Education Update - Nick Johnstone

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EDUCATION UPDATE

with NICK JOHNSTONE

FROM BISHOP DRUITT COLLEGE

Starting at a New School

Whether in Kindergarten or year 7, or another other time, we have all started at a new school at some point in our lives. In my school, we have 202 new students starting in a variety of different year levels at the end of January. The purpose of this article is to share some advice to parents on how to settle your children in quickly and who to speak with about any concerns or questions. To make it easy to navigate I have created a top 10 list for parents to help get their children, new to school or not, ready for their next step.

PARENT TOP 10

Tip 1: Be positive - the transition to a new school can be stressful for parents and students. It is your responsibility to build excitement by talking about all the new opportunities for friendships and activities they’ll have. Visit the school for a tour with your children and walk around with the Head of School or the Principal. Tip 2: Practice the new trip to school - it might sound silly but practising the walk, drive or bus trip beforehand will reduce the anxiety. Make sure the students know the bus number and the drop-off and pick-up zones as well as what to do if things change. Have a plan B. Tip 3: Arrange a chat with an older teen who’s been through it. If there’s a neighbour or cousin who’s started at a new school in the past, organise for them to hang out and hear what it was like. If not, talk with the school during the enrolment process about student mentoring, orientation programs and school buddy programs. Tip 4: Make sure everything is organised. Bag, uniform, books and even laptop are essentials for starting at a new school, so help them sort it all out before day one. Use the school website to check on the uniform policy. There will be expectations about shoes, hair, jewellery, bags, jumpers and hair cuts. Start those new routines before school starts e.g. structured bedtime and no screen time before bed. Tip 5: Start afresh with a tidy room and desk - ensure there is a study space at home and a wall calendar for assessment dates, excursions and other school events is always useful for planning purposes. I know most schools have learning management systems with electronic assessment calendars, but there is something to be said about physically writing these dates on a calendar to help you get organised. Tip 6: Farewell the holidays - organise a social day just before school goes back and, if possible, invite friends from their old school. A new school is an opportunity to make new friends but don’t forget your old friends. Tip 7: Don’t commit too early - encourage your teen to be social and not rush getting a new best friend. With the stress of making friends at a new school, it’s easy to jump at the fi rst people that speak to you. Be friendly, but they don’t need to be your “bestie”. Tip 8: Avoid comparing the new to the old - get your child to look to the future even if they’re missing their old school a bunch. This is important because it can be used to help them set goals for themselves socially, academically, and in co-curricular activities. Tip 9: Sign up to things straight away - research co-curricular activities and help them decide on some they’ll sign up to in their fi rst week. A student gets out of school what they put in. They will meet new people, learn new skills and create more opportunities for themselves when they get involved. Tip 10: Prepare them for stress - the unknown can be really scary but things like breathing exercises, getting active, and having “me-time” can all help with the transition, as can creating human connections.

As parents, your stress can manifest itself in your children as well. So parents need to follow this advice as well. I also always encourage parents to be part of the community - volunteer in the canteen; coach a sporting team; help out at a school function; be a parent helper in the library or primary class group, and join the Parents and Friends group.

Read my top 10 tips for students here:

bdc.nsw.edu.au/news/advice-for-new-students

As parents, your stress can manifest itself in your children as well. So parents need to follow this advice as well. Sources: https://au.reachout.com/ https://bdc.nsw. schooltv.me/newsletter-resources/9254/1445

educators MEET the

3 BEARS COTTAGE a a C a

OF 2021

is year has seen our children grow and develop amongst enormous change, however they have remained eager, enthusiastic learners, played hard, made friends and tried to be good friends in return.

3 Bears has always believed in being the age you are right now, with all your heart and soul and less worry about preparing to be six. At 3 Bears we have equipped our children with lifelong skills to prepare them for adulthood and to be leaders of tomorrow. We are grateful and feel very blessed that our families chose 3 Bears to share their lives for the last five years, and from all the educators and management at 3 Bears, good luck, and farewell. Class of 2021 congratulations, and best wishes as you embark next year on another stage of your learning journey and discover dreams waiting to be achieved.

TEAM TUITION t EDUCATION CENTRE

Tuition in groups or ‘teams’ has o en been misunderstood. Many people have thought that ‘individual’ is the best way for the tuition of their child.

While it might be for some students, most benefi t more from team tuition. At The Education Centre, we are careful to put like students together in the same team, making the most of the collaborative effect.

“Team tuition is highly underestimated,” says Liz Stevens, Proprietor of The Education Centre. “Team tuition can make it more interesting for the student for the social impact as students are more likely to ‘want’ to be there.”

“Academically, team tuition is excellent as the students are carried along by each other as well as by the guidance of the tutor”, says Liz. “This gives the students a chance to mature as they learn how to discuss the subject and make positive contributions to the group learning. The focus is not just on one student ‘performing’; it is shared by the other members of the team reducing the pressure felt by individual students.”

The Education Centre promotes team tuition in many different subjects to enhance the students’ participation and to maximise their outcomes. Some examples are:

Working Maths: For years 5 to 8: A course of maths to give students a deeper understanding of the topics that the students are doing at school and how they will impact on a given career path. This class is enhanced by hands on activities.

Entertaining English: For years 5 to 8: This course brings English to life and is designed to have a more vocal and interesting content by the addition of acting and speaking.

Foundation for High School: For Years 5 to 8: A series of term assignments designed to enhance the students’ ability to prepare higher class assessment tasks; focussing on planning, research, editing, essay writing and speaking. This course also covers basic maths reviews to help students stay up to date with this subject.

FAST FORWORD

Liz is excited about the newest addition to The Education Centre programs: ‘Fast ForWord’. Fast ForWord123 is a unique 3 step, evidence-based method for increasing students’ capacity to learn. It is a powerfully effective and scientifi cally validated method for improving learning outcomes where English is the language of instruction.

Fast ForWord123 builds cognitive skills essential for learning, and simultaneously improves the four components for learning-inthe-English-language: listening, reading, writing and speaking.

The program is usually completed at home over 5 days per week for the nominated period. The course can be structured so that students can do some days at home and some in our Centre, so that students can enjoy the social part of learning as well. We will have trained tutors who will follow up on students’ progress regularly throughout the program.

You can fi nd more details of Team Tuition and Fast ForWord on our website www.theeducationcentre.com.au or you can contact Liz on 0435 972 460

Students who used the ‘Fast ForWord’ Language product achieved statistically signifi cant improvements in language and auditory processing skills – improvements comparable to receiving 50 hours of one-on-one intervention with a certifi ed and licensed speech and language therapist” Gillam et al 2008

34-38 Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 Ph 02 6652 2222 M 0478 413 549 E coffsharbour@theeducationcentre.com.au

IS YOUR CHILD STRUGGLING AT SCHOOL?

GIVE YOUR CHILD THE BEST CHANCE TO SUCCEED. We guarantee your child’s result, if they participate in all activities, or we’ll tutor for FREE!

Katrina

BENNETT

Katrina Benne is the mother of two daughters mother of two daughters who have excelled at school who have excelled at school and ended up working well and ended up working well beyond their year group beyond their year group level. We spoke to her level. We spoke to her about the ups and downs about the ups and downs of what that can mean for of what that can mean for gi ed children and how she gi ed children and how she has worked collaboratively has worked collaboratively with their local schools with their local schools to provide support and to provide support and opportunities for these opportunities for these children and their families. children and their families.

Hey Katrina, how did you come to be living here on the Coffs Coast?

I was born and raised in Coffs Harbour but moved away for university and work opportunities. My husband Gerry and I felt the lure of Coffs every time we came back to visit family and in 2014 decided to move from Sydney with our two beautiful daughters.

Your daughter is attending school locally and is working at school beyond her year group level. How old is she and what level of schoolwork is she currently doing?

Our eldest is 11 and has just fi nished Year 6 at Mary Help of Christians (MHOC). She will be heading off to St John Paul College (SJPC) in 2022. Early in her schooling we discovered she required additional challenges in the classroom and so the school implemented some in-class differentiation techniques for her. During Year 4 (2020) the school decided further challenges were required and so she started doing three of her subjects with the Year 6 class

Gi ed children need to experience challenges in younger years to every day. The school prepare them for has been amazing and harder work in high coordinated classes so school and their life those subjects ran at beyond schooling. concurrent times. At the end of 2020 we had a discussion with MHOC Principal, Liz Watts, and the Leader of Gifted and High Potential Learning, Craig Warnes, and it was decided our eldest would grade-skip Year 5 and do Year 6 in 2021. The school also coordinated with SJPC so that she could do English extension work with one of the SJPC English teachers. Based on everything

we had learnt along the way we decided it would be in the best interests of our younger daughter to start Kindergarten just before she turned 5.

Obviously you must be so proud of your children and their achievements, however there are some challenges that arise when a child is beyond their years intellectually. Can you tell us about your experience with this situation?

I am incredibly proud of both my girls but particularly their courage in tackling new challenges. A big issue is that there is A LOT of misinformation surrounding gifted children and gifted education. Advocating for extension in a busy classroom is challenging but if their educational needs are not met they may suffer boredom, frustration and underachievement and this can impact their mental and emotional wellbeing. Issues such as perfectionism and asynchronous development can also come into play.

What are some of the issues that have been seen with these kids in their later years at school?

Gifted children need to experience challenges in younger years to prepare them for harder work in high school and their life beyond schooling. When they fi nally face more challenging work they can experience diffi culties because they have coasted along, unprepared, with little or no study habits and can risk dropping out of school.

There seems to be a gap, particularly in

Teachers are regional areas, for incredibly timeincredibly time- children who need to poor and trying to poor and trying to work outside of the accommodate many accommodate usual range of work di erent student di erent student provided for their age. profi les in their profi les in their What made you decide classrooms, so we classrooms, so we to try and remedy this? have tried a have tried a We are repeatedly collaborative collaborative asked what boarding approach. Going forward, I would love to establish a more approach. Going forward, I would love to establish a more schools we are considering because many people didn’t believe we could fi nd formal mentoring formal mentoring adequate support in the program. program. area. There defi nitely are more gifted education programs and options available in metro areas and so if you don’t fi nd a supportive school, it can be an incredibly hard process. Gifted education is not funded in the same way other school programs are, because of the misconception that these children will thrive regardless of support. We are keen to make sure gifted children in our regional area are not disadvantaged because of their location and that families don’t have to rely on the boarding school option to gap-fi ll.

What schools or teachers have adopted the training strategies you are trying to implement?

We are extremely fortunate that MHOC took on a whole school approach to raising awareness about gifted children and their many guises in the classroom. They appointed a Leader for Gifted and High Potential Learners and each of the Catholic primary schools in the area and SJPC have created High Potential Learners/Gifted Programs. I can’t talk outside our experience but I understand a number of schools in Coffs offer some extension work or subject streaming across grades. Toormina has some OC selective classes and participates in the Aurora virtual selective school.

What are some of the ideas you have come up with?

My husband and I started the Facebook group ‘Coffs Coast Gifted Families Support’ because knowledge sharing is our most valuable resource. We also had discussions with Gifted NSW about creating a Coffs sub-branch, so our area is included in any state or national initiatives. As a result, Gifted NSW held a one-day workshop in Coffs in early 2020, shared information and specifi cally highlighted support options for Twice-Exceptional (2E) children – children identifi ed as gifted, who have another exceptionality such as ASD, ADHD, dyslexia etc. We also try to attend courses and on-share external extension opportunities with both the school and people in the group. Teachers are incredibly time-poor and trying to accommodate many different student profi les in their classrooms, so we have tried a collaborative approach. Going forward, I would love to establish a more formal mentoring program in which we can help connect local schools and all children with subject matter experts in various areas of interest (i.e. we already have an established connection with a London-based Egyptologist who has made himself available to answer students’ questions).

How can others fi nd support in similar situations?

A formal gifted assessment can make conversations with schools easier. We went to Sydney for ours but there are local options and some schools provide on-site assessments. Start researching but keep an open mind. One of my favourite sayings is ‘You have met one gifted child, you have met one gifted child’, there is no one-size-fi ts-all scenario with gifted children and what works for one child may not work for another.

CYBER GURUS

TAFE NSW has intensifi ed e orts to upskill the next generation of cyber security professionals amid a critical skills shortage in the industry and a dramatic spike in cyber a acks during the pandemic.

The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) recently revealed a 13 per cent jump in cyber attacks nationwide over the past 12 months, while authorities say 7000 new cyber security professionals will need to be on the ground by 2024 to cater to surging demand.

TAFE NSW Head of Technology and Business Skills Alicia Bales acknowledges the need all businesses have for a workforce that is aware of cyber crime and can take daily actions to keep both themselves and the business safe.

“COVID-19 has created a prime environment for scammers and cyber crime. The rapid increase in use of digital technology to manage daily activities has left individuals and businesses vulnerable to cyber attacks.

“Businesses need access to skilled ICT professionals who can put in place the systems and technologies to secure the businesses’ operations. Cyber security is a core skill and that’s why all our ICT qualifi cations,” Ms Bales said.

TAFE NSW’s strong focus on cyber security has won the support of the nation’s largest professional ICT body, with Australian Computer Society CEO Rupert Grayson saying training providers were a critical part of the puzzle.

“ACS is delighted to see TAFE NSW offering more cyber security courses. As the ransomware surge over the last 18 months has shown, having skilled staff capable of dealing with these and other network security threats is critical for organisations,” Mr Grayson said. “The courses are also important in addressing the need for skilled ICT workers in the NSW economy, so TAFE NSW delivering more qualifi ed and able people into the workforce is a welcome move.” To fi nd out more about studying ICT courses at TAFE NSW, call 13 16 01 or visit www.tafensw.edu.au Media contact: Sarah Lievore, Communications Specialist, sarah.lievore1@tafensw.edu.au

e rapid increase in use of digital technology to manage daily activities has le individuals and businesses vulnerable to cyber a acks.

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ANN

FLETCHER

KANNELLA COFFS HARBOUR PHYSIE

Kannella Physical Culture Club is about to celebrate their 50th year running, and they are very proud of their history here as part of the Co s Harbour community. Ann Fletcher is the head teacher at the club and has been involved almost since the beginning, teaching at Kannella for an impressive 43 years!

Hi Ann. You are the head teacher at Kannella Physie here in Coffs, can you tell us a bit about Physie and what you love about it?

Physie is just my favourite form of movement to music. Physie provides a full, well-rounded exercise routine for all ages, from 3 year olds, right through to mature ladies. We offer a syllabus especially tailored for age and physical ability. While the 'heart' of physie is core strength and posture, our girls learn beautiful routines that exercise all muscles from top to toe. Combine this with carefully selected music and the end result is a graceful, controlled, fully inclusive exercise routine. We also include a modern dance in our syllabus. How could I not love it!

Everyone learns a new syllabus every year and we are always excited to see what that holds. I have been teaching for 43 years and can't believe I never get bored with it but every year offers new challenges, new students and a whole lot of fun. It's quite a community too. We have a number of families, mothers, daughters and even granddaughters that all love their physie. It seems to get in your system. Our club "Kannella" (which is an Aboriginal word meaning 'dance') prides itself on our caring, supportive approach. We love new members as well as our old ones.

The members enjoy designing their own leotards, adding lots of bling for a sparkly presentation... after all the work they put in, they deserve to look as pretty as they can.

What sort of skills are learnt through doing Physie?

Apart from the physical benefits mentioned above, it really aids concentration, focus and memory. Physie requires discipline and attention so that is what we encourage. We hold competitions annually (for both teams and individuals). While, for me, the emphasis is not so much on results but rather the pride and sense of accomplishment that accompanies our performances.

Kannella is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2022, what does this mean to the club and how will you be celebrating this milestone?

Yes, 50 years... wow! We are very proud of our history within the Coffs Harbour district. EP Physie was the first school of Physical Culture to open in this area and I love the fact we are still going strong. I would think many, many of your local readers would be familiar with EP and Kannella. We are planning a gala dinner in June of next year. Trying to trace all past presidents, state champions and dignitaries is proving to be a challenge, but we are determined to do our best. Physie has really evolved over the last 50 years... it will be fun to revisit our story through memories, photos and videos!

So the club is keen on extending invitations to past members, teachers and club presidents to join the celebrations?

Yes. Absolutely... we would welcome any past members. They can contact us through our Kannella website, by going to our "get in touch" button or emailing Kannella50th@ gmail.com It is such a special bond to "climb a mountain" How long have you with another person. been part of the To be with them as club and what made they try to achieve you want to get their dreams. To share involved? their disappointments I moved to Coffs and triumphs. It from Sydney when I really is a privilege. was 21. I had done Physie as a girl and when I saw there was a club here, I thought what a great way to make friends. About 2 years after that, Kannella were looking for an instructress, just for 1 year!! You know the story... I'm still there 43 years later!!

What are some of the most rewarding things about having been part of a club like Kannella for such a long time?

My connection with the members. It is such a special bond to "climb a mountain" with another person. To be with them as they try to achieve their dreams. To share their disappointments and triumphs. It really is a privilege. I love when I run into past students and we instantly connect, because of our history. It is so enriching.

What have been some of the highlights for you over your career at Kannella?

Highlights... "Open Senior Girls" is the most challenging section within our school. The girls are aged between 19 and 25 and perform at a very high level. Kannella Coffs Harbour won the State Championship teams event in this section. It is the only time the trophy has left Sydney!!! To say we were elated is an understatement and the trophy came home with its own seat belt, in the back of the car.

When are classes on and how often does the club participate in competitions?

Our classes are held in the Banksia Room at Coffs Harbour Showground. It is a great little studio with a wall of mirrors and a sprung floor. We are very at home there and love it. We have junior classes on Saturday mornings and teenagers and older on Tuesday evenings.

Our competition season usually starts around August with friendly, local interclub challenges and continues through, to Zone and State levels, until the end of November. It is important to remember that competitions are not compulsory though.

EMPLOYMENT KEYIDPWD INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY International Day of People with K'PANE BAKERY Disability (IDPwD) is held annually We talk to owner Bre Knight on 3rd December. By definition, it is a United Nations observed day aimed at increasing public awareness, about his thriving understanding and acceptance of business, people with disability. In reality, it’s so K'Pane Bakery. much more.

Tell us about K’Pane Artisan

Bakery.

We are the creators of exquisite pastries, tarts, danishes, croissants, slices, pies, sausage rolls, and artisan sourdough breads. We make everything from scratch - you won’t fi nd any pre-mixes here!

K’Pane commenced in 2009, and I’m proud to claim we now have three retail outlets: Coffs Central, Park Beach Plaza and the Coffs Jetty Shopping Centre, plus a factory and 30 staff. We are clearly doing something right.

The Coffs Central store has a French fl avour, refl ecting many of the classic French treats, like pain au chocolat, brioche and baguettes, as well as breads, pastries, gourmet pies, cakes and tarts, panini, ciabatta, and melt-in-themouth French fruit fl ans.

Mouth-watering cakes can also be ordered for special occasions; just call the day before and pick up a delicious treat!

Let’s talk staff.

K’Pane is an equal opportunity employer, and we have a very inclusive workforce, employing 30 staff from diverse backgrounds: including recent arrivals into Australia and people with disability.

We have been working very closely with Key Employment, a Disability Employment Service, over the past few years and have sourced various staff through them. These include retail assistants, bread packers, apprentice bakers / pastry chefs and kitchenhands, to name a few.

We believe that providing the same opportunity for everyone is essential to having happy and productive staff members, and it makes us proud to see people achieving outcomes they never thought possible.

How has Key Employment helped contribute to your success?

Easy answer - our staff! Key Employment have been infl uential in the success of our business, by providing us with dedicated and work-ready staff. Joe from Key Employment has a background in hospitality, which gives him an uncanny ability to identify suitable staff for us. This is a huge advantage, as he understands our business’ needs.

IDPwD is a day we celebrate the achievements and contributions of the 4.4 million Australians living with disability, and consider the global success stories and innovative programs Key Employment consultants also come out and see us regularly. They don’t just put someone in a job; they support us with any from forward thinking community driven issues that arise. As all businesses do, we come organisations and businesses as we edge closer across speed humps - and when this happens, to creating a more inclusive community, locally, Key is here to support us. I guess that is why nationally, and worldwide. they are the Key; no pun intended.

Key Employment is proud to consider itself at Key Employment continue excellent support the forefront of creating an inclusive community for their clients, with work preparation, here on the Coffs Coast and celebrated workplace adjustments, and some of the initial IDPwD in style with their “Carnival Bonanza” training. This takes the pressure off us and which kicked off in the early hours with a free allows to us to focus on providing the best community breakfast. product around.

The Carnival itself started at 10am with What would you say to other local an assortment of activities for young and employers looking for staff? old, including music, face painting, jumping If you're looking for dedicated and reliable castle, and a free sausage sizzle lunch. Over staff, give Key Employment a call and tap into 100 participants visited the site to enjoy the a huge talent pool of people just waiting for celebrations. an opportunity. They provide excellent wage

The event’s surprise draw card was the shiny subsidies, great support, and can assist with new car parked on the community basketball work related tools and equipment and uniforms court. The car is the prize in Key Employment’s too. So, give Joe a call at Key Employment on biggest campaign yet – The Job Guarantee (02) 6691 9999, and he will happily talk about Promotion. The campaign encourages those all the services they can offer.

disadvantaged within our community to come in and discuss what support options are available to them. Key Employment is so confident in their ability to help, we are offering the opportunity to Win a Car to all our current and prospective participants. Eligible participants can receive tickets into the draw to win the car by reaching their own personal employment goals, so this promotion is 100% win-win!

Krystina, a Key Employment client, was excited to be one of the first eligible for tickets to win the car and was present to celebrate the day and get her entries into the barrel. Krystina started casually with OOSH After School Care in 2020 and has been an impeccable example of what can be achieved with the right mindset and support.

Krystina feels like she has found her dream job and absolutely loves her work and her colleagues. With news that she has recently been made permanent part-time, she now has the added security of consistent hours. Key Employment is proud to support Krystina on her journey. Ever modest, she played down her achievements, but the passion in which she talks about her role and the way in which she has overcome any obstacles in her way is inspiring.

On the day Krystina received several entries in the promotion based on her recent achievements and is thrilled at the idea of being in the running for such a wonderful prize.

Krystina was happy to personally recommend the supportive team at Key Employment for anyone that believes they can benefit from the wide variety of services they offer.

If you would like to learn more about the services offered by Key Employment please contact one of their friendly staff on 6691 9999

e Carnival itself started at 10am with an assortment of activities for young and old, including music, face painting, jumping castle, and a free sausage sizzle lunch.