intouch Magazine Education & Training Feature August 2018

The Alice Campions L to R Jenny Crocker, Jane Richards, Jane St Vincent Welch and Denise Tart.

From Reading Together...

To Writing Together

“None of us had had fiction published, so our success has taken us by surprise. It’s the stuff of fairytales,” said Denise.

So how did they do it? Their system involved each of the Campions writing a "scene" before bringing it back to the group to be workshopped. Then a different Campion would take it home for more work, so no Could your book club actually write a book? one scene was written by just one person.

This is the task a group of book club friends The first book took them over three years to write, however, Penguin Random House set themselves a few years ago while on gave them a deadline of only 12 months a weekend away in the Blue Mountains. to produce the sequel. "We had to up the After discussing Dostoyevsky’s Crime regime so that we religiously met twice a and Punishment (and downing a few week," Denise Tart said of their second vodkas to celebrate the Russian theme), novel. "By now we had developed our they wondered out loud if such a thing systems, the first time around we were just was possible. They were well-read, they rolling along having a great time. When it all reasoned, had good ideas, how hard could got a bit unwieldy, we had to reel it in." it be? They grabbed pens and paper, came Since the books’ publication, the up with a rough plot and characters and set the wheels in motion for what has become a Sydney-based Alices have given talks about this incredible journey they’ve be on and rollicking ride into the publishing world.

Four years later, their novel, The Painted run sessions on collaborative writing at the Sky, was finished and immediately snapped Sydney Writers' Festival, Writers Victoria (Wheeler Centre), NSW Writers Centre, up in a three-book option by Penguin Society of Women Writers (NSW), Japan Random House, the biggest publisher in Writers Conference, the inaugural St Albans the world. Their publisher told the five they Writers Festival, the Jugiong Writers’ Festival had read the manuscript over a weekend and many libraries and events across and “couldn’t put it down”. They also couldn’t believe it was written by five people Sydney, Central West NSW and right down “because it had such a strong and seamless the eastern seaboard to Geelong.

And now, you can catch the four Alice voice”. The book was also the subject of a bidding war in Germany before being bought Campions when they share the highs, the lows and the hilarious moments at by giant publisher Ullstein.

Rutherford Library, Arthur Street, Rutherford The book hit the shelves in 2015 under on Friday, 3 August 6pm to 8pm - bookings the pen-name Alice Campion and the five through www.maitlandlibrary.com.au/ “Alices”, Jenny Crocker, a communications events; or at Speers Point Library on manager, Maddy Oliver, a workshop Saturday 4 August 10am to 11am convenor, Jane Richards, a journalist bookings through at The Sydney Morning Herald, Jane St www.eventbrite.com.au Vincent Welch, a documentary film editor Meanwhile, you can find out more and Denise Tart, a marriage celebrant about the women behind this world-first have been busy collaborating ever since. A commercial collaboration at Alice Campion’s second book, The Shifting Light, a sequel, Wikipedia page or by watching their fivewritten by four of the Alices was published minute video on YouTube. in February last year.

Meet the book club friends who wrote two novels together and had them snapped up by the world’s largest publisher.

Supporting Your Lifestyle...

Enriching Happiness Residential Care • Retirement Living • Community Services Maroba creates healthy ageing by enriching lifestyles every day for their residents, clients and families. Join our vibrant community and live life to the fullest by choosing programs that suit your lifestyle.

Explore our Exhibition Days as we showcase the best Maroba has to offer:

DAY 1 Thursday 30th August

DAY 2 Friday 31st August

Senior Lifestyle Solutions 10am – 3pm.

Exhibition stands featuring Cooking Demonstrations, Tai Chi, Massages and much more.

Education & Career Pathway Opportunities 10am-3pm.

Exhibition stands from Smart Training & Consultancy Group, University of Newcastle, Health and Wellbeing.

Information sessions capturing: • Retirement Living • Community Services • Residential Care • Financial Planning Tips Free BBQ Lunch

Information sessions capturing: • Recruitment and Training Opportunities • Aged Care Partnerships and Traineeships Links • Leadership – Be Inspired to Drive your Career Free BBQ Lunch

To request a copy of the program please email us.

We can offer you Emergency Respite!

58 Edith St, Waratah • PH 4935 0300 E reception@maroba.com.au • www.maroba.com.au

SMART TRAINING

with Maroba for a Fabulous Career Smart Training and Consulting Group (RTO ID 91785) Maroba is an award-winning aged care provider, offering residential care, retirement living and community services.

The Maroba team, led by CEO, Viv Allanson is truly dedicated to providing service excellence within the aged care industry, and it is their commitment to the sector that was the driving force behind Maroba’s recent decision to acquire Registered Training Organisation (RTO) Smart Training and Consulting Group.

As a subsidiary of Maroba, Smart Training and Consulting Group will be well positioned to become the preferred provider of aged care training across the Hunter.

“The standard of care provided at Maroba will serve as a benchmark for the quality of educational programs delivered,” said Viv. RTO Operations Manager, Kylie Williams heads up the Smart Training and Consultancy Group. Her overall goal is to enrich the lives of as many people as possible, via high-quality education and training. Alongside Kylie is Compliance Officer, Jennifer Campbell.

With a combined experience of over 25 years in the industry and a true passion for adult education, this dynamic duo has the commitment and the expertise to bring Maroba’s vision to life.

Further complimenting the RTO team is the Director of RTO and Clinical Excellence for Maroba, Angela Carey. Angela brings over 20 years’ experience in the aged care industry and strong connections with local businesses. Angela is well versed in how to produce a quality product.

“I feel we can well meet the needs of the aged care industry because we are the industry. Our local connections also allow us to diversify and provide a training product that will meet the demands of local businesses in the broader community,” said Angela.

“In addition to aged care programs, we will also offer Leadership and Management, Allied Health, Hospitality, Business, Literacy and Numeracy courses. Our program delivery will primarily be via face to face combined with handson learning.

“Technological advances make a number of delivery models possible in modern society. While we certainly embrace modern technology to provide flexible and innovative options to our learners, we will combine this with a “back to basics” approach to optimise successful learning outcomes for our students. We want our graduates to complete their qualifications and feel competent and confident in their chosen vocation,” added Kylie.

“Our programs will target students still at school, those new to the workforce and people already working, who wish to progress their career via a vocational training program.

Qualifications range from Certificate 1 to Diploma level. We are here to meet the needs of the industry and to provide a supportive educational journey for our learners.”

Smart Training and Consultancy Group and Maroba will be holding Open Day Events on August 30 and 31. Day one (August 30) will have a focus on ‘Senior Lifestyle Solutions’ which includes residential care, retirement living, community services with exhibition stands, while day two (August 31) will focus on ‘Career Opportunities & Development’ with Smart Training and Consulting Group pathways, Maroba career opportunities and learning institutes links.

“We will be capturing everything both businesses have to offer,” said Viv. “Come and experience for yourself our businesses which create meaningful experiences day after day.”

For more information, please call Maroba on 4935 0300 or Smart Training and Consultancy Group on 0411 434 456.

FREE ENTRY Fair Games and Food Stalls Art Show and Live Music

Pony Rides and Petting Zoo LIVE AUCTION

Amusement Rides Colour Fun Run macquariecollege.nsw.edu.au/springfair

Pre-school 8.30am - 3.00pm

Monday to Friday

ENROL FOR 2019 Newcastle Grammar School Pre-school encourages children to discover who they are and how they fit into their world.

Essential to this is the freedom to inquire, explore, experiment, create, discover, connect, contribute and communicate in a safe, fun and challenging environment that focuses on the year before school.

CONTACT: (02)4929 5811 - enrolments@ngs.nsw.edu.au

Sprouting it from the Rooftops Newcastle Grammar School takes learning to the top!

The rooftop of Newcastle Grammar School’s Hill Campus has always been a pretty special spot, with enviable views across the city and harbour. But it is set to become even more valuable with the launch of the school’s latest project aimed at taking learning out of the classroom and into the environment -- a rooftop garden.

Technology teacher Mr Chris Wyatt is leading the project that will not only see the rooftop turned into a sustainable garden supplying fresh produce but will generate energy, incorporate aquaponics and foster the growth of Newcastle’s native bee population.

From the garden to the kitchen The rooftop garden has just been planted for the first time and is set to produce vegetables to be used in Food Technology courses.

“Students will plant what they need ongoing in the course, and be able to harvest directly from the garden beds,” Mr Wyatt says.

In turn, waste from the Food Technology kitchen will be collected to produce compost for the garden.

Next year, aquaponics will also be incorporated into the garden – a self-sustaining system of growing fish in a symbiotic combination with plants. The fish live in the base of the tank, and their waste produces nitrogen and food for the plants, which grow in clay bowls at the top of the system, producing clean water for the fish.

Bringing STEM to life Mr Wyatt says the garden will become home to a variety of lessons across the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) curriculum for students of all ages, teaching problem-solving along with other key skills.

“We’ll be able to use the garden for Food Technology and science lessons, as well as across other departments – there are opportunities to integrate it across a number of curricula.”

“We have a strong focus on STEM education and a big part of this is looking at physics around us and how energy is produced and utilised.

“The garden offers an exciting opportunity for students to have a real-world connection

and one of the ideas already being discussed among students is to incorporate solar energy into the aquaponic system to run the pumps.”

Year 12 Biology students hope to use the garden to conduct experiments on hydrangea alkalinity while it will enable Year 7 Mathematics students to put a garden design unit into practice.

Some of the school’s Year 11 students are also looking at ways of automating the garden, using technology to monitor aspects like sunlight availability and moisture levels to help guide planting.

Mr Wyatt says the students are driving the garden’s development, putting forward suggestions about how it is designed and what elements are incorporated.

During the recent school holidays, several year 11 students chose to spend time at school preparing the garden beds for planting, and two students are currently writing a proposal to put to school management about establishing a honeybee hive to complement the garden.

A holistic approach to education Head of Newcastle Grammar School, Mrs Erica Thomas, says the rooftop garden is a fitting addition to the school as it celebrates its centenary and takes an innovative approach to learning for the future.

“The garden is a perfect example of our school’s holistic approach to education,” says Mrs Thomas. ”We recognise that learning doesn’t just take place within the four walls of the classroom and that student wellbeing and connection to community are integral to academic success, and to enabling every student to reach their potential.”

She says the garden will form a valuable resource to support the school’s forwardlooking, integrative approach to STEM education.

“This project will help bring learning to life across a wide range of subjects, especially in STEM, which we know provides students with skills that are not only critical to supporting future innovation in Australia but are increasingly sought by employers regardless of the career pathways students pursue.”

Abuzz with opportunities Newcastle Grammar School students are set to enter the mysterious world of beekeeping, with a hive for native bees to be established in tandem with the new rooftop garden.

Technology teacher Chris Wyatt is also an avid apiarist and currently keeps six honeybee hives at his home. He will oversee the establishment of the new school hive, which will be home to a stingless species of bee called Tetragonula carbonaria, which thrives in the north-east coast of Australia and is one of only a handful of native species that creates colonies and is stingless.

“We certainly need to protect our native bees, which face the threat of loss of habitat,” Mr Wyatt says.

The hive will have a perspex lid so students can monitor its development, and the bees are expected to travel to the rooftop garden to pollinate the plants.

Mr Waytt says their beekeeping not only gives students new experiences and skills but can teach them how to work towards a goal, how to work in collaboration and show them the value of contributing to their community.

In keeping with Newcastle Grammar School’s Positive Education Framework which focuses on giving students wellbeing skills hand-in-hand with academic achievement, he says beekeeping and gardening are great stress-relievers, encouraging mindfulness and focus. ”I have a passion for students learning selfsufficiency, but I think the most powerful aspect is really on student wellbeing. Students will have the opportunity to interact with the environment, to slow down, and to take time to appreciate what is around them.”

Learning has never looked better!

Learning something new can be daunting. That’s why WEA Hunter is with you. Whether its vocational qualifications, to enhance your career, or just for fun, there is something for everyone at WEA Hunter.

Accredited study not for you but still want to learn? Study Mental Health First Aid or one of the array of new lifestyle courses, there is never a better time to try something new.

WEA Hunter is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO No 90020) offering many qualifications from Certificate 1 up to Diploma level. Coming up in Term 4 are skill sets to ‘Jumpstart Your Career’ in Business, Hospitiality, Retail, Aged Care and Disability. These short courses will be available at Lake Macquarie, Cessnock, Raymond Terrace, Newcastle and Maitland.

From computers to cooking, abseiling to Auslan, makeup tutorials to small engine maintenance, WEA Hunter wants you to take a leap into learning and realise your potential.

Want something smaller than a skill set and already working? WEA Hunter has Tech Savvy for Small Businesses where owners and employees can enhance their work in computing, marketing or customer service.

Many of WEA Hunter’s courses are subsidised by the NSW Government (eligibility criteria apply).

For those interested in understanding the workforce and mental health issues many people face, why not consider undertaking an accredited unit, CHCCCS003 Increase safety of individuals at risk of suicide.

Want to get ready for holiday work with the good weather coming up?

Well WEA Hunter can train you in RSA and RCG to be work ready.

As an approved VET Student Loans provider, WEA Hunter is offering Diploma level qualifications starting in Term 4 and Term 1 of 2019 both online and face to face. Visit our website to find out the latest courses and the eligibility criteria.

Term 4 has it all, check out our Magazine or jump onto our website.

On top of that is the Academy of Creative Arts which offers after school programs in drama, singing and musical theatre. Come and see our performances at WEA’s Creative Arts Space, 145 Beaumont Street Hamilton.

Looking further ahead…again in 2019 WEA will be providing VET programs for secondary students. Vet programs for secondary school students give people a taste of what interests them and meets their aspirations – helping them to make a more informed career decision, giving them a head start, and making the transition into the workplace much easier, they just need to talk to their school careers advisor.

If you’ve never been to WEA before, expect small classes, where individuals can get the attention they need to bring out the best. For accredited programs WEA provides student support services with you all the way. WEA Hunter can tailor learning to your needs.

Explore all the courses on offer online at www.weahunter.edu.au or call 02 4925 4200.

It’s time to invest in yourself.

You are ready.

WE Are here. www.weahunter.edu.au | 02 4925 4200

Whether you want to learn more about Makeup for your own interest or if you want to work in a fast-paced and exciting role, then ICON Makeup Artist Course and workshops are for you.

ICON is an industry leader in its field of training.

Students have gone on to work in fashion, creating editorial and runway makeup plus many students work with Bridal Makeup, Photographers as well as TV and film makers.

ICON breeds awardwinning talent and is recognised on the world stage as a quality training facility.

Makeup Artistry can offer you a career that is exciting and full of creative fun.

Come and experience the quality training for yourself!

Download our Course Guide @ iconschoolofmakeup.com or email Karen at karenfabulis@yahoo.com

www.iconschoolofmakeup.com

Give Kumon Maths or English a Try this August, for Free!

If you’re looking for a classroom where every student is learning something different, perhaps you should give Kumon at try.

With Education Centres in Belmont, Lakelands and New Lambton, Kumon’s Maths and English Programmes tailor its teaching to each student’s individual needs and abilities so that students progress at a pace that is just right for them. This means that the abilities of students who can tackle advanced material are adequately stretched and those who may be falling behind can take their time, and master a concept before moving on.

“I did Kumon as a child, starting in primary school, because I struggled with mathematics. It really did help me as I went from studying remedial maths to achieving High Distinctions in statistics in university”, explains Julie, whose son Thomas studies at the Kumon Centre in Belmont.

“Thomas has always been great at mathematics, however, I didn’t feel he was reaching his full potential in the subject”, Julie says. “I needed something more for him.”

Thomas says Kumon has helped him become more organised, self-motivated, and has taught him how to balance his study and tennis commitments. Thomas plays tennis at the representative and state level.

“Like how I need to train my body for tennis, Kumon is training my brain”, Thomas said. “It has helped me to be more organised and to be in charge of my own homework.”

Kumon is running a two-week Free Trial throughout August. Please contact your nearest Kumon Centre to learn more.