INTOUCH MAGAZINE - Education & Training Special Feature

Education & Training Feature November 2021

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Education & Training Feature

LOOKING TOWARDS

a Brighter Future

AT ATWEA COLLEGE

WORDS ROWAN COX EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ATWEA COLLEGE

As we approach the end of 2021, we look back at another year that has seen us overcome more challenges in the face of an enduring pandemic. To overcome these challenges, Atwea College has had to prove our agility and responsiveness once again. Our main goal is to always provide inclusive and accessible education to our students. We strive to ensure their success, despite the barriers they may face. We are here to support them in their learning journey and make sure they achieve the outcomes they desire. Educational attainment is increasingly important as the demand for skilled employees grows. A modest improvement, especially in the educational outcomes of young Australians, would result in significant economic gains.

Atwea College and Alesco Senior College do more than just educate students. We prepare them for life – developing communication skills, self-discipline and respect for themselves, their peers and their world. We also strongly believe in the benefits of a rounded education, including the teamwork, self-expression and personal development that happens outside the classroom.

At Alesco, we know young people who complete Year 12 have a greater likelihood of being employed throughout their adult life and are less likely to be reliant on welfare compared to their peers who do not complete school. Our school aims to develop students into independent and successful learners, confident and creative individuals, and active and informed citizens – giving them all the skills, knowledge, and capabilities to thrive.

In the first week of September, Atwea College celebrated a worldwide week dedicated to highlighting the outcomes of adult learning. For Adult Learners Week this year, we celebrated with the theme ‘Change Your Story’. We have an incredibly diverse student base from all walks of life who want to change their lives. We are always proud to be a vehicle through which they make this change, steering them toward a brighter future where they have choice and opportunity. If they want to make the change, we will do whatever it takes to make this happen.

Atwea has been highly successful in attracting funding to support skills training in emerging areas of vocational pursuit. This is about identifying areas of employment need in our region and then working closely with employers and funding bodies to develop accredited courses. We want to ensure we can support our region’s economic recovery through education, training and community development. Students who enrol with community education providers such as Atwea consistently show the greatest increase into employment of any provider type. Community education graduates were also the most satisfied with assessment, the most satisfied with the overall quality of training and the most willing to recommend their training providers.

We are also very proud of our ‘Learn for fun’ courses which enable health and wellbeing, engagement in recreational pursuits and increased community participation. As we come out of lockdown, we can offer the community the chance to reconnect with others, learn new skills and hobbies, and help them to grow as people.

So, as we approach the end of another year, we would like to congratulate all of our students at Atwea College and Alesco Senior College who have completed or are completing their studies and wish them all the very best for the future. We hope we have provided you with the support and confidence to take the next step in your journey.

From nationally accredited training to learning for fun, to finishing high school, Atwea is here for you. With ten campuses throughout the Hunter and Mid-North Coast, we are within reach.

For more information on what we can do for you, visit www.atwea.edu.au or call us on 02 4925 4200 www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 2

Education & Training Feature

PHOTO: LEWIS MORLEY MAKEUP: REBECCA GARRETT HAIR: WADE AMBLER

An Iconic CAREER CHOICE

Since starting out in 2003, ICON School of Makeup has produced hundreds of talented Makeup Artists, some working in their own businesses, others working for large cosmetic companies or makeup stores and others using their skills in various roles.

These talented alumni regularly return to ICON to add their makeup experience and expertise to the school’s industry-focused training. In doing so, ICON’s emerging makeup artists can learn to be professionals in their chosen careers.

If you think this industry might be for you, ICON is currently taking enrolments for 2022.

For more information and to secure your spot now, get in touch via the website. You could be part of this exciting career choice with the support of ICON’s actively working makeup artists, helping to kick-start your career as a professional makeup artist.

For ongoing inspiration, follow ICON on Instagram and Facebook or visit the YouTube channel to see the beautiful work the school’s trainers, alumni and students are creating.

WEB: www.iconschoolofmakeup.com INSTA & FACEBOOK: @iconschoolofmakeup YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/user/ MakeupByICON

PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP ARTIST COURSE FEBRUARY-MAY 2022

LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE

ENROL NOW! www.iconschoolofmakeup.com

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ESTABLISHED 2003

Pirouetting towards CONTINUED SUCCESS Newcastle is home to one of the most prestigious full-time dance training colleges within the country. National College of Dance (NCD), nationally renowned for producing some of the best dancers in Australia, continues to do so with their trainees sought after worldwide. Like every industry, Dance has been substantially affected by COVID, but NCD has forged ahead and been able to pivot the studio towards continued success. Or should we say ‘pirouette?

In these challenging times, NCD has ensured its dancers maintain their elite training and return to the studios ready to take on the remaining year while planning for a great 2022.

NCD (formally the Marie Walton Mahon Dance Academy) has been a mainstay in Dance over the past 45 years in Newcastle. From strength to strength, NCD has kept elite dance training in Newcastle on the Australian dance map, attracting some of the very best students from all over Australia to the region to train with them.

This year, Artistic Director Brett Morgan OAM celebrates his tenth anniversary and is beyond proud to continue developing and growing a dance legacy. Over the last ten

years, students from NCD have represented Newcastle (and Australia) in the most prestigious international ballet competitions in the world, including the Prix de Lausanne in Switzerland, the Asian Grand Prix, and the Youth American Grand Prix. They have also been recognised with the highest accolades at our prestigious competition, the Sydney City Eisteddfod. But with all these accolades, how has COVID contributed to the continued success of NCD? “We’ve had approx. 10-15 students graduate our full-time Diploma program each year with 100% placements into national and international programs every year,” said Brett.

“We’ve been fortunate to maintain that amazing result for the past five years, and even throughout the past two years with COVID, our students have graduated and continued their pursuit of a career in Dance in many overseas countries. Our dancers keep in contact and regularly let us know how high our standard of teaching is, and most importantly, how well prepared they feel in their new international programs.”

Brett says that the team at NCD have worked to recognise and adapt programs to ensure that students can maintain their training from home, working with them in groups and individually via Zoom.

“Teaching via zoom at an elite level requires a different level of teaching style which adapts to being able to translate dance steps and communicate with students at another level,” agreed CEO Vicki Morgan.

“We are in awe of our teachers, their professionalism, and dedication both in our college and junior academy. Our teachers have dedicated their professional careers to dance, and they are now passing on their experiences to our NCD students,” she said.

BRETT MORGAN CREDIT DANCETRAIN MAGAZINE

“Our students couldn’t have better role models.”

Even in the light of COVID, NCD has implemented numerous new aspects within the studio that may not have been implemented had COVID not occurred, introducing initiatives that give students an incredible experience, with Zoom workshops and classes that have allowed them to touch many students they may not have reached with only face to face classes.

“With COVID, we had to change the way we approached providing dance classes, and we all agree at NCD that many amazing opportunities have arisen from it,” Vicki said.

Now back face to face learning, NCD college and junior academy will continue to offer a host of classes both instudio and online.

And with an exciting, jam-packed year ahead, an end of year production in December, hosting the annual Newcastle Summer Dance Intensive in January (17-20th) and planning for a huge gala event in May, they are pirouetting straight towards success. Keep up (if you can!) on Facebook and Instagram @nationalcollegeofdance #ncd.

Leading Australian Artists booked.

17-21 JANUARY 2022

Newcastle Summer Dance Intensive 2022 ENQUIRE TODAY

REGISTER USING THESE LINKS:

P 02 4952 9294 www.nationalcollegeofdance.com

10-12yrs: bit.ly/SS10-12yrs

14yrs+: bit.ly/SS14yrs

13-14yrs: bit.ly/SS10-12yrs

Pre Professional: bit.ly/SSPreProfessional www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 4

Education & Training Feature

MACQUARIE COLLEGE AWARD WINNING, FORWARD THINKING Local school Macquarie College (MC) has been named one of the most innovative and forward-thinking schools in Australia by leading education industry magazine - The Educator Australia.

School Principal, Rohan Deanshaw, says that MC's pursuit of its strategic intent - to work with students to co-evolve a new exemplar of future-focused schooling that contributes to the transformation of global education, was key to winning the prestigious award.

"A key element of such co-evolving is to ensure that the young people who attend MC are at the centre of any

decision-making process that has the potential to impact either their learning or their day-to-day lived experience as members of the MC community," said Mr Deanshaw.

"Such intentionality is critical to the learning program at MC as we seek to intentionally equip our young people for the communities and workplaces of the future."

Whilst MC remains committed to being an exemplar of current credentialing (HSC, ATAR) through the comprehensive implementation of student-centred, data-informed, best practice teaching and learning, we are equally committed to ensuring the K-12 journey of each young person at the school is one of adventure and possibilities.

Adventure in the sense that learning, both formally and informally, engenders a sense of wonder, excitement and fun.

And possibilities mean that each young person is afforded the opportunity through such learning to imagine, and then move towards, a future for themselves that explores the full breadth of their capabilities.

A ready example of such a learning experience at MC is the MC X program, in part for which MC was a recipient of this award.

Based upon the global competencies of the 6 C's citizenship, character, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking and communication, the MC X program offers students the opportunity to learn design thinking principles using a blend of hand and power tools, along with current technology, and the various ways to approach problem solving and creative challenges. The student-driven and hands-on nature of the program was inspired through time spent by MC staff at the d.school at Stanford University as well as the Brightworks School in San Francisco and High Tech High in San Diego.

Located in MC's Design Labs, MC X has inspired a deep culture of investigation, iteration, and ideation, creating demand from students for the design labs to be available to them before and after school and at recess and lunchtimes.

It is evident through the rush to participate in these free times (young people will literally run to get to the design labs) that students value the opportunity to design, create, test, refine and recreate their ideas into prototypes.

Several student businesses have been inspired through the MC X program, with 3D printers, laser cutters and numerous associated technologies and hand tools getting a workout creating various prototypes prior to a final product being sold at the MC X Marketplace. With the 'informal' learning that occurs through projects such as designing prototypes before building their chair for use at school being linked directly to the 'formal' learning outcomes in Mathematics, Creative Arts and Science, in some instances, students who would otherwise struggle to stay engaged with long sessions of 'bookwork' come alive in the design labs, where they have the freedom to imagine and create. Parents have reported many positive impacts of the MC X program on their young people, with the design thinking principles even being applied to social situations as young people deal with the challenges they face in the course of everyday life.

For the young people at MC, the focus is on their future.

Limited vacancies are available for 2022 and beyond.

Contact Sarah in the Registrar's Office on 4954 6222 to enquire or visit www.macquariecollege.nsw.edu.au To learn more about the 5 Star Innovative Schools Award, visit www.theeducatoronline.com/k12/best-ineducation/5star-innovative-schools-2021/278847

Now Enrolling for 2023

Limited vacancies in some year levels available for 2022.

Kindergarten at Macquarie College is an exciting time of discovery and learning.

We provide a wide variety of innovative opportunities that stimulate and engage.

Our focus is on developing core literacy, numeracy and cognitive skills in a play-based setting, valuing fun and movement. Give your child the best start with our research-based approach to learning.

Visit our brand new website to learn more www.macquariecollege.nsw.edu.au

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Education & Training Feature

INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED QUALIFICATIONS

from Pollet's Martial Arts At Pollet's Martial Arts, you'll find a class for every family member with 30+ classes each week and opening hours of 50+ hours weekly.

At Pollet's, you will quickly feel part of the community in a friendly, supportive, non-intimidating atmosphere. There are no fitness level requirements and no experience level requirements. Instead, the team offer you encouragement and motivation to make ongoing improvements.

With Pollet's Martial Arts, you'll find they approach health from all angles, covering physical, emotional, spiritual and mental health, resulting in well-balanced, thriving and fulfilled students.

If you would like to invest in skills and qualifications in Karate, Traditional Weapons, Kempo Jiu-Jitsu or Muay Thai, your grades with Pollet's Martial Arts are Internationally recognised and reputable.

They also offer private lessons in all disciplines for those who would like a kick start or gain a competitive edge or for those who work out of town or irregular hours.

Pollet's also runs resilience and selfdefence programs at Daycare facilities, OOSH, Primary and Secondary Schools.

So give the team a call today on 4952 2444 to book a free trial class for yourself or the whole family! Visit www. facebook.com/polletsnewcastle for more information.

Gratitude for our Teachers AT AN AL L-TI M E HI GH

A survey undertaken by GroupTogether has shown that fifty-six per cent of Aussie parents feel more grateful for teachers since Covid-19.

The online group gifting platform utilised by over 500K users to take the hassle out of group gifting shows that the majority of

parents have discovered a new appreciation for teachers since homeschooling and lockdown, with NSW parents leading the gratitude train.

Of the 56% of parents who are more grateful for their child's teacher since COVID-19 hit Australian shores. 34.5%

stated that they appreciate teachers much more since COVID-19 hit, and 21.5% appreciate teachers a bit more than before the pandemic. Conversely, 39.5% said they felt the same gratitude as before Covid, although many went on to say that was because they already valued them.

Women are more likely to give a gift to their child's teacher this year, with 91% of women planning to give a gift to their child's teacher. However, men were not far behind, with 84% planning to give their child's teacher a gift this year.

NSW parents were the highest percentage of parents planning to give a group gift (rather than an individual gift).

When it comes to showing their gratitude to their teacher at the end of the year, 51.5% said they planned to contribute to a group gift from the whole class, and 35.7% are planning a gift just from their own child.

Only 12.8% don't intend to give a gift to their child's teacher.

Julie Tylman and Ali Linz founded GroupTogether after spending a ton of time shopping, wrapping and giving gifts that were not necessarily wanted or needed.

The idea was to use simple technology to do the chasing, keep track and avoid the 'awkward'. As a result, less time is wasted, less packaging is wasted, and the recipient gets a better gift. We want to make it easier

to do good things for your people.

"With the pandemic leaving teachers exhausted and parents in awe of the many roles that teachers play, we are sure that this year teachers will be extra grateful for a class group gift such as an AnyCard where they can choose what to use the voucher towards - whether that be to help them relax, with household expenses or to treat themselves after a long, hard year," said Julie.

"For those who just want to sign the card without contributing, that is fine too. It has been a tough year for so many of us, and we all just want to show gratitude to our teachers, whether that be through a group gift contribution or a beautiful, meaningful group card."

How much do parents contribute towards a group teacher gift? The average amount that a family contributes towards a group teachers' gift is $22.74. This amount is either for one teacher or is put towards a group gift for multiple teachers and support staff. Ironically, this amount has slightly decreased, with parents contributing $23.97 in 2017, $23.20 in 2018, $22.51 in 2019 and $22.28 in 2020.

If you've been put in charge of organising a group gift, save yourself a significant headache and get onto www.grouptogether.com www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 6

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