Public Education Week

Blogs \ Teacher Cate \ Public Education Week

Public Education Week

Sunday, 25 May 2008 10:25

This week schools are celebrating education week. The theme is "a love of learning" . A love of learning links in with life-long learning, which benefits everyone. Apropos of education week, I'd like to share some wonderful moments in education that I have witnessed over the past few weeks. Our school has linked in with the gifted and talented artist program run through the "Artist in Residence" at Fairfield High School. This program is funded by the Department of Education and by sales of the work that the students produce. A professional artist's studio is maintained in the ground of the high school. Primary students are selected by the artist, Ian Hale, to attend a one day a week program over four weeks. In this time they make a professional etching, a quality screenprint and a painting on canvas. I've been lucky enough to attend with the students and can testify that it is a wonderful initiative.

Two weeks ago I attended Sylvania High School to cheer on the Canley Vale High School Theatresports team. It was a fabulous night, full of laughter as these brave and talented students improvised their way through various sketches. This competition continues - but Canley Vale were joint winners that night.

Another competition running this term is the NSW Junior Chess League Schools competiton. I've entered a team from my school for the first time. We've won five out of eight games so far and I am incredibly impressed with the good sportsmanship and manners of all the kids involved.

What do all these things have in common? Dedicated and caring teachers, taking time out of their work and/or personal lives to facilitate, drive, coach and mentor our talented students. There is much to celebrate in our public schools!

Just in...

Did you know?

Gifted children vary a lot. Some are great at sports. Some have disabilities. Children can be gifted or not along one or more of a large number of dimensions. Labels like "gifted" need to be used carefully as all children are different.

NSWAGTC Blogs

The blogs appearing on the NSWAGTC site are designed to provide colour, news and subjective views about the many issues and concerns facing gifted children and their parents, care-givers and educators.

Some of the blogs are associated with formal roles of the NSWAGTC, such as the President and the Webmaster. These allow the persons filling these roles to note to members any current news and changes.

Other NSWAGTC blogs are written by individuals with experience of gifted children from one or more perspectives - for example Cate's Blog is from the viewpoint of a primary school teacher and parent of gifted children. These blogs are written solely by the person identified and represent his or her views, rather than necessarily those of the NSWAGTC.

Comments are invited

We invite comments on our blog entries, by both financial members and registered users (free). Click here to register. Comments may be reviewed and those considered inappropriate will be deleted.

New blogs?

We would also be delighted to consider applications from potential bloggers provided that the applicant accepts that this will be subject to a review process and may well be declined for any number of reasons which may not be shared with the applicant. Applications, which should include a resume and a vision for the potential blog, and suggestions for new blogs, can be sent in the first instance to the webmaster.