education, and this scholarship will enable Laure to travel to the USA next year to attend and co-present at two conferences.

Laure Hislop and Minister Adrian Piccoli

Scholarship recipients visit some of the world’s best institutions and centres of learning to consult with experts and observe exemplary practices related to a specific aspect of their curriculum. It is anticipated that successful applicants would spend up to five weeks involved in a study program. Time need not be spent in formal study, but may involve a program of visits to sites, schools and institutions to conduct interviews, observe exemplary practices and collect resources for the preparation of teaching materials related to early childhood education.

The 2016 Premier’s Teacher Scholarship Reception was held on Tuesday 23 August in the Gallery Room, NSW State Library. The awards were presented by The Hon. Adrian Piccoli MP Minister for Education and The Hon. Leslie Williams MP Minister for Early Childhood Education, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Assistant Minister for Education.

Rose Todd (Gowrie), Gabby Holden (Uniting) Minister Piccoli, Laure Hislop, Minister Williams, Carol Burgess (ECA) and Chris Legg (KU Services) 

Kylie Wilesmith from Puggles Children’s Services Van was announced the winner of ECA Riverina Region High Achiever Award.

Kylie Wilesmith from Tumbarumba   won the prestigious  award. This was presented in front of her Colleagues at the International Hotel in Wagga on Monday night.

Kylie is the very popular Director of Puggles Children’s Services Van. Puggles has in the past or does service Adelong, Cabramurra, Hulmula, Rosewood, Tarcutta, Tooma, Brungal and any other small communities in need within the Snowy Valley and Wagga Shires.

Kylie has been coordinating Puggles Children’s Services Van, since 1999. During this time she has worked hard to make it a quality mobile service that is respected and esteemed in our region.  Kylie is the ultimate professional; always striving for the best for the service, families and children. .

Kylie was nominated for being excellent in responding to the needs of communities for education and care. As one venue closes, she has in mind and has already set the wheels in motion for the opening of another venue, ensuring that communities needs are met. During her time away from Puggles she is studying her Early Childhood Degree.

Kylie was warmly congratulated. All agree the award was very much deserved especially for someone who has packed and unpacked a mobile children’s services van for 17 years.

Kylie Wilesmith with Riverina ECA representative Julia Ham

Riverina ECA is delighted to hold the annual dinner

on Monday 29th August, 2016 at 6pm

at  the International Hotel,

Lake Albert Rd, Wagga Wagga 

The Riverina ECA High Achiever Award for 2016 will be announced

Catharine Hydon is guest speaker

Topic: The NEW ECA Code of Ethics. Catharine was part of the writing team. 

Cost: $50 for a two course meal.

Bookings for the dinner and/or Catharine’s PD Leadership In your Service and Designing required documentation to be compliant and theoretically based.

Can be done at: http://riverina-eca-pd-dinner.eventbrite.com.au?s=67923748

RSVP: Thursday 25th August, 2016

NSW Environmental Trust has released a research report on Environmental Education in Early Childhood .

A recommended, interesting read. Click on the link below to access. 

Final Report Environmental Education in Early Childhood – public version…

BOSTES reminder

EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHERS MUST REGISTER FOR ACCREDITATION NOW

From 18 July 2016 all early childhood teachers must be accredited to teach in an approved NSW early childhood education and care service.

Information on the accreditation process is available on our website http://www.nswteachers.nsw.edu.au/current-teachers/early-childhood-teachers/

Once you have created a teacher accreditation account BOSTES will review and process your documentation and email you confirmation of your eligibility for accreditation.

Your accreditation at Proficient Teacher will be confirmed by BOSTES after 18 July.

There is no accreditation fee for early childhood teachers in 2016. BOSTES will send an invoice for the 2017 fee to your postal address in late 2016.

The best source of information is the Accreditation for NSW Early Childhood Teachers button on the Teacher Accreditation website. There is also an updated Answering Your Questions page with responses to many of the questions early childhood teachers have been asking.

I’m Jessie Fitzgerald, the Marketing Services Officer at the Australian Council for Educational Research. I am writing to let you and your associates in Early Childhood Australia know that Early Bird registrations are still open for Research Conference 2016. I hope you will consider joining us to be part of this vital discussion.

Research Conference 2016
Research Conference 2016: Improving STEM Learning: What will it take?
7–9 August
Brisbane Convention Centre
http://acer.ac/rc

Australia faces significant challenges in promoting improved science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning in our schools. Research Conference 2016: Improving STEM Learning: What will it take? will showcase research into how to address these challenges, which include:

• the decline in Australian students’ mathematical and scientific ‘literacy’
• the decline in STEM study in senior school
• a shortage of highly qualified STEM subject teachers, and
• curriculum challenges.

At the conference will hear from researchers who work with teachers to engage students in studying STEM-related subjects, such as engineering in primary school, and science and maths at all levels. You will learn how to engage all students in STEM learning, through targeted teaching, activities like gaming, and applying learning from neuroscience.

As your organisation is a valued stakeholder and supporter of STEM education in Australia, we would also like to offer you the opportunity to exhibit your work and projects at Research Conference 2016 at a special discounted rate. Five of our single exhibition spaces, which are listed in our sponsorship prospectus for $3500, have been earmarked to support professional educational bodies, and are being offered to professional teaching and subject associations at the reduced rate of $750.00. If this is of interest to you, please contact ACER Marketing Services Coordinator Liam Hensel (liam.hensel@acer.edu.au) on 03 9277 5468.

I hope you will be able to join us at the conference and would appreciate it if you could pass this message along to any colleagues who may be interested. If you would like to promote this event throughout your own networks, please visit http://acer.ac/rcmedia to download a .zip file of promotional material for the event.

A very successful AGM for ECA NSW was held last Thursday. 

Guest speaker  was Tracey Mackey, Executive Director, Early Childhood Education.

Tracey Mackey

There was total agreement for Tonia Godhard and Margaret Young to be made life members.

A new executive committee was voted in. Trish Brown from Uniting stood down as did ECA NSW long serving treasurer Leo Prendergast. Leo has been part of the ECA NSW committee for over twenty years. His wisdom,wit and knowledge on children’s services will be greatly missed. Both Leo and Trish were  sincerely thanked for their work and time they have put into ECA on a voluntary basis.

Leo Prendergast – long serving Treasurer ECA NSW being thanked for his work. 

 ECA NSW Executive Committee