Posted on

Leading Teacher Early Childhood in Australia (Job)

Alternative Democratic Philosophy

Lane Cove Based – to start as soon as able
ACECQA recognised 3 or 4 yr degree (full-time) 

Our Preschool operates with the majority of learning through play, in an inside outside flow-through environment, big cushions, climbable sofas, in house artist, fully equipped art room, natural playground, lots of sand, water play, wandering chickens, tepee garden house, joining games with the big kids in primary, outside excursions to the magic bridge in the bush, unstructured programme inspired through ideas from the kids, day one begins the process of resolving difference through conflict resolution, an inclusive community of kids, parents and teachers filled with fun, laughter, hard work and great socials.
It is a 25 place preschool catering for children 3-5 years old. The working day is 8.30 am – 3.30 pm 5 days a week. The ECT will be the educational leader and part of a close team with two other staff. 

Working at Currambena Preschool involves :
-Operating in a non-hierarchical environment.
– Learning and implementing Conflict Resolution principles
– Pre-school and primary sharing the same environment.
– Being part of the whole school collaborative staffing team.

Background: Currambena Primary School and Preschool is an independent, secular, alternative, democratic school with students from 3-12 years old. 
www.currambena.nsw.edu.au

Please send us your CV including your philosophy on how you would best collaborate with children in their learning and relationship building. New graduates welcome!

 

Sue Goode (Preschool Director)
Currambena Preschool
ph: 9427 0644

Posted on

Save Tamariki School!

Tamariki School

from Jerry Mintz  

 

For decades, Tamariki School in New Zealand has stood as a beacon to the whole world, demonstrating that it is possible to have a terrific, publicly funded, learner-centered democratic school. Incredibly, this school is now under attack by those same government agencies for whom the school has brought such renown. Apparently the misguided and mostly discredited international scourge of “testing, accountability” and authoritarian, top-down administration has finally hit New Zealand. Ironically, this attack may actually signal that it may not be possible to have a publicly funded, student empowering and learner-friendly school. Let's not let that happen.

I had the good fortune of seeing the school myself when they hosted the 2002 International Democratic Education Conference. The school is great, that’s all there is to it. And it must be left alone so it can continue to do its good work.

If you agree with this, or have even seen the school or its staff members yourself, please write to the officials in whose hands the decisions lies. The information on how to take action and a sample letter you can send in seconds is below. Read a news item on the situation here.

  • Secretary of Education Peter Hughes: Peter.Hughes@minedu.govt.nz
  • Minister of Education Hekia Parata: h.parata@ministers.govt.nz
  • Regional Manager, Education Curriculum and Performance Liz Ely: Elizabeth.ely@minedu.govt.nz
  • The Press: reporters@press.co.nz
  • Copysend Tamariki director, Di Scullin: dscullin@clear.net.nz

 

This is a draft. Please feel free to use it or adapt it as you want.

(Introduce yourself and say where you are from/what organisation you represent)

Tamariki School is highly regarded internationally as one of the first schools to take up the child centered approach, started by A.S. Neill with Summerhill, recognising that each child is different and follows a unique developental path.  

Tamariki is part of an international education movement of schools which operate on democratic principles and allow children the freedom to determine their own learning progression. One size does not fit all and there needs to be room for innovation and difference in education. The school has been operating within this philosophy successfully for 46 years. 

Tamariki has been recognised as an educational leader in democratic and alternative education. It has hosted both an international (International Democratic Education Conference in  2002 and the Australasian Association for Progressive and Alternative Education Conference in 2010. These have given Tamariki international recognition and have drawn together people from all over the world and the Australasian area.

I/We request that the Ministry of Education continues to support the Integration Agreement that was signed in 1990 and allow this internationally respected school to continue to deliver an education of a type required by their unique Special Character. 

Posted on

Building a Culture of Innovation

Building a Culture of Innovation

Sir Ken Robinson delivers a brand new, insightful and entertaining talk to educators at the 9th Annual AERO Conference, "Finding the Catalyst for the Education Revolution."

Come to the 10th annual AERO Conference: May 23-26, near New York City! Find out more here.

 

"Education doesn't need to be reformed – it needs to be transformed.  The key is not to standardize education but to personalize it, to build achievement on discovering the individual talents of each child, to put students in an environment where they want to learn and where they can naturally discover their true passions." – Sir Ken Robinson

 

Sir Ken Robinson: Building a Culture of Innovation from AERO – Education Revolution on Vimeo.

Buy the complete 2-hour DVD of the talk here.