Flu shots 2007

Apologies to those staff for whom this email is not relevant (eg those in the country)

 

West Coast TAFE will be providing flu immunisations as follows:

 

• AMES, L6 Conference Room, 16 Victoria Avenue, Perth on Wednesday 4 April 2007 from 12 noon-12.30pm
• Joondalup Campus    Thursday 5 April 2007 from 8.30am -10.30am Room D046

Staff members wanting to avail themselves of this service need to complete the attached Employee Consent Form and bring it on the day to hand to the nurse.

 

Several AMES people have already registered interest and are asked to confirm by email to Philip by COB Friday 30th March.

 

Staff members who did not register previously may receive shots as long as they register interest by email by the same date.

 

Staff who wish to go to Joondalup for the shots must contact David Hodgson (9223 1227 or hodgsd@joondalup.training.wa.gov.au ).

 

Casual staff may receive a shot if they have cleared this with their Program Manger.

 

Attached is an Employee Consent form and a Fluvax information leaflet.

 

_____________________
Philip Nichols

 

Professional Development
Adult Migrant Education Service
West Coast TAFE
Level 6
16 Victoria Avenue
Perth 6000
Western Australia

 

Tel: (08) 9229 3609
Fax: (08) 9229 3629
Email: nichop@ames.training.wa.gov.au
___________________________________

 

This e-mail and any attachments may contain personal information or information that is otherwise confidential or the subject of copyright. Any unauthorised use, disclosure or copying of any part of it is prohibited. West Coast TAFE does not warrant that this email or any attachments are free from viruses or defects. Please check any attachments for viruses and defects before opening them. If this e-mail is received in error please delete it and notify us by return e-mail.

Alinta, PD and End of Term

DVDs of Alinta the Flame (all 4 parts) have arrived and I’m sure they will be well used over the next 10 days.

Professional Development Week
Please get your sheets in to the Office ASAP unless you have responded online. Most part-timers ( 0.71 and below ) would attend the two compulsory days (Monday and Friday). Everyone else needs to attend on Thursday, either in the city or at Balga. Tuesday and Wednesday are centre time but I will have to let you know on which day the staff meeting will take place.

End of Term
Please organise activities of your own on the last day. Some suggestions: class (single/ combined) outings, join with another class of similar level and have a quiz or watch a DVD, walk to Reserve across Balga Ave for picnic.

Footy Season Nearly Upon Us!

Footy Tipping

For the first time staff are invited to join a Balga Footy Tipping Comp. Branka has kindly offered to run it. Some basics to start with:
Cost is only $ 1 per week.
Tips must be in by Friday 4 pm. Please put your slips in the box to be provided in the staff room.
Winner of each round gets a percentage of the pot. If you get all 8 correct you get a higher percentage.
Rest of stake money accumulates each week to form the major prize at the end of the season.
In order to pick a winner if more than one person gets 8 matches correct in a round , everyone must guess the result of the WA team playing at home, for example “Dockers to win by 26 points” Your prediction must accompany your tips each week.
Don’t worry if you know nothing about football- there is plenty of assistance in the Friday West ( a number of experts give their opinion)

Weekly results will appear on the blog and the master chart will stay on the whiteboard in the staff room.

Thanks to Mary for organising the session on “helping parents prepare good food for strong and healthy children.” The sessions were very well received and there was lots lots of food sampling!

April PD Week and FLAN

As the college Directors have decided to defer FLAN until Semester 2, could you please hold back on returning your April PD registration forms until we get a revised copy out to you.

 

Apologies for the inconvenience

 

Philip

On Wednesday 28th March at 3 pm the General Studies Division of West Coast (of which AMES is a part) is giving a presentation to the rest of the College. A video, powerpoint quiz, photos from Balga, the city etc as well as 3 minute talks from PMs will form most of the presentation. The timing is very difficult for many but AMES staff are encouraged to attend if possible (venue is the canteen in Joondalup). I have arranged for our Burmese guitarists to close the session with a song.

Congratulations to Lar Say Wah MEI for winning the AMES Mature Student Encouragement award and many thanks to Christine for nominating her. The West Coast Awards night is on April 4th. For a list of all winners see Philip's email or city blog.

PD in April (including FLAN). Forms are being distributed in pigeon holes.

Clocks in WA change on Sat 24 March at midnight- please remind students on Friday.

Barbara is back from India and will be available for relief until the end of term.

Anna contacted us today and asked me to pass on her thanks for the lovely card. All the messages of support have really raised her spirits. She sees the oncologist next Tuesday

The Swan gardener has a washing machine in good working order he wishes to donate to a student (he will deliver). It’s difficult to choose one deserving recipient but if you make some enquiries and find a desperate case, let me know.

From Alison “I have put information about the Mirrabooka library into the Excursion Folder (signing out). I've put in an APPLICATION FORM FOR JOINING. It is best that they complete it in class before taking them to the library. Also a list of REQUIREMENTS/DOCUMENTS they will need to bring to the library on joining, as proof of their identity. Please do not take master sheets- make a photocopy. (I couldn't find the actual Excursions folder, though it is around somewhere!) "

Permanent staff must fill in their leave for the whole of 2007 by 30 March (you have already done January, so this in effect means April to December 31 st). A sheet with relevant dates is being circulated today. Deadline to get completed forms to us is Monday 26 March so that we can check and send them on.

I want to finish class photos this week, so please put the orders in ASAP. If a student is absent when you put the list in, just order one for them and they can pay later.

Samantha is doing a great job in compiling the NCELTR tasks after downloading them from the web site. Everything is beautifully arranged and colour-coded BUT maintaining the files in this condition depends on ALL teachers doing the right thing, i.e. returning the sheets to their correct place after photocopying them. Cert 1 (including Precert) is nearly ready and Certs 2 and 3 will be ready next week.

A new citizenship class has started on Tuesday evenings (Romana is the teacher). We now have three citizenship classes running.

AMES is likely to purchase a licence for students to have the option of studying the CSWE online. The costs ( $100 per user per year providing that more than 100 students enrol) would be offset by charging the students hours. It is expected that DL students will benefit most but others who are working may opt for a “blended” approach, i.e. part-time class plus CSWE online.
Staff News
Sonia received a text message from Mary Aitken on Monday. .She has four more days in NZ. She was actually in Dunedin and on her way to Mt Cook. Having a great time. Says hi to everyone and will be at work next Monday. On Tuesday a card arrived from Franz Josef Glacier.

Carmen has taken a few days long service leave (in Queensland) and will be back next Tuesday.

I will be taking a day's leave on Monday 19th.

Harmony Day

As usual we will be holding our Harmony Day Sports on Wednesday 21 March. Sonia is producing a flyer but basic details are as follows: AM classes stop at 10.30 am, sports at 11 am, lunch 12.30 to 1.30 pm, pm classes 1.30 to 2.30 pm. We have decided not to have an ILC display, as response has waned in the last couple of years. I will circulate a program of events and official duties at the end of this week.

As interviews have tailed off (at least temporarily) Sonia and/or Veronica may be able to assist teachers with assessing LOs. However please make sure that you arrange sessions in advance.

Go to http://www.maps.google.com.au/ It’s an excellent resource which provides good satellite imagery of any area in the world and also plots any journey in Australia. In this respect it is the driver’s equivalent to Transperth’s “journey planner”.

Those of you who know Marilyn Treasure may like to read her recent email from the UAE, where she is working as an English teacher (Health Science). Her day starts at 5 am and finishes at 6 pm. She says she’ll never complain about TAFE working conditions again!! Go to http://amescity.blogspot.com/

Anne - Marie Allen 92858774 0416258774 is now available for relief work on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

From Cathy Domahidy:
There has been a request from NCELTR for teachers willing to trial the following tasks for NCELTR as part of their end of term assessment.
Please let her know ASAP if you can include any of these in your end of term assessment.

Pre-CSWE Pre A2, A3
Cert I A2, A3, B2, B3, D1, F1, F2, G1, G2
Cert II A1, A3, B2,B3, D1, D2, G1, H1, H2, I1
Cert III A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, B3, H2, I1

Go to http://www.maps.google.com.au/ It’s an excellent resource which provides good satellite imagery of any area in the world and also plots any journey in Australia. In this respect it is the driver’s equivalent to Transperth’s “journey planner”.

Those of you who know Marilyn Treasure may like to read her recent email from the UAE, where she is working as an English teacher (Health Science). Her day starts at 5 am and finishes at 6 pm. She says she’ll never complain about TAFE working conditions again!! Go to http://amescity.blogspot.com

Anne - Marie Allen 92858774 0416258774 is now available for relief work on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

From Cathy Domahidy:
There has been a request from NCELTR for teachers willing to trial the following tasks for NCELTR as part of their end of term assessment.
Please let her know ASAP if you can include any of these in your end of term assessment.

Pre-CSWE Pre A2, A3
Cert I A2, A3, B2, B3, D1, F1, F2, G1, G2
Cert II A1, A3, B2,B3, D1, D2, G1, H1, H2, I1
Cert III A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, B3, H2, I1

All leave for the rest of the year (April to end December) must be applied for by 31 March. However, hold off for a while as it’s JUST possible that we will be able to join the rest of TAFE and apply electronically (much to your delight, I’m sure).

Phases in CSWE certs. If you teach in a full-time class please make sure you keep to the LOs which make up the various phases (as agreed at PD). A sheet has been circulated to all staff as a reminder.

Re-enrolment info is being handed out today. Please don't hesitate to see me if you're unsure about a procedure, especially those who have not got much experience of filling them in.

Sonia is attending an AQTF workshop today, as West Coast will be audited in the next few months and we have to be prepared.

Mary has had a very busy week, with OA talks, International Women's Day (today) and two police talks tomorrow. Thanks to all teachers for passing on info/ recruiting.

Additions to relief list: Sabine Hecht Thurs only 94486519. Dorothea Milentis 92934628 0419295039. Both are experienced in AMES system.

Class photos will be taken next week (starting Mon 12 March) and on Tuesday Philip will be here again. Let him know if you have a topic you wish to cover.

From Carol: “Both emergency workers and the general public are becoming more aware of the internationally accepted method of contacting relatives in an emergency. By entering the acronym ICE – for In Case of Emergency – into a mobile’s phone book, users can log the name and number of someone who should be contacted in an emergency. The idea follows research carried out by Vodafone that shows more than 75 per cent of people carry no details of who they would like telephoned following a serious accident.” I might add that for those of our generation whose relatives check their phones every couple of days it may be wise to have an ICE2 (or even ICE3 and ICE4) just to make sure!

Anna rang on Sunday and says hello to all at Balga. She is still waiting to see the oncologist so that a course of chemo can begin. At this stage she will be on sick leave until March 23 rd but this depends on whether/ when chemo will start.
Those who knew Helen Farrington will be sorry to hear of her sad loss within the family and we are all thinking of her.

Fwd: AMEP Research Centre e-Bulletin - March 2007

This posting from Philip is a bit long, but there are several important bits in it. If you are interested in following anything up , please let Philip know.

AMEP RESEARCH CENTRE
e BULLETIN
Issue 11 March 2007

Welcome to the eleventh AMEP Research Centre e-Bulletin,
with news, items of interest, events, new resources and Web links.

New Director of the AMEP Research Centre

Professor Ingrid Piller has been appointed as Director
of the AMEP Research Centre and will take up her
appointment in mid April. Professor Piller is currently
Professor and Head of Department of English
Sociolinguistics at Basel University in Switzerland.
She was previously at the University of Sydney
from 2000-2005 where she was a Senior Lecturer,
and at Hamburg University from 1997 - 2000
where she was an Assistant Professor.
For Professor Piller's publications visit:
http://pages.unibas.ch/anglist/people/teachers/piller.htm


RESEARCH

Special Projects Research Program for 2005-06 is
now almost complete, with reports and publications
in process for final publication in 2007. The findings of
these projects have been reported at National Forums
and AMEP Conferences in 2005 and 2006, and can be
accessed at:
http://www.nceltr.mq.edu.au/conference/preconferences.html
and
http://www.nceltr.mq.edu.au/pdamep/nat_for/index.html

The Special Projects Research Program 2007-08
developed in consultation with the Department of
Immigration & Citizenship and AMEP Service Provider
Heads is in final stages of completion. Information about
the research program will be distributed to all AMEP Service
Provider heads, and will be available by the end of March at:
http://www.nceltr.mq.edu.au/research/research_frames.htm

AMEP RC Research coordinators will soon be in touch
with people and organisations nominated to participate
in projects of interest to them.

For enquiries about the research program contact
pamela.mcpherson@mq.edu.au


PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The Professional Development program for 2007 is as follows:

17-18 May
AMEP National Forum 1
Learners in Transition
Venue: TAFE SA English Language Services, Adelaide

12 - 13 July
Specialist Skills Course
Reframing Communicative Language Teaching
Venue: La Trobe University
Melbourne

30 July - 7 September
Teaching Skills Development Course
Integrating Numeracy
Venue: On-line delivery

4 - 6 October
AMEP National Conference
Changing Identities: Changing Needs
Venue: Mooloolaba Centre, Sunshine Coast
Institute of TAFE, Queensland
Confirmed guest speakers include:
Plenary speaker:
Professor Tracey Derwing
Featured Speakers:
Professor Frank Hardman
Hayo Reinders
Margaret Piper

15 - 16 November
AMEP National Forum 2
Orientation to Work and English in the AMEP
Venue: Canberra Institute of Technology, Canberra

Contact: amep@nceltr.mq.edu.au
Phone 02 9850 9645
www.nceltr.mq.edu.au/pdamep


AMEP National Forum II/2006 - Report
The report on the National Forum on Learners from Africa
(Hobart: November 2006) is now on our website at
http://www.nceltr.mq.edu.au/pdamep/nat_for/index.html


PROFESSIONAL CONNECTIONS
http://www.nceltr.mq.edu.au/pdamep/

Visit your professional website and be part of the
community of teaching. Your suggestions and contributions
are welcome to help us cater to your professional interests.
Please e-mail your suggestions to
pbrawn@nceltr.mq.edu.au


Our new addition to the Professional Connections is:

AMEP COUNSELLOR HOMEPAGE

This is a professional website for Educational Counsellors
in the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) in Australia.
It has news, information and resources to support
the work of AMEP Educational Counsellors.
It contains a contacts database with information
about organisations providing services to newly arrived
immigrants, and a discussion forum available only
to AMEP Counsellors.
Visit: http://www.nceltr.mq.edu.au/counsellors/index.html


ASSESSMENT HOMEPAGE
http://www.nceltr.mq.edu.au/ahp


FOCUS FOR 2007:
Our focus this year is on language in employment
related contexts. If you have any tasks that assess
language in areas that relate to employment,
these would be particularly welcome.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT KIT REVIEW:
We will be undertaking a review of the Professional
Development in Assessment kit that is currently available
on the Assessment Home Page website. If you have used
any of the workshops currently available and have any
feedback we would love to hear from you. If you have
never looked at them - now would be a good time to do so!

If you have any feedback on the Task Bank,
new tasks or general queries please contact us at:
ahp@nceltr.mq.edu.au


PUBLICATIONS

NEW PUBLICATIONS from NCELTR Publishing:

To order publications please email
muammer.ulukan@mq.edu.au
or phone 02 9850 7966

Our catalogue is available at
http://www.nceltr.mq.edu.au/publications/Catalogue.pdf

PROJECT BASED TEACHING WITH TECHNOLOGY
This book, from the Teaching with New Technology series,
presents the view that social computing helps implement
the objectives of project-based language teaching, in
environments where learners previously had few
opportunities for social language use. This book will help
teachers implement project-oriented CALL as well as
understanding the rationale behind it and the role
technology can play in this approach.
ISBN 978 1 74138 205 1

FOCUS ON VOCABULARY
Focus on Vocabulary examines the teaching and learning
of vocabulary for learners of English as a second or foreign
language where English is the language of instruction.
It explores vocabulary from a theoretical and historical
perspective and, offers practical suggestions for teaching
as well as a range of vocabulary tests and an academic
word list.
ISBN 978 1 74138 208 2

STAY SAFE SERIES
This new series of full colour readers provides survival
information on topics of interest to refugees and migrants
with very low levels of English. The readers are highly
pictorial to accommodate the 0+ learner. Each page has
an illustration and a maximum of 10 words. There is a
word bank at the back of each book to help the learner
extend their everyday vocabulary.

Christine Adby, Laura Chapman, Leanne Zuvich
The kitchen
978 1 74138 230 3
The living room and bedroom
978 1 74138 231 0
The bathroom and laundry
978 1 74138 232 7

NEW FACT SHEETS AVAILABLE NOW

TEACHING STRATEGIES - 6.
Working with continuous enrolment.

TEACHING STRATEGIES - 7.
Professional development through reflective practice.

COUNTRY PROFILE 10.
Burma.

All fact sheets are available for free at:
http://www.nceltr.mq.edu.au/pdamep/factsheets.html

GET WISE SERIES
This new series of literacy materials has been developed
specifically with the AMEP 'youth' market in mind. It aims
to provide stimulating, topic-based supplementary
classroom material relevant to their needs and interests.
The series is comprised of:
your future: work and study;
your time out;
your money;
your communications;
your health and wellbeing;
you and me.

The first module in the series
"Your future: work and study"
is due to arrive in March 2007 and it covers:
an outline of the Australian education system;
learner pathways; career pathways; career goals;
the importance of skills and interest in job choices.
The module includes: DVD, workbook, CD,
classroom chart, teacher's notes.
To order your classroom set, please email
muammer.ulukan@mq.edu.au

INTERNET UPDATE
Google Maps Australia now provides an online mapping
service providing business listings, driving directions,
interactive maps and satellite imagery that are accessible
from a PC or mobile phone (free GMM software
is required for the latter).
http://maps.google.com.au/

THRASS PD Session

Some teachers have expressed interest in learning more about THRASS.

We were thinking of having an information session during PD in April. Are there any teachers who have used THRASS in their classes and who would be able to give brief overview of how they used THRASS and how successful it was? If so, please contact PD.

Thanks.

CSSN Funding

The Curriculum Support Services Network is calling for applications for curriculum projects in four categories:
Basically, only two of the four categories apply to the CSWE:

II) The development of support materials to support accredited courses (ie CSWE)
III) Support for moderation practices and resources

So if you are interested in developing some materials in these categories or just have some ideas, please let us in PD know. If you want more details, please ask.

Click me to register interest

List of Tasks on NCELTR Assessment Task Bank

Here is the updated list of the tasks on the task bank.

Thanks to Ingrid checking the last one! Well done Ingrid.

Cheers
Cathy

Click me