Entries by Darryl Butler

Illustrations of Practice – Graduate Level – SPERA

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As visual representations of what teacher practice could look like in a range of contexts, Illustrations of Practice help teachers to situate their own practice within the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.

They are an impression of aspects of teacher practice within a particular career stage of the Standards and aim to assist teachers to interpret the meaning of the elements of the Standards. Accordingly, the illustrations demonstrate practice in a range of learning environments and across the spectrum of student cohorts.

The illustrations are short videos, often supported with resources including student work samples and teacher planning documents, captured […]

Renewing Rural and Regional Teacher Education Curriculum

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This resource has been developed to support teacher educators to prepare future graduates for the challenges and opportunities of teaching in rural/regional communities.

The materials can be readily embedded into lectures, tutorials, workshops and professional learning experiences to provide teaching and learning environments that comprehensively consider the needs of rural and regional students, their families, schools and communities.

The website can be navigated in various ways to suit individual teacher educators’ needs. Underpinning the curriculum module design is a conceptual framework and links to key readings in rural teacher education and other related fields. To find out more about using […]

30th National SPERA Conference 2014

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3 Decades On: Reflections Upon Rural Education: Student Engagement, Aspirations & Motivation Sub Themes

  • Student Engagement
  • Aspiration & Motivation
  • Pre-Service/Higher Education
  • Curriculum /Pedagogy
  • Policy/Place
  • Partnerships
  • Indigenous

Venue: University Of New England, Armidale, New South Wales

Date: 1 – 3 October 2014

Download the SPERA 2014 Conference Program

Pre-service Framework Teacher Guides

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This resource package has been produced for the Tertiary Educators Rural, Remote and Regional Network (TERRRN) as part of an Office for Learning and Teaching (formally the Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) project titled Developing Strategies at the Pre-service Level to Address Critical Teacher Attraction and Retention Issues in Australian Rural, Regional and Remote Schools.

The TERRRN team consists of: Professor Sue Trinidad (Dean of Teaching and Learning, Curtin University), Associate Professor Graeme Lock, Director, Learning and Teaching, Edith Cowan University, Assistant Professor Elaine Sharplin (Associate Dean, Teaching and Learning, University of Western Australia), Dr Tania Broadley (Flexible Learning and […]

October 2013 Newsletter

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From the President
Karen Noble

Welcome to the final newsletter for 2013. Following the recent AGM it is my pleasure to welcome new members to the SPERA Executive team and to thank those returning for another year of service.

As you will see from my Presidential report included in full in the newsletter, 2012/2013 has been a busy year for SPERA and together we should celebrate our many achievements. I would also like to especially thank our outgoing journal editor, Assoc. Professor Graeme Lock. His commitment to SPERA and the Australian and International Journal of Rural Education (AIJRE) has […]

Red Dirt Thinking Lecture – Alice Springs

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Red Dirt Curriculum: Reimagining Remote Education

With the nationalising of curriculum, teacher standards and measures of student literacy and numeracy achievement, the value and relative success of remote community education is framed within a homogenous, metro-centric understanding of achievement and success.

Increasing and (at times) competing system pressures and policy demands have amplified pressure to pursue educational achievement in western terms, relative to the rest of the Australian population. But is this pressure achieving the desired outcomes in academic, social and political terms, or indeed from the perspective of increasingly marginalised voices of remote communities themselves?

In this lecture, remote […]

June 2013 Newsletter

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Welcome to the first edition of the SPERA Newsletter for 2013.  Our sincere apologies for the lateness of this.  We will endeavour to have the next newsletter out on schedule.

In this edition:

  • ISFIRE 2013
  • Pre-Service Educator Scholarship Winners Comments
  • ISFIRE Photographs
  • What Delegates thought of ISFIRE
  • WACUTS Program
  • AITSL Illustrations of practice
  • Innovation in Schools
  • AIJRE
  • Membership
  • SPERA Executive Contact details
  • Keeping in Touch
  • Applications for membership.

We welcome any articles, photographs or contributions relating to rural, regional and remote Australia.

As indicated in the Newsletter please find links to the first two Illustrations of Practice produced […]

Training Framework Diagram

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It is with pleasure that the Network is able to present the deliverables/outcomes of their endeavour encapsulated in the Training Framework for Producing Quality Graduates to Work in Rural, Regional and Remote Australia.

The Training Framework diagram highlights the process undertaken and the production of support materials to form the Training Framework for both pre-service teachers and their lecturers that together have three significant expected outcomes. Firstly, as a result of applying the Framework it is expected that pre-service teachers will have a greater knowledge of rural, regional and remote education and what it means to be a quality teacher […]

The National Professional Standards for Teachers

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On 1 January 2010, and in the early stages of the TERRR Network project the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Learning (AITSL) came into being. One of AITSL’s first tasks was to assume responsibility for validating and finalising the National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST) which had commenced by the National Standards Sub-group of the Australian Education, Early Childhood Development and Youth Affairs Senior Officials Committee (AEEYSOC) in 2009. AISTL completed the development of the NPST during 2010 and were endorsed by MCEECDYA in December of that year.  The NPST are a major milestone for teaching and learning in […]

Pre-service Framework

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In 2009 a group of tertiary educators from four universities in Western Australia with an interest and experience in rural, regional, and remote education, and especially in improving the attraction and retention of quality teachers to non-metropolitan locations, formed the Tertiary Educators Rural, Regional and Remote Network (TERRR Network). In 2010 the TERRR Network was successful in obtaining a grant from the Australian Council of Teaching and Learning (ALTC) now the Office for Learning and Teaching (OLT) to undertake a project titled: Developing Strategies at the Pre-service Level to Address Critical Teacher Attraction and Retention Issues in Australian Rural, Regional […]

Relational Leadership and Learning for Hope-full Sustainable Futures

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An International Dialogue Santa Fe New Mexico 3-5 October 2013

Event details

The Inaugural International Dialogue on Relational Leadership and Learning for Hope-full and Sustainable Futures will be held in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, 3-5 October 2013.

Purpose

The purpose of the event is to ‘re-claim’ the primacy of relationships in learning and leadership formation. This will be done through sharing stories, practices, research, beliefs and values about becoming and being people who deeply care about hope-full and sustainable futures for all.

The International Dialogue will culminate with the launching of the International Centre for Relationships in Education (ICRE). […]

3rd International Symposium (ISFIRE) 2013

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Rural Education on the Global Stage: Connecting for Innovation

The University of Western Australia and SPERA, invite you to the 3rd International Symposium for Innovation in Rural Education at UWA, Perth, Western Australia. This International Symposium will bring together international teachers, school administrators, teacher educators, academics, community groups and organizations and parents who are passionate about rural education. The 3rd ISFIRE symposium will be a key means of building and strengthening international rural networks, drawing together an increasing body of work focused on globally improving education outcomes for rural, regional and remote students. You will participate in a stimulating education […]

November 2012 Newsletter

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Welcome all to SPERA’s November 2012 newsletter.

In particular I would like to note that Dr Karen Noble (University of Southern Queensland) is now the elected President of SPERA. Karen has included a welcome message for members.

Highlights include:

  • From the President: Welcome Message
  • SPERA Annual Report 2012
  • ISFIRE 2013 (note dates to 13-15 February 2013)
  • Conference 2012 Photographs
  • Pre-Service educator Winners and Conference Reports
  • AREA Award winner 2012 – Kingston primary School
  • Dr G Otereo and Prof J Halsey – workshop
  • SPERA Executive – overview
  • SPERA Executive – contacts and portfolios
  • Application for Membership 2013

Once again […]

Australian Rural Education Award (AREA) 2012 Winner

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Congratulations to 2012 Australian Rural Education Award winner, Kingston Primary School.

Kingston Primary School is based in Western Australia. It won the 2012 AREA for the Kingston Internship Model.

In second semester 2012, Kingston Primary School had 12 additional qualified teachers whose prime focus was to improve the literacy and numeracy outcomes of Kingston Primary School students. The interns:

  • held a duty of care
  • knew all of the students in their class
  • knew all of the parents in their class
  • understood Kingston Primary School procedures
  • knew the culture of the school.

The Kingston Internship Model was based on Twomey […]

August 2012 Newsletter

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From the President

SPERA once again has much pleasure in forwarding the August edition of our newsletter to you.   We trust you are all keeping well.

The main focus of the last three months has been finalising the organisation the 28th National SPERA Conference. SPERA is partnering with the School of Education, University of Southern Queensland, to host this year’s conference. In addition SPERA has been working in partnership with The University of Western Australia to host the third International Symposium for Innovation in Rural Education at the University of WA in February 2013.

Key contents include:

  • President’s Report

    • […]

March 2012 Newsletter

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Welcome all to SPERA’s first newsletter for 2012. Already the year has been busy for SPERA with the Executive continuing or taking on new portfolios.

In particular I would like to highlight the role taken on by Dr Karen Noble (University of Southern Queensland) for hosting the 2012 28th SPERA National Conference at the University’s Toowoomba Campus from 26-28 September this year.

Highlights include:

  • REFA;
  • RRRTEC FInal Rreport;
  • TERRR Network and Rural Education WA;
  • AITSL Professional Learning Convention;
  • ISFIRE 2013 (note change of dates to 13-15 February 2013).

Once again thank you to the editorial team lead by […]

Rural Futures Matter Summit 2011

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Rural Futures Matter: A Sustainable Australia

The Sidney Myer Chair of Rural Education & Communities (SMC), Professor John Halsey, from Flinders University’s School of Education, and the Society for the Provision of Education for Rural Australia (SPERA) partnered to present the “Rural Futures Matter – A Sustainable Australia” Summit (RFMS) in September 2011. 83 delegates from Australia and 2 from North Dakota, USA, attended the three day summit and represented a variety of disciplines, including education (primary & secondary schools, TAFE colleges & universities), health, industry, business, NGO’s, government, and philanthropy.

The primary purpose of the Summit was to produce […]

Australian Rural Education Award (AREA) 2011Winner

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Principal Brian O’Neill with Prof John Halsey (Sidney Myer Chair, Rural Education and Communities)

Calen District State College, Queensland

Calen is a small rural community about fifty-seven kilometres north of Mackay. The major industry is sugar cane growing along with some small crops and fruit such as bananas and strawberries. The total population of the township is 316. The P-12 school however, has a broader catchment area and an enrolment of 230 students. With no public transport system to mackay and limited access to external training providers, students were disadvantages in terms of seeking employment and apprenticeships. The school has […]

Newsletter November 2011

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The last 12 months have been busy ones for SPERA. This brief report attempts to capture the highlights and directions of our small but growing organisation over the past year. The report concludes by highlighting a number of areas that need attention as SPERA moves forward over the next 12 months.

Thank you to the SPERA Newsletter Committee:

  • Michael Preece – Editor
  • Tania Broadley
  • Vince Connor
  • Brian O’Neill

Continue reading SPERA Newsletter November 2011 (1.5MB)

PTCWA Outstanding Professional Service Awards

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The PTCWA Outstanding Professional Service Awards recognise an individual member’s outstanding professional contribution to education in Western Australia, made in a voluntary capacity to their professional teachers’ association. This provides the opportunity for each financial member association of PTCWA to consider the work of their members and nominate a worthy recipient.

The Professional Teaching Council of Western Australia has as its objective the promotion of professionalism in teaching through an enhancement of the work of professional education associations. It provides a wider context for the work of professional associations through facilitation of networking and communication between individual associations whilst providing […]

Newsletter August 2011

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From the President

SPERA has much pleasure in forwarding the August edition of our newsletter to you. We trust you are all keeping well.

I hope you will be able to participate in the SUMMIT as the agenda looks extremely interesting.

Download the program: SUMMIT 2011 Rural Futures Matter: A Sustainable Australia.

The main focus of the last three months has been finalising the organisation of SUMMIT 2011. I would like to take this opportunity to remind you all our SUMMIT date which is 21 – 23 September 2011. SPERA is partnering with the Sidney Myer Chair (Prof John […]

Newsletter April 2011

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From the President

It is difficult to believe we are almost half way through April already. I hope the year is going well for you.

The planning for SUMMIT 2011 is keeping the SPERA Conference Planning Committee busy as we head towards the SUMMIT dates 21 – 23 September 2011. There is an article in this Newsletter updating members on SUMMIT 2011 but briefly, SPERA is partnering with the Sidney Myer Chair (Prof John Halsey) , Rural Education and Communities, Flinders University, to host this year’s conference.

I hope you will be able to participate in the SUMMIT.

Continue reading […]

Australian Rural Education Award (AREA) 2010 Winner

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Smart kids and Rural – Giving the Bush Back it’s Future

Gifted and talented programs are nothing new and in various forms they are dotted throughout the country. Whilst most states trumpet the value of their particular gifted and talented programs both at the primary and secondary level the stark reality is that the quality well funded programs are generally very “city centric” and target high school aged students. This in itself is a barrier to rural students .

Bunbury Education District like every other education district in WA does have a Primary Extension and Challenge (PEAC) Program in place […]

Newsletter October 2010

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  • President’s Welcome
  • Summit 2010
  • Eye’s Wide Open – Meghan Clarke (Pre-Service Teacher Scholarship winner – sponsored by ICPA Queensland
  • Small Schools Matter – Prof John Halsey
  • Conference 2010 Photos
  • Dr Bruce Flegg – Conference 2010 Opening Address
  • Membership Form
  • 2010-2011 SPERA Executive

Continue reading SPERA Newsletter October 2010 (2MB)

PTCWA Outstanding Professional Service Award 2010

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2010 Recipient: Rosa Napolitano-Lincoln

Rosa-Napolitano-LincolnRosa Napolitano-Lincoln SPERA Member was recognised on the Annual Teacher’s Day, by the Professional Teaching Council of WA (PTCWA) for her outstanding service to rural education in Australia. Rosa was nominated by her colleagues at SPERA for the PTCWA Outstanding Professional Service Award.

Rosa Napolitano-Lincoln is currently a Lecturer & Researcher – ECU – School of Psychology and Social Sciences.

Rosa has a long association with SPERA. She has been member of SPERA for 15 years. Over this time Rosa has been an outstanding advocate for rural […]

26th National SPERA Conference 2010

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Sustaining the Rural Education Community: Promoting High Quality Teaching and Learning

Themes

  • The Interactive Experience
  • Developing Professional Capacity
  • Pre-service Experience
  • Enriching Rural Communities
  • Sustaining Rural Communities
  • Building Opportunities
  • Dis-enfranchised Youth
  • Curriculum and Social Networking

University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland

Dates: 15 – 17 September 2010

Download SPERA Conference 2010 Program

Download SPERA Conference 2010 Paper Abstracts

 

2nd International Symposium (ISFIRE) 2011

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New Directions for Educational Welfare in Rural Schools

  • The Second International Symposium for Innovation in Rural Education (ISFIRE2)
  • 2011 Korea-Japan Society of Educational Administration Symposium (KJSEAS 2011)

ISFIRE2 and KJSEAS will be an international forum for sharing research findings, innovative ideas and evaluative approaches linked to positive and practical action.

The Symposium will have a particular focus on using research to influence policy aimed at delivering socially just outcomes for rural students and communities. The Symposium is organised around nine themes. Papers are encouraged that address issues, and present innovative solutions, within these themes.

  • Improving Students’ Academic […]

25th National SPERA Conference 2009

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Education in a Digital Present: Enriching Rural Communities

Digital information technologies are transforming the way we work, learn and communicate. In this digital revolution are new learning approaches that transform hierarchical, industrial-based models of teaching and learning.

Education in a digital present could be a comprehensive search for strategies and tools for effective online / digital teaching based on the principles of learning as a social process and engaging the advantages of new technologies to support e-learning decision-making, instructional choices, program and course planning and the delivery of curricula.

Additionally, practical advice, real-life examples, case studies and useful resources about structuring […]

Australian Rural Education Award (AREA) 2009 Winner

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Professor John Taylor, Director, Rangelands Australia, University of Queensland with Emmy Terry, President SPERA

Rangelands Australia, University of Queensland

Traditionally, there has been little external engagement and consultation in the development of higher education products and services, with a strong focus on institutional efficiencies rather than market needs.RA has recognized the importance of matching product offerings to learner expectations, and aspired to develop offerings that would add value to current offerings, generate customer benefit and satisfaction, and increase participation in rangeland training and education.To those ends, a highly strategic, participatory and market or demand-driven approach, called social marketing (Andreasen 1995), […]

2009 Life Membership Innovation Award

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Principal Joyce Stark and Life Member, Dr Colin Boylan

St Joseph‘s School, Barmera

Context Statement

St Joseph’s School, Barmera is a developing Catholic primary school in the Riverland region. The school has an enrolment of 115 students from Reception to Year 7, spread across five classes. Over 10% of students are Indigenous. A large percentage of students are of Greek origin.

Barmera is a small town which relies on the fruit growing industry to sustain the local economy. Due to the unending drought, fruit growers across the region have borrowed twenty five million dollars to purchase water in […]