Table of Contents

1. Welcome from Our Head of School, Steve Wilson.

Welcome to the first edition of EdNews from UWS, the new e-newsletter of the School of Education, University of Western Sydney. EdNews will contain news of the achievements of our students and staff, and events, projects and partnerships the School of Education is undertaking. We hope that you enjoy this and future issues, and welcome your feedback on this initiative.

(Associate Professor) Steve Wilson

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2. UWS Early Childhood Education team working with Chilean Government

UWS Early Childhood Education academics, Dr. Christine Woodrow, Dr. Linda Newman and Dr Leonie Arthur, along with Oriana Blanco (a UWS early childhood graduate), Lucia Salinas Briones (translator and interpreter) and Isabel Pena from the UWS School of Languages, have been working with the Chilean government and key early childhood organisations to assist in developing the quality of early childhood education in Chile.

As the name of the project suggests, Programa Futuro Infantil Hoy aims to develop the capacity of families and local communities to support and enrich their children’s learning. At this stage the project focuses on 5 early childhood centres in a low socio-economic area in Antofagasta in the north of Chile.

The current focus of the project is enhancing the literacy learning of children from diverse families, and building on community practices and funds of knowledge. The UWS team recently conducted a series of professional learning workshops with educators to further develop their capacity to create literacy-enriched play environments and interest-based projects that scaffold children’s literacy. A separate family workshop was also organized and was very well attended. Families were invited to share their everyday literacies and very enthusiastically talked, wrote and drew about the ways they include their children in literacy practices.  

UWS staff are also working collaboratively with the University of Antofagasta to research the changes that are occurring as a result of the project.

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A parent participating in a family workshop in Antofagasta.

3. Maxine McKew talks with UWS Early Childhood students

In April the School of Education was fortunate to receive a visit from the Hon. Maxine McKew, Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Education and Care.  Her visit was part of  promoting the Rudd Government's early childhood education policies on raising the status and education levels of teachers and workers in the early childhood sector.

Ms McKew toured the Penrith campus, visiting one tutorial group of students studying the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies.  She listened to a number of students who have come into this program after completing the Diploma of Children's Services, and heard how they felt supported and prepared to undertake university study.  Our students were clearly interested in the government's commitment to early childhood education, and asked some very good questions of Ms McKew.

Maxine later met with the Vice Chancellor, Janice Reid, the Executive Dean of the College of Arts, Wayne McKenna, the Head of the School of Education, Steve Wilson, the Head of Early Childhood Programs, Leonie Arthur, Christine Woodrow, a senior academic in early childhood studies, and Linda Newman, a senior lecturer in early childhood education, to discuss UWS programs and receive feedback on government policies.  Of particular focus was the need to improve government funding of teacher education programs, which have lagged behind the funding of other disciplines in recent years.

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Maxine McKew with Janice Reid, Wayne McKenna and Steve Wilson.

4. Recent Events.

Aspiring teachers able to move straight into teaching degree: “Straight into Teaching” 2009

The UWS School of Education recently held their “Straight into Teaching” event at Bankstown and Kingswood campuses. This is an evening in which UWS students aspiring to become teachers have the opportunity to submit their course application, have it evaluated and receive an offer for the course of their choice in the one night.

Rebecca, a 21 year old Arts student who dreams of becoming a Primary teacher, remarked, “It’s great to be able to talk to the academics face to face about my application and have my questions answered on the spot. I have tried getting information about Education courses from other universities but my emails and phone calls got me nowhere.”

“Straight into Teaching” ensures friendly, expert and professional assistance is given to all students and for this reason has consistently been a great success for the School of Education.

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Aspirant Teachers at "Straight into Teaching 2009"event.

Annual UWS School of Education Beginning Teacher’s Forum 

The annual UWS School of Education Beginning Teacher’s Forum for primary teachers was recently held in May. The day began with a keynote address from Mr Mick Kelly, current Principal of Mt. Druitt Public School. Mr Kelly provided insight on what principals are looking for in new teachers and support that can be provided for them in their first few years of teaching. A second keynote was given by Ms Kylie Bryant, an ex-UWS student who spoke of her experiences as a new teacher. Of interest to many participants was Kylie’s presentation on how she developed  evidence for her professional portfolio which was successfully accepted without change. The day also included a range of workshops covering classroom management, creativity in the classroom, Primary Connections (Science and Literacy), Maths and Aboriginal issues.  Thank you to UWS academics Assoc. Professor Diana Whitton, Dr Katrina Barker, Dr. Janice Hall, Maree Gruppetta, Rob Waters, Cathy Attard and Mandy McArdle for their hard work on the day and Dr Robyn Gregson for convening this event.

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Ms Kylie Bryant sharing the process of her successful submission of a portfolio for the Institute of Teachers.

5. New Staff Profile - Adjunct Professor Lindsay Wasson

The School of Education recently appointed Mr Lindsay Wasson as an Adjunct Professor.  Lindsay is the recently retired Regional Director of the Western Sydney Region of the NSW DET. Since 2005 Lindsay has worked closely with the UWS School of Education on a number of initiatives, including the Ningbo graduate student volunteer and research program in partnership with the DET, the Centre for Educational Research at UWS, and the Ningbo Bureau of Education; the Positive Behaviour for Learning Project in western Sydney schools; the establishment of Lachlan Macquarie College for mathematics and science education at Parramatta, and on the Board of the Nirimba Education Precinct.  The School of Education is looking forward to continuing its relationship with Professor Wasson as we draw on his expertise in our continued development of leading-edge teaching, research and community engagement programs.  At a recent UWS graduation ceremony for education graduates, Lindsay received an Honorary Fellowship of UWS in recognition of his 38 years of service to public education and his distinctive and important contribution to the University.

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Adjunct Professor Lindsay Wasson

6. School of Education Students work with African Refugees

Students Marny Yu and Jackie Scott, from the UWS School of Education have been raising funds for the African Women’s Sewing Group. They have undertaken this project as part of one of their subjects Learning Through Community Service (LCS) - Student’s in Free Enterprise (SIFE). SIFE provides students at UWS with the opportunity to make a difference in their communities. It aims to develop leadership, teamwork and communication skills through learning, practising and teaching the tenets of their academic discipline to enable others to participate more fully and effectively in the economic and social life of the nation.

By holding BBQ's, chocolate drives and charity nights the students have raised enough funds to produce a total of 12 sewing kits filled with the essential resources needed to produce quality handmade items. Marny Yu says that "These kits are a great way for the sewing group to produce their beautiful handmade items which they can sell for a profit at their local festival and markets". Furthermore she stated, “We really felt this project will be of great benefit. It is often said that by valuing the local skills of the community is also valuing the local people. It provides people with an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution andit strengthens the level of self-reliance and social capital within the community”.

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Marny Yu, Barbara Bosley (President of Rotary Bulli/Northern Illawara) and Jackie Scott

7. Alumni - Are you a Graduate of UWS School of Education?

Then you’re invited to join the Education Alumni. This is a group which enables graduates who share a common interest in the teaching profession the opportunity to remain involved as a community. It supports the networking of UWS graduates by fostering cooperative communication among peers, colleagues, UWS School of Education and partnership educational settings. The Education Alumni also works closely with the UWS School of Education Knowledge Network to provide education seminars, school partnerships and research. The Education Alumni is currently being reinvigorated and is looking for new members. If you are interested in joining please visit the link to the application for membership form. 

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8. Contact Us.

Contact details for the School of Education.

Office Locations
Building 4, Bankstown Campus
Building J/K, Penrith Campus (Kingswood)

Postal Address
School of Education
University of Western Sydney
Locked Bag 1797
Penrith South DC NSW 1797
Australia

Newsletter contributions:
Contact ednews@uws.edu.au

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