Message from the Association

We are thinking of you all as many of you start to head back to the classroom.  Who knows what the next 8 weeks will bring, we can only imagine the melting pot of excitement, joy, frustration, anxiety, fear, exhaustion and confusion experienced by students and staff alike.   I have no doubt that you all will be giving your best during this time to support your students, especially those in year 12 about to head into the HSC and for that I applaud you.  I hope you navigate these challenging times with a sense of humour and being gentle with yourselves and your colleagues. 

During the last month the Minister for Education released the Government's response to the Legislative Council's Inquiry into the Curriculum Review, we responded to this moment calling for the Minister to re-think the timeline for Curriculum Reform, particularly given two years of living and learning through COVID.  You can read that release here. 

It was great to see many of our Secondary Teachers online recently for the Stage 6 Conference and the Primary Teachers who came along to our term four Primary Teachers Network Meeting, where we heard from NESA's Shirley Casper on the development of the K- 6 Science and Technology Syllabus and Philippa Miller and Sophie Poisel with ideas for the K-6 classroom.   

Congratulations too, to our 2021 Early Careers and Leadership Course participants, who have been coming together once per term to deepen their skills and knowledge with a commitment to setting goals for their Professional Development and building lasting networks.  The final mentoring session was full with camaraderie and collegial support. 

With our Professional Learning Program wrapped up for 2021, we are now turning our heads to planning for next year. Organising Committees are forming and beginning to meet to discuss themes and programs, we will have further details to send you shortly. In the mean time, dates have been set, so remember to Save the Dates in your diary and let your colleagues know.     

Good luck as you head in to Term four. 

Yours in Science 

Jane Powles

Executive Officer 

Association News

Save the Date for Head Teachers Network

Following the success of Primary Teachers Network, in 2022, we'll be establishing a Head Teachers Network, so stay tuned for more detail and save the dates in your calendar.  

Save the Date for the next Primary Teachers Network

The next Primary Teachers Network meeting will be on 16 February 2022. All Primary Teachers are welcome, involvement is free and we look forward to seeing old faces and welcoming new. 

Save the Date for Meet the Markers 2022

On 31st March, 1&2 April 2020, Meet the Markers Conference is happening again. Attending this conference presents a unique opportunity to hear from HSC Markers giving their advice and strategies arising from marking the HSC science examinations. Save the date now! 

Save the Date for Young Scientist Award Presentation 2021

Judging for this year is wrapping up and we are preparing for the Award Presentations that will be taking place online via the Young Scientist Facebook Page - Nov 22, 23, 24 and 25.  Stay tuned and good luck to everyone!

Other News & Updates

Science Teachers Association NSW: 2022 Professional Learning Calendar

We are committed in providing leadership and promoting excellence in science education and have planned a teacher informed program of professional learning opportunities for next year.  You can find our 2022 dates here,  we are looking forward to seeing you all again next year and hopefully in person.

SEE MORE

 Celebrate World Teacher's Day NSW 2021

Together, let's celebrate quality teaching and inspirational teachers. World Teachers’ Day is an opportunity to recognise the 160,000+ primary, secondary and early childhood teachers who work in NSW.

This year NSW will celebrate World Teachers’ Day on 29 October 2021.

There are lots of ways that your school community can get involved.

SEE MORE

Resources & More

NSW Department of Education Science Extension Course

The NSW Department of Education is showcasing student excellence in science research.  Celebrating the amazing research being done by students across the state. Reports will be published for everyone to see via an online platform. Here is a video to find out more and how to get involved. 

READ MORE  

TGNSW: Zoom into Guild Education Series

It is a free monthly moderated virtual discussion hosted by the Teachers’ Guild of NSW on a range of education topics to help teachers and educators who are leading, preparing students and communities for the next generation.

Retired science teacher finds 130-million-year-old dinosaur tracks

Dinosaur experts say a pair of 130-million-year-old tracks next to a popular Broome boat ramp show the footprints of a brontosaurus-type dinosaur next to a tyrannosaurus-type dinosaur, and has never been documented previously.

Powerhouse Museum: Get the Vax Straight

Primary & Secondary. Learn the latest in the global fight against the SARS-CoV-2 virus that has now claimed more than 4.5 million lives around the world because of COVID-19. Let’s bust the myths, learn the truth and find out how we can work toward a safer world, now and into the future as new strains and viruses may emerge.