Primary Teachers Network

Tuesday 09 August 2011
Primary Teachers’ Network (PTN)
Website goes live at: www.ptn.org.au

The Board of Management of the Primary Teachers’ Network (PTN) are delighted to announce that the PTN website has been launched and can be accessed at: www.ptn.org.au

This exciting initiative will further support rural, regional and metropolitan primary teachers in their work in NSW schools. PTN will prove to be of significant benefit and support to teachers in NSW schools, particularly in the current climate.

Friday 19 August 2011
An important announcement for all Primary Teachers:

On 22nd July 2011 the Board of Management of the Primary Teachers’ Network (PTN) announced the inaugural PTN Professional Learning Event: MESH Mapping - Your GPS to the new curriculum. In line with PTN professional learning policy this event has been designed to meet a range of current identified needs which in this instance relate to classroom implementation of the recently released Draft NSW Board of Studies Draft Syllabus Documents.

Recently (on the 09 August) the NSW Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli announced a change to the timeframe for NSW schools to implement the Australian curriculum in English, Mathematics, Science and History for Kindergarten to Year 10.

“The NSW Government is delaying the implementation of the Australian curriculum. We are committed to the Australian curriculum but we will not compromise on quality,” said Minister Piccoli. “…Given the time required to make the implementation a success we have no alternative but to defer the introduction in the interests of the teachers and students of NSW,” Minister Piccoli said. (Minister Piccoli, Media Release 09 August - MEDIA: David Bold 0423 202 369)

This means that NSW schools are not required to begin planning until 2013, with implementation in the classroom in 2014. In all NSW schools, implementation of the Australian Curriculum is through the NSW Board of Studies Syllabus Documents.

In light of Minister Piccoli’s announcement, PTN is rescheduling the delivery of MESH Mapping - Your GPS to the new curriculum to meet the new timeline for implementation in NSW and provide more timely professional learning support for NSW primary teachers.

MESH Mapping - Your GPS to the new curriculum will now be delivered in Term 2, 2012.

Further information can be accessed at: www.ptn.org.au

The PTN Board of Management is looking forward to working with primary teachers for the benefit of all students in New South Wales schools.

Yours sincerely

Primary Teachers’ Network Board of Management

Why you should attend this groundbreaking event in 2012...

MESH Mapping: Your GPS for the New Curriculum will focus on an integrated approach to teaching and learning Maths, English, Science and History in the primary classroom. During this dynamic conversation your unique position as a specialist in every subject will be addressed.

Throughout this interactive and collaborative two day event participants will:
• get to know and understand the new curriculum requirements
• learn how to use the new curriculum
• contribute to the development of a suite of classroom ready teaching resources
• experience time-smart lesson planning techniques
• create new networks and learning communities
• explore the PTN website and discover the quality: support materials; teaching resources; current research; online learning opportunities; mentoring opportunities; general classroom resources; teaching standards; useful links… as well as the ACARA and NSWBOS up-dates; and remuneration opportunities!

Additional advantages -

Participants attending:
• the two day event will attain 10 hours towards Accreditation at Professional Competence with NSWIT (short course)
• the two day event (short course) plus the post event online work (long course) will receive an additional 10 hours Accreditation at Professional Competence with NSWIT
• take the opportunity to be professionally rewarded as a curriculum leader in their school
• benefit their students.

Audience - All Primary Teachers
Due to restrictions on places at the event:
Priority 1 – classroom teachers.
Priority 2 – principals and school executive.
Target group: K–6
KLAs: All
Places available: 120
Event contact: Kim Tsolakis
Phone: 02 9564 3322, Fax: 02 9564 2342
Email: contactus@ptn.org.au
Web: www.ptn.org.au

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Preamble
The Professional Teachers Council NSW (PTC NSW) is initiating the development of a primary teacher organisation as part of its commitment to strengthening the profession and enhancing the quality of teaching and classroom leadership.

It is our intent that the model will provide professional development and advocacy opportunities across all sectors throughout metropolitan, regional and rural areas of NSW that best suits the primary teaching profession.

The impact of the current changes in education on the primary teaching profession can most effectively be managed by providing positive support structures.
A model that meets the needs of primary teachers will be flexible and provide a:

unique structure to accommodate all KLAs to support primary teachers across NSW
commitment of the profession through a collegial approach to sharing expertise
full range of quality professional learning opportunities using innovative modes of delivery
cost effective membership structure
sense of what it means to be a primary teacher.

PTC NSW believes that a primary teachers’ organisation would provide the profession with a clear sense of identity and common purpose. As teachers face the challenge of working in an increasingly complex and interrelated world, there is an increasing demand for a more coherent and simplified structure to accommodate the professional development needs of primary teachers in NSW, as well as providing advocacy and a unified voice for this group – all at an affordable cost to its members.
It is the intent of Primary Teachers’ Network (PTN) to work with existing associations for the mutual benefit of all stakeholders.

Primary Teachers’ Network Structure

The structure of PTN will provide flexibility to enable the organisation to grow and develop in a manner that best meets the needs of its members. To provide flexibility for PTN members, there will be a strong focus on the distribution of information and resources, and the development of teacher networks through a technology based approach. This approach will include links to existing associations, current research and a full range of state and national organisations. The structure will be further supported by a series of face-to-face professional learning opportunities and will include video conferencing for participants throughout NSW.

PTN professional learning opportunities will reflect the needs of primary teachers. Expert facilitators will be sourced, and paid, to deliver the professional learning events. In the first instance PTN will approach existing associations to source expertise from within a specific association, to facilitate identified areas of need, at the PTN face-to-face events. Associations will be remunerated for this expertise. In the event that an association is unable or unwilling to provide the necessary expertise PTN will source an expert facilitator from within the general primary teaching profession to facilitate a session/course in the identified areas of need.

PTN will fulfil the components of the objectives of the association - professional development and support - through a pedagogy approach to professional learning as opposed to a KLA driven approach.

PTN will provide opportunities for existing associations that will benefit their organisation. These include, but not restricted to:

Increased exposure to a greater audience of NSW primary teachers through links to specific associations
Increased advertising for an association’s events – resulting in a potential increase in income as a result of an increase in attendance at PD events
Remuneration to associations through the provision of identified PD expertise
Inclusion in PTN face-to-face mini-conference events at no (administration/registration and advertising) cost to the association
Additional opportunities for their members undertaking the higher levels of accreditation through the NSWIT
Associated benefits from a broad primary network of teachers
Increased professional profile of primary teachers in NSW
Opportunities for the association and/or its members to benefit financially through the PTN ‘Acquisition of Resources’ Project.

The aim and design of PTN is to work with primary teachers and associations to support and enhance the primary teaching profession.

Please do not hesitate to contact me for any further information you may require.

Kim Tsolakis
Executive Officer PTC NSW
For and on behalf of the PTN Management Committee