Award for ‘life-changing’ teacher
Airfield plan
Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au A BENTONS Square kindergarten teacher has been named the 2016 Early Childhood Teacher of the Year for what is described as her “lifechanging work with children with additional learning needs”. Meagan Hull received the $10,000 award which “marks the achievements and commitment of early childhood professionals across five categories”. These include promoting children’s health and wellbeing, supporting parents, creating collaborative community partnerships, and improving access to early learning. Ms Hull leads a team of 14 teachers and educators at Community Kinders Plus, whose members also work with early intervention specialists such as occupational and speech therapists and physios, at Mt Martha House, Biala Peninsula and Mornington Park schools. She said the services assisted children with special needs at kinder while the pupils absorb the benefits of being with “normal” children in a classroom environment. “They learn from each other and that model of service delivery works well,” she said. “It works well with their parents, too, as having a child with special needs can be isolating. Parents then have the opportunity to connect with the outside community.” Attending kinder may be the only mainstream education that many of
Learning curve: Teacher Meagan Hull interacts with Ashlee Murray, Stella McNeil, Kendal Christie and Hamish Dreger. Picture: supplied
the special needs children have, she said. “If they have very significant needs they may go on to a specialist development school making it really important for their families to feel connected with their community. “All being educators together helps us recognise the value of inclusion as it encompasses so much.” Ms Hull is using the personal development award to travel to the US in
May where she and early intervention teacher Jacqui Zuidema will attend a three-day conference in North Carolina and visit kindergartens in Nashville, Tennessee. “I am going with Jacqui as it is important to share the knowledge and experience gained with someone else,” she said. “This creates a flow-on effect and the knowledge helps everyone else.”
Bentons Square kindergarten has four four-year-old groups and two three-year-old groups, with two of the four-year-old groups linking with Biala. Families and Children Minister Jenny Mikakos said the awards, in their 11th year, recognise the “crucial work early childhood professionals do to make a difference to the lives of Victorian children and families”.
THE long term operation and safety of Tyabb airfield is being scutinised as part of the preparation of a precinct plan by Mornington Peninsula Shire. “Council recognises that the airfield and the surrounding areas require careful consideration and the development of a policy and planning framework to provide for the long term operation of the airfield while protecting the safety and amenity of residents,” shire strategic projects manager Allan Cowley said. As well as making written submissions residents can attend three drop-in sessions being organised with consultants hire by the shire, Kneebush Planning and Arcadis. Mr Cowley said that “as a first step” the consultants wanted to hear residents’ “initial views on the issues that should be addressed in the plan”. “The drop in sessions will provide an opportunity for informal discussion of any issues that you wish to raise.” The sessions will be held at Tyabb Community Hall, 1535 Frankston-Flinders Rd, Tyabb, 6-7 tonight (Tuesday) and 2-3.30pm and 6-7.30pm Wednesday 29 March. For more information or to make a separate appointment with the consultants call the shire on 5950 1967 or email martin.chin@mornpen.vic. gov.au. Written comments can also be emailed to Mr Chin or sent to: Manager – Strategic Projects - Tyabb Airfield Precinct Plan, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, Private Bag 1000, Rosebud 3939. Initial submissions should be lodged by the 7 April.
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Mornington News
28 March 2017
PAGE 11