The Bulletin 9 June 2016 Term 2 - Issue 7

Using Data for Effective Leadership

Dr Sandy Heldsinger is leading the development of the Brightpath assessment and reporting software in schools. 

Sandy co-ordinated the WA system-level assessments, has taught masters level course in educational assessment for a number of years and has led the development of  a wide range of resources, including reporting software, to support schools in using assessment to improve student performance.

Sandy recently developed the central components of the Western Australian Curriculum Outline for WA’s School Curriculum and Standards Authority and she co-authored What teachers need to know about assessment and reporting which was published by the Australian Council for Educational Research. 

This professional learning course is to be held at Aiswa on July 12. Please register ASAP as registrations for this course will be closing soon.French language & cultural centre

French language & cultural centre - Open Day

The Western Australian Mining Club, in conjunction with the mining company Independence Group, are offering a scholarship to one indigenous WA student who wishes to study or work in the mining industry in 2017. 

This scholarship is worth $10,000. Entries close on the 30th of June 2016. They encourage all indigenous students (either year 12 or recently finished school) to apply for this fantastic opportunity. Independence Group may also offer additional financial support to the winning student, if applicable, to assist with travel costs etc.

Additional information is available here and the application form can be located here. 

STEM, STEAM or HASS? Interrogation models of curriculum integration - Sydney 14 and 15 October 2016

Currently there is great interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and STEAM (STEM with the Arts) to enhance student engagement, to encourage more students into STEM subjects in senior secondary schooling, and to promote STEM related programs in tertiary education. Concurrently, there is also a push to foster integration across the learning areas (History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship, and Economics and Business) in the revised F-6/7 HASS curriculum as a pathway for meaningful learning in the primary and secondary school curriculum.

This symposium will consider STEM and STEAM as well as other approaches to integrating school subjects including the integration of the learning areas across the subjects in HASS. Please click here for more information and to register.

Schools Reconciliation Grants

Reconciliation WA are partnering with SGIO, to provide six $2,000 grants (including GST) to selected schools in Western Australia to help establish reconciliation initiatives in school communities.

Grant applications are welcomed from primary and secondary schools in metropolitan or regional communities in Western Australia.

The application form is attached and is also available Expired Link

Quintilian School Parent Education Series featuring Parenting Specialist, Maggie Dent

National Science Week and the Perth Science Festival

National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology and thousands of individuals – from students, to scientists to chefs and musicians – get involved, taking part in more than 1000 science events across the nation. This year Perth will launch National Science Week with the annual Perth Science Festival, on the 13th and 14th of August! This vibrant Festival features a range of stallholders, performers, and guest speakers such as New York’s biotechnology aficionado Ellen Jorgenson.

The Festival engaged over 26,000 people in hands-on science activities in 2015, and is set to bring the Perth Cultural Centre to life again for 2016!

See here for more information on this fun filled event.