Brighton Secondary School
Newsletter ISSUE 3 I May 2012
From the Principal The Apple Summit for Educational Leaders from all around the world was held in Geneva this year. The 2011 Singapore Summit provided me with powerful learning, especially an approach called “Challenge Based Learning”. This year’s summit in Geneva did not disappoint. It seems that Challenge Based Learning is taking off right around the world. You can find out more at www.challengebasedlearning.org There were inspirational and motivated speakers including John Couch, the Vice President of Apple Education; Chip Heath, author of “Switch”; the head physicist at CERN (Centre for European Nuclear Research) and Ray Zahab, who ran for 111 days across the Sahara Desert. His story is profiled in a film by Matt Damon. There were many more outstanding presentations demonstrating how students learn with iPads. The interactivity of the iPad is conducive to learning. I was particularly impressed with the iBook software, provided free through iTunesU to schools. Teachers and students are able to create their own textbooks. The interactive textbooks already available make learning so much more engaging. The thousands of Apps on the iPad are excellent learning and teaching tools. Once you have experienced the App, “Solar Walk”, you can not imagine learning the same from a drawing in a textbook.
The School Formal was a resounding success for students as well as teachers. The organising team deserves high praise. The successful Professional Development days provided the teachers with time to learn the new Australian Curriculum. Some staff are already trialing the Australian Curriculum this year in preparation for 2013 at which time all staff will be required to teach it. The Governing Councillors attended the Governing Council Sunday conference at the Haven Marina where they heard about the legal aspects of governance as well as an introduction to the “Rite Journey” program for Year 9 girls and boys. This looks like an interesting approach to helping 14 year olds take on responsibility and enter adult life. Olivia O’Neill Principal
Department for Education and Child Development T/A South Australian Government Schools CRICOS Provider Number: 00018A
305 Brighton Road North Brighton, SA 5048 P 618 8375 8200 F 618 8296 0949 E admin@brightonss.sa.edu.au www.brightonss.sa.edu.au
Staff at the BSS Year 12 Formal
BRIGHTON SECONDARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER I ISSUE 3 I May 2012
Responsibility | Integrity | Fairness | Co-operation | Respect | Excellence
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