SPEF

The Staff Professional Excellence Fund (SPEF) has finished the 3-year cycle. The previous impact of the pandemic on staff involvement in professional learning lifted in Term 3, with staff again seeking unique experiences that will guide, challenge and inspire their professional growth. There had been a steady stream of online courses across the year, with Term 4 opening up to 40 staff accessing professional learning opportunities globally. Applications continue to come from a range of Primary and Senior teaching staff across all departments and teams. One significant trend of 2022 has seen the operational or support staff applying to access the SPEF allowance. Staff have adapted their professional experience to the restrictions of COVID-19 and thought creatively about how they can connect digitally with others and attend professional learning.

In addition, teaching and support staff are accessing the additional higher education funding more readily in 2022. This has become more widely known and accessed across the 3-year cycle. In 2022 there were three Masters paid, and three additional Masters approved, with payment given when complete. Notably, a Learning Assistant was one of these applications.

The SPEF continues to be an invaluable asset to the staff at Canberra Grammar School. Staff state they feel fortunate to be afforded these opportunities that build on their personal and professional interests. They return to CGS inspired, share their knowledge and experience with a reflection, and continue collaborating with their departments or teams. A few SPEF reflections have been included in the CGS Aspire magazine in 2021 & 2022. All other summaries are uploaded for viewing on CGS Connect.

Some of the experiences that staff have or will complete within the 2022 SPEF approved include:

• Reading Tutor Macquarie University

• Digital Innovation Conference in Santa Clara, North America

• Masters of Education: Special Education Unit

• Positive Schools conference

• Outdoor Leadership Mentor Program

• Teaching Training Australia – subscription

• ISTAA Experienced teacher Accreditation

• IB Global Conference in Adelaide

• Leadership and Coaching Development – Rowing

• Indigenous perspectives self-guided tour

• Applied Research Methods in Education and Ethical Issues in Professional Life

• Bundanon Museum and Gallery Course

• Action, Agency and Service: IB Course Dubai

• GERRIC Mini-COGE course

• Geographical tour of Tasmania

• Philippines Palawan Island Tour and experience

• Masters of Teaching: History of Australian Education unit

• TQI Highly Accomplished Accreditation

• International Conference on Languages – Mexico

• An Identity Method Workshop for Educators

• Marking of Design and Technology major projects (NESA)

• Design and Technology tour of Tasmania