Federation’s Beginning Teacher conferences are attracting teachers from hundreds of kilometres away who come to participate in a fun and informative weekend of professional learning.
Workshops about gaining/maintaining accreditation were crowd favourites at the Wagga Wagga and Lightning Ridge conference.
Attendees were informed of the NSW Education Standards Authority’s requirements under the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers and left the conference more prepared for their next step in their profession.
Practical activities addressed gathering of appropriate evidence and lesson observations through the first years of teaching.
Presenters addressed the staffing agreement and beginning teachers’ rights as casual, temporary and permanent employees of the Department.
The conferences provided the participants to engage with teachers and their Federation Organisers Brett Bertalli, John Pratt, Susan Armstead and Duncan McDonald.
Federation President Maurie Mulheron spoke at the Wagga Wagga conference and Deputy President Joan Lemaire at Wagga Wagga and Lightning Ridge, providing participants with a broad understanding of Federation’s latest campaigns.
The conferences were facilitated by Trade Union Training Officer Mel Smith and Membership and Training Officer Guy McDermott.
The union arranged bus travel for teachers from Dubbo to attend the Lightning Ridge conference.
Beginning Teacher Conferences are held across the state, with the next one in Newcastle on 30 June 30, followed by Arrawarra on 18-19 August and Bundanoon on 22-23 September. Contact your school’s Fed Rep or visit Federation’s website to apply for your spot today.
— Hope Atkins, Phillip Baker, Kate Harland and Paul Simmons, Project Officers