Compass Directions newsletter - 15 December 2011

In this edition...

Upcoming activities

Latest news
Thank you to all our schools and supporters

Professional development 2012
Staff development day on campus
Teacher release for ‘My Science’ PD in Term 1
In school professional development
2012 Successful Learning Conference – Important date changes

School holiday opportunities
Sydney Festival – January 2012
University of Sydney Museums and Art Gallery

Upcoming activities

Latest news

Thank you!

A big thank you to all our schools and supporters

The Compass program went from strength to strength in 2011, and this is in no small part due to the ongoing support and cooperation we receive from our schools and supporters. We’ve been able to introduce new programs with great success, run existing programs in a greater number of schools, and engage with over 6, 500 students and teachers! We also welcomed four new high schools into the program, all of which have participated enthusiastically since coming aboard. We are very excited about 2012 and can’t wait to share another bumper year with you all.

Wishing you all a safe and happy break,
The Compass Team

Professional development 2012

Staff development day on campus

If you are interested in having one of your staff development days on campus at the University of Sydney, you can use part of your PL/PD budget for venue hire. Venues fill quickly, so to avoid disappointment please contact us with your preferred date as soon as you have one.

Teacher release for ‘My Science’ PD in Term 1

As part of our support for the Widening Participation grant recipients, money from your PD/PL budget can be used to cover the release of one teacher per participating school to attend the My Science PD on the 30th of March. Please note that the My Science PD for semester 2 falls on staff development day (16th of July), therefore no teacher release will be necessary.

In school professional development

As in 2011, your PD/PL budget can be used to fund in-school professional development. For example, you may have an academic talk your staff through specific areas of the new curriculum, effective behaviour management strategies, or how to differentiate the classroom. Academics become booked out quite early, so please discuss your needs with Alex before the University of Sydney staff holidays (15th of December).

2012 Successful Learning Conference – Important date changes

Calls for papers – proposals now due 7th of February
2012 Successful Learning Conference is now on Monday 8th and Tuesday 9th of October, 2012.

This annual conference focuses on issues and developments in the provision of quality education for students K–12 who experience difficulties learning in a mainstream classroom setting. Areas addressed will include literacy and numeracy, accountability and assessment, behaviour management and social skills instruction.

School holiday opportunities

Sydney Festival – January 2012

The Sydney Festival begins on the 7th of January, with many exhibition and performance venues at or near The University of Sydney (Carriage Works, Tin Shed Galleries, Seymour Centre and the University Art Gallery). There will also be opportunities to experience the festival at other locations, including Parramatta and Campbelltown. Numerous festival events are free and family friendly.

University of Sydney Museums and Art Gallery

Didn’t make it to the University Museums or Art Gallery this year? The Macleay and Nicholson museums, and the Sydney University Art Gallery, are open 10:00am – 4:30pm Monday – Friday, and noon – 4:00pm Sunday (not open on Saturdays or public holidays). Entry is free!

Contact us

If you would like to contribute to this newsletter, or have any feedback, please contact:

Social Inclusion Unit
Baxter’s Lodge F02
The University of Sydney NSW 2006
Email:
Website: www.sydney.edu.au/compass
Fax: 8627 8518