Tips for parents of Prep students

 Children everywhere are excited about the prospect of starting school with the bigger kids.  Uniforms, hats and lunchboxes have been sized up, chosen and labelled. 

 Member for Mulgrave Warren Pitt said parents have a major role to play in helping their child embrace school and learning.  He suggests a full dress rehearsal.

 “Sometimes a full dress-rehearsal and a visit to your child’s school and classroom will help them adjust.

 “Children are more comfortable with routine, so it’s a good idea to start talking about what is going to happen before, during and after school,” he said.

 Some people practice making and packing a healthy lunch with their children and take it to the park. Then they can explain recess, and lunch, the importance of dividing snacks and lunch.  Don’t forget the water bottle.

 The full implementation of Prep will see 54,000 students enrol for Prep Year - 37,000 state school students, and 17,000 non state school students.

 “Additional teachers and teacher aide time will be allocated to schools to meet this increased level of enrolment,” Mr Pitt said.

School Term

 The 2008 school year is upon us and Queensland state schools first day back is Tuesday,  January 29. and finishes on Friday,  December 12.

 The first term school holidays will begin two weeks after the Easter weekend this year when Easter falls from Good Friday March 21 through to   March 24.

 Member for Mulgrave Warren Pitt said “The last time Easter fell this early in the year was in 1913. The next time it will fall this early is 2160, so obviously we are dealing with a very rare and unusual occurrence.”
 Mr Pitt said the State Government’s undertaking is to set school terms of similar length, this year. 

 Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said state school teachers would have professional development opportunities on student-free days during the year.

 Sometimes parents forget important dates in the school year so here’s something to put on the fridge.

 For student attendance, the 2008 term and holiday dates are:

  “In 2008, student-free days fall on January 24  and 25, April 14, July 14, and  October 20,” Mr Welford said.

 Year 12 state school students will finish school on Friday  November 21, while Year 10 and 11 students complete their year on Friday, November.

Musical benefits to learning

 The benefits of learning a musical instrument are numerous. Aside from the well-documented advantages in a child’s brain development, in learning and in building self-esteem and confidence, music can also help the under-performing.

 So that MP3 player you bought your kids for Christmas can be of extra benefit to their education.

 Research conducted by Brown University in the US found that after several months of music lessons, young children – who were previously behind academically – had caught up and in some cases even surpassed their peers in reading and maths. 

 Music has also been found to help keep children off the path to delinquency. In another study, it was found that music students were less likely to have behavioural problems or be involved in drugs and crime.

 Parents should encourage their children to take up a musical instrument or singing lessons, such as participating in a choir, or joining a band and make the most of what music has to offer.

 Musical ability is innate; however, it must be nourished in order to be developed.

 In Australia there are at least 35 institutions that offer degrees in music, and many others offer tertiary instruction to a diploma level.

 It’s not all a classical quest as many successful artists and career pop stars can attest to. You can have a great life as a musician – you just need the discipline to study and work hard like in any other vocation.

 Successful Queensland alternative rock band Powderfinger have worked hard to stay at the top of their field with several ARIA nominations and awards.

Educating healthy minds and bodies

 While grown ups are starting the year afresh with resolutions to get healthy, Queensland Schools are choosing to be a good example for their children through physical education.

 Studies from the Healthy Kids Queensland Survey 2006, says all children need good nutrition and adequate physical activity to achieve a healthy life and to be protected against chronic disease in later life.

 Obesity contributes to 8.6% to the burden of disability and premature death in Queensland.

 Overall 21% of Queensland children aged between 5 and 17 were overweight or obese.

 On World Teachers Day in October last year, the Minister for Education and Training Rod Welford said “Our Government is committed to promoting the professional knowledge and skills of our school workforce to ensure they are equipped to give students the very best chance at succeeding at school and beyond.”

 Mr Welford said the awards gave recipients financial support to pursue an area of innovation or interest through a range of professional development opportunities.

 Queensland teachers will be extending their fitness regime and gaining skills to implement this.

 Specialist teachers are constantly being sought after and further training is to be part of this initiative.

 The Queensland Government Future Development of School Sport and Physical Activity Report (FDSSPAR) says all Schools will be accountable for the healthy activity of their students. Schools are required to develop a  Physical Activity Strategy with their community sporting groups. 

 Smart Choices has been implemented in all state schools with 450 Physical Education teachers for primary schools and 930 Health and Physical Education teachers in secondary education. 

 The FDSSPAR states that primary school children will do 30 minutes daily physical activity. It was found that students enjoy sport when it is played well and emulate this standard.

 The laptop is the new teachers pet

 The National Computer Fund will be available in March schools in the greatest need of acquiring new computers for students. It is part of the Federal Government program to make sure every student from year nine to 12 has a computer says Minister for Education Julia Gillard.

 Along with students getting new computers the term ‘Chalkies’, could soon be a thing of the past. About 39,000 state school teachers and 3000 TAFE teachers will receive computers dedicated to their professional use through the Computers for Teachers initiative.

 In 2006, 1500 teachers in the West Moreton education district, Cairns and the Sunshine Coast received laptop computers for their professional use as part of the Computers for Teachers Trial.

 Teachers will be able to access professional development to update their knowledge and enhance their teaching practices.

 The main objective of the campaign is to keep up to date with the rest of the world and enhance the quality of education that students receive.

 This form of communication is in everyday use for people born in the Generation Y era (1980 to 1995).  For Generation Xers and Baby Boomers it’s time to catch up or miss out on further education and employment for the future.

 Research for school projects for both students and teachers is now found on the web and computer communication tools include email, chats and blogs.

 The Department of Education is to ensure training and retraining for teachers.

Changes to high school certificate

 This year Queensland high school students will receive a new school certificate that recognises school-based academic performance and workplace, university and community achievements.

 Education and Training Minister Rod Welford Welford said “The Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), will replace the existing Senior Certificate and students can begin accumulating credits towards their senior school certificate from the start of Year 10.”

 Mr Welford said although the QCE requires literacy and numeracy standards to be met students achievements from community or sporting activities can be used for their senior qualification. 

Business Contact List

Abergowrie College: www.abergowrie.qld.edu.au

Ballroom Dancing for Kids: astills@optusnet.com.au

Kindermusik: Website - www.kmusikcairns.com
                     E-mail - kindermusikwithnicole@yahoo.com.au

Lawrences' Musicland: lawmus@hotmail.com

Max Stock's: Website - www.maxstocks.com.au 
                    E-mail - sales@maxstocks.com.au

Matsumoto: kmatsumoto@iinet.net.au

Mulgrave Coastal Basketball:
                    Website - www.mulgrave.basketball.net.au 
                    E-mail - mulgrave@westnet.com.au

 

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