I won't get into much about how the WA minister for education has gone ahead and scrapped parts of OBE and allowed teachers to 'traditionally' grade their 11/12 students. This is because it's already received massive coverage in the news and press today and will continue to do so for the rest of the week/year.
I for one and disappointed because I am one of the few teachers who are in favour of OBE (don't have a go at me for that, we've already been involved in numerous debates on this blog and my other blog). I believe that the courses of study that were introduced were clear, concise and provided teachers with an easy guideline as to what content to teach. This is particularly good for me since I am a media studies teacher and the Media Production and Analysis course of study, which was finalised in 2005, is by far one of the easiest to follow courses there are for teachers.
Now that elements of OBE (and I'm confused as to what elements they are) are being scrapped, this means that eventually the courses of study will no longer have a place when a new syllabus is formed and adopted. (However we all know how long the CC takes getting their asses into gear)
And the changes only apply to year 11's and 12's anyway, so is this really a bold move? Why are they doing this?
McGowan obviously believes that swapping an unwanted and supposedly controversial education system for votes is for the best. Like any politician, he knows nothing about education and will always put the polls before TEE results in our state schools. No wonder the system is failing and suffering.
I was also peeved today at the very predictable tone that the West Australian took in reference to the story, their typical loudspeaker journalism from high up on their soapbox would appeal to the most ignorant of parents and the band-wagon full of anti-OBE teachers.
I just hope that one day the pollies sit down and put the kids first, think about setting an education system that won't get changed every 3 years and give them some consistency, let them actually know where they are academically and how they're doing, rather than having the bigwigs re-inventing the wheel.
Monday 22 January 2007
Tuesday 19 December 2006
I got a job!
On Friday I was offered my job back at my school. I'm extremely grateful to the admin in my school for helping me to keep my appointment. It's good to know I will be able to go through the holidays knowing I've got a job.
Hopefully the letters are being sent out now letting other people know if they have a job.
Hopefully the letters are being sent out now letting other people know if they have a job.
Wednesday 13 December 2006
Ravlich out - McGowan in
Well the big news today had to be Carpenter's cabinet re-shuffle. The announcement was made, and what it delivered was 5 out of 16 ministers hanging on to their portfolios. Among the affected was Jjiliana Ravlich who has lost the education title, which may or may not bring about drastic changes.
Although the change was suspected I'm less than hopeful that McGowan will deliver a better service to Education. Ravlich played a central role in delivering OBE to WA schools, and this wasn't easy to achieve. Public backlash and instant criticism was met, not surprisingly though for such an outcry to happen in WA politics when you consider what the only weekly newspaper we have to read in this state is....and don't get me started on 6PR!
A lot of people actually forget the job that Ljiliana had since gaining the portfolio. She's a politician, she doesn't just go into any decision blindfolded. To make policy you have to actually do a little research and ensure that what you're doing will be accepted by the majority of the people you are supposedly representing (unless your surname is Howard).
Ljiliana would obviously have advisors, and when she was in her previous role she would have called on them for....well....advice. Before implementing OBE obviously research teams would have delivered her information to help her to decide whether outcomes based education is feasible in this state. The information would have said: Computer says yes!
Therefore Ravlich went ahead with a decision that, in her mind, was for the good of the state and that everyone would embrace...well in politics you can please 'almost' everyone.
The public outcry and resentment towards Ravlich which followed, mostly due to the media and the bandwagon that it produces towards OBE, was, in my opinion, unjustified. Yet that's just my opinion and a lot of people tend to disagree with me anyway, including my fiance who holds some strong views against OBE.
Yet we're all different I guess and different opinions is what makes the world go around. It'll be interesting to see just how different McGowan is to Ravlich and wether courses of study and OBE will be sticking around. I for one hope that they do.
Although the change was suspected I'm less than hopeful that McGowan will deliver a better service to Education. Ravlich played a central role in delivering OBE to WA schools, and this wasn't easy to achieve. Public backlash and instant criticism was met, not surprisingly though for such an outcry to happen in WA politics when you consider what the only weekly newspaper we have to read in this state is....and don't get me started on 6PR!
A lot of people actually forget the job that Ljiliana had since gaining the portfolio. She's a politician, she doesn't just go into any decision blindfolded. To make policy you have to actually do a little research and ensure that what you're doing will be accepted by the majority of the people you are supposedly representing (unless your surname is Howard).
Ljiliana would obviously have advisors, and when she was in her previous role she would have called on them for....well....advice. Before implementing OBE obviously research teams would have delivered her information to help her to decide whether outcomes based education is feasible in this state. The information would have said: Computer says yes!
Therefore Ravlich went ahead with a decision that, in her mind, was for the good of the state and that everyone would embrace...well in politics you can please 'almost' everyone.
The public outcry and resentment towards Ravlich which followed, mostly due to the media and the bandwagon that it produces towards OBE, was, in my opinion, unjustified. Yet that's just my opinion and a lot of people tend to disagree with me anyway, including my fiance who holds some strong views against OBE.
Yet we're all different I guess and different opinions is what makes the world go around. It'll be interesting to see just how different McGowan is to Ravlich and wether courses of study and OBE will be sticking around. I for one hope that they do.
Still waiting...
I got a letter today from the Education Department. I was immediately excited because I thought this was the letter I was waiting for. The one that lets me know if I have a job for next year. Alas it was just my payslip.
I'm wondering if anyone knows anything about the placements for Fixed Term positions - have they started appointing people yet?
Until then I'll enjoy my holidays and wait in hope for a teaching position in '07.
I'm wondering if anyone knows anything about the placements for Fixed Term positions - have they started appointing people yet?
Until then I'll enjoy my holidays and wait in hope for a teaching position in '07.
Sunday 10 December 2006
That was the year that was - 2006
As a graduate teacher, 2006 (or the second half of it anyway) was my first year of teaching. A lot has happened since I first stepped through the doors of my school back in mid-July, and I'm happy to report that there have been more positives than negatives.
Without divulging too much about my identity or where I teach, I will say that I am at a senior high school in the Swan District. The school is about 40km from where I live but I see that as a short distance considering it's not remote. Yet apart from the geographic positioning of the school and physical distance, the mental and learning distance that I've travelled in the past six months has been phenomonal....and I'm not alone.
Plenty of Education students will approach their ATP the same way that an inexperience rock climber will approach Mount Everest. However that is nothing compared to what is in store for them at any school they are placed at. Sure some may have it harder than others, but that is all objective, and when you get right down to it, no matter where we are, we're going to have our struggles.
Yet we have the struggles, the minor skirmishes or run-ins with more experienced staff and painful students, and yes we may even be called in to the principals office at some time to bring back those school day memories. However we also have the opportunity to lean on someone, the person that can provide a graduate teacher with the safety net that they so definitely need these days. Every school has that mentor character, the one that can let you vent out your frustrations, be there when you're testing new waters, and keep you steady when you finally think it's time to take the training wheels off.
I was speaking to one of the heads of department at my school on Friday and she said it in simple but very true words; "Our graduate teachers need to be nurtured."
Now I bet your sitting there thinking, "hmmmm nature VS nuture, who always wins?" Despite what some people may say, teaching is a difficult profession and if you don't have people to support you then you're not going to make it, no matter how tough, versatile or resilient you are. The best way for someone to learn is to do, I am a huge advocate of hands-on education, however if graduate teachers are constantly thrown in the deep end by people who have the attitude that 'learning is doing and when I mean do I mean EVERYTHING', then the system fails.
Support is needed, and so is the security of your job. Too many first year or non-permanent teachers are shifted around after spending three months in limbo or not having a clue what's going to happen to them at the beginning of the year. And believe me, it's not fun when in late January, you receive a letter saying that you need to be in Dongara in a few days time.
Graduate teachers need the support, not just of the staff and administration at their school, but of the department of education as well. The system needs to be re-built so that superb new energetic and enthusiastic graduates are not used and abused to the point where they rethink their entire careers. We can't afford to lose anymore quality teachers, and we can't afford to lose them in the schools that need them the most.
So let's move away from those negatives now and look at the positives. (Let's stray from politics and look purely at teaching.)
We are in a profession where the future is indirectly influened by all of us. Each teacher interacts with everyone of their students (and if they don't they shouldn't be teaching). Like it or not, they are an influence on their lives. Some may become role models, some may become idolised, some (heaven forbid) become father or mother figures. And yes there are some that become disliked, resented and even hated by their students. Either way, we are playing an influence in their lives and what we say or do in the classroom will echo on through that childs life. It may be something as simple as a little piece of advice that they may find helpful when their older. It may even be a long lecture of advising comments that steers the student to become a massive success in their life. No matter how great or how small, we are all, in one way or another, indirectly influencing the future.
And that, I believe, is the greatest thing about our profession. We are able to mould minds, shape opinions, and groom some of the leaders of tomorrow. We are able to place emphasis on values and morals, on the difference between right and wrong, honesty and dishonesty, loyalty and treachoury.
The next best thing about our profession is the people that we meet. The other teachers at our schools. They will be our backbone as long as we're at that school. They will provide the support and assistance. And most importantly, they are the ones that will be there for us to bitch and moan to at the end of the day or on Fridays after a few beers in the staff room.
There are far more positives than this, yet every teacher experiences their time differently, and over the year you were bound to have some interesting times as well as the boring ones, suffice it to say that every year is a year of ups and downs.
Hopefully the years from now on can bring us a few more ups.
Without divulging too much about my identity or where I teach, I will say that I am at a senior high school in the Swan District. The school is about 40km from where I live but I see that as a short distance considering it's not remote. Yet apart from the geographic positioning of the school and physical distance, the mental and learning distance that I've travelled in the past six months has been phenomonal....and I'm not alone.
Plenty of Education students will approach their ATP the same way that an inexperience rock climber will approach Mount Everest. However that is nothing compared to what is in store for them at any school they are placed at. Sure some may have it harder than others, but that is all objective, and when you get right down to it, no matter where we are, we're going to have our struggles.
Yet we have the struggles, the minor skirmishes or run-ins with more experienced staff and painful students, and yes we may even be called in to the principals office at some time to bring back those school day memories. However we also have the opportunity to lean on someone, the person that can provide a graduate teacher with the safety net that they so definitely need these days. Every school has that mentor character, the one that can let you vent out your frustrations, be there when you're testing new waters, and keep you steady when you finally think it's time to take the training wheels off.
I was speaking to one of the heads of department at my school on Friday and she said it in simple but very true words; "Our graduate teachers need to be nurtured."
Now I bet your sitting there thinking, "hmmmm nature VS nuture, who always wins?" Despite what some people may say, teaching is a difficult profession and if you don't have people to support you then you're not going to make it, no matter how tough, versatile or resilient you are. The best way for someone to learn is to do, I am a huge advocate of hands-on education, however if graduate teachers are constantly thrown in the deep end by people who have the attitude that 'learning is doing and when I mean do I mean EVERYTHING', then the system fails.
Support is needed, and so is the security of your job. Too many first year or non-permanent teachers are shifted around after spending three months in limbo or not having a clue what's going to happen to them at the beginning of the year. And believe me, it's not fun when in late January, you receive a letter saying that you need to be in Dongara in a few days time.
Graduate teachers need the support, not just of the staff and administration at their school, but of the department of education as well. The system needs to be re-built so that superb new energetic and enthusiastic graduates are not used and abused to the point where they rethink their entire careers. We can't afford to lose anymore quality teachers, and we can't afford to lose them in the schools that need them the most.
So let's move away from those negatives now and look at the positives. (Let's stray from politics and look purely at teaching.)
We are in a profession where the future is indirectly influened by all of us. Each teacher interacts with everyone of their students (and if they don't they shouldn't be teaching). Like it or not, they are an influence on their lives. Some may become role models, some may become idolised, some (heaven forbid) become father or mother figures. And yes there are some that become disliked, resented and even hated by their students. Either way, we are playing an influence in their lives and what we say or do in the classroom will echo on through that childs life. It may be something as simple as a little piece of advice that they may find helpful when their older. It may even be a long lecture of advising comments that steers the student to become a massive success in their life. No matter how great or how small, we are all, in one way or another, indirectly influencing the future.
And that, I believe, is the greatest thing about our profession. We are able to mould minds, shape opinions, and groom some of the leaders of tomorrow. We are able to place emphasis on values and morals, on the difference between right and wrong, honesty and dishonesty, loyalty and treachoury.
The next best thing about our profession is the people that we meet. The other teachers at our schools. They will be our backbone as long as we're at that school. They will provide the support and assistance. And most importantly, they are the ones that will be there for us to bitch and moan to at the end of the day or on Fridays after a few beers in the staff room.
There are far more positives than this, yet every teacher experiences their time differently, and over the year you were bound to have some interesting times as well as the boring ones, suffice it to say that every year is a year of ups and downs.
Hopefully the years from now on can bring us a few more ups.
Tuesday 5 December 2006
Education Under Rudd
As the Labor leadership changed hands yesterday in Canberra the press swarmed all over Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard moments later in a press conference. Myself being a devoted supporter of the ALP, I couldn't help but take some time out from my usual schedule at school to read up on what was said. Interestingly Rudd made a number of comments about revitalising the manufacturing industry in Australia. This led me to the question: What would this mean for Education?
On the surface it this could possibly lead to an increase in funding for V.E.T courses in secondary schools as well as TAFE and technical colleges. Looking more closely, it would also mean a larger push to promote trade careers and apprenticeships for school-leavers.
The only problem with this however, is that currently, the trend shows that more and more secondary students are leaving school early to pick up an apprenticeship or move into a V.E.T course rather than go on to tertiary studies.
Of course we need skilled trade-people in our society. Of course any country needs skilled workers and quality manufacturers to keep the economy going, and yes of course not all students are built for a university education. However, and this is a big however: We can't sit idly by while numbers of university entrants out of our public schools suffer and more apprenticeships and TAFE courses are filled up. There can be only so many skilled workers who can take on a certain number of apprentices per year. So what other option is there for the school-leaver who doesn't qualify? Easy answer, lets open the mines up to them!
Yes that one saviour of the WA economy and driving force behind the rediculous house pricing in Perth: The iron ore industry! I'm sorry folks but the boom can only last so long and once it does students will be hearing the same ideophonic sound go off in their ears when they find out they've run out of options. (of course your future is never set when your young but it's good for kids to get a scare every once in a while).
So far in my short career of being a graduate teacher, I've met countless students who have got the serious potential and raw intelligence that just screams out for universities to feed them more and more. Alas despite potential, the enthusiasm and drive just isn't there (nor is there much family support) and therefore, sadly, they will not have the opportunity to go on to tertiary education.
I put the blame squarely on the 3 factors:
On the surface it this could possibly lead to an increase in funding for V.E.T courses in secondary schools as well as TAFE and technical colleges. Looking more closely, it would also mean a larger push to promote trade careers and apprenticeships for school-leavers.
The only problem with this however, is that currently, the trend shows that more and more secondary students are leaving school early to pick up an apprenticeship or move into a V.E.T course rather than go on to tertiary studies.
Of course we need skilled trade-people in our society. Of course any country needs skilled workers and quality manufacturers to keep the economy going, and yes of course not all students are built for a university education. However, and this is a big however: We can't sit idly by while numbers of university entrants out of our public schools suffer and more apprenticeships and TAFE courses are filled up. There can be only so many skilled workers who can take on a certain number of apprentices per year. So what other option is there for the school-leaver who doesn't qualify? Easy answer, lets open the mines up to them!
Yes that one saviour of the WA economy and driving force behind the rediculous house pricing in Perth: The iron ore industry! I'm sorry folks but the boom can only last so long and once it does students will be hearing the same ideophonic sound go off in their ears when they find out they've run out of options. (of course your future is never set when your young but it's good for kids to get a scare every once in a while).
So far in my short career of being a graduate teacher, I've met countless students who have got the serious potential and raw intelligence that just screams out for universities to feed them more and more. Alas despite potential, the enthusiasm and drive just isn't there (nor is there much family support) and therefore, sadly, they will not have the opportunity to go on to tertiary education.
I put the blame squarely on the 3 factors:
- Courses of study are poorly sold by teaching staff
- VET and TAFE are highly promoted
- No family support + rediculous amounts of $$$ for university courses
Although the Whitlam government of the 70's helped in establishing more access to universities for the working and middle class, the help has not extended into 2006. The average university graduate will be paying off their HECs debt at least 5 years after graduating, if they are lucky enough to even find employment.
It seems as if the drive towards a 'gold collar' working society has slowed to a crawl. Instead of taking advantage of ICT education and the brilliant new courses of study which have been developed here in Western Australia, the car, if I can borrow a quote from Kevin Rudd's tired rhetoric, 'Has taken a fork in the road'.
Mr Rudd, you are an intelligent man who has already proven great leadership and I believe you will become the next Prime Minister. However, when it comes to education please do not interfere. Howard has already imposed his control over the states, and if the revitalisation of Australia's manufacturing industry is to take place (which I do hope it does) then allow for the states to at least promote relevent courses for students, at least WA can't sell a trade career more than it already has.....I hope.
Waiting for the letter to arrive....
It's the time of the year where everything is winding down and teachers are getting excited about the impending holidays.
However if you are a teacher in my position then you'll have a niggling question in the back of your mind - "Will I have a job next year?".
Welcome to the world of fixed term teachers. A constant stream of uncertainly that faces us whenever time draws closer to the end date of our positions and we wonder if another job opportunity will present itself. Considering my current situation I thought I'd share my experience on here.
Over the past two weeks I have been frequently asked by many teachers and parents if I will have a job next year. My answer "No, I just have to wait and see what happens".
Now relying on Staffing to give you the job isn't the only way of gaining employment in a school. There is also the highly competitive Merit Select road. I gave that a go this year - what a exhausting and demoralising experience that was for me. I learnt that I had to feel better about myself as a teacher before I could effectively sell myself in a Selection Criteria.
So I have come to rely on Staffing to appoint me a position. I am not worried that I haven't heard anything yet. The school year hasn't finished yet and there is still six weeks till the new school year.
What I have found interesting is how angry and disgusted people are with the Education Department for the "way I'm being treated", and yet I don't feel the same way. I was appointed to my current school for one year, which finishes on Friday. Next year they have two positions which have been filled by teachers through the referred teacher process. These teachers are both coming from the far north. They have spent their time in the country, one in a remote school and have earned their permanency and consequently a position in my school. So I can't feel angry about not being able to stay in my current job next year because these two teachers deserve it. All I can hope for is another position with a long contact or unbelievably be given a clear vacancy position. The latter isn't likely considering I've only chosen metro schools. Another reason I can't be unrealistic about getting a job - but I need to stay in the city because that is where I'm happy.
I do have a smaller glimmer of hope to stay on at my current school though. The teacher appointed to the Pre Primary is taking next year off. This gives me the chance to have another year at my school. The principal is currently harassing staffing for me so I can stay. Fingers crossed that I can!
There are only three days left of school and in that time I have to hope that I get some good news. If not I'll be walking to the letter box everyday, waiting for the letter to arrive from the Department that tells me where I will be working next year.
If you are in the same position as me - Good Luck! And please feel free to comment and share your own story.
However if you are a teacher in my position then you'll have a niggling question in the back of your mind - "Will I have a job next year?".
Welcome to the world of fixed term teachers. A constant stream of uncertainly that faces us whenever time draws closer to the end date of our positions and we wonder if another job opportunity will present itself. Considering my current situation I thought I'd share my experience on here.
Over the past two weeks I have been frequently asked by many teachers and parents if I will have a job next year. My answer "No, I just have to wait and see what happens".
Now relying on Staffing to give you the job isn't the only way of gaining employment in a school. There is also the highly competitive Merit Select road. I gave that a go this year - what a exhausting and demoralising experience that was for me. I learnt that I had to feel better about myself as a teacher before I could effectively sell myself in a Selection Criteria.
So I have come to rely on Staffing to appoint me a position. I am not worried that I haven't heard anything yet. The school year hasn't finished yet and there is still six weeks till the new school year.
What I have found interesting is how angry and disgusted people are with the Education Department for the "way I'm being treated", and yet I don't feel the same way. I was appointed to my current school for one year, which finishes on Friday. Next year they have two positions which have been filled by teachers through the referred teacher process. These teachers are both coming from the far north. They have spent their time in the country, one in a remote school and have earned their permanency and consequently a position in my school. So I can't feel angry about not being able to stay in my current job next year because these two teachers deserve it. All I can hope for is another position with a long contact or unbelievably be given a clear vacancy position. The latter isn't likely considering I've only chosen metro schools. Another reason I can't be unrealistic about getting a job - but I need to stay in the city because that is where I'm happy.
I do have a smaller glimmer of hope to stay on at my current school though. The teacher appointed to the Pre Primary is taking next year off. This gives me the chance to have another year at my school. The principal is currently harassing staffing for me so I can stay. Fingers crossed that I can!
There are only three days left of school and in that time I have to hope that I get some good news. If not I'll be walking to the letter box everyday, waiting for the letter to arrive from the Department that tells me where I will be working next year.
If you are in the same position as me - Good Luck! And please feel free to comment and share your own story.
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