imagine explore discover

HUME CITY COUNCIL
IMAGINE
EXPLORE
DISCOVER
VOLUME 21, WINTER 2010
www.hume.vic.gov.au
3
TAKING THE PIZZICATO EFFECT TO A SECONDARY SCHOOL
6
SUNBURY SCHOOLS: TEACHING EMOTIONAL
INTELLIGENCE IN THE MIDDLE YEARS
10 TEACHERS’ SCHOLARSHIPS 2010
16 WINTER SEASON OF LEARNING
Welcome to
Imagine, Explore,
Discover (IED)
CONTENTS
Inspiring lifelong learning in Hume
3
Are you emotionally intelligent?
Emotional Intelligence (EI) is
currently a hot topic. The term was
popularised by Daniel Goleman
and his bestselling book Emotional
Intelligence: why it can matter
more than IQ, but the importance
of being aware of your emotions
and the emotions of others was
identified in the early 1900’s.
The early years
5
The school years 6
The adult years / The older years
10
HGLV network
11
Learning at Hume Libraries
12
Four teachers in
Sunbury conducted
an interesting study
about EI showing
how it can help
to build successful
relationships within
the classroom. You
can read the full
story about this on
pages 6 and 7. IED
also interviewed Sir
John Whitmore, a
world renowned
author, about EI as
an important skill
for professional and
academic success.
IMAGINE, EXPLORE, DISCOVER
In this edition you can read all about the
Hume Global Learning Village members
new partnerships.
Meadows Primary School and
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra are
extending their successful classical
musical program, The Pizzicato Effect,
to a secondary school; a new life skills
program, Moving Forward, is assisting
young people in the areas of personal
development and healthy lifestyle
options; and the Victoria University and
Sunbury Primary School partnership
program is allowing aspiring teachers to
put into practice the theory they learnt
at university and the young teachers
couldn’t be more excited about it - read
Sarah and Adam’s story on page 9.
Finally, I’d like to remind you that the
Winter Season of Learning program
is currently on and runs until October
3, with activities being held at various
locations throughout Hume City. There
is something on offer for all age groups,
from kids, to young people and adults.
Hope you enjoy reading this issue of IED!
Ken Thompson
Chairman,
Hume Global Learning Village
2
STORY IDEAS
HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR EVENTS
AND ACTIVITIES
Hume Global Learning Village
(HGLV) members can promote their
programs and initiatives within the
Village network with our quarterly
magazine; Imagine, Explore, Discover
(IED). If you have recent news or
information about learning programs
and initiatives, send a press release
or brief description of your event
or activity to the IED editor at
[email protected]
To have your material published and
promoted you must be a Village member
and your item needs to be learning related.
We would also love to hear from you
about issues and topics you’d like to see
in future editions of our newsletter.
To become a HGLV member visit
www.hume.vic.gov.au and click on
Hume Global Learning Village in the top
right side bar of the page. Alternatively
send your contact details, story ideas
and the services you want to promote
to Luciana Arantes, Hume Global
Learning Centre, 1093 Pascoe Vale Road,
Broadmeadows VIC 3047.
A MUSICAL COMMUNITY
THE PIZZICATO EFFECT
Now in its second year, the
partnership between Meadows
Primary School and Melbourne
Symphony Orchestra (MSO) has
been so successful that funding has
been extended. Helen Hatzikalis,
MSO Program In-School coordinator,
is now looking for a secondary
school to run The Pizzicato Effect, a
pioneering classical musical program,
in Broadmeadows. “The students will
leave Primary School and will be able
to continue the program when they
move to another school, we are all
very excited that we are establishing
the pathways into secondary schools
to ensure the sustainability of this
program”, says Helen.
In 2009, 92 students from Grades 1 and
2 were involved in the program, this
year, 105 students are participating. The
program is evolving, with music students
from the University of Melbourne coming
to the school to help MSO musicians
in the classroom. “We have a guest
teacher, conductor Mark Shiell coming to
run a few workshops with the children
during terms 3 and 4,” says Helen.
For more information on the Pizzicattto
Effect contact Helen Hatzikalis,
MSO Program In-School coordinator,
Meadows Primary School, via email
[email protected]
or call 9309 2355.
Will, a recent graduate from the
Moving Forward program, says
the program has given him the
motivation and skills to face his
future with confidence.
Will is almost 15 years old and has not
regularly attended school for the past
year. With the help of the personal
development sessions in the program,
he has identified an interest in art and is
developing his creative side.
MOVING
FORWARD
GET READY TO WORK
The Moving Forward program is a life
skills program for disengaged young
people aged from 15 to 19 years who
live in or are associated with the City
of Hume. It assists young people in the
areas of personal development, work
readiness, goal setting and healthy
lifestyle options.
Helen Hatzikalis, MSO
Program In-School
coordinator,
is now looking for a
secondary school to run
the fully funded, classical
musical program in
Broadmeadows
Top Left: Nadia Kloder, 8yo: “I am learning
how to play the violin, it is difficult to read
the notes but I really like classical music.
I asked my mum to buy me a violin, she said
she will give me one when I grow up”
Top Right: The students can choose between
the violin, viola or cello, with the cello being
the most popular instrument
The program is a partnership between
Hume Whittlesea Local Learning and
Employment Network (HWLLEN) and
Hume City Council’s Youth Services.
The Salvation Army Crossroads, Victoria
Police, Kangan Institute, Workforce Plus,
School Focused Youth Service and local
schools are key partners.
For more information on the Moving
Forward program, contact Hume City
Council’s Youth Central (33 Pearcedale
Road, Broadmeadows) on 9205 2556.
From back left to right: Moving Forward
participants Shane Green, Jack Lockwood,
William Sulot, Andrew Filipo.
Front row left to right: Nicole Hind (The Salvation
Army Crossroads), Joanna Nevill (Hume City
Council), and Teneisha Whatmore.
INSPIRING LIFELONG LEARNING IN HUME
The Pizzicato Effect is delivered during the
course of the year at Meadows Primary
at no cost to parents or the school. The
MSO offers the students a free tuition
book, the loan of a string instrument for
the school year, weekly lessons from MSO
musicians, free transport and tickets for
all participating students to attend the
Classic Kids concerts.
3
Participants from the Fitzroy and Meadow Heights Computer
Clubhouses are heading to Boston, USA, to take part in the Teen
Summit, which brings together young people from all over the world
MEADOW HEIGHTS COMPUTER CLUBHOUSE
CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Meadow Heights Computer
Clubhouse is an after-school learning
program where young people can
explore their interests in computer
technology while interacting with
peers and mentors. The clubhouse in
Meadow Heights is part of the global
Intel Computer Clubhouse network
that spans over 100 clubhouses in 21
countries worldwide and is dedicated
to giving young people access to
creative technology. Through the use
of creative technology, members find
the means for self-expression and
empowerment, develop tolerance
and empathy, and discover pathways
to success.
The Meadow Heights Computer
Clubhouse is managed by Hicran Kaya,
program coordinator and assistant
coordinator Hussen Issak. Members are
young people between the ages of 10 and
18, who come from diverse backgrounds
and who have different interests and ideas.
The mentors are volunteers who help the
young to explore their own ideas, develop
skills and build confidence in themselves.
They are adults and more experienced
individuals who strive to guide and
inspire young people to reach their fullest
potential. They develop relationships of
respect and trust between the participants
and are from diverse backgrounds with
different interests and talents.
The Meadow Heights Computer
Clubhouse is open Monday to Friday
from 3.30pm to 7pm. Homework
assistance is provided as well as group
tutoring on particular subject areas such
as Maths and English. The program also
offers activities and projects including
short film making, music, arts and
craft, photography and Photoshop. All
members must have enrolment forms
filled in by a parent or guardian.
For more information call Hicran
Kaya, Computer Clubhouse program
coordinator, Meadow Heights Learning
Shop, on 9302 2472.
INSPIRING LIFELONG LEARNING IN HUME
YOUTH CENTRAL
4
LINKIN PROGRAM
The LinkIn program is for young people aged from 12 to
25 years old who are new to Australia or are refugees.
The program aims to increase young people’s confidence
and knowledge of their local community through programs
that engage them with the community. These include
social activities, guest speakers and outings to community
festivals and recreational venues.
LinkIn program participants and
Hume Mayor, Cr Geoff Porter
THE MEND
PROGRAM
FOR KIDS
AND FAMILIES
The LinkIn program runs two nights a week during school terms
from 3.30pm to 6pm at Youth Central, 33 Pearcedale Road,
Broadmeadows. For more information contact Ifaket Sumertas,
LinkIn program coordinator, via email [email protected]
or call 9205 2887.
The MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition….Do it!) program is a free
healthy lifestyle course for overweight children aged between
5 and 12 years and their families. The program is run by Dianella
Community Health and Sunbury Community Health Centre and
focuses on improving children’s fitness, physical activity levels,
nutrition and self esteem through a series of games and activities.
It also provides information to parents about healthy foods,
healthy shopping on a budget, food label reading and portion
sizes. For more information visit www.mendprogramme.org.
BACKPACK, BACKPACK!
THE NEW LIBRARY FUN PACKS
The new Library Fun Packs have just arrived at Hume Libraries. The Fun Packs consist of five high-quality children’s books
on a specific theme, encased in a clear plastic child-size backpack. Also included are a book and DVD of rhymes and songs.
The packs are specifically targeted at children aged from 0 to 2 years and 3 to 5 years. Parents and carers will be able to borrow
the Library Fun Packs at The Age, Craigieburn, Sunbury and Tullamarine branches of Hume Libraries. For more information contact
Anna Boland, Community Literacy and Engagement Officer, via email [email protected] or call Anna on 9356 6932.
“Books open up your horizons” - Hume mums trial the first Fun Packs
Mum Lutfiye Akin with
two-year-old son Efe
“The Fun Packs are very easy to use. Looking for books
suitable for my child’s age always takes me time and I was
happy to find that the task was already done for me. My son
Efe also loved the fact that the books came in a backpack, he
showed them off to everyone at home and took immediate
ownership of the books. We chose the one with sea creatures
and had great fun reading the books together. I always read
to my children. I think reading is very important, my mother
can’t read and she says she would be happier had she learnt
how to read. Books open up your horizons.”
Mum Melanie Smith with five-year-old
daughter Zoe and baby Luca
“We come to the library often and for us, the Fun Packs are
very handy. Books are themed, if this is an area my children
are interested in, or passionate about it, you can just grab the
‘animal farm’ or the ‘shape and colours’ backpack…. It saves
us time. I think it will be good for busy parents who come to
library from work or just at lunch break; they can get what
they want for themselves and a fun pack for the children…
The backpack format is also great. The children loved to carry
the books home. They feel special and responsible for it. I
read to my children at bedtime, sometimes in the afternoon.”
SUNBURY TOY LIBRARY
The Sunbury Toy Library is a place where parents can
come to borrow a variety of educational toys, from
puzzles and train sets to doll houses, to medical kits and
animal sets. The library is a popular choice for parents
who don’t want to accumulate too many toys at home or
are looking at saving some money.
Officially opened in 1990, the Toy Library is celebrating
its 20th anniversary. Originally located at the Goonawarra
Neighbourhood House, then the Sunbury Aquatic Centre and,
in 1996, the Old Infant Welfare Centre in Macedon Street,
the Toy Library now has a permanent space at the Sunbury
Neighborhood House and Community Centre.
Kaye Roche joined the library in 1999. “I have enjoyed working
in the toy library. In the last 10 years I have been president,
secretary, treasurer and data manager. I’ve made many new
friends and even as my children got older they still loved to
come and help,” she says.
THE EARLY YEARS
DIFFERENT TOYS EVERY WEEK
At Sunbury Toy Library, the ‘party packs’ are a popular
choice. Birthday parties require lots of entertainment and
parents usually come to borrow toys for their children’s party.
“Members always borrow extra toys for parties. They usually
prefer the bigger toys such as the cosy coupe, slides, seesaw
and activity packs,” says Kaye.
Melissa Corvus, with son Brones and daughter Tilley,
is a volunteer at the Sunbury Toy Library: “I just don’t
like spending money in toys, there is so much variety
here, my children love it”
The Sunbury Toy Library is located at Sunbury Neighbourhood
House and Community Centre (531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury).
It is open on Tuesdays from 10am to 11.30am and on the 2nd,
3rd and 4th Saturdays of every month from 10am to 11.30
am. For more information contact Kaye Roche on 9744 6197. 5
Kaye Mills, Sunbury Heights Primary School
and Marie de Prada, Sunbury Primary School
EMOTIONAL INTE
THE LINK BETWEEN POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS AND S
In 2006, four teachers in Sunbury; Glenn McConnell (Kismet Park Primary School), Kaye Mills (Sunbury Heights
Primary School), Marie de Prada, (Sunbury Primary School) and Barbara Lloyd (Sunbury College) conducted
a study on the implications of Emotional Intelligence (EI) for school communities.
THE SCHOOL YEARS
The study results were summarized in the report A Hearty Head Start, Teaching Emotional Intelligence in the Middle Years.
Their findings led to the conclusion that teachers need to gain a better understanding of their own emotional intelligence
and use this to build better relationships with students, parents and work colleagues.
6
IED caught up with this team of teachers to find out how they were applying the EI principles in their schools and daily
lives. At the time of this interview, Barbara Lloyd, who is also a psychologist, was just about to retire from Sunbury College
to become an EI consultant for schools.
IED: What is EI?
Barbara Lloyd: The general definition
of EI is the ability to regulate and control
our emotions and I suppose to have
some input into the management of
other people’s emotions for effective
personal growth. It is about recognising
the importance of these emotions and
giving them a prominent role in our lives.
Marie de Prada: It is about recognising
and expressing your emotions and those
of others and basing decisions on facts.
It is about managing and controlling
emotions.
IED: Based on your research,
does EI have any impact on the
students’ behaviour and academic
performance?
Glenn McConnel: Awareness is a big
part of it. You need to become aware
of the role emotions play in decision
making and consider more carefully how
much your emotions are affecting your
decisions compared with the actual facts
related to the decision.
BL: EI is linked to improved academic
performance. The students are better
organised, less anxious because they
can better manage their emotions. You
set yourself up better to do your work
without having those strong emotions
that can interfere with your performance.
Kaye Mills: It is the ability to manage
your emotions and to deal with conflict.
EI is strongly linked to leadership,
and both workplace and personal
relationships. Good leaders have their
EI highly developed.
GM: Our data showed particular
improvement in Maths. During our
research one activity involved students
labelling emotions, using words to
describe how children felt and hence
empower them to be able to talk about
their feelings. The children involved in
the program were able to express their
feelings and emotions more confidently
and relate more positively with their
peers in the classroom. Numeracy
test results showed that their skills
demonstrated greater improvement than
those who were not in the EI group.
KM: By using emotional intelligence you
create a better learning environment.
Children learn how to express their
emotions and teachers look at their
students individually and not as a group.
These factors help both a child’s academic
performance and the teacher’s work.
MP: Our program was groundbreaking
when we did it. We proved that positive
relationships are crucial to building
successful classrooms. Children don’t
work in isolation; EI helped the students
collaborate and perform better.
Barbara Lloyd
Glenn McConnell, Kismet Park Primary School
ELLIGENCE
SUCCESSFUL CLASSROOMS
IED: How can teachers benefit from EI?
BL: Research has shown that EI can be
learnt, and by doing so you can learn
how to better control your emotions.
There is a positive correlation between EI
and IQ (Intelligence Quotient). The things
you understand intellectually flow on to
your emotional competencies.
BL: Yelling (at children) gives the game
away, either as a teacher or as a parent;
you are not really modelling emotional
control or management. When the
teacher says “You are looking a bit angry
there Johnny, maybe you should sit a
bit and think about it”, you are naming
the emotion and providing a strategy on
how to deal with it. Finding out the best
way to manage it … that’s emotional
management.
GM: An interesting aspect of our program
was teaching students to read body
language. Students became aware of how
to recognise when someone is upset or
anxious. They also learnt how to respond
to that emotion. I think this ability is an
important part of improving relationships.
KM: Definitely, you can always learn
how to become aware of yours and
others’ emotions. Making sure you get
to know people well, putting yourself in
other people’s shoes, getting things in
perspective. These are all steps towards
wisdom and EI.
MP: To teach EI in a school setting
we build strong relationships with our
students by getting to know them well.
We provide explicit teaching and practice
to identify and name emotions and use
body language as clues, use empathy
and teach children calming techniques
to manage and control their emotions.
These strategies are reinforced consistently
throughout the year to promote healthy
social relationships, personal wellbeing
and academic achievement.
GM: Self awareness, understanding
others and emotional management link
in very strongly with effective leadership.
If you can develop those attributes
in school children you will also be
developing their capacity to lead others.
MP: Teachers should ask themselves:
“Is there an emotionally intelligent way
to do this?” Leadership is not only a
technical ability; there is a strong human
aspect. You are dealing with people and
their emotions.
All teachers participating in this
report have agreed to be contacted.
For more information on emotional
intelligence and Sunbury’s research
project ‘A Hearty Head Start,
Teaching Emotional Intelligence in
the Middle Years’, contact:
Glenn McConnell
Kismet Park Primary School
www.kismetparkps.vic.edu.au
Kaye Mills
Sunbury Heights Primary School
www.sunburyhps.vic.edu.au
Marie de Prada
Sunbury Primary School
www.sunburyhps.vic.edu.au
Barbara Lloyd
Call the Psychology Centre on
0400 133 266 or email
[email protected]
THE SCHOOL YEARS
IED: Can EI be learnt? How?
KM: Emotions can sometimes hijack
you; you should be in control of your
emotions and base your decisions on
facts. Developing EI is a continuous
process. You can develop calming
techniques; never shouting back, always
responding and never reacting.
7
Q&A WITH SIR JOHN WITHMORE,
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND SUCCESS AT WORK
THE SCHOOL YEARS
A pre-eminent thinker in leadership and organisational change, Sir John Whitmore has written five books on
leadership, coaching and sports, of which Coaching for Performance is the best known, having sold 500,000 copies
in 17 languages. In March, Sir John presented the Youth Leadership and Coaching Seminar at the Hume Global
Learning Village forum at Kangan Institute. In this interview he explains why Emotional Intelligence (EI) and –
its foundation stone – self awareness, are critical capabilities for stronger leadership.
IED: Can we really ‘control’ our emotions?
Sir John Whitmore: In practical terms Emotional Intelligence
is when we are in touch with our emotions, and we are able to
manage and express (not just suppress) them appropriately in
all situations, especially in our relationships with others; family,
friends, work colleagues and strangers.
IED: Can EI be taught?
JW: EI can be learned naturally or through coaching, but
not through being taught or told. It should be initiated at an
early age and be an essential part of all school curricula. This
would require that all teachers delivering it would need to be
emotionally intelligent themselves and have the coaching skills
to apply it in the classroom.
IED: Why is EI important for leadership, academic success,
life satisfaction and relationships?
JW: People who are emotionally intelligent are experienced at
knowing and accepting who they are and maintaining their
own authenticity. Self-awareness is the foundation stone of EI.
They will also be humble but have plenty of self-belief. They
will listen to others even if they are more knowledgeable and
they will tend to be calm and centered, even under difficult
circumstances. These are all vital capabilities of leadership, and
of successful, fulfilled and happy people who can maintain
good relationships. IED: You are part of an advisory group on traffic safety
for the European Commission for the whole of Europe.
Can you tell us more about it?
JW: In Europe, there are a disproportional number of young,
male inexperienced drivers, between 18 and 25 years, that
8
have been killed and are killing others. It is not because they
can’t turn the wheel, look in the mirror and push the pedals.
They are already very good at that, they learn very quickly. The
traditional way of fixing it, if they have an accident, is to
teach them again how to do that, how to drive.
IED: What is the main cause for the accidents then?
JW: Why they have accidents is because of the excess of
testosterone, if you like. It is showing off, competiveness
and aggressiveness. It is an emotional issue, and instruction
doesn’t touch it: “do this, don’t do that”, has no effect at all.
And that’s what is happening with driving education: 8,000
young males in Europe are killed every year just because of
this. We’ve come in with this advisory group. We’ve got to
convert the whole of the driving establishment – which is half
a million driving instructors – to become driving coaches. It is a
challenge, but if we cut those figures in half by doing so, it will
be worth it. They haven’t built self responsibility. How do you
that? You start in school, in primary school.
Watch Sir John Withmore’s keynote presentation
at the Youth Leadership and Coaching seminar.
Visit www.hume.vic.gov.au and click on Hume
Global Learning Village in the top right side bar of
the page and then Research Conference and Forums.
VICTORIA UNIVERSITY
AND SUNBURY
PRIMARY SCHOOL
TEACHERS AS LEARNERS
Victoria University (VU) preservice teachers Sarah Pereira,
22, and Adam Horne, 25, said a lot has changed in their
lives during the last four months. Since starting their
Accelerated Program (an internship opportunity) as part
of their Bachelor of Education at Sunbury Primary School,
both Sarah and Adam agree that nothing compares to the
hands-on teaching experience they are now undertaking.
“It is so different to come back to school from university. I learnt
so much in these four months, it has completely changed me,
I learnt from the other teachers and preservice teachers, but
most of all I learnt from the students”, said Sarah, who has a
Bachelor of Science and Education. “I now want to become a
primary school teacher whereas before I always wanted to be
a secondary school teacher.”
Adam has a Bachelor of Media and Arts and is also a musician.
Like Sarah, he never saw himself teaching primary school
children. “I learnt to feel more comfortable and not be nervous.
When we started we were more nervous than the children.
We were allowed to teach the class. I didn’t see myself as a prep
teacher, but now I’m not sure; if I am put in a primary school
I wouldn’t complain at all.”
practice the theory taught at university. Their work consists of
helping the other teachers and teaching small groups. Once
they gain more confidence, they are allowed to teach the whole
class and even take a whole lesson.
As part of their work, Sarah and Adam are completing a mosaic
for the children’s horticultural garden. The art project involved
teamwork. Teachers, students and preservice teachers created,
designed and implemented the project. “It is interesting
because it will leave the childrens’ permanent mark on the
school. They are very proud to be involved and usually show
their parents what they’ve done”, says Sarah.
“We were lucky,” says Adam, “we worked with a great group
of students and we saw how much trust they put on us. I‘m
having fun, kids who don’t even know you, want to show you
what they’ve done, it is very rewarding, and I usually leap from
the bed every single morning. I definitely see myself doing this
for the rest of my life.”
For more information, contact Julie Arnold, co-ordinator
Accelerated Program, Victoria University, via email
[email protected] or call 9919 2539.
Sarah and Adam are part of a group of 20 preservice teachers
making the most of their internship opportunity at Sunbury
Primary School. The successful partnership between VU and
Sunbury Primary allows the aspiring teachers to put into
Above: Aspiring teachers
Sarah Pereira and Adam Horne
EMPLOYMENT AND LEARNING COMMITTEE
The ELC meets every two months and focuses on sharing
ideas and pooling their resources to work out how to increase
employment and learning opportunities in the area. “We had
to think of an innovative approach to ensure the community
reaps the benefits of all available services. In an area where
the unemployment rate is 9.8%, we believe that by better
integrating our services, job seekers will be the winners,” said
Maria Langwell, chair of the partnership and SET’s Manager.
According to Maria, Broadmeadows is still experiencing a skills
shortage in retail, hospitality, semi-skilled manufacturing and
aged care positions. “Aged care is a real growth opportunity,
particularly for people who are bilingual, in light of the fact
that, nationally, by 2011, nearly 1 in every 4 people aged 65+
will speak a language other than English”, she said.
The 3047 Employment and Learning Committee (ELC)
is a partnership between 11 Job Service Australia
agencies aimed at increasing employment and learning
opportunities across the 3047 area. The ELC is supported
by Hume City Council and chaired by Spectrum Education
and Training (SET).
THE SCHOOL YEARS
POST CODE 3047
Organisations that are part of the ELC 3047 partnership include:
AMES, Breakthru, Department of Education, Employment
and Workplace Relations, Central Victorian Group Training,
Centrelink, Hume City Council, Job Prospects, MatchWorks,
Workskil and Youth Projects.
For more information on the 3047 Employment and Learning
Committee, visit www.spectrumvic.org.au or call Spectrum
Migrant Resource Centre on 9301 7400.
9
HUME MEN’S SHED
BIGGER AND BETTER
The Hume Men’s Shed is a place for retired and semi retired
men to socialise, use their skills (such as woodwork and
gardening), learn new skills and mentor each other and younger
members of the community. Men’s Sheds are fast being
recognised – there are more than 400 throughout Australia –
as vital in the community, providing a relaxed and creative
space for men to enjoy. Along with providing opportunities for
social interaction and activities, men’s sheds also focus on men’s
health and wellbeing, encouraging and assisting users to gain
access to relevant services and information available to them
within the community. Hume Men’s Shed is located in Roxburgh
Park but will soon be moving to a new, purpose built facility
in Craigieburn. Participants meet every Thursday at 9 Lachlan
Crescent in Roxburgh Park, between 10am and 2pm,
at a cost of $5.00 each visit. For more information, contact
Peter Rayner on 0427 209 300.
TEACHERS’ SCHOLARSHIPS 2010
EVERYONE REMEMBERS A GOOD TEACHER
The Hume City Council Teachers’ Scholarships 2010 enable
teachers to learn new approaches, in Australia or overseas,
and to share these experiences with their colleagues in Hume.
There are six scholarships – up to $4,000 each – available per
annum, in each of the following categories: Primary School;
Secondary School; Graduate Teacher, Early Years, Open
Category and Outstanding Team.
Past scholarships winners
Applications for the Hume City Council Teachers’ Scholarships
2010 close August 13.
Nominations can be made online at www.hume.vic.gov.au/
teacherscholarships or entry forms can be mailed out or
downloaded from the website.
For further information about the Teachers’ Scholarships please
contact Carmel Ganino via email at [email protected]
or phone 9356 6930.
How did it feel to receive the scholarship?
THE ADULT YEARS / THE OLDER YEARS
“The scholarship allows us to take
10
our knowledge capital to another
level. I went to Singapore and saw
many Information and Communication
Technologies (ICT) and architectural
innovations such as net books and
classroom management systems that are
now operating in our schools. I still talk
and share the knowledge I gained during
that trip with my colleagues
and friends.”
“It has been a great privilege to receive
this award, as I find working within our
community with families and children
the best job in the world! It gave me
an extra boost of enthusiasm to
continue my work in Hume. I had the
pleasure of using the funds to increase
my knowledge and skills in early
childhood and being able to purchase
quality equipment to assist me when
I visit playgroups.”
Helen Hatzikalis
2007 Teachers’ Scholarship recipient,
Primary School category
Carmel Barberio
2008 Teachers’ Scholarship recipient,
Early Years category.
HUME SENIOR CITIZENS REGISTER
CONNECTING TO THE COMMUNITY
The Hume Senior Citizens Register is a free confidential service for seniors residing in Hume. The program was launched last year
and was designed to ensure that elderly people living alone have someone keeping a regular check on them and ensuring they
are fit and well. Volunteers, who are based at the Broadmeadows Police Station, give a weekly call to the elderly person to confirm
they are part of the register and to answer any questions they may have. The person is issued an identification card that will help
emergency services to locate their next of kin and doctor through the register.
The Hume Senior Citizens Register has been established by police, volunteers and community services’ organisations. The service
is free and registration is voluntary. For more information or to register contact Broadmeadows Police Station (15 Dimboola Road,
Broadmeadows) on 9302 8222.
WINTER SEASON
OF LEARNING
MORE THAN 100 ACTIVITIES
The Winter Season of Learning begun in June and there
is plenty on offer for residents to learn and have fun. The
program runs until October 3 and activities will be held at
varying locations.
Hume children can get into craft activities. Youth in Hume
can participate in writing or drawing workshops to unleash
their creative streak and adults can participate in a range of
short courses.
There is something on offer for all age groups from kids, to
youth to adults. All residents have the opportunity to participate
in formal and informal learning with activities ranging from arts
and crafts, music, computing and multimedia, book clubs, to
storytimes, as well as a range of short courses. There are more
than 100 activities at venues across Hume City.
There is no need to hibernate during the cold winter months.
Residents are encouraged to head down to their nearest Winter
Season of Learning venue and have fun learning.
For more information visit www.hume.vic.gov.au or contact
the Hume Global Learning Centre on 9356 6999.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
FREE COMPUTER TRAINING
Hume City Council is making information technology more accessible for the community
by increasing resources and the availability of programs.
The community will also benefit from the recent acquisition of 22 new laptops. These laptops will help
facilitate Net.Help sessions Hume-wide. Net.Help training sessions provide both one-on-one training and
small group sessions to educate the community about the basics of email and the internet. In addition, computer clubs are available for all young students aged between 7 and 17 years, with any
level of computer experience. They can learn how to use different software applications, develop multimedia
projects and experience the internet.
Council delivery of computer training and internet access sessions has steadily grown over the last five years
with over 130,000 people being able to access information technology resources in the last year.
HGLV NETWORK
Residents will soon enjoy the convenience of connecting to the internet from their own laptops when
wireless networks (WiFi) is introduced at the Hume Global Learning Centre, Hume Libraries branches and
at the Homestead Community and Learning Centre.
For further information on Council’s computer programs please visit www.hume.vic.gov.au or call 9356 6999.
L2P LEARNER DRIVER PROGRAM
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
Do you enjoy working with young people and can you give one
hour of your time on a weekly basis to a disadvantaged young
person? Do you have a full drivers’ licence and a good driving
record? If so, then the L2P – Learner Driver Mentor Program may
be of interest to you. Join the pool of volunteers to assist learner
drivers to gain the necessary 120 hours of driving experience
required to sit their Victorian Motor Drivers’ Licence Test. Police
check, licence check and working with children check, training
and vehicles in Broadmeadows, Craigieburn and Sunbury is all
supported, supplied and paid for by L2P. For more information
on the L2P Program or how to become a volunteer mentor driver,
contact Rachael Hadjialexiou, L2P program coordinator, via
email to [email protected] or phone 9309 7533.
11
CHESS CLUBS
THE PERFECT GAME
Hume Libraries
www.humelibraries.vic.gov.au
Roye Burgess started the
chess clubs in Hume
“Chess is more than a thousand years old. Its evolution made it perfect. It
is almost a gift from God. It is too good to be a man’s invention”, says Roye
Burgess, a Sunbury resident and chess enthusiast who started two successful
chess clubs in Hume, at The Age Library, Broadmeadows and another at
Sunbury Library.
The clubs are attracting all kinds of people, but especially young students, who
are enjoying the benefits. “Young children benefit from the routine of chess. It
stimulates the brain, the concentration and keeps them focused. It reflects on their
performance at school and improves their self esteem,” says Roye.
Suzanne Williams, The Age Library technician and Chess Club program coordinator,
says the clubs not only bring more people to the libraries, they act as a crossgenerational activity. “There are kids as young as four, teenagers from the local college
as well as older adults all playing each other and having a fantastic time! The Chess
Club gets people into the library and using the facilities, it is great for the community.”
The Age Library
The Hume Global Learning Centre
1093 Pascoe Vale Road,
Broadmeadows 3047
Phone 03 9356 6900
Craigieburn Library
59 Craigieburn Road,
Craigieburn 3064
Phone 03 9356 6980
Gladstone Park
Community Library
Taylor Drive, Gladstone Park 3043
Phone 03 9356 6990
Sunbury Library
44 Macedon Street, Subury 3429
Phone 03 9356 6970
Tullamarine Library
58 Spring Street, Tullamarine 3043
Phone 03 9356 6966
LEARNING AT HUME LIBRARIES
The Chess Club meets at the Sunbury Library on Tuesdays, from 5pm to 8pm and
at The Age Library on Thursdays, from 4pm to 8pm. All ages welcome. For more
information phone The Age Library on 9356 6900.
PLAYAWAY
AUDIOBOOKS
Hume Libraries have just received their first set of Playaway audiobooks.
Playaways are small, self-contained digital audio players that can hold an
entire book, regardless of length. The navigation is simple, back and forth
through chapters, listeners can control the speed of the narrator’s voice
and an automatic bookmark remembers where they stopped listening.
Hume Libraries’ Playaways come in orange cases. The titles include many selections
for children, language learning programs, bestselling adult fiction, and classics.
Because the Playaway format is friendly for listeners of all ages, every Hume Libraries
customer can enjoy the new format. The Hume Libraries Playaway collection includes:
Heart of the Dreaming by Di Morrissey; My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin; Business
Stripped Bare by Richard Branson; Siren by Tara Moss; Dead Point by Peter Temple;
Brother Fish by Bryce Courtenay and The Spare Room by Helen Garner.
For more information contact your local Hume Libraries branch, contact details
are on the right column of this page.
12
12
Hume Global Learning Centre
Hume City Council
1093 Pascoe Vale Road
Broadmeadows VIC 3047
Phone +61 3 9356 6999
Fax +61 3 9356 6935
Email [email protected]
www.humegloballearning.vic.gov.au
The views and opinions expressed in this
magazine are not necessarily the views
or opinions shared by the Hume Global
Learning Village and Hume City Council.