New Ideas!! New Ways!! Conference
TAFE Western has pioneered the Children's Services Conferences to bring early childhood workers in Central and Western NSW together to engage with one another and share current information, new ideas and trends for their Industry.
Now an annual conference, New Ideas!! New Ways!!, has been hosted at Orange College for the last six years. Between 130 - 230 early childhood professionals from across NSW have benefited from a variety of presenters and enjoyed networking with others at each conference.
2012 Children's Services Conference
Saturday 19 May Commencing 8:30am
Registrations are now being accepted on line or via Western Institute Colleges. The early bird conference registration fee is $145 and closes on 1 April 2012. Registrations between 2 April 2012 and the closing date of 11 May 2012 will be $165. Special dietary requirements please email them to Judy Hansen at judy.hansen@det.nsw.edu.au.
$165 Registration - closing date 11 May 2012 Register and pay online
Workshop Booking/Registration
Booking/Register for your Workshop
NOTE:
1. You will require your current student logon and password to register if you have ever enrolled in TAFE NSW.
2. You have to pay your conference registration fee prior to entering the workshop booking site.
3. Your TAFENSW receipt number will entitle you to book 2 workshops, one each in the morning and afternoon sessions.
4. To check your student number and password, get assistance with registration for the conference or workshop bookings please call Judy Hansen 02 63915642 or email Judy Hansen prior to proceeding.
Conference Keynote Speaker 2012 - Heather Barnes
Observing the importance of early childhood education and care being recognised by all governments has been a highlight of her many years in the profession and she is looking forward to the introduction of he National Quality Framework. Her career has included teaching in preschools, Higher Education and TAFE. She has a long association with the National Childcare Accreditation Council as a Reviewer Trainer, Moderator and member of the Quality Advisory Group and has worked at Gowrie Victoria as Manager of Resource and Training. Heather now delivers training sessions throughout Australia for the Professional Support Coordinators, and for State, Territory and Commonwealth Governments. Heather is a passionate advocate for the Early Years Learning Framework and believes that it will make a difference for children, families and educators.
Heathers' Keynote presentation - The New world of the NQS
Child care services are going through a period of change as they prepare to be assessed under the National Quality Framework. Many educators are felling unsettled about what the the new system will mean. This address will explore the reasons behind the changes and motivate and inspire you to continue to provide the highest quality of education and care for the children and families at your service.
Workshops
Delegates have the opportunity to attend two workshops during the day. The workshops are designed to inform, inspire and interest participants in a smaller group setting. Each workshop will run for 90 minutes.
Workshop 1 - Preparing for the Assessment Visit with Heather Barnes.
This workshop will assist educators in preparing for their first Assessment Visit under the National Quality Standard. It will include suggested strategies for self-assessment, hints on completing the Quality Improvement Plan and what to expect during the Assessment Visit. Heather will help you to feel supported to explore the National Quality Standards and to embrace the changes of the new system.
Learning Outcomes:
- Increased understanding of the requirements of the NQS
- Knowledge of strategies and processes to undertake self assessment
- Increased awareness of the importance of the Quality Improvement Plan
- Preparedness for the first Assessment Visit
Workshop 2 - Everyday Outcomes - Putting the EYLF Learning outcomes into Practice with Luke Touhill.
The EYLF has rightly put the spotlight on children's learning as the focus of what we, as early childhood educators, do. Not all learning however is of equal value or importance. Unless we are able to define and be specific about the learning we are working towards then it is unlikely to simply happen on its own. One of the key lessons of the EYLF is that meaningful learning is too important to be left to chance.
In this regard the EYLF's learning outcomes provide us with a valuable tool to prioritise what learning is most important for children's progress and wellbeing. They also highlight that effective learning is a long term process that rarely happens overnight.
This presentation will consider how we can use the learning outcomes to give a sense of direction and focus to what we do, as well as looking specifically at the importance of incorporating learning from each of the outcomes into day to day practice.
Workshop 3 - Music with Messages Yala Gari (Speak the Truth) with Minnie and Darren Sutherland.
Minnie and Darren Sutherland have been together for more than 22 years and have 6 kids ranging from 21 to 8. Together they run a successful business called Yala Gari, which translates to Speak the Truth in Wiradjuri. Minnie is CCC trained and is passionate about early childhood and imparting her knowledge and sharing her wisdom with children.
The messages in the music are simple and include health, hygiene, respect and unity. Minnie believes that culture is how we live and it is important for all children to value difference and sameness. They have presented their workshop to preschool and schools throughout the Western Region and are keen to share their knowledge.
Wiradjuri language is used in their songs and games and Minnie and Darren love to introduce and interest all children to this.
Workshop 4 - Puppet Potential with Renee Webster.
Renee Webster completed a Batchelor of Arts, Batchelor of Social Work double degree with Charles Sturt University in 2003 and is currently studying a Masters of Applied Social Science with the Australian College of Applied Psychology. Renee's experience includes working within community development, project management and counseling roles supporting both adults and children. Renee's career path took an unexpected turn when she discovered puppetry during 2009. She was captivated and impressed by the versatility and the impacts of puppertry. She now works full-time utilising puppetry to boost wellbeing and resilience in children. This workshop may be of interest to you if you're keen to hear about and acquire some basic practical skills using puppetry with children aged 0-5 years.
Workshop 5 - The Neuroscience of Change with Georgia Lush.
"The only constant is change" is something we hear so often in the workplace. We are required to be flexible, to adapt easily to change, and yet change is the very thing that as human beings we find so hard. Why is this so? Come to this workshop to find out why our brains crave predictability and resist change, and what you can do to manage yourself and others in the face of constant change. Key elements to take away from this workshop are:
- find out how to "change" habits more easily
- learn proven techniques for emotional regulation
- discover the keys to effectively manage change in yourself and others
Workshop 6 - Practical Tools and Techniques to assist in successful classroom Communication with Megan Fox and Louise Rathie
Megan has 8 years experience in the Early Childhood field, joining ODEEP (Orange and District Early Education Program) in 2011. Megan's previous experience in the field includes working in Long Day Care and Preschools both in Australia and overseas. Megan is a strong advocator for positive inclusion for children with additional needs in the Early Childhood field, and is currently furthering her education studying to complete a Masters in Special Education. Louise has been practicing Speech Pathology in an Early Intervention setting for 2 years. She has worked with children from birth to six with a range of needs, supporting their communication and ability to access their communities.
"A community disability does not just belong to the individual. It belongs to the entire environment of which the individual is the focal point" (Sandwell-Communications Aids Centre, UK). Communication is an essential part of life. Through communication we connect with others, make our wants known and share ideas. However children with communication difficulties face a number of challenges when accessing their community. This presentation will outline a number of strategies that can be implemented into the classroom environment to support language development for all children. Included in the presentation will be an introduction to augmentative communication systems that can assist children to "learn new vocabulary, understand what is happening (incidentally reducing anxiety and averting tantrums) and make it easier for a group of children to socialise" (Early Childhood Australia). The strategies that will be discussed are practical and can be implemented into the classroom setting. We will also present ideas about ways in which you can create opportunities for communication development in the classroom.
Augmentative Communication systems that will be discussed are keyword sign, communication books, aided language display boards, choice boards and visual schedules.
Spotlights
Luke Touhill
Luke Touhill is an early childhood trainer and consultant with 20 years experience as a teacher, director, manager and trainer in a range of early childhood settings. For the past 2 years he has been delivering EYLF training throughout NSW on behalf of ECA, Children's Services Central, Community Child Care Co-op and CCSA.
As a teacher his interests include project based learning as well as integrating 'real' experiences such as cooking, gardening and woodwork into early childhood programs. He also has a PhD from Macquarie University where his thesis investigated the design of children's services in Australia.
Amy Shine
Forbes Preschool director, Amy Shine, will discuss how the preschool has developed partnerships in the wider community. This was demonstrated by the positive impact it has had on the service following their success by winning the Forbes Business Chamber Most Outstanding Business in 2011.
Mindy Smith
Mindy from Western Institute will outline the Tertiary Sector Pathways with CSU. This will shed light on the pathway and opportunities for certificate III qualified staff to articulate into the Associated Degree in Early Childhood at CSU. This exciting initiative between TAFE and CSU will provide options for those staff willing to continue their studies in Early Childhood.
Stall Holders
A variety of stall holders will be present on the day. For a chance to see what is available in new resources - both equipment and texts.
2012 Conference Program
Available soon
Orange College March Street Campus (102.8 kB)
Orange City Map (1.17 MB)
Highlights from the 2011 Conference
Increased attendance saw almost 200 people join together in Orange for the conference on 21 May 2011. Well respected author, lecturer, consultant and advocate Anne Stonehouse delivered her keynote address "Relationships for Learning".
Workshops on the day included:
- What's the EYLF got to do with babies and Toddlers - Anne Stonehouse
- Story Telling to rebalance the child's world - Judith Burton and Lisa Curle
- Gardening with children - Heather Brady
- Aboriginal Families - Tracey Foster
- Montessori - as relevant today as it was yesterday - Cathy Swan
- Words, words, words - Ros Craig
- Beyond Procrastination - Georgia Lush
- Time to Play - supporting successful play in the preschool years - Melinda Beveridge
- Mental Illness - Christina Hunt
Pictures from 2011 Conference
Highlights from the 2010 Conference
More than 150 people gathered for the day on 31 May 2010. The keynote speaker was Joy Lubawy, well known author and Children's Services Consultant. As well as the keynote speaker, the conference offered participants an opportunity to choose from the following workshops:
- Child Development and Quality Care - Maree Aldwinckle
- Teasing out the challenges - Joy Lubawy
- Acting up with Kids - Holly Manning
- Vulnerable Families - Megan Beasley
- Increasing Aboriginal Cultural Awareness- Kristy Dart
- Accreditation- More than ticking boxes - Julie Chesworth
- Simple Science Play in Early Childhood - Liz Rumbold
Pictures from 2010 Conference
