GLC Newsletter April 2013

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Making Numeracy Count

Each weekend during July is an opportunity to taste and buy aged, special release and back vintage wines at cellar doors across the reg ion.

Follow wine trails, attend very special events, long lun ches and delicious degustation dinner s with rare aged museum wines.

Visit ww w. co on aw ar ra full program of events or .or g for a follow us on

Ingredients for Sara B’s New recipes

Pink lady apples Cannellini beans Celery Walnut oil & walnut pieces

Elephant garlic Fresh herbs… sage & sweet paprika Fennel bulbs Baby ginger Watercress Prosciutto crudo

Left - Students experimenting with the properties of colour and shape at Seven Hills SS.

Over the two years 2011 to 2012, 40 GLC teachers participated in a professional development research project focussing on an aspect of numeracy called proportional reasoning, run by a team of University of Queensland academics and funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC). The formal aspects of the funded project have been completed but the drive to ensure that proportional reasoning is explicitly taught in GLC schools, not just in Mathematics classes but all across the curriculum, continues. One of the UQ researchers, Associate Professor Shelley Dole, in the 25 January 2013 edition of Education Views, explains the importance of proportional reasoning this way“Numeracy is a topic that features prominently in discussions about education and school outcomes, and strong calls have been made for a 'back to basics' approach to numeracy.

However, being numerate is more than knowing your tables and being able to do sums. Numeracy is about being able to apply mathematics knowledge as needed in everyday life. It includes mental computation and estimation and being comfortable around numerical information.

One basic but less obvious aspect of numeracy is proportional reasoning. Many real-world situations require proportional reasoning, or working out relative amounts: Which is the better buy if 1kg costs $3.50 and 1.5kg costs $4?

How long will it take to get somewhere when travelling at different speeds?

Is 4c per litre always better than a 5 per cent discount on your petrol bill?

Draw me a 'mud map' of the path from your house to my house.”

The Gateway Learning Community is Balmoral State High School, Bulimba State School, Cannon Hill State School, Morningside State School, Murarrie State School, Norman Park State School and Seven Hills State School.

Above and below - Allison Crane, Principal of Balmoral SHS and Michael Zeuschner, Principal of Bulimba SS, accept Certificates of Acknowledgment from UQ researcher Shelley Dole for their schools’ involvement in the ARC Numeracy Project.

Shelley explains that the ARC project “explored students' proportional reasoning capacity and has found accelerated growth as a result of a focus on proportional reasoning in the classroom.

Teachers have reported students' greater capacity to recognise situations of comparison in relative terms and hence improved numeracy outcomes.”

Throughout the project, the researchers demonstrated how simple materials could be used actively and creatively with students from Yr 4 through to Yr 9 to demonstrate complex mathematical concepts associated with proportional reasoning.

Participants trialled these and their own approaches in the classroom and measured student progress along the way.

As a final summation, and to bring together the various project groups, the research team staged a conference on 16 February this year at the University of Queensland, which several Principals and teachers from the GLC project were able to attend.

The GLC would like to thank our University of Queensland partnersProf. Marilyn Goos, Dr. Geoff Hilton, Dr Annette Hilton and Assoc. Prof.

Shelley Dole - for their inspiring workshops and dedicated research for the improvement of numeracy learning.

Below - A scene from the ‘premiere’ viewing of the animation project between Balmoral SHS Yr 11 and 12 students and the Year 4/3Mc students of Seven Hills SS.

ISSUE 36 APRIL 2013 Staff from seven local state schools, located between the Bulimba reach of the Brisbane River and the Gateway bridges, first met together in 2002 to explore the strategic possibility of formally working together and with the wider community as a learning community, the Gateway Learning Community (GLC), to build the schools’ collective capacity and, in doing so, improve educational opportunities for the now 2800 students.

Our GLC schools realized that to be a vibrant and viable local hub of learning in the 21st century we needed to break down traditional ’school fence’ boundaries, work smarter and utilize the power of community interconnectedness.

Over the past 11 years, there have been many, many collaborative projects, events and networks driven by our passionate Principals, staff, parents and students which have fulfilled the mission of the GLC, and which have been recorded and celebrated in word and photo in this quarterly GLC newsletter. Now, here we are in 2013 producing the 36th issue!

As you browse through the pages please note the wonderful advertising sponsors, several of whom have been advertising here since the beginning. They, along with our graphic design and publishing partners, Jackie Cann and John Harrison from MakeArtWork, make the publication of this colour broadsheet possible. We thank them for their continued support.

Above - Rebecca, Marmeau, Tom, Eli and Rohan from Cannon Hill SS pictured here using a Culture of Thinking routineSee, Think, Wonder- to generate ideas for their clay modelling art works.

The GLC turning classrooms into cultures of thinking

Above - Concentrating hard to develop writing skills at Morningside SS.

Above - A view of a presentation at the Australian Research Council (ARC) linked “Proportional Reasoning as a Key to Numeracy Across the Curriculum” Project Conference held on 16 February at the University of Queensland.

Animated worlds The age difference may have been five or six years but, through the universal medium of animation, students from Yrs 3 and 4 at Seven Hills SS and Yrs 11 and 12 at Balmoral SHS found a common voice.

It all came about when a teacher at Seven Hills SS, Susan McKinnon, contacted Balmoral SHS in the hope of tapping into the computer skills of high school students to ‘animate’ paintings, drawings and audio tapes her students had created as self portraits and on the theme ‘The world that we choose’.

Balmoral SHS teacher Rhona Page and her Yr 11/12 class took up the challenge. Each high school student was linked with one primary student’s work. They photographed, hand coloured and then combined all the raw elements into short film animations, making the mouths of each self portrait move, synchronised with the speech, and with the elements of that student’s themed painting ebbing and flowing within the screen. The effect was to transport the viewer into an imaginary animated world that communicated the social message of the art and audio in a clear and powerful way.

The primary students met their co-creators when they visited Balmoral SHS on 12 November last year for the ‘premiere’ viewing of ‘The world that we choose’. As each student’s animation was screened came a delighted moment of recognition and amazement at how the ‘magic’ of animation had ‘brought to life’ their artworks.

All who attended were moved by the artistry, technique and message of this collaborative work.

Thank you and congratulations to Susan, Rhona and all the students for your dedication to this very successful across GLC schools’ project.

Above - Balmoral SHS teacher Rhona Page shows the visiting primary students from Seven Hills the techniques and how much work goes into putting together an animation. The young students were enthralled by the process and grateful to their high school buddies for converting their art works and dialogue into such creative sequences.

Gateway Learning Community c/o Balmoral State High School Thynne Road, Morningside, Qld 4170 P.O.Box 120, Morningside, Qld 4170 Phone & Fax: 07 3399 6821

GLC website: www.learningplace.com.au/sc/gbr/glc

Above A Morningside SS Prep student pictured here discovering lots of things about plants and soil.

Left - A group investigation underway at Norman Park SS

Let’s start with a joke.

What did the standardized test say to the Culture of Thinking teacher when it encountered something it didn’t understand? Sorry, I just don’t have the disposition for this.

Hilarious! O.K. maybe a bit obscure… to explainStandardized Test refers to a test like NAPLAN that seeks out ‘right’ answers.

Disposition refers, not just to a general tendency but, in Culture of Thinking terms, to the specific tendency to use higher order thinking to ‘explore a range of possible answers’.

Replace ‘disposition’ with ‘higher order thinking’, and the double meaning becomes clearer.

Actually it’s not so funny when you think about it. It raises the serious questionwhat lessons from school do we want our children to remember as adults?

Here in the GLC we want our students to “be equipped with the thinking skills and dispositions to thrive in an age where facts are free and it is what we do with knowledge that counts.” (Simon Brooks, Masada College) Projects that investigate ways children learn, that go further than standardized scores and certificates, and that place ‘thinking’ at the centre of learning, have been a feature of the collaborative activities of the seven GLC schools.

One of these, The GLC Culture of Thinking Project, began in 2008 with a visit by Harvard University's Dr Ron Ritchhart and Mark Church as keynote speakers at a full day conference for all GLC staff. In the subsequent five years GLC staff, individually and in some cases a whole schools, have developed their knowledge and skills to develop a vibrant culture of thinking in their classrooms i.e. classroom environments in which thinking is valued, visible and actively promoted as part of the day-to-day experience for students.

On 24 Jan 2013, the GLC Culture of Thinking Champions, our school leaders in the Culture of Thinking Project, staged a one day professional development conference for their fellow GLC staff to build upon prior learning about a Culture of Thinking and move teachers further along the expert path.

To this effect the Champions arranged for Caitlin Faiman, Head of The Rosenkranz Centre for Excellence and Achievement at Bialik College in Melbourne to address first 167 GLC staff, and then work with a smaller group of 35 GLC school leaders.

Caitlin has been involved in the Culture of Thinking Project at Bialik College since its inception in 2005.

She has conducted workshops and presentations at numerous schools and conferences including the annual national ‘Culture of Thinking’ conference hosted by Bialik College.

Several GLC staff, having attended the conference in the past, were inspired by Caitlin and very keen to learn more from the experience of an actual practicing teacher at Bialik College.

Caitlin’s presentations were insightful. She provoked and challenged, as well as encouraged. She provided the GLC with a road map for our school leaders, our Champions and staff, to continue to build a culture in which higher order thinking is at the front and centre of learning in every GLC classroom.

Above - Thankyou Emily from Yr 2 at Norman Park SS for being the model for this profile photo. Thankyou also to the Yr 4 student at Norman Park SS for the use of your wonderful art work showing us your thinking about what is important to you.

Below - Guest presenter Caitlin Faiman addresses GLC delegates at a GLC Culture of Thinking Project Professional Development session on 24 January 2013.

Above - Key teachers from each GLC school meet regularly as Culture of Thinking Champions, leaders of the project within their schools. As a network they plan and host several Professional Development opportunities across the year for GLC staff with the aim of building expertise in Culture of Thinking theory and practice.

Pictured here in progress is the March Induction Session for New GLC staff which was held at Norman Park SS.

GLC NEWSLETTER Editor: Cherry Van Ryt Email: cvanr5@eq.edu.au Phone/Fax: 3399 6821 or 0407 972 242

Above - Bulimba SS Prep students Lucas, Lauren, Anagha and Harvey thinking about light and shadow in preparation for a Shadow Puppet Workshop they attended at the Ipswich Art Gallery.

Many thanks to PRBM Office Supplies for subsidizing the cost of stationery for our Culture of Thinking PD event on 24 January.

Left - The GLC would like to thank Caitlin for her wonderful work for us. The GLC also thanks the Culture of Thinking Champions Group who organised the day. They are pictured here.

From left - Yvette O’Connor - Norman Park SS, Valerie Rogers - Seven Hills SS, Mary Stumchke - Norman Park SS, Caitlin Faiman - Guest Presenter, Joy Pohlner - Cannon Hill SS, Chris Ling - Principal Cannon Hill SS, Antonia Stewart Morningside SS, Rebecca Ramsden- Bulimba SS and Karen Renz - Bulimba SS.

GLC website: www.learningplace.com.au/sc/gbr/glc

The GLC explained The Gateway Learning Community (GLC) concept seeks to support and add value to the work of each school, using networking and partnering to achieve desired outcomes based on matched school priorities more efficiently and effectively.

Right - This Morningside SS Senior Girls player sets up in defence as the pack moves forward to take a shot at goal.

The GLC is not a separate organisation, but simply a congenial arrangement between the seven schools themselves. Over the last eleven years many, many projects and networks have been run under the umbrella of the GLC, some of a large scale involving all GLC schools and others involving smaller across-school groups.

Some projects and networks exist briefly to fulfil short term goals, whereas others run over several years. All have the power to nurture links that previously did not exist, building both formal and informal interconnected webs of professional relationships between teachers, students, parents and the wider community. Some outcomes of GLC projects are direct and visible e.g. an obvious improvement in a student’s skill or interest level after participating in an extension project. Some outcomes are equally valuable but not so immediately measurable e.g. the flow on benefits to students from enhanced teaching practice as a result of GLC staged teacher professional development opportunities and networking.

For all GLC projects some form of evaluation takes place which informs an annual review and planning process by the Coordinating Committee of GLC Principals.

A free kick for Futsal Above - An almost symmetrical move on the ball by two Morningside SS Senior players at the GLC Futsal Carnival.

Although usually considered an indoor sport, the game of Futsal can be successfully played outdoors, as was the case at the GLC Futsal Carnival held on Friday 22 March at the State Hockey Centre at Colmslie.

Twenty two GLC teams from three GLC schools- Cannon Hill SS, Seven Hills SS and Morningside SS- took over the two astro-turf fields, grandstand and surrounds at Colmslie for a day to participate in a round robin competition across three divisions- Junior Boys, Senior Boys and Senior Girls. The events was full of firsts for many of the around 160 students. Their first competitive game of Futsal; their first visit to the State Hockey Centre and the first time they have had the opportunity to play on a synthetic, astro-turf, oval surface.

Games were played continuously, on the half hour, with refereeing supplied by Balmoral SHS Sport and Recreation students and cheering supplied by enthusiastic team mates in the grandstand.

Local Sport and Recreation Officer Daryl Francey, who is based at the State Hockey Centre, assisted the GLC access these state of the art facilities as well as preparing the draw, scoring and acting as a ground official across the day.

Balmoral SHS also co-hosted this event, with PE teacher Dan Nightingale and his students providing both planning support, practical set up and MC duties on the day.

Above - The $9 million state of the art facilities of the State Hockey Centre, Colmslie provided an ideal venue for the GLC Futsal Competition. Pictured here are three senior games in progress playing across the main astro-turf hockey field.

Many thanks to State Hockey Centre management, Daryl, Dan and Balmoral SHS students for all their efforts to ensure the day was ‘awesome’.

Thanks also to the PE teacher from the participating schools- Sarah Spacie at Cannon Hill SS, Sonia Gegenhuber at Seven Hills SS and Karen Powell at Morningside SS, for all the work they put in back in the schools to organise teams, permissions, transport, coaching and supervision for the event.

The primary students gave it their all. Congratulations to the winnersJunior Boys: Senior Boys: Senior Girls:

1st- Seven Hills 1, Tied for 2ndCannon Hill 3 and Seven Hills 2 Tied for 1st Morningside 1 and Seven Hills 1, 2nd- Cannon Hill 2 Tied for 1st- Morningside 2 and Seven Hills 1, Tied for 2ndMorningside 1 and Seven Hills 2

Right - There are strong, ongoing, practical links between the groundsmen of the GLC resulting in efficiencies in work practice and the use of materials. They share tools, equipment and advice and also provide practical assistance on the occasions when more than one pair of hands is needed.

Pictured at the recent network meeting hosted by Bulimba SS are, from left, Brian Saboa- Murarrie SS, Dennis Fitzgerald- Morningside SS, Fred Collishaw- Bulimba SS, Phil Young- Bulimba SS, Brendan Gray- Bulimba SS, Ross Stokes- Cannon Hill SS and Pat Egan- Balmoral SHS.

The Balmoral SHS Band attended a successful music camp in February which gave them a significant head start with their pieces. A concert for their families on return from camp was very well received and demonstrated just how much can be achieved in intensive rehearsal sessions.

Instrumental Music Teacher Kristianne Whiston said, “It was great way for the Band to welcome our new Yr 8's into the program and to learn other team building skills. They are looking forward to performing at the Qld Day celebrations next term and touring the primary schools to showcase what they have learnt.”

Instrumental Music students at Norman Park SS led by teacher Tony Bryer are rehearsing for an upcoming assembly performance, the school's Anzac Ceremony, and are rehearsing a new piece “Majestica” for the End of Semester Concert in June. Seven Hills SS and Norman Park SS both also have junior and senior string orchestras in violin and cello conducted by Margot Flemming.

“Our Yr 6 & 7 Bands across the GLC are doing just as well and preparing to perform for their school and at community events including new events to the Bands calendar- the Qld Youth Music Awards and Battle of the Bands.”

We wish all the instrumental music students, under the guidance of their dedicated instrumental music teachers, all the very best as they rehearse and practise to reach the high standard we enjoy from their band performances.

“Queensland state schools” instrumental music program is the most extensive in Australia and one of the largest under a single authority in the world. It has been found that learning a musical instrument by the age of 12 will actually make a part of a child’s brain larger, in particular the left temporal region.

This has been linked with a better verbal memory and vocabulary when they are adults.” Department of Education and the Arts Senior Education Officer (The Arts) Mike Tyler.

Above - These Morningside SS Instrumental Music students clearly enjoy both playing and performing. They are pictured at a before school rehearsal in 27 March.

Left- The Balmoral Band at a before-school rehearsal under the tutelage of Kristianne Whiston.

Left- Local Sport and Recreation Officer Daryl Francey has an excellent view of the games whilst taking care of scoring and timekeeping. As the score board in the distance says- 1min 16secs left in the game and a hot and humid 31degrees.

GLC Chaplaincy In 2007 the Federal Government introduced funding for school chaplaincy services for the first time. Balmoral SHS, Bulimba SS and Norman Park SS were successful in obtaining this initial funding. Now, in 2013, two more GLC schools, Murarrie SS and Morningside SS have successfully sourced funding, bringing the number of Chaplains working in GLC schools to four.

Our GLC Chaplains are Gary Cazzulino- Balmoral SHS, Bonnie Morris- Norman Park and Bulimba SSs, Taidhg Retford- Morningside SS and Jonathan Gupta- Murarrie SS. Our chaplains provide a much valued service that includes: Curriculum Support including the Peer Support Program, sports coaching, school leadership program, camps and in class activities School activities including school parades, lunchtime activities and programs, special needs team, sports day and other school community activities Community/family support and partnerships including pastoral care, meeting with parents, staff and community The GLC Chaplaincy program is managed by an across school committee of interested school and community members, and is funded in three ways- by the Commonwealth Government through Scripture Union Australia; by fundraising efforts organised by the committee and the schools, and with business sponsorship.

Above - Chaplain Jonathan Gupta helps Murarrie SS students pack their new school bus.

Right & above - Active professional networks are an important long term feature of the GLC. Pictured here is a recent early morning meeting of GLC Business Service Managers.

From left, Chris Wiggins- Bulimba SS, Danielle Thomas- Norman Park SS, Ruth WarrenMorningside SS, Julia Eggmolese- Seven Hills SS and Rose-Marie Mikic- Cannon Hill SS.

“This year there are 90 beginner band students in Yr 5 across Murarrie SS, Bulimba SS, Morningside SS and Cannon Hill SS. That's an increase of nearly 45% from last year, so it is great to see so many more students getting involved.

The annual Beginner Band Camp early in Term 3 will be bigger and better than ever and definitely the highlight of the year for all GLC Yr 5's.”

This was the second sports carnival staged under the GLC banner designed to provide GLC students from Yrs 4 to 7 with the opportunity to participate in a competitive and fun team sporting event and foster friendly competition and sportspersonship when interacting with students from different schools.

Right - Cannon Hill SS students getting into the Futsal action.

Jonathan GuptaMurarrie SS Chapla in

Plans for 2013 are yet to be fully finalized, but in the meantime, the 2012 Annual Operational Plan is still available for viewing on the GLC website.

GLC Instrumental Music Bands, examples of the proud tradition of Instrumental Music in Queensland, have made a great start to 2013, working hard at building their repertoires for many upcoming performances. Norman Park and Seven Hills SSs run their own band programs with teachers Tony Bryer and Margot Flemming, whilst the other five GLC schools- Murarrie, Bulimba, Morningside and Cannon Hill SSs and Balmoral SHS - share one teacher, Kristianne Whiston.

Right - Balmoral SHS Instrumental Music and Rock Band girls pictured here having just participated in raft building and sailing as a team bonding exercise at the annual Balmoral Music Camp held at Kindilan Camp in February.

Below - Vashni, Kelshana, Kaleb and Maddy test out Murarrie SS’s new mini bus.

Jonathan

The GLC has never rested on it laurels, recognising that regular reflection and renewal are vital to maintaining the relevance and passion for what we aim to do as a learning community.

Tuning up for Instrumental Music

Above - These Morningside SS boys got into the spirit of the competition cheering on their team mates from the vantage point of the main grandstand at the State Hockey Centre.

My name is Jonath an, I am currently studyi I have been appointed as chaplain at ng I have been tremend a Bachelor of Education and I am in my Murarrie SS. ously privileged at Mu final year. rar rie.

I have fitted nicely into the role her e and connections with sta hav ff and students. It is e already established true part of. I have been such a wonderful sch giv ool to be a loads of games and en a large room for the children to spe nd time in with activities. I have bee tea m for SP IN OF F n busy organising a fundraising (spinoff.org.au) as well breakfast club happen ing at the end of term as a special bacon and eggs .

I will be attending the going. This is a great Yr 7 Leadership Camp and I am very excited to be way to spend some quality time with the leaders of our school as well as dive a littl e deeper into what it means to be a leader .

It has been a very eve ntfu term and I am just so l blessed to call Murar rie my second family.

Thanks

Then, at the beginning of each year, an Operational Plan is put in place to focus allocated GLC resources and effort into a manageable number of projects and networks, identified as current priority areas of interest and need. Each school determines which elements it wishes to participate in and, in reciprocation, also commits resources to their management and implementation.

The upcoming Mother’s Day High Tea- see advertisement on this page- is the major GLC Chaplaincy Fundraiser and a much anticipated social event on the local calendar.

The GLC thanks Nick Pappas’ Downtown Toyota for continuing this year as our major business sponsor. Nick, as a long term supporter of GLC Chaplaincy, understands the value of having chaplains in schools.

Chaplains support the total school community including students, staff and parents. They significantly complement the support services provided in state schools. School families are not immune to life issues such as illness, divorce, bereavement and students being required to move schools often due to the job transfers of their parents. The schools have found that chaplains assist to build resilience in the children and their families. Key community stakeholders, including P and C Associations have continued to show support for the chaplaincy service within the schools.

Sponsorships and donations made towards Chaplaincy services in state schools are tax deductible. Businesses may like to sponsor our GLC chaplains on a regular monthly or quarterly basis or via one off donations. Interested businesses who would like to know more are invited to contact Allison Crane Principal at Balmoral SHS on 3823 8588.

s, their families, staff and Welcome to a new year. I’m here to support student from providing pastoral the broader school community in any way that I can, programs at school and camps running through , support l care and practica Balmor al High’s after BASE, for food nating co-ordi and Club, like Breaky school study program.

- ‘Wild at Heart’ which is a Some of our plans/programs for the year include a camp that builds new camping program for Yr9 boys at Balmoral. It’s It’s a brilliant program and resilience, team work and a sense of manhood. heaps of fun! e camp, a cluster camp Keep an eye out for more info about Outbreak Extrem the September holidays. for Yrs 8-12 that happens in the second week of It’s five days of intense activities like tubing, laser skirmish and a physical challenge or two. It’s a great program so don’t miss out when the time comes.

Registrations are open online so give me a call at Balmoral for more details.

Don’t forget our Mother’s Day High Tea, hope to see some of you there!

Gary Cazzulino Gary CazzulinoBalmoral SHS Chaplain

Above - Chaplain Gary Cazzulino conducting a team building activity with students from Balmoral SHS

Hey, I am Ta Chaplainc idhg, I have just st y School (and this year at Mor arted ni I am really also at Manly Wes ngside State t enjoying being at M State School) I have be orningside en . staff and focusing on gett in th classes an e students by gett g to know the in d g in around the been a bi t daunting playground, which the at times bu has In week se t re ally good. which was ven I went along to adventure really great fun, dothe Yr 7 Camp, etc. I felt activities like high ing a lot of th ro getting to is really was bene pes, archery, school. know the oldest ye ficial to me in ar level at the I would lik in this rolee to thank you all fo . r your supp ort Bless,

Taidhg

Taidhg Ret

ford- Mor

ningside

Left - Chaplain Bonnie Morris chats with Kevin Rudd on a recent visit by our Federal MP for Griffith to Norman Park SS

Greeting s,I have returned to Norman Park and Bulimba SSs for another year of Chaplaincy. We have and continue to build strong relationships with students, staff, and the community while showing our faith in our service and commitment to each and every individual.

Recently, the Honourable Kevin Rudd came to help announc e the new leaders of Norman Park SS. I talked to him about the importance of chaplains in the schools and what we are achieving. I will continue to speak to anyone who wants to know about the chaplain’s programs and how it affects all the students and staff in schools.

Bless,

Bonn ie Morr is Bonnie Morris- Norman Park SS and Bulimba SS Chaplain

SS Chapl

ain

Wheels to success Most of their day is spent at their computers and books, learning about the latest from the Australian Curriculum.

However, thanks to a Gambling Community Benefit Fund grant, Murarrie SS students now have a beautiful 12 seater mini-bus to enable opportunities to broaden their learning beyond the confines of the classroom out into the real world.

This achievement evolved from a joint vision of Murarrie State School’s Principal, Mrs. Tina Gruss, and the P&C Association as a way to provide students with real-life opportunities, and to celebrate student success with the wider local community. When asked what a bus means to the school, Principal Tina Gruss explained, “A new school bus provides students, staff and parents with the flexibility to explore their immediate area in a metropolitan city, to present their creative talents to the wider educational and local community.”

The bus will certainly be used frequently and well. The Yr 7 students’ first trip has been on a Leadership camp to Brisbane’s Scenic Rim, providing a chance to appreciate the beauty of the country as a backdrop for learning about leadership.

As well as regular shorts trips for sport and cultural activities, later in the year, Prep to Yr 7 students will travel to community centres around the Brisbane area to showcase the Murarrie and Vision Dancers, participate in ‘real life’ shopping trips to purchase plants for their school Hedgemaze, and link with local businesses as ‘active citizens’ when they go out to purchase spare parts for push bikes. The school’s philosophy is to provide the students with an ‘all round’ education so that they leave school as well educated individuals who are respectful of the world around them.

The provision of a school-owned bus greatly assists with this goal.

The school is also willing to share the bus with other GLC schools on an availability basis. Enquiries can be directed to the Murarrie SS school office on 3908 0333.

A way beyond their years Every year amazing women come to speak at the Balmoral SHS International Women’s Day Breakfast.

After graduating from high school in 2010 actor and model Whitney Stacey travelled to Africa for six months, volunteering in a Tanzanian orphanage.

This year, two young women, only a few years on from their own school days, spoke with a maturity and eloquence that impressed and affirmed the all-female audience of Yr 8 -12 students from Balmoral SHS and student leaders from Murarrie, Seven Hills, Morningside and Bulimba SSs.

Returning to Australia, she just could not forget the children and their living conditions, and wanted to do something substantial to help them build a better future. A year on, Whitney has created Monochrome a not for profit organisation committed to providing the children of Errat Care Centre Orphanage in Tanzania with better facilities and ultimately empowering the youth of Tanzania to make a difference in their nation.

Robin Martin, Acting HOD English and The Arts at Balmoral SHS explains, “Our annual breakfast celebration brings girls from the GLC together to hear inspired women speak and to offer the challenge: how will you change our world for the better?”

The inspiration of these incredible young women’s stories was evident as girls gathered around with many questions after the formal part of the event concluded. They were wonderful International Women’s Day ambassadors for our GLC students.

The stories of the two 2013 speakers demonstrated that with a purpose, a vision, passion, tenacity and the drive to learn pretty much anything is possible! They have both achieved personal goals and have been agents of change, building connections within their communities in ways in which they could not have predicted even a couple of years ago.

At 21, Sigrid Sagorski is the co-founder and Editor in Chief of Moustache Magazine, a Brisbane based arts and culture magazine. Sigrid did not at first intend to be involved in publishing. She earlier completed studies in Photography at QUT but rather than embarking on a conventional career path was drawn to address a need in Brisbane for contemporary commentary on local art, photography, music and fashion. By gathering around her a team of creatives and by learning everything she could about publishing, the niche Moustache Magazine was launched in 2011.

The magazine is now into its 2nd print edition, enjoying wide success and acclaim as a springboard to propel the careers of emerging creatives- artists, designers, writers, musicians and photographers.

Above - Murarrie SS student leaders Kaleb and Kelshana with the school mascot, Billy the cat, whose photo adorns the bus.

“International Women’s Day is a very important date for all people in all places in the world. We must strive for equality for all, irrespective of gender, wealth, education or politics. Schools are the perfect place to educate young women about their rights and responsibilities.”

Robin Martin, Balmoral SHS Acting HOD English and The Arts Many thanks to Balmoral SHS staff and students for putting on a fine breakfast and providing beautiful music and art work, that celebrated this day so well, creating links and camaraderie between the girls.

Below - Balmoral SHS students with International Women’s Day guest speakers, Sigrid Sagorski and Whitney Stacey.

Far left - Kelshana from Murarrie SS and Maliaka from Seven Hills SS place their personal mark on the group art work devised especially for International Women’s Day by Balmoral SHS art students.

Left - Kelshana from Murarrie SS, Marni and Phoebe from Bulimba SS, and Rebecca, Sinead, and Evie from Morningside SS enjoy the delicious breakfast courtesy of Balmoral SHS to celebrate International Women’s Day.

The GLC explained The Gateway Learning Community (GLC) concept seeks to support and add value to the work of each school, using networking and partnering to achieve desired outcomes based on matched school priorities more efficiently and effectively.

Right - This Morningside SS Senior Girls player sets up in defence as the pack moves forward to take a shot at goal.

The GLC is not a separate organisation, but simply a congenial arrangement between the seven schools themselves. Over the last eleven years many, many projects and networks have been run under the umbrella of the GLC, some of a large scale involving all GLC schools and others involving smaller across-school groups.

Some projects and networks exist briefly to fulfil short term goals, whereas others run over several years. All have the power to nurture links that previously did not exist, building both formal and informal interconnected webs of professional relationships between teachers, students, parents and the wider community. Some outcomes of GLC projects are direct and visible e.g. an obvious improvement in a student’s skill or interest level after participating in an extension project. Some outcomes are equally valuable but not so immediately measurable e.g. the flow on benefits to students from enhanced teaching practice as a result of GLC staged teacher professional development opportunities and networking.

For all GLC projects some form of evaluation takes place which informs an annual review and planning process by the Coordinating Committee of GLC Principals.

A free kick for Futsal Above - An almost symmetrical move on the ball by two Morningside SS Senior players at the GLC Futsal Carnival.

Although usually considered an indoor sport, the game of Futsal can be successfully played outdoors, as was the case at the GLC Futsal Carnival held on Friday 22 March at the State Hockey Centre at Colmslie.

Twenty two GLC teams from three GLC schools- Cannon Hill SS, Seven Hills SS and Morningside SS- took over the two astro-turf fields, grandstand and surrounds at Colmslie for a day to participate in a round robin competition across three divisions- Junior Boys, Senior Boys and Senior Girls. The events was full of firsts for many of the around 160 students. Their first competitive game of Futsal; their first visit to the State Hockey Centre and the first time they have had the opportunity to play on a synthetic, astro-turf, oval surface.

Games were played continuously, on the half hour, with refereeing supplied by Balmoral SHS Sport and Recreation students and cheering supplied by enthusiastic team mates in the grandstand.

Local Sport and Recreation Officer Daryl Francey, who is based at the State Hockey Centre, assisted the GLC access these state of the art facilities as well as preparing the draw, scoring and acting as a ground official across the day.

Balmoral SHS also co-hosted this event, with PE teacher Dan Nightingale and his students providing both planning support, practical set up and MC duties on the day.

Above - The $9 million state of the art facilities of the State Hockey Centre, Colmslie provided an ideal venue for the GLC Futsal Competition. Pictured here are three senior games in progress playing across the main astro-turf hockey field.

Many thanks to State Hockey Centre management, Daryl, Dan and Balmoral SHS students for all their efforts to ensure the day was ‘awesome’.

Thanks also to the PE teacher from the participating schools- Sarah Spacie at Cannon Hill SS, Sonia Gegenhuber at Seven Hills SS and Karen Powell at Morningside SS, for all the work they put in back in the schools to organise teams, permissions, transport, coaching and supervision for the event.

The primary students gave it their all. Congratulations to the winnersJunior Boys: Senior Boys: Senior Girls:

1st- Seven Hills 1, Tied for 2ndCannon Hill 3 and Seven Hills 2 Tied for 1st Morningside 1 and Seven Hills 1, 2nd- Cannon Hill 2 Tied for 1st- Morningside 2 and Seven Hills 1, Tied for 2ndMorningside 1 and Seven Hills 2

Right - There are strong, ongoing, practical links between the groundsmen of the GLC resulting in efficiencies in work practice and the use of materials. They share tools, equipment and advice and also provide practical assistance on the occasions when more than one pair of hands is needed.

Pictured at the recent network meeting hosted by Bulimba SS are, from left, Brian Saboa- Murarrie SS, Dennis Fitzgerald- Morningside SS, Fred Collishaw- Bulimba SS, Phil Young- Bulimba SS, Brendan Gray- Bulimba SS, Ross Stokes- Cannon Hill SS and Pat Egan- Balmoral SHS.

The Balmoral SHS Band attended a successful music camp in February which gave them a significant head start with their pieces. A concert for their families on return from camp was very well received and demonstrated just how much can be achieved in intensive rehearsal sessions.

Instrumental Music Teacher Kristianne Whiston said, “It was great way for the Band to welcome our new Yr 8's into the program and to learn other team building skills. They are looking forward to performing at the Qld Day celebrations next term and touring the primary schools to showcase what they have learnt.”

Instrumental Music students at Norman Park SS led by teacher Tony Bryer are rehearsing for an upcoming assembly performance, the school's Anzac Ceremony, and are rehearsing a new piece “Majestica” for the End of Semester Concert in June. Seven Hills SS and Norman Park SS both also have junior and senior string orchestras in violin and cello conducted by Margot Flemming.

“Our Yr 6 & 7 Bands across the GLC are doing just as well and preparing to perform for their school and at community events including new events to the Bands calendar- the Qld Youth Music Awards and Battle of the Bands.”

We wish all the instrumental music students, under the guidance of their dedicated instrumental music teachers, all the very best as they rehearse and practise to reach the high standard we enjoy from their band performances.

“Queensland state schools” instrumental music program is the most extensive in Australia and one of the largest under a single authority in the world. It has been found that learning a musical instrument by the age of 12 will actually make a part of a child’s brain larger, in particular the left temporal region.

This has been linked with a better verbal memory and vocabulary when they are adults.” Department of Education and the Arts Senior Education Officer (The Arts) Mike Tyler.

Above - These Morningside SS Instrumental Music students clearly enjoy both playing and performing. They are pictured at a before school rehearsal in 27 March.

Left- The Balmoral Band at a before-school rehearsal under the tutelage of Kristianne Whiston.

Left- Local Sport and Recreation Officer Daryl Francey has an excellent view of the games whilst taking care of scoring and timekeeping. As the score board in the distance says- 1min 16secs left in the game and a hot and humid 31degrees.

GLC Chaplaincy In 2007 the Federal Government introduced funding for school chaplaincy services for the first time. Balmoral SHS, Bulimba SS and Norman Park SS were successful in obtaining this initial funding. Now, in 2013, two more GLC schools, Murarrie SS and Morningside SS have successfully sourced funding, bringing the number of Chaplains working in GLC schools to four.

Our GLC Chaplains are Gary Cazzulino- Balmoral SHS, Bonnie Morris- Norman Park and Bulimba SSs, Taidhg Retford- Morningside SS and Jonathan Gupta- Murarrie SS. Our chaplains provide a much valued service that includes: Curriculum Support including the Peer Support Program, sports coaching, school leadership program, camps and in class activities School activities including school parades, lunchtime activities and programs, special needs team, sports day and other school community activities Community/family support and partnerships including pastoral care, meeting with parents, staff and community The GLC Chaplaincy program is managed by an across school committee of interested school and community members, and is funded in three ways- by the Commonwealth Government through Scripture Union Australia; by fundraising efforts organised by the committee and the schools, and with business sponsorship.

Above - Chaplain Jonathan Gupta helps Murarrie SS students pack their new school bus.

Right & above - Active professional networks are an important long term feature of the GLC. Pictured here is a recent early morning meeting of GLC Business Service Managers.

From left, Chris Wiggins- Bulimba SS, Danielle Thomas- Norman Park SS, Ruth WarrenMorningside SS, Julia Eggmolese- Seven Hills SS and Rose-Marie Mikic- Cannon Hill SS.

“This year there are 90 beginner band students in Yr 5 across Murarrie SS, Bulimba SS, Morningside SS and Cannon Hill SS. That's an increase of nearly 45% from last year, so it is great to see so many more students getting involved.

The annual Beginner Band Camp early in Term 3 will be bigger and better than ever and definitely the highlight of the year for all GLC Yr 5's.”

This was the second sports carnival staged under the GLC banner designed to provide GLC students from Yrs 4 to 7 with the opportunity to participate in a competitive and fun team sporting event and foster friendly competition and sportspersonship when interacting with students from different schools.

Right - Cannon Hill SS students getting into the Futsal action.

Jonathan GuptaMurarrie SS Chapla in

Plans for 2013 are yet to be fully finalized, but in the meantime, the 2012 Annual Operational Plan is still available for viewing on the GLC website.

GLC Instrumental Music Bands, examples of the proud tradition of Instrumental Music in Queensland, have made a great start to 2013, working hard at building their repertoires for many upcoming performances. Norman Park and Seven Hills SSs run their own band programs with teachers Tony Bryer and Margot Flemming, whilst the other five GLC schools- Murarrie, Bulimba, Morningside and Cannon Hill SSs and Balmoral SHS - share one teacher, Kristianne Whiston.

Right - Balmoral SHS Instrumental Music and Rock Band girls pictured here having just participated in raft building and sailing as a team bonding exercise at the annual Balmoral Music Camp held at Kindilan Camp in February.

Below - Vashni, Kelshana, Kaleb and Maddy test out Murarrie SS’s new mini bus.

Jonathan

The GLC has never rested on it laurels, recognising that regular reflection and renewal are vital to maintaining the relevance and passion for what we aim to do as a learning community.

Tuning up for Instrumental Music

Above - These Morningside SS boys got into the spirit of the competition cheering on their team mates from the vantage point of the main grandstand at the State Hockey Centre.

My name is Jonath an, I am currently studyi I have been appointed as chaplain at ng I have been tremend a Bachelor of Education and I am in my Murarrie SS. ously privileged at Mu final year. rar rie.

I have fitted nicely into the role her e and connections with sta hav ff and students. It is e already established true part of. I have been such a wonderful sch giv ool to be a loads of games and en a large room for the children to spe nd time in with activities. I have bee tea m for SP IN OF F n busy organising a fundraising (spinoff.org.au) as well breakfast club happen ing at the end of term as a special bacon and eggs .

I will be attending the going. This is a great Yr 7 Leadership Camp and I am very excited to be way to spend some quality time with the leaders of our school as well as dive a littl e deeper into what it means to be a leader .

It has been a very eve ntfu term and I am just so l blessed to call Murar rie my second family.

Thanks

Then, at the beginning of each year, an Operational Plan is put in place to focus allocated GLC resources and effort into a manageable number of projects and networks, identified as current priority areas of interest and need. Each school determines which elements it wishes to participate in and, in reciprocation, also commits resources to their management and implementation.

The upcoming Mother’s Day High Tea- see advertisement on this page- is the major GLC Chaplaincy Fundraiser and a much anticipated social event on the local calendar.

The GLC thanks Nick Pappas’ Downtown Toyota for continuing this year as our major business sponsor. Nick, as a long term supporter of GLC Chaplaincy, understands the value of having chaplains in schools.

Chaplains support the total school community including students, staff and parents. They significantly complement the support services provided in state schools. School families are not immune to life issues such as illness, divorce, bereavement and students being required to move schools often due to the job transfers of their parents. The schools have found that chaplains assist to build resilience in the children and their families. Key community stakeholders, including P and C Associations have continued to show support for the chaplaincy service within the schools.

Sponsorships and donations made towards Chaplaincy services in state schools are tax deductible. Businesses may like to sponsor our GLC chaplains on a regular monthly or quarterly basis or via one off donations. Interested businesses who would like to know more are invited to contact Allison Crane Principal at Balmoral SHS on 3823 8588.

s, their families, staff and Welcome to a new year. I’m here to support student from providing pastoral the broader school community in any way that I can, programs at school and camps running through , support l care and practica Balmor al High’s after BASE, for food nating co-ordi and Club, like Breaky school study program.

- ‘Wild at Heart’ which is a Some of our plans/programs for the year include a camp that builds new camping program for Yr9 boys at Balmoral. It’s It’s a brilliant program and resilience, team work and a sense of manhood. heaps of fun! e camp, a cluster camp Keep an eye out for more info about Outbreak Extrem the September holidays. for Yrs 8-12 that happens in the second week of It’s five days of intense activities like tubing, laser skirmish and a physical challenge or two. It’s a great program so don’t miss out when the time comes.

Registrations are open online so give me a call at Balmoral for more details.

Don’t forget our Mother’s Day High Tea, hope to see some of you there!

Gary Cazzulino Gary CazzulinoBalmoral SHS Chaplain

Above - Chaplain Gary Cazzulino conducting a team building activity with students from Balmoral SHS

Hey, I am Ta Chaplainc idhg, I have just st y School (and this year at Mor arted ni I am really also at Manly Wes ngside State t enjoying being at M State School) I have be orningside en . staff and focusing on gett in th classes an e students by gett g to know the in d g in around the been a bi t daunting playground, which the at times bu has In week se t re ally good. which was ven I went along to adventure really great fun, dothe Yr 7 Camp, etc. I felt activities like high ing a lot of th ro getting to is really was bene pes, archery, school. know the oldest ye ficial to me in ar level at the I would lik in this rolee to thank you all fo . r your supp ort Bless,

Taidhg

Taidhg Ret

ford- Mor

ningside

Left - Chaplain Bonnie Morris chats with Kevin Rudd on a recent visit by our Federal MP for Griffith to Norman Park SS

Greeting s,I have returned to Norman Park and Bulimba SSs for another year of Chaplaincy. We have and continue to build strong relationships with students, staff, and the community while showing our faith in our service and commitment to each and every individual.

Recently, the Honourable Kevin Rudd came to help announc e the new leaders of Norman Park SS. I talked to him about the importance of chaplains in the schools and what we are achieving. I will continue to speak to anyone who wants to know about the chaplain’s programs and how it affects all the students and staff in schools.

Bless,

Bonn ie Morr is Bonnie Morris- Norman Park SS and Bulimba SS Chaplain

SS Chapl

ain

Wheels to success Most of their day is spent at their computers and books, learning about the latest from the Australian Curriculum.

However, thanks to a Gambling Community Benefit Fund grant, Murarrie SS students now have a beautiful 12 seater mini-bus to enable opportunities to broaden their learning beyond the confines of the classroom out into the real world.

This achievement evolved from a joint vision of Murarrie State School’s Principal, Mrs. Tina Gruss, and the P&C Association as a way to provide students with real-life opportunities, and to celebrate student success with the wider local community. When asked what a bus means to the school, Principal Tina Gruss explained, “A new school bus provides students, staff and parents with the flexibility to explore their immediate area in a metropolitan city, to present their creative talents to the wider educational and local community.”

The bus will certainly be used frequently and well. The Yr 7 students’ first trip has been on a Leadership camp to Brisbane’s Scenic Rim, providing a chance to appreciate the beauty of the country as a backdrop for learning about leadership.

As well as regular shorts trips for sport and cultural activities, later in the year, Prep to Yr 7 students will travel to community centres around the Brisbane area to showcase the Murarrie and Vision Dancers, participate in ‘real life’ shopping trips to purchase plants for their school Hedgemaze, and link with local businesses as ‘active citizens’ when they go out to purchase spare parts for push bikes. The school’s philosophy is to provide the students with an ‘all round’ education so that they leave school as well educated individuals who are respectful of the world around them.

The provision of a school-owned bus greatly assists with this goal.

The school is also willing to share the bus with other GLC schools on an availability basis. Enquiries can be directed to the Murarrie SS school office on 3908 0333.

A way beyond their years Every year amazing women come to speak at the Balmoral SHS International Women’s Day Breakfast.

After graduating from high school in 2010 actor and model Whitney Stacey travelled to Africa for six months, volunteering in a Tanzanian orphanage.

This year, two young women, only a few years on from their own school days, spoke with a maturity and eloquence that impressed and affirmed the all-female audience of Yr 8 -12 students from Balmoral SHS and student leaders from Murarrie, Seven Hills, Morningside and Bulimba SSs.

Returning to Australia, she just could not forget the children and their living conditions, and wanted to do something substantial to help them build a better future. A year on, Whitney has created Monochrome a not for profit organisation committed to providing the children of Errat Care Centre Orphanage in Tanzania with better facilities and ultimately empowering the youth of Tanzania to make a difference in their nation.

Robin Martin, Acting HOD English and The Arts at Balmoral SHS explains, “Our annual breakfast celebration brings girls from the GLC together to hear inspired women speak and to offer the challenge: how will you change our world for the better?”

The inspiration of these incredible young women’s stories was evident as girls gathered around with many questions after the formal part of the event concluded. They were wonderful International Women’s Day ambassadors for our GLC students.

The stories of the two 2013 speakers demonstrated that with a purpose, a vision, passion, tenacity and the drive to learn pretty much anything is possible! They have both achieved personal goals and have been agents of change, building connections within their communities in ways in which they could not have predicted even a couple of years ago.

At 21, Sigrid Sagorski is the co-founder and Editor in Chief of Moustache Magazine, a Brisbane based arts and culture magazine. Sigrid did not at first intend to be involved in publishing. She earlier completed studies in Photography at QUT but rather than embarking on a conventional career path was drawn to address a need in Brisbane for contemporary commentary on local art, photography, music and fashion. By gathering around her a team of creatives and by learning everything she could about publishing, the niche Moustache Magazine was launched in 2011.

The magazine is now into its 2nd print edition, enjoying wide success and acclaim as a springboard to propel the careers of emerging creatives- artists, designers, writers, musicians and photographers.

Above - Murarrie SS student leaders Kaleb and Kelshana with the school mascot, Billy the cat, whose photo adorns the bus.

“International Women’s Day is a very important date for all people in all places in the world. We must strive for equality for all, irrespective of gender, wealth, education or politics. Schools are the perfect place to educate young women about their rights and responsibilities.”

Robin Martin, Balmoral SHS Acting HOD English and The Arts Many thanks to Balmoral SHS staff and students for putting on a fine breakfast and providing beautiful music and art work, that celebrated this day so well, creating links and camaraderie between the girls.

Below - Balmoral SHS students with International Women’s Day guest speakers, Sigrid Sagorski and Whitney Stacey.

Far left - Kelshana from Murarrie SS and Maliaka from Seven Hills SS place their personal mark on the group art work devised especially for International Women’s Day by Balmoral SHS art students.

Left - Kelshana from Murarrie SS, Marni and Phoebe from Bulimba SS, and Rebecca, Sinead, and Evie from Morningside SS enjoy the delicious breakfast courtesy of Balmoral SHS to celebrate International Women’s Day.

Invitation

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Making Numeracy Count

Each weekend during July is an opportunity to taste and buy aged, special release and back vintage wines at cellar doors across the reg ion.

Follow wine trails, attend very special events, long lun ches and delicious degustation dinner s with rare aged museum wines.

Visit ww w. co on aw ar ra full program of events or .or g for a follow us on

Ingredients for Sara B’s New recipes

Pink lady apples Cannellini beans Celery Walnut oil & walnut pieces

Elephant garlic Fresh herbs… sage & sweet paprika Fennel bulbs Baby ginger Watercress Prosciutto crudo

Left - Students experimenting with the properties of colour and shape at Seven Hills SS.

Over the two years 2011 to 2012, 40 GLC teachers participated in a professional development research project focussing on an aspect of numeracy called proportional reasoning, run by a team of University of Queensland academics and funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC). The formal aspects of the funded project have been completed but the drive to ensure that proportional reasoning is explicitly taught in GLC schools, not just in Mathematics classes but all across the curriculum, continues. One of the UQ researchers, Associate Professor Shelley Dole, in the 25 January 2013 edition of Education Views, explains the importance of proportional reasoning this way“Numeracy is a topic that features prominently in discussions about education and school outcomes, and strong calls have been made for a 'back to basics' approach to numeracy.

However, being numerate is more than knowing your tables and being able to do sums. Numeracy is about being able to apply mathematics knowledge as needed in everyday life. It includes mental computation and estimation and being comfortable around numerical information.

One basic but less obvious aspect of numeracy is proportional reasoning. Many real-world situations require proportional reasoning, or working out relative amounts: Which is the better buy if 1kg costs $3.50 and 1.5kg costs $4?

How long will it take to get somewhere when travelling at different speeds?

Is 4c per litre always better than a 5 per cent discount on your petrol bill?

Draw me a 'mud map' of the path from your house to my house.”

The Gateway Learning Community is Balmoral State High School, Bulimba State School, Cannon Hill State School, Morningside State School, Murarrie State School, Norman Park State School and Seven Hills State School.

Above and below - Allison Crane, Principal of Balmoral SHS and Michael Zeuschner, Principal of Bulimba SS, accept Certificates of Acknowledgment from UQ researcher Shelley Dole for their schools’ involvement in the ARC Numeracy Project.

Shelley explains that the ARC project “explored students' proportional reasoning capacity and has found accelerated growth as a result of a focus on proportional reasoning in the classroom.

Teachers have reported students' greater capacity to recognise situations of comparison in relative terms and hence improved numeracy outcomes.”

Throughout the project, the researchers demonstrated how simple materials could be used actively and creatively with students from Yr 4 through to Yr 9 to demonstrate complex mathematical concepts associated with proportional reasoning.

Participants trialled these and their own approaches in the classroom and measured student progress along the way.

As a final summation, and to bring together the various project groups, the research team staged a conference on 16 February this year at the University of Queensland, which several Principals and teachers from the GLC project were able to attend.

The GLC would like to thank our University of Queensland partnersProf. Marilyn Goos, Dr. Geoff Hilton, Dr Annette Hilton and Assoc. Prof.

Shelley Dole - for their inspiring workshops and dedicated research for the improvement of numeracy learning.

Below - A scene from the ‘premiere’ viewing of the animation project between Balmoral SHS Yr 11 and 12 students and the Year 4/3Mc students of Seven Hills SS.

ISSUE 36 APRIL 2013 Staff from seven local state schools, located between the Bulimba reach of the Brisbane River and the Gateway bridges, first met together in 2002 to explore the strategic possibility of formally working together and with the wider community as a learning community, the Gateway Learning Community (GLC), to build the schools’ collective capacity and, in doing so, improve educational opportunities for the now 2800 students.

Our GLC schools realized that to be a vibrant and viable local hub of learning in the 21st century we needed to break down traditional ’school fence’ boundaries, work smarter and utilize the power of community interconnectedness.

Over the past 11 years, there have been many, many collaborative projects, events and networks driven by our passionate Principals, staff, parents and students which have fulfilled the mission of the GLC, and which have been recorded and celebrated in word and photo in this quarterly GLC newsletter. Now, here we are in 2013 producing the 36th issue!

As you browse through the pages please note the wonderful advertising sponsors, several of whom have been advertising here since the beginning. They, along with our graphic design and publishing partners, Jackie Cann and John Harrison from MakeArtWork, make the publication of this colour broadsheet possible. We thank them for their continued support.

Above - Rebecca, Marmeau, Tom, Eli and Rohan from Cannon Hill SS pictured here using a Culture of Thinking routineSee, Think, Wonder- to generate ideas for their clay modelling art works.

The GLC turning classrooms into cultures of thinking

Above - Concentrating hard to develop writing skills at Morningside SS.

Above - A view of a presentation at the Australian Research Council (ARC) linked “Proportional Reasoning as a Key to Numeracy Across the Curriculum” Project Conference held on 16 February at the University of Queensland.

Animated worlds The age difference may have been five or six years but, through the universal medium of animation, students from Yrs 3 and 4 at Seven Hills SS and Yrs 11 and 12 at Balmoral SHS found a common voice.

It all came about when a teacher at Seven Hills SS, Susan McKinnon, contacted Balmoral SHS in the hope of tapping into the computer skills of high school students to ‘animate’ paintings, drawings and audio tapes her students had created as self portraits and on the theme ‘The world that we choose’.

Balmoral SHS teacher Rhona Page and her Yr 11/12 class took up the challenge. Each high school student was linked with one primary student’s work. They photographed, hand coloured and then combined all the raw elements into short film animations, making the mouths of each self portrait move, synchronised with the speech, and with the elements of that student’s themed painting ebbing and flowing within the screen. The effect was to transport the viewer into an imaginary animated world that communicated the social message of the art and audio in a clear and powerful way.

The primary students met their co-creators when they visited Balmoral SHS on 12 November last year for the ‘premiere’ viewing of ‘The world that we choose’. As each student’s animation was screened came a delighted moment of recognition and amazement at how the ‘magic’ of animation had ‘brought to life’ their artworks.

All who attended were moved by the artistry, technique and message of this collaborative work.

Thank you and congratulations to Susan, Rhona and all the students for your dedication to this very successful across GLC schools’ project.

Above - Balmoral SHS teacher Rhona Page shows the visiting primary students from Seven Hills the techniques and how much work goes into putting together an animation. The young students were enthralled by the process and grateful to their high school buddies for converting their art works and dialogue into such creative sequences.

Gateway Learning Community c/o Balmoral State High School Thynne Road, Morningside, Qld 4170 P.O.Box 120, Morningside, Qld 4170 Phone & Fax: 07 3399 6821

GLC website: www.learningplace.com.au/sc/gbr/glc

Above A Morningside SS Prep student pictured here discovering lots of things about plants and soil.

Left - A group investigation underway at Norman Park SS

Let’s start with a joke.

What did the standardized test say to the Culture of Thinking teacher when it encountered something it didn’t understand? Sorry, I just don’t have the disposition for this.

Hilarious! O.K. maybe a bit obscure… to explainStandardized Test refers to a test like NAPLAN that seeks out ‘right’ answers.

Disposition refers, not just to a general tendency but, in Culture of Thinking terms, to the specific tendency to use higher order thinking to ‘explore a range of possible answers’.

Replace ‘disposition’ with ‘higher order thinking’, and the double meaning becomes clearer.

Actually it’s not so funny when you think about it. It raises the serious questionwhat lessons from school do we want our children to remember as adults?

Here in the GLC we want our students to “be equipped with the thinking skills and dispositions to thrive in an age where facts are free and it is what we do with knowledge that counts.” (Simon Brooks, Masada College) Projects that investigate ways children learn, that go further than standardized scores and certificates, and that place ‘thinking’ at the centre of learning, have been a feature of the collaborative activities of the seven GLC schools.

One of these, The GLC Culture of Thinking Project, began in 2008 with a visit by Harvard University's Dr Ron Ritchhart and Mark Church as keynote speakers at a full day conference for all GLC staff. In the subsequent five years GLC staff, individually and in some cases a whole schools, have developed their knowledge and skills to develop a vibrant culture of thinking in their classrooms i.e. classroom environments in which thinking is valued, visible and actively promoted as part of the day-to-day experience for students.

On 24 Jan 2013, the GLC Culture of Thinking Champions, our school leaders in the Culture of Thinking Project, staged a one day professional development conference for their fellow GLC staff to build upon prior learning about a Culture of Thinking and move teachers further along the expert path.

To this effect the Champions arranged for Caitlin Faiman, Head of The Rosenkranz Centre for Excellence and Achievement at Bialik College in Melbourne to address first 167 GLC staff, and then work with a smaller group of 35 GLC school leaders.

Caitlin has been involved in the Culture of Thinking Project at Bialik College since its inception in 2005.

She has conducted workshops and presentations at numerous schools and conferences including the annual national ‘Culture of Thinking’ conference hosted by Bialik College.

Several GLC staff, having attended the conference in the past, were inspired by Caitlin and very keen to learn more from the experience of an actual practicing teacher at Bialik College.

Caitlin’s presentations were insightful. She provoked and challenged, as well as encouraged. She provided the GLC with a road map for our school leaders, our Champions and staff, to continue to build a culture in which higher order thinking is at the front and centre of learning in every GLC classroom.

Above - Thankyou Emily from Yr 2 at Norman Park SS for being the model for this profile photo. Thankyou also to the Yr 4 student at Norman Park SS for the use of your wonderful art work showing us your thinking about what is important to you.

Below - Guest presenter Caitlin Faiman addresses GLC delegates at a GLC Culture of Thinking Project Professional Development session on 24 January 2013.

Above - Key teachers from each GLC school meet regularly as Culture of Thinking Champions, leaders of the project within their schools. As a network they plan and host several Professional Development opportunities across the year for GLC staff with the aim of building expertise in Culture of Thinking theory and practice.

Pictured here in progress is the March Induction Session for New GLC staff which was held at Norman Park SS.

GLC NEWSLETTER Editor: Cherry Van Ryt Email: cvanr5@eq.edu.au Phone/Fax: 3399 6821 or 0407 972 242

Above - Bulimba SS Prep students Lucas, Lauren, Anagha and Harvey thinking about light and shadow in preparation for a Shadow Puppet Workshop they attended at the Ipswich Art Gallery.

Many thanks to PRBM Office Supplies for subsidizing the cost of stationery for our Culture of Thinking PD event on 24 January.

Left - The GLC would like to thank Caitlin for her wonderful work for us. The GLC also thanks the Culture of Thinking Champions Group who organised the day. They are pictured here.

From left - Yvette O’Connor - Norman Park SS, Valerie Rogers - Seven Hills SS, Mary Stumchke - Norman Park SS, Caitlin Faiman - Guest Presenter, Joy Pohlner - Cannon Hill SS, Chris Ling - Principal Cannon Hill SS, Antonia Stewart Morningside SS, Rebecca Ramsden- Bulimba SS and Karen Renz - Bulimba SS.

GLC website: www.learningplace.com.au/sc/gbr/glc