The Eighth International Literacy & Education Research Network Conference on
SPETSES,
GREECE
4-8 July 2001
Mary Jane McNeil
Principal, Safety Bay Senior High School, Western Australia
Christina Kemp
Safety Bay Senior High School, Western Australia
Peter Klifunis
Safety Bay Senior High School, Western Australia
Old Disciplines and the New Basics:
Redesigning a Traditional Western Australian High School for
New Learning
Abstract
Western Australia is introducing an outcomes based
curriculum and a standards and assessment framework that maps
student outcomes in eight Learning Areas, across K-12. Key features
of the new curriculum include an outcomes based approach and
cross-curricularity, seamless transition, student centred pedagogies,
an emphasis on values education, integration of Vocational Education
and Training (VET) and academic study, technology as integral
to the learning/teaching process and recognition of the middle
years (ages 10-14) as a distinctive phase of learning.
This interactive workshop presents a case study 'in progress'
of how a large and traditional Western Australian high school,
located in an industrial setting fifty kilometres south-west
of Perth, is implementing the new curriculum and meeting the
challenge of preparing its students for the life long learning
requirements of the new century. Key strategies include cross-curricular
teaching teams, flexible time-tabling, learning technology integration,
Vocational Education and Training in partnership with local industry
and post-school training providers (national winner: VET Award;
International winner: Millennium Award, best practice in VET)
and links with the local university and technical college that
enable student accreditation toward tertiary courses of study.
Bionotes
Mary Jane (M.Ed.Man., Dip.Ed., B.A.) is principal
of Safety Bay Senior High School and President of the Middle
Schooling Association of Western Australia. She was Deputy Principal
at the Cocos Islands West Island School and Foundation Associate
Principal of Warnbro Community High School, a self-governing
state school with a learner centred and technology focus. She
was Senior Consultant: Educational Programs with the Education
Department of W.A, for the school infrastructure planning and
educational program development of the Local Area Education Planning
project.
Peter Klifunis (M.Ed. Admin., B.Ed., Dip.Tch.) is deputy principal
of Safety Bay Senior High School. His main areas of responsibility
include ICT, post-compulsory schooling (Vocational Education
& Training and exploring new senior school learning opportunities),
and human resource management. Peter has been an advocate in
using technology and new learning styles to enhance educational
access and opportunities, particularly for rural students. He
has spent thirteen years in W.A. schools "out bush",
including the eastern goldfields, southwest and most recently
the isolated northwest 1500 kilometres from the capital city
of Perth.
Christina Kemp (B.Ed.,Dip.Tch.,Assoc.Dip.H.Ec.)is deputy principal
of Safety Bay Senior High School. She manages the development
and implementation of the new outcomes based curriculum and has
developed the flexible structures required for cross curricular
and student centred delivery. The professional development of
staff and the coordination of professional practice for student
teachers are other areas of responsibility. Chris recently worked
for Edith Cowan University in their Professional Practice Department
and is a member of a committee which advises the university on
matters relating to teacher training in schools.
Presentation Type
60 min. workshop
Presentation Equipment and Other Requests
Data Projector and screen for power point presentation
Speaking Date/Time Restrictions
Country
Australia