A little after 6 pm on Friday 30 October our World Teachers Day competition winners were greeted by our Registrar, Leonie Paulson before suiting up to brave windy conditions on the rooftops of Adelaide Oval.

After a 30-minute briefing, breathalyser test, and plenty of sanitising the group departed. Ninety minutes later they returned, a little windswept but thoroughly enchanted by the sights of Adelaide at twilight and the oval lighting up in green and blue especially for World Teachers Day.

The lucky teachers were:

Amanda Johnson from the Home Economics Institute of Australia SA (HEIA SA) is this year’s recipient of the TRB Induction & Mentoring Award presented as part of the Educators SA 2020 World Teachers Day Awards. The awards went ahead despite Educators SA being unable to hold a ceremony with their Executive Director, Rod Nancarrow personally contacting each winner. A full list of the winners was also printed in The Advertiser on Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October.

Amanda completed her initial teacher training in 1989 at the University of SA, followed by post-graduate studies in Business in 1991. After working in management roles in retail and time at home tending to her family, Amanda commenced her teaching career at Annesley College in 2004 where she worked as a playgroup coordinator, an EAL teacher and a home economics teacher.

Amanda recalls how she found out about HEIA in 2006. “A fellow teacher Gill Joschke introduced me to HEIA and together we began hosting meetings and training days for the Institute.”

“Today I am a Committee of Management member supporting the Chair, Sarah Hockey and I work to mentor both rural and metropolitan teachers. I also facilitate the running of the HEIA Southern Metro Hub Group which currently has 34 active members.”

In 2010, Amanda joined Scotch College and in her current role as Head of Technology and Visual Art teaches Food Technology and Food and Hospitality, and is a Year 12 mentor.

“The best part of working with a teacher association is sharing curriculum ideas and experiences with others. I get to learn from my mentors, mentor others and network with interstate peers,” Amanda said.

In 2019 Amanda won the HEIA Award of Excellence which is peer-nominated.

A full list of the 2020 winners can be viewed on the Educators SA website here.

The Teachers Registration and Standards (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 2020 was passed by Parliament on the 15^th of October 2020. This Act will amend some aspects of the Teachers Registration & Standards Act 2004 allowing changes to how the Board and the teacher registration process operate including:

• more flexible registration
• modifying the Board’s size and functions including representation for early childhood teachers
• enhancing child safety measures
• recognition of highly accomplished and lead teachers

Aspects of the Teachers Registration & Standards Act 2004 that were not the focus of the Amendment Act will essentially be replicated.

Full details of the amendments will be communicated directly with all teachers and stakeholders in the next few weeks so please check your emails and our website regularly.

A copy of the Amendment Bill is available to read here.

The South Australian Teacher Certification Committee (SATCC) is the cross-sector certifying authority in South Australia. Seeking national recognition as a highly accomplished or lead teacher (HALT) is admirable as this process requires a commitment to examine one’s own practice, develop the knowledge and skills of self and colleagues and undertake a rigorous assessment process.

Since the HALT certification process was introduced in South Australia in 2014, over 160 teachers have successfully been certified. This year, nine teachers have been certified with 15 successfully renewing their status after their five-year term.

This year the Teachers Registration Board is proud to announce that a teacher's HALT status is now recognised through annotation of the Register of Teachers.

If you or a colleague would like further information about the HALT process please contact your sector representative below.

The Department for Education – Christine Harford T: 8226 0362 E: christine.harford@sa.gov.au

Catholic Education South Australia – Adrian Dilger T: 83016138    E: adrian.dilger@cesa.catholic.edu.au

Association of Independent Schools of South Australia – Mary Pickett T: 8179 1423 E: pickettm@ais.sa.edu.au

If you are due to renew this year your renewal application is now available on the teachers portal.

Remember, you will need a current Working with Children Check  (WWCC) to renew your registration so please apply through the Department of Human Services as soon as possible if you don't have one. This will help ensure there are no delays with your application.

If you hold a current DHS Child-related Screening Clearance (DCSI check) you are deemed to hold a WWCC for the period the DCSI check is valid and can apply for renewal of registration with this check.

If you have any questions about the Working with Children Check please contact the Department of Human Services by clicking on this link or calling 1300 321 592.

Starting at a new school next year?

Moving house over the holidays?

The end of year break can be a busy time and it’s easy to forget about notifying the Board of your new address or email.

If you are planning to change your contact details, log on to the teachers portal and update your information or contact us and let us know to ensure that you don’t miss out on any alerts or correspondence.

Every teacher has a unique experience and we would like you to share yours.

We want as many stories as possible so that when they are combined they will build a detailed picture of the teaching profession across all systems and sectors in Australia.

Can you spend approximately 10 minutes completing the Australian Teacher Workforce Data (ATWD) Teacher Survey? It's easy to access the survey through your teachers portal account.

The ATWD survey is important because the more we understand the challenges and opportunities faced by Australian teachers, the better we can work together to ensure that teachers are well supported, and schools are well resourced to deliver quality learning for every child. The ATWD will help us achieve this.

Thank you in advance for sharing your experiences. 

TAKE THE SURVEY HERE

Learn more about the ATWD initiative

ATWD data privacy information

TRB SA Privacy Statement

Stay up to date with the ATWD initiative here

If you have any questions about the survey or concerns about your privacy please email: atwd@aitsl.edu.au.

The SBS Inclusion Program is Australia’s leading online inclusion training course helping companies embrace diversity and promote a safe and happy workplace.

Courses offered and their approximate length include:

Courses can be completed at your own pace, as your progress is saved as you go. You can purchase all seven courses for $99 or take individual courses as required.

SBS is offering TRBSA teachers a 30% discount until 30 June 2021. Just enter the code TRBSA2020.

On completion, a certificate is issued by email.

Access the courses on the SBS website.

If you are looking to get some professional learning hours under your belt during the Christmas holidays, don't forget we have links to plenty of online suggestions on our website.

Click here to take a look.