The AEU offers a range of services to members with publications, professional development, health services, access to credit unions and advice on superannuation, finance and legal matters. Being a member of the AEU provides a host of benefits, which you can read more about HERE
Recently, I attended "Taking the Lead in a Time of Change," a one day Early Years Education Conference offered exclusively to AEU Members. There were around 200 delegates from across Victoria from both the Early Childhood Sector and the Early Years of Primary Sector. This year was a special occasion with respect to bringing both these sectors together for the very first time and tailoring a conference to suit the needs of the delegates that actively work in this area.
As you are well aware, there is much focus at the moment on how valuable our Early Childhood Development area is, and how crucial it is for children to have a solid and steadfast transition into Primary Schools to continue on their educational journey.
I must say from a Professional Development point of view, it was extremely valuable and I walked away from the day feeling extremely EMPOWERED and grateful for the insight I had been privy to from the workshops I had chosen to attend. I would strongly advocate that you keep this weekend free in your calendars for 2011 and experience yourself a powerful and inspiring Conference. Enjoy the networking from other Educators that comes from it as well.
I also had the privilege of hearing Mary Bluett, (AEU Branch President) give a brilliant opening speech, but more so Angelo Gavrielatos (AEU Federal President) bring passion and commitment to the AEU's current campaign focused around the My Schools website and the evolution of the so called "League Tables."
As you are well aware, there is much focus at the moment on how valuable our Early Childhood Development area is, and how crucial it is for children to have a solid and steadfast transition into Primary Schools to continue on their educational journey.
I must say from a Professional Development point of view, it was extremely valuable and I walked away from the day feeling extremely EMPOWERED and grateful for the insight I had been privy to from the workshops I had chosen to attend. I would strongly advocate that you keep this weekend free in your calendars for 2011 and experience yourself a powerful and inspiring Conference. Enjoy the networking from other Educators that comes from it as well.
I also had the privilege of hearing Mary Bluett, (AEU Branch President) give a brilliant opening speech, but more so Angelo Gavrielatos (AEU Federal President) bring passion and commitment to the AEU's current campaign focused around the My Schools website and the evolution of the so called "League Tables."
Due to the sensitive nature of this Political Campaign, I won't discuss it here, but I do strongly suggest you read further for your own insight into the campaign HERE.
The AEU is still in the process of uploading notes from the Conference Workshops (I attended Dealing with Difficult People and Transition to School (which still haven't been uploaded)
My recommendation at this present time would be to go HERE and have a look at what presenters have downloaded notes from the day.
In particular though, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE download the power point presentation given in the opening by Ross Dean from the Victorian Educational Leadership Consortium.
If you ever see something advertised involved Ross Dean, I would highly recommend including yourself in it. Ross also ran the workshop Dealing with Difficult People, based around the important role of identifying intent. I will let you know when his workshop notes have been downloaded to the site.
Of particular interest though, the topic of "4 rooms of change" came up as an approach to reduce/eliminate bullying in schools and/or the workplace.
The rooms act like an "emotional barometer" and it's a way for individuals to assess and reflect upon how they are feeling at any point during their day. In terms of classrooms, it's being used as a tool to "manage emotions and hence allow a visual cue to the tone of classrooms."
In some classrooms, each student has their name on a magnetic button. During the day, the student is responsible for placing their named magnetic button in the room according to how they are feeling. It is fluid, emotions vary throughout the day pending how the student feels, what may have happened during a class, or at recess/lunch. It not only lets the student be responsible and aware for his/her behaviour, but allows classmates to gauge how their peers are feeling and for teachers to monitor and act accordingly to emotions being displayed.
I took the liberty of Googling and having a bit more of a read on this subject and the links can be found below. For picture links, please click on the picture and it will take you to the page of reference.
Bullying in Schools, Lessons from Scandinavia read HERE
I am looking forward to notes also being published from the Transition - A positive start to school (Jenny Mayo, Tina King and Pippa) This workshop also highlighted Kindergartens/Preschools being built on actual school sites now to allow closer relationships and further enhance transition from preschool to school. Tina has been kind of enough to supply me with her presentation, transition from a Principal's point of view. If you would like to a copy of this, please send an email to me c/o the Network and I will forward it on to you.
The AEU is still in the process of uploading notes from the Conference Workshops (I attended Dealing with Difficult People and Transition to School (which still haven't been uploaded)
My recommendation at this present time would be to go HERE and have a look at what presenters have downloaded notes from the day.
In particular though, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE download the power point presentation given in the opening by Ross Dean from the Victorian Educational Leadership Consortium.
If you ever see something advertised involved Ross Dean, I would highly recommend including yourself in it. Ross also ran the workshop Dealing with Difficult People, based around the important role of identifying intent. I will let you know when his workshop notes have been downloaded to the site.
Of particular interest though, the topic of "4 rooms of change" came up as an approach to reduce/eliminate bullying in schools and/or the workplace.
The rooms act like an "emotional barometer" and it's a way for individuals to assess and reflect upon how they are feeling at any point during their day. In terms of classrooms, it's being used as a tool to "manage emotions and hence allow a visual cue to the tone of classrooms."
In some classrooms, each student has their name on a magnetic button. During the day, the student is responsible for placing their named magnetic button in the room according to how they are feeling. It is fluid, emotions vary throughout the day pending how the student feels, what may have happened during a class, or at recess/lunch. It not only lets the student be responsible and aware for his/her behaviour, but allows classmates to gauge how their peers are feeling and for teachers to monitor and act accordingly to emotions being displayed.
I took the liberty of Googling and having a bit more of a read on this subject and the links can be found below. For picture links, please click on the picture and it will take you to the page of reference.
Bullying in Schools, Lessons from Scandinavia read HERE
I am looking forward to notes also being published from the Transition - A positive start to school (Jenny Mayo, Tina King and Pippa) This workshop also highlighted Kindergartens/Preschools being built on actual school sites now to allow closer relationships and further enhance transition from preschool to school. Tina has been kind of enough to supply me with her presentation, transition from a Principal's point of view. If you would like to a copy of this, please send an email to me c/o the Network and I will forward it on to you.
