More than 60 new teachers gathered at “the place of deep gullies” — Bundanoon — on Gundungurra land for a two-day Beginning Teacher Conference
Teachers from across the region attended the conference over the weekend of 20-21 September, the second in the Southern Highlands town this year, with the first held in March.
The event not only provided the perfect opportunity to network with other early-career teachers, but also allowed them to gain valuable insights into teaching skills and guidance through the accreditation process.
New teachers were able to explore their conditions of work and have the requirements and procedures for gaining and maintaining accreditation explained.
Other topics covered included current issues in education as well as the enhancement of programming, planning and classroom management skills. Participants also gained an understanding of the support and member services offered by Federation.
One attendee wrote in their evaluation of the course: “Very helpful regarding accreditation and awareness of what Federation is doing. Would definitely recommend [it] to other beginning teachers.”
Another commented: “I was provided with a variety of information relevant to different aspects of being a beginning teacher.”
While one participant felt the program had motivated their activism: “Wonderful conference, very informative and has pushed my drive as an activist for things relating to beginning teachers.”
Federation hosts one- and two-day beginning teacher conferences around the state for all new teachers employed as full-time, temporary or casual school teachers by the Department of Education, and who are members of the union.
Two-day (weekend) conferences are held at Bundanoon, Riverina (Wagga Wagga), North Coast (Arrawarra), Lightning Ridge or Coonabarabran in alternate years.
Completing the two-day Beginning Teachers Conference contributes six hours of NESA-registered personal development addressing 1.4.2, 2.2.2, 2.3.2, 2.4.2, 3.2.2, 4.1.2, 6.1.2, 7.2.2, 7.4.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW.
Completing the one-day conference provides four hours of NESA-registered PD addressing the same standards as the weekend conference.