Teach

This episode provides an insight into how mathematics is more than just a set of skills and how educators can develop a joy and wonder for mathematics.

Francis Su is the Benediktsson-Karwa Professor of Mathematics at Harvey Mudd College and a former president of the Mathematical Association of America. He recently presented in Adelaide at the Numeracy Summit on the topic of mathematics for human flourishing. 

Show notes: 

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In this episode we sit down with Chief Executive Professor Martin Westwell to discuss what's next in 2024 following the release of last year’s public education strategy. Professor Westwell says it’ll be a year of educators putting things like the areas of impact into practice but not being too judgmental of themselves in the process.

Show notes:

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This episode offers insights into the teacher to leader transition and the vital role of high-quality professional development.

Join us as Kurt Ferguson from Taparra Primary School (previously South Downs Primary School) shares how Orbis professional learning programs, including Middle Leadership, supported his leadership growth.

Meanwhile, Sarah Edwards from Loxton High School discusses how transitioning from a teaching role to leadership expanded her skills and network, and why she’s loving working at regional schools. 

Show notes:

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In this episode, UK cognitive scientist Professor Guy Claxton explores the crucial connection between learner agency and effective learners and how educators can support this in their classroom.

We sat down with Professor Claxton fresh from a live online workshop he facilitated with almost 600 students across South Australia.

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In 2009 Mr Rod Bunten, the husband of the Governor of South Australia, left the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office and completed a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education. He then started a second career as a secondary school teacher of physics and mathematics.

In this episode Mr Bunten shares his thoughts on making science and maths more relevant for students, preparing teachers for management roles, and why teaching is among the most honest and self-reflective of professions.

Show notes: 

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Join us as Dr Jennifer Buckingham discusses the how and why of teaching synthetic phonics.

Dr Jennifer Buckingham OAM is Director of Strategy and Senior Research Fellow at MultiLit, and Director of the Five from Five Project.

She explains some of the strategies educators can take to develop efficient reading for all students.

Show notes: 

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From barista training to industry immersion weeks, the Workabout Centre supports Aboriginal students to make a successful transition from school to work, higher education or further training.

In this episode, hear from the Workabout Centre’s Senior Project Officer Natasha Chisholm and former Workabout Centre and Mark Oliphant College student Jacob who is now working at the Australian Taxation Office.

They share how the Workabout Centre helps Aboriginal young people learn important skills and discover career options.

Show notes

We'd love to hear from you about this episode. You can get in touch with the Teach podcast team via education.teachpodcast@sa.gov.au 

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Metacognition is the process of thinking about one’s own thinking and learning.

In this episode, clinical psychologist Andrew Fuller explains how metacognition applies to wellbeing and learning and the role it can play in improving student outcomes.

Andrew has worked with more than 4,000 schools and identified the concept of The Resilient Mindset.

Plus, did you know the department has a Self-Regulation Service (SRS) which helps schools and preschools meet student needs with a focus on regulation?

Occupational therapist Kathryn Mahadeva discusses why co-regulation and building good relationships with students is so important.

Show notes:

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Discover the advantages of taking your students outside the classroom and how it can help connect their learning to the real world.

Joss Rankin is a Senior Lecturer at Flinders University, in Health and Physical Education and Outdoor Education Lead.

He shares some of the barriers to outdoor learning and how they can be overcome.

Show notes:

Outdoor learning – Australian Curriculum

The Teach Podcast team would love to hear from you about what you thought of this episode or ideas for future ones, get in touch via education.teachpodcast@sa.gov.au 

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From implementing green initiatives to having a say in history lessons students at Craigmore High School in Adelaide's northern suburbs are empowered and supported to play a role in their learning experience. 

In this episode Student Agency Leader Georgina talks to us about fostering student agency in the classroom and students Ellie and Elliot tell us why it's made them excited to come to school. 

Show notes:

Areas of impact: Learner agency

If you want to find out more about student agency and Craigmore's approach you can contact Student Agency Leader Georgina via georgina.davis734@schools.sa.edu.au 

The Teach Podcast team would love to hear from you about what you thought of this episode or ideas for future ones, get in touch via education.teachpodcast@sa.gov.au 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How good is the communication at your school or preschool?

Following the department's Perspective survey last year, communication, change and voice were identified as three focus areas for sites.

In this episode, hear from educators at Parafield Gardens High School and Port Lincoln Junior Primary School who have seen a considerable improvement in their site’s communication results and how they went about it.

Show notes

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Continuing our conversation about the purpose of public education we discuss creating a public education system suited to 21st century life and beyond. 

Valerie Hannon is an independent writer, researcher and consultant in education and works with innovative educators around the world to devise and design new models for learning. 

She argues the new promise of education needs to be more about the collective common good. 

Show notes:

Get in touch with us via education.teachpodcast@sa.gov.au 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Professor Geoff Masters, CEO of the Board of the Australian Council for Education Research, says all schools are facing two key challenges: how to better prepare young people to survive and thrive in the future and ensuring every student learns successfully. 

He believes that current curricula aren’t going to provide the preparation required and that deep reform is needed.  

This podcast exists to support educators and leaders. If you have thoughts on this episode or an idea for one, we'd love to know more. Get in touch via education.teachpodcast@sa.gov.au 

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Today’s students have grown up surrounded with digital technology. They know how to use it, but how can educators and parents help them to use it well and safely?

Google for Education Government and Academic Engagement Lead, Chris Harte speaks to us about the positive potential of technology in education and the importance of learning good digital citizenship skills.

Chris Harte is a former languages teacher and worked closely with the founding staff of XP school, an innovative school in Doncaster in the UK.

Show notes:

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Sir Kevan Collins is a member of the department’s Education Innovation Council and founding CEO of the UK’s Education Endowment Foundation. In 2021 he was put in charge of England’s post-COVID education recovery.

Join us as we chat to the former East London teacher about the purpose of public education, why equity matters and the biggest challenges educators must face from COVID.

Show notes:

Purpose statement for public education

Get in touch with us via education.teachpodcast@sa.gov.au 

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Join us as Emeritus Professor Peter Sullivan discusses strategies educators can use to improve students’ numeracy learning experience including the four types of maths lessons that should be delivered.

Peter Sullivan is the Emeritus Professor of Education at Monash University and wrote the Australian Education Review publication ‘Teaching mathematics: using research-informed strategies’.

Show notes:

Get in touch with us via education.teachpodcast@sa.gov.au 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us as Dr Florence Gabriel explains how developing students’ self-regulation skills can help tackle maths anxiety in the classroom and why it can be beneficial to let students know that it’s ok to fail. 

Dr Florence Gabriel is an Enterprise Fellow in Education Futures and a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Change and Complexity in Learning at the University of South Australia.

You can strengthen your mathematics knowledge by watching presentations from this year's Numeracy Summit. 

Get in touch with us via education.teachpodcast@sa.gov.au 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover the tools and resources available to help support teachers to prevent and respond to bullying.

Plus, Woodville Primary School’s student wellbeing leader and school captain share how their site’s student-led restorative bench project encourages students to mend and build relationships through conversation.

Thanks to Lydia, Lisa, Wendy and Emily for participating in this episode.

You can find bullying prevention resources below: 

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What is the Autism Inclusion Teacher (AIT) role? How will AITs support South Australian primary school teachers?

Discover more about this nation-leading initiative and hear from Keith Area School about the difference this role will make at their site.

You might notice us use the terms autistic person or person with autism and this is because we recognise that there are people in the autistic community who prefer identity-first language.

Thanks to Anna, Erin and Ceri for participating in this episode. 

Show notes:

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Join us as the Department for Education’s Chief Executive Martin Westwell shares his vision for 2023, why student voice is so important and why he’s a fan of northern soul music.

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Join us as the principals of Murray Bridge and Salisbury high schools share how their teams achieved growth in their senior secondary learner outcomes.

Both have complex schools and a high proportion of students with issues that can impact their readiness to learn - so how have they gone about creating a positive culture?

Show notes:

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Learn how you can use thepractice guidance resources to support the education of all learners, including those with additional needs.

The hands-on practical guides provide information on specific additional needs, such as learners who have autism or are vision impaired or who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Plus, we head to Ceduna Area School in the state’s far-west to find out how the guides will make a difference at their school.

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Discover how the Special Education Resource Unit (SERU)supports the engagement, access, participation and learning of diverse learners.

SERU is made up of a team of former teachers as well as disability experts who can provide advice, support and resources for educators about how to educate learners with additional needs.

In addition to experience and insight, they have rows and rows of tools and resources that educators and parents can borrow and test out.

SERU Manager Rachel Scheuboeck shares how teachers and families can access their support.  

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If you’re tired of spelling lists and stuck for ideas to support spelling in the primary years, discover the way forward without spelling contracts. 

Literacy coaches Ashlee and Daina share their practical advice about quality spelling instruction and resources available to teachers.

Show notes:

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Today we’re discussing how to accommodate the needs of students who have been through trauma.

Trauma-informed practice in education aims to achieve a safe environment for all. It provides academic, social-emotional and behavioural supports to trauma affected students and promotes their engagement and success in learning.

Hear from the department’s Senior Social Worker for Children in Care and Senior Adviser for Child Protection.

Plus, Merryn Gomez from Eastern Fleurieu R-12 School shares how implementing trauma-informed practice has helped their school community.

Contact the child protection and trauma-informed practice team at: education.TraumaInformedPractice@sa.gov.au

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We speak to Stirling East Primary School Principal Jess Moroney to discover how the Future Leaders initiative can help emerging leaders identify leadership potential and fast-track preparation for leadership roles.

Plus Jess discusses the importance mentors play and how he’s dealt with the challenges bushfires and COVID-19 bring.

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Hear from 2022 Literacy Summit keynote speaker Professor Debra Myhill from the University of Exeter on the complexities of writing and how you can successfully teach all children to write.

Plus find out who some of the other speakers are and the research and advice they’ll share about writing improvement.

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