Entries by Darryl Butler

Learning opportunities in the ‘Golden Years’ in a regional city

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Bronwyn Ellis

Several projects relating to older learners have been conducted over the past decade or so, some involving the University of the Third Age (U3A) Whyalla, as well as other groups composed of older citizens. Here a wide range of learning activities, as revealed by survey data, publicly available information, and participant observation, are described. Some provide examples of engagement with the local university campus; others have this potential. Together with long-running group activities, new activities – a men’s shed and a music learning activity – have potential outcomes for participants’ health and wellbeing. Such opportunities help meet non-metropolitan lifelong learning needs. Maximising information sharing and cooperation can lead to mutual benefits, including for educational institutions. Increasing social inclusion benefits the whole community.

Preparing pre-service teachers for rural appointments

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Kathy Jenkins, Linley Cornish

Pre-service teachers need to be prepared to teach in both rural and urban contexts. Preparation to teach multi-grade classes in rural schools is excellent preparation for teaching any class, including urban single-grade classes. Based on our previous research and experience, we designed a unit to prepare our pre-service teachers for the issues they may face in their employment and especially in rural schools, including multi-grade teaching, coping with isolation, working as a casual teacher, and communicating with parents and caregivers. There are significant issues that are distinct in rural and urban contexts, including how metrocentric departmental policies can emphasise the rural/urban divide.

Learner agency and assessment for learning in a regional New Zealand high school

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Jennifer Charteris

Assessment for Learning (AfL) pedagogies can have a significant impact on student learning and achievement. This paper reports on data from a study of four teachers and 48 student participants within a regional high school. An inquiry approach to teacher professional learning is explored through an AfL lens, in particular, how teacher feedback for professional learning can be nuanced and dialogic. The research draws from one reflective dialogue interview where a teacher explores student voice data to consider her learners’ perceptions of how they learn and of the classroom learning practices of feedback, feedforward and self-assessment. The paper addresses learner agency as an important aspect of curriculum implementation for teachers and assessment for learning for students.

A partnership aimed at improving Health and Physical Education at a rural school: Impacts on pupils, university students, teachers and academics.

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Judith Miller, John Haynes, Jim Pennington

Challenges and benefits arose when a rural school and a neighbouring university formed a partnership with the aim of improving the school’s Health and Physical Education (HPE) program. The HPE programs were enhanced through two joint research projects. The first research project had two facets, including an evidence-based curriculum for Physical Education in the school, and a remediation program for children identified through the coordination testing process. The second research project was designed to investigate students’ Health Education knowledge and explore any behavioural changes in and around nutritional choices. Both the projects were conducted as mutually productive partnerships within the school, resulting in beneficial changes for the school, the university and for the multiple participants. For the school, the Physical Education curriculum and pedagogies were modified and for students identified as requiring remediation, a multi-partnered intervention program was implemented. Students, teachers, parents and pre-service teacher education students benefited from the movement intervention program. The health education curriculum was enhanced when the school developed a social marketing approach to facilitate health-related decisions for pupils, teachers and ancillary staff. The university changed their pre-service teacher education curriculum, teaching methods, and achieved stronger research based outcomes by partnering with the school across both projects.

Editorial

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Welcome to the second edition of the Australian and International Journal of Rural Education (AIJRE) for 2015. We are pleased to offer our readers a range of articles to stimulate discussion and creative thinking around the issues facing rural and remote learners, educators and institutions broadly grouped into areas related to relationships, overcoming isolation and curriculum.

Rural Voices Gather in the City

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A prominent K-12 Queensland school principal and a number of leading academics will this week attend a conference at Deakin University’s Geelong Waterfront campus to discuss the future of rural education policy in Australia.

Calen District State College and Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia (SPERA) President, Mr Brian O’Neill, will be one of several notable and passionate educators and leaders to address the two-and-a-half day SPERA conference in Geelong.

“Australia is a large country, and much of it is considered rural, regional or remote,” said Mr O’Neill.

“While significant numbers of Australians tend to live in […]

City & Beyond

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Written by Josh, Caitlin and Damien Boccamazzo, and Brent Kealy

City & Beyond is a resource we created for rural students to help with the transition from high school to university. Rural students are at a significant disadvantage to their urban counterparts for primarily two reasons:

  1. Complete lack of information and resources, and
  2. Having no choice but to physically move away from family and friends.

This is problematic because:

  • A disproportionate number of former rural students drop out of university before the end of their first year, and
  • Rural students aren’t properly prepared for graduate recruiting […]

Advance Australia Fair

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Written by Nathan Williams

In 2011, I was offered a sponsored place to the Annual SPERA Conference in Adelaide. Now I’m back! I’d like to open the doors of my home to you and why the conference is so important to me.

At the time, I was the first person in our family to attend university. As a young undergraduate, I commuted 600km return each week for two days of on-campus study, because the major I wanted to select was not available in my town. This was in addition to working for the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment & […]

Notre Dame Pre-service Teachers contribute to the lives of the children in the Tjuntjuntjara Remote Community

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Written by Glenda Cain, The University of Notre Dame Australia

The Principal of the Tjuntjuntjara Remote Community School, Daniel Havelberg, has great praise for the ten The University of Notre Dame Australia pre-service teachers and staff who recently spent a week in the school and contributed significantly to the lives of the children.

Tjuntjuntjara is located in the Great Victorian Desert, 1400 kms from Perth. A unique partnership between the School of Education and the Tjuntjuntjara community has grown over the past three years and has provided an invaluable service-learning immersion. As stated by the Principal:

“The opportunity for pre-service teachers […]

German debut for CQUni Music Theatre graduate

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Obtained from CQUniversity Media newsletter and ABC Radio interview

CQUniversity Music Theatre graduate Paul Tabone will soon make his German debut in a return season of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera sequel – Love Never Dies – in Hamburg’s Operettenhaus.

The lyric tenor, who attended CQUni’s Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music in Mackay, has been constantly employed in opera and musical theatre productions since graduating.

Still just 27 years old, Paul has performed at the Verona home of Luciano Pavarotti. For a ‘sold out’ Arena performance, he has shared the stage with operatic icons including Andrea Bocelli and Placido […]

Deakin University Geelong Waterfront Campus – Travel, Accommodation and Dining

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Travelling to Geelong

Geelong is a city located on Corio Bay and the Barwon River, in the state of Victoria in Australia. It is located approximately 75 kilometres south-west of the state capital, Melbourne. Geelong has all of the benefits of a sizeable city, but with the relaxed atmospher of coastal country. Geelong boasts a glorious waterfront precinct, sophisticated dining options and all kinds of entertainment on tap.

Getting there

By Air

Visitors can take flights to Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport and drive, or take a shuttle bus or train to the Waterfront Campus.

Domestic travellers (or those connecting from Tullamarine […]

Queensland State P-10/12 School Administrators’ Association – a brief overview

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Written by Geoff Latta, State President, Queensland State P-10/P-12 School Administrators’ Association

The 81 current P-10/12 schools are scattered across our great State and are a very important part of its education history. Our schools are some of the largest and smallest in the State. In 1957, the number of secondary departments, forerunners to what we are now referring to as P-10/12 schools, had increased to 34. This was only three fewer than the number of state high schools at the time.

Currently our schools are made up of three P-9, 34 P-10 and 44 P-12 schools. Our […]

Update from the President – Aug/Sep 2015

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Thank you for the positive comments regarding the July 2015 edition of the newsletter. Thank you to those of you who have contributed to this edition and to those of you who have indicated that you will be contributing articles in the future.

My vision for SPERA is to reach out and to form partnerships with other organisations that, like us, want to provide educational opportunities, innovative projects and experiences for children in rural, remote and regional parts of Australia. After all, our mission is to “link people with a diverse range of interests in education and training to promote […]

31st National SPERA Conference 2015

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The 2015 conference theme is Mapping education policy landscapes: Rurality and rural futures. Deakin University’s Geelong Waterfront Campus is located on Corio Bay, in the central business district of Geelong.

Australian Rural Education Award (AREA) 2015

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Nominations for the 2015 Australian Rural Education Awards are now closed. Thank you to all nominees for your submissions. SPERA will be in touch in due course.

Since 1994, the Australian Rural Education Award has been awarded annually to an institution, organisation or industry to recognise excellence in rural education in Australia.

Nominations are sought in three categories:

Category 1 – Existing projects that demonstrate a proven link between a school or learning context and the rural community, and that benefit a defined group.

Category 2 – Future projects that support new and creative thinking in professional practice, aimed at […]

2015 Conference Update

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Written by Jodie Kline, Deakin University – SPERA 2015 Conference Director

Mapping education policy landscapes: rurality and rural futures

Jo-Anne Reid (Charles Sturt University), Gary Fry (Charles Darwin University – Centre for School Leadership), Marie Brennan (Victoria University), Sabina Knight (Mount Isa Centre for Rural and Remote Health) and Jim Watterson (Director General – Queensland Department of Education and Training) will head up the program for the 31st National conference of the Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia.

Co-hosted by the Centre for Research in Educational Futures and Innovation (CREFI), Deakin University, this years’ […]

AIJRE Vol 25, No 2 (2015)

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image of AIJRE Cover Journal Papers

  • Learner agency and assessment for learning in a regional New Zealand high school
    Jennifer Charteris 2-13
  • Preparing pre-service teachers for rural appointments
    Kathy Jenkins, Linley Cornish 14-27
  • Learning opportunities in the ‘Golden Years’ in a regional city
    Bronwyn Ellis 28-43
  • Comparing rural and urban education contexts for GLBTIQ students
    Tiffany Jones 44-55
  • A partnership aimed at improving Health and Physical Education at a rural school: Impacts on pupils, university students, teachers and academics.
    Judith Miller, John Haynes, Jim Pennington 56-72
  • Using virtual […]

31st SPERA Conference

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Deakin University | Geelong Waterfront Campus: 4-6 November 2015

Confirmed speakers and guests include:

  • Jim Watterston (Director-General, Dept. Education and Training – Qld)
  • Jo-Anne Reid (CSU)
  • Sabina Knight (Australian Rural Health Education Network)
  • Josh Arnold (Small Town Culture)
  • Bernadette Walker-Gibbs (Deakin University)
  • Marie Brennan (Victoria University), and
  • Gary Fry.

A copy of the SPERA 2015 Conference Proceedings document is now available for download (6MB).

Deakin University’s Geelong Waterfront Campus is located on Corio Bay, in the central business district of Geelong. Originally built as woolstores in 1893, […]

Update from the President – July 2015

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A great deal has been happening with SPERA and I am happy to highlight these activities in the July edition of our newsletter.

This year has heralded the introduction of our online journal – that is right, the Australian and International Journal of Rural Education (AIJRE) has gone online and our first edition was released on Wednesday 20 May 2015. We are fortunate in having an effective and efficient editorial team. Tania Broadley, Aaron Drummond, Paula Jervis-Tracey, Jodie Kline, Sue Ledger, Elaine Sharplin and Di Gardiner have all worked hard to transition the journal from a hard copy to an electronic one and I thank them for their diligence. […]

Encouraging Regional Aboriginal Students to Pursue Health Careers

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Written by Bronwyn Ellis, University of South Australia

A conference aimed at encouraging regional Aboriginal students to pursue careers in health, held at the University of South Australia’s Whyalla campus early this year, was timely: it came just after the release of the latest Closing the Gap report, which revealed only limited progress in areas related to health and life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

The event built upon the success of a similar conference that took place in Whyalla last year. Approximately 80 students in their final years from secondary schools across regional South Australia, along with their teachers, attended […]

July 2015 Newsletter

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From the President
Mr Brian O’Neill

Welcome to the first edition of our newsletter for the 2015/16 financial year. A great deal has been happening with SPERA and I am happy to highlight these activities in this edition.

This year has heralded the introduction of our online journal – that is right, the Australian and International Journal of Rural Education (AIJRE) has gone online and our first edition was released on Wednesday 20 May. We are fortunate in having an effective and efficient editorial team. Tania Broadley, Aaron Drummond, Paula Jervis-Tracey, Jodie Kline, Sue Ledger, Elaine Sharplin and Di […]

Student Teacher Draws on Scientific Experience to Lead Whale Shark Project

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Written by Murdoch University and Dr Susan Ledger

A Murdoch University education student is taking the lead on a whale shark tagging project which will see pupils from schools across WA follow the progress of several of the majestic fish. Dr Andrew Nield, who holds a PhD from Murdoch for a research project on the emu’s role in seed dispersal, will be guiding pupils from Karratha Senior High School where he is currently teaching under the Pilbara Cities Internship Program.

The Whale Shark Race Around the World project is being run by ECOCEAN in conjunction with the WA Department of Education, with the aim of engaging pupils […]

South Australian Rural Students Take to the Skies

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Written by Bronwyn Ellis, University of South Australia

A small independent school in Port Pirie offers an exciting program that attracts students from many other schools.

The Mid-North Christian College, a non-denominational, co-educational, F-12 school of 260 students gives senior students the choice of Aviation Studies.

The program is available to any student who has a desire to enter the aviation industry. The Aviation Studies program provides a course of study to facilitate students to gain an insight into the aviation industry.

Aviation is an industry short on applicants because it is demanding. However, it offers a variety of opportunities. Some students may want to […]

Allied Health Students get a Chance to Experience Research Projects in Regional City

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Written by Bronwyn Ellis, University of South Australia

Once again in the November to February period after examinations, a scholarship scheme run by the University of South Australia’s Department of Rural Health has enabled allied health students, mostly from the metropolitan area, to live and work in Whyalla for four or eight weeks. As well as giving them a taste of research and other project work, the scheme aims to encourage students to think about working in a rural area when they finish their degree.

Out-of-town students have their accommodation provided at the on-campus student village, travel costs are met, and they […]

AIJRE Vol 25, No 1 (2015)

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image of AIJRE Cover Journal Papers

  • Recruiting and retaining teachers in rural schools in South Africa: Insights from a rural teaching experience programme
    Alfred Masinire 2-14
  • Influencing pre-service teachers’ intentions to teach in rural locations
    Henriette van Rensburg, Karen Noble, Peter McIlveen 15-24
  • From little things big things grow: Enhancing literacy learning for secondary students in rural and regional Australia
    Deidre Clary, Susan Feez, Amanda Garvey, Rebecca Partridge 25-37
  • International aid and education reform and the paradox of implementation: Case study of the Philippines
    Vicente Reyes 38-51
  • Creative use […]

2014 AGM Minutes

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The 2014 SPERA AGM was held at the University of New England on Thursday 2 October 2014.

The following were nominated and accepted for Executive.

  • Don Boyd
  • John Borserio
  • Louisa Bowman
  • Aaron Drummond
  • Aspen Forgan
  • Paula Jervis-Tracey
  • Jodie Kline
  • Sue Ledger
  • Louise Martin
  • Brian O’Neill
  • Sue Trinidad
  • Charles Bradley – Public Officer

Following the AGM a special Executive meeting was held on Friday 3 October where the following were nominated and appointed:

  • Brian O’Neill – President
  • Sue Ledger – Vice President
  • Louisa Bowman – Treasurer

Minutes from the AGM are available as a PDF file: SPERA […]

Sponsorships for Pre-Service Student to SPERA Conference 2014

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Pre-service Educator Sponsorship to attend 2014 – 30th SPERA National Conference is provided by SPERA, the Isolated Children’s Parents Association QLD, Isolated Children’s Parents  Association WA, the Catholic Education Office Toowoomba, and the Sidney Myer Chair, Rural Education and Communities (Dr J Halsey, Flinders University).

This offer of support is for thee pre service educators; one from Western Australia – a student currently enrolled at a Western Australian University and a second to a pre-service student currently enrolled at a Queensland University. The sponsorships are provided to enable participation in the 30th SPERA National Conference to be held at the University of New […]

2014 Notice of Annual General Meeting

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Dear SPERA Member

Traditionally SPERA held its Annual General meeting in conjunction with its National Conference,.  This year SPERA will hold its Annual General at the 30th National SPERA Conference at the University of New England, Armidale NSW.

The AGM will be held on Thursday 2 October commencing at 16:15 Eastern Standard Time.  You are cordially invited to attend. (Education Building Room E07_248)

In particular, a number of SPERA Executive positions are vacant.

On behalf of the SPERA Executive, I invite you to consider nominating for the Executive.  A nomination form is enclosed.  Nominations can be emailed to admin@spera.asn.au or […]

2013 AGM Minutes

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The 2013 SPERA AGM was held via Teleconference on Tuesday 17 September 2013.

The following were nominated and accepted for Executive:

  • Gary Allen
  • Don Boyd
  • John Borserio
  • Tania Broadley
  • Vincent Connor
  • Robyn Henderson
  • Paula Jervis-Tracey
  • Jodie Kline
  • Sue Ledger
  • Karen Noble
  • Brian O’Neill
  • Michael Preece
  • Emmy Terry

Please note that the positions of President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer will be elected by Executive, as per constitution at an Executive meeting to be held on 15 October 2013. Information regarding these appointments will be published on the website and emailed to the membership.

Minutes from the AGM are available as […]

Australian Rural Education Award (AREA) 2014

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Applications are called for in the three divisions for the 2014 AREA Awards.

  •  Division One – (existing projects)
  •  Division Two – (new projects)
  •  Division Three – (pre-service citations)

The initial application involves a brief on-line process. The selection panel will shortlist the applications. Shortlisted applicants will then be involved in a more detailed selection process.  The format for this process will be negotiable i.e. more detailed written and/or video information and Skype and/or teleconference conversations.

Applications close Friday 27 June 2014.

Download the AREA 2014 Overview and Application.