President's Report, MYSOE Applications, Membership renewals
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Excerpts from The Presidents Report: 2023 - 2024
During the past 12 months, we have made significant strides, including accrediting Middle Years Schools of Excellence and partnering with schools to utilise the Middle Years School Diagnostic and Improvement Tool. This tool fosters reflective, evidence-based conversations about current practices, prioritises opportunities for improvement, and helps devise action plans to implement change. Committee representatives Kirsty Hanson, Jacquie Bourne, and Kathryn Gray are currently undertaking training in the implementation and leadership of the Middle Years Diagnostic and Improvement Tool, enabling us to expand our management of this service.
Middle Years School Diagnostic and Improvement Tool and The Middle Years Schools of Excellence
The "Middle Years Schools of Excellence" program endorses schools that exemplify our Position Paper's principles and align with the work of Donna Pendergast, Katherine Main, and Nan Bahr in their text Teaching Middle Years: Rethinking Curriculum, Pedagogy, and Assessment. The program acknowledges schools with well-established middle years practices, programs, and strategies. We announced the following schools as our prestigious 2024-2026 Middle Schools of Excellence:
Hillcrest Christian College - Reedy Park (QLD), Padua College – Kedron (QLD), Redlands College – Wellington Point (QLD), St Francis College – Edmondson Park (NSW).
Applications for schools to become Middle Years Schools of Excellence (MYSOE) for 2025-2027 are now OPEN. Debra Evans' leadership in working with these schools is highly valued and appreciated. (More information below).
Executive and Management Committee
I thank the following committee for their expertise and advocacy during their years with Adolescent Success and acknowledge outgoing Executive and Management Committee members who have stepped down, returned as General Committee members, or are taking leave: Angela White - Secretary, Catherine Hives – NT Rep, Sue Webb – Assistant Journal Editor, Matt Jensen – Marketing and Social Media, Rachel McKay – Marketing and Social Media – (continuing as a valued General Committee member).
Executive and Management Committee Appointments: Secretary
I am delighted to announce that Anjuli Dillon will be joining us as the new Secretary. Her enthusiasm and fresh perspective will be an asset to our committee. I would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Angela for her outstanding work as Secretary. Her wisdom and dedication have been instrumental, and we are fortunate to have her continue as a valued General Committee member.
NEW - General Committee member - Candice Byrne – SA Rep: Professional Learning and Events Coordinator - To be announced.: Marketing and Social Media - Debra Evans
Membership update
Membership for 2024 has grown slightly, and this will continue to be an important priority moving forward. Building our middle years community is key to further growth, with an emphasis on our Institutional and Pre-Service Teacher Memberships. Membership Renewals are now due.
As we move forward, let us remember that “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire” (William Butler Yates). This powerful sentiment highlights our mission at Adolescent Success.
Our goal is not merely to impart knowledge but to ignite a passion for learning and foster a sense of curiosity and innovation in our students. By working together, sharing best practices, and continually striving for excellence, we create engaging learning environments for our adolescent learners.
Thank you,
Kia Sheidow
ARE YOU ONE OF OUR 2025-2027 MIDDLE YEARS SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE?
APPPLY NOW!
The Adolescent Success Middle Years School of Excellence Acknowledgement Program
This 3-year program program aims to:
- Acknowledge and celebrate schools that are committed to implementing the essential attributes and characteristics of successful middle schooling practices.
- Provide schools with the resources to support their continuous improvement journey.
- Grow a network of schools that can learn from and support each other.
Success Schools are rewarded for their commitment to the middle years best practices as outlined in the Adolescent Success Position Paper and the Teaching Middle Years; rethinking curriculum, pedagogy and assessment text edited by Donna Pendergast, Katherine Main and Nan Bahr.
Participating schools undertake a process of self-assessment and visioning which lays the foundation for ongoing growth and success.
PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS IN THE MIDDLE YEARS
This webinar will provide you with an evidence based discussion of big feelings/dysregulation in the learning environment, and explore ways of addressing these common (but difficult) issues. Jasmine will also take you through practical and evidence based techniques that you will be able to utilise with individual students or your whole classroom.
PRESENTER: Jasmine Kelly is a registered psychologist and AHPRA Board approved supervisor with over a decade's experience in psychology services and education. Including 6 years as a Guidance Counsellor in a large co-ed high school with both mainstream students and a large cohort of students with additional needs. During this time Jasmine developed a specialisation in youth and adolescent mental health and wellbeing, particularly in school settings.
SPECIAL EDITION WEBINAR
Designing an Impactful Primary to Secondary School Transition Program
Looking to improve the effectiveness of your primary to secondary transition program? Want to hear what other schools are doing that works?
Our Immediate Past President, Debra Evans will facilitate this special edition webinar, where you will consider and learn about many of the key principles that guide effective transition from primary to secondary schools. These strategies will help you update, reflect upon, change or create a program that supports the emotional, social and academic wellbeing of your students in your context.
This is the last event of the year!
Don't miss out!
Members: $20 and Non-members $50.
The session will be of great value for teachers and leaders in:
- upper primary school
- junior secondary
- middle school
- primary/secondary school clusters/networks
- P-12 schools
- single campus and multi campus schools.
20 November 3.30 pm (AEST)
The Adolescent Success Diagnostic and School Improvement Tool
OPEN FOR BUSINESS IN 2025
The Adolescent Success Middle Years School Improvement Diagnostic Tool is a strategic audit tool school leaders and middle school teams can use to gauge the effectiveness of middle years practices in their school. The Diagnostic Tool is compilation of effective middle schooling practices as outlined in the Adolescent Success Position Paper.
THE FOURTH EDITION COMING SOON....
"Teaching Middle Years" has established itself as the leading text to focus on the adolescent years of schooling.
...With a renewed approach, this fourth edition includes new chapters on Indigenous Knowledges, STEAM education, and sustainable practices. A trusted resource, the book continues to provide a systematic overview of the philosophy, principles, and key issues in middle schooling, together with an enhanced focus on the emotional and developmental challenges unique to this age group.
CONTRIBUTE TO OUR JOURNAL - NOW!
Keep a look out in your inbox in the coming month for the one big edition of our journal for 2024.
SO, if you would like to submit your story for the first edition of 2025 edition, SEND IT THROUGH!
Your article can be refereed, or non-refereed, it may be a Focus on Schools or a Special edition article. Go to our website to read about important information if you are considering submitting an article.
For more information contact our Journal Editor, Dr Tim Smith or send your article, paper or photographs to journal@adolescentsuccess.org.au
