In this episode Tracy Burton interviews Melissa Franklin and Kerry Cook. Melissa has worked in Early Education for over 20 years, and has been the Director at Pelicans Nest since 2017. Kerry has over 35 years experience in Early Education and is currently the Early Childhood Teacher at Pelicans Nest. Both Melissa and Kerry are passionate about Nature Based Pedagogy, and building social and emotional competence through nature based curriculum.

#Interview by Senior Teacher, Tracy Burton

BA Arts (Communication – Theatre/Media), Grad Dip Ed

In this episode Tracy Burton talks to Kelly Callaghan, a Clinical and Educational and Developmental psychologist working here in Caloundra. As a specialist psychologist she has over 20 years of experience working with children and adults and is also trained in cognitive and learning assessment and diagnosis. Kelly recognises the stressors that come from a world of changing times and increasing work and family demands and the need for coping strategies for thinking, emotions and behaviour.

The importance of sleep to the growing teenage brain is valuable indeed. Research show that the effects of poor sleep or sleep deprivation can affect behaviour, memory, learning and wellbeing. So how can children and teens best achieve ‘good sleep’ and what are some of the potential barriers to achieving quality, restorative sleep?

If you would like to know more about this topic or discuss any concerns you may have, Kelly works with Caloundra Psychological Services, 4th Avenue ph. 54925588.

#Interview by Senior Teacher, Tracy Burton

BA Arts (Communication – Theatre/Media), Grad Dip Ed

In this episode Tracy Burton interviews Mr Troy Walsh, the Secondary School Facilitator for Start Smart with the Commonwealth Bank. Mr Walsh was invited to speak at CCPS to engage and empower our senior students to make confident financial choices.

So what is ‘financial literacy’ and why are these skills so important for today’s teenagers… and how do you change the way young people learn about finance?

For more information about the Start Smart program visit: startsmart.com.au

#Interview by Senior Teacher, Tracy Burton

BA Arts (Communication – Theatre/Media), Grad Dip Ed

In this podcast, Tracy Burton interviews Barbara Seaward - Head of Department Senior Schooling / Languages at Kawana Waters State College and District Panel Chair for Chinese on the Sunshine Coast.

Here at CCPS, our International learning programs with Scotland, Canada, Japan, Mainland China, Macau, Hong Kong, and recently Vietnam and India/Nepal, have all contributed to our student’s understanding of their place in the world. Each country’s cultures, histories and individual children help the CCPS community engage with the world - to explore, to learn, and to create. Our Chinese international program embraces the global village we live in. So what are the challenges our international students face in an Australian school? What do teachers need to be aware of in terms of learning styles and language challenges? And what are the benefits of International immersion for our domestic students?

#Interview by Senior Teacher, Tracy Burton

BA Arts (Communication – Theatre/Media), Grad Dip Ed

As our senior students progress through schooling, the inevitable question of ‘what to do after graduation’ begins. But what does the current university and employment landscape look like? What important skills do our teens need to succeed and how have social and technological advancements influenced the jobs of the future? In this episode Tracy Burton talks to Dr Jane Fynes-Clinton - Program coordinator for the Bachelor of Journalism and Lecturer in Journalism at the University of the Sunshine Coast. As a journalist of almost 30 years, Jane has worked in metropolitan news, features and magazines. She is passionate about the profession and its future and is dedicated to helping prepare students to take their place in it.

https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/structure/faculty-of-arts-business-and-law/staff/dr-elizabeth-jane-fynes-clinton

https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/jane-fynes-clinton

#Interview by Senior Teacher, Tracy Burton

This year CCPS was proud to open the brand new multi-purpose Raelene Boyle Hall. This facility is a wonderful new addition to the school providing a full size multi-purpose sports court, stage, instrumental rooms, tuckshop and innovative Music and Media Arts rooms. The teachers and students using these facilities have been provided with exciting new opportunities for learning, creativity and sporting achievement.

In this episode, Tracy Burton speaks to PE teachers Ms Emma Woods and Ms Grace Patterson, Head of Music Mr Paul Cusick as well as students who take these subjects and enjoy using the indoor court. Being the Media Arts teacher, Tracy is also interviewed by one of her budding Media Arts students, Eloise Whitney.

We encourage all students interested in HPE, Music and Media Arts to come and explore the new facility and enjoy learning these wonderful subjects. And for co-curricular Performing Arts involvement: join dance rehearsals on Tuesday lunchtimes, student radio on Wednesday lunchtimes, as well as the many music events offered – see Ms Burton or Mr Cusick. There is also free play on the main court for Juniors on Wednesdays and Seniors on Thursdays. And if you are a keen sportsperson, we have netball and basketball teams who regularly use the new courts to practice – see Ms Woods, Ms Patterson and in Semester 2, Ms Baker.

#Interview by Senior Teacher, Tracy Burton

BA Arts (Communication – Theatre/Media), Grad Dip Ed

In this, the first episode of Term Two, Tracy Burton is very pleased to interview the Principal of Caloundra City Private School, Dr Dirk Wellham. Dr Wellham has been the Principal of Caloundra City Private School (CCPS) since January 2013. Dirk was the Deputy Headmaster (Academic) at Churchie for eight years. Prior to this role he was Dean of Studies of The Southport School for four years. He was the Head of English and Languages at Blue Mountains Grammar School, Wentworth Falls, NSW; and he had three years teaching at The Hutchins School, Hobart before coming to Churchie for five years originally in 1991. Dirk was responsible for Churchie’s Emotional Intelligence Development Program – and Positive Psychology Development and was awarded a PhD in 2009 for his thesis titled, The Relationship Between Academic Achievement and Co-curricular Involvement. Dr Wellham is also a highly experienced Senior English Teacher.

PhD Thesis link:

http://dro.deakin.edu.au/view/DU:30027504

An article on Emotional Intelligence:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1041608014001927

In this episode, Tracy Burton looks at two exciting subjects in the Queensland curriculum.

This year, CCPS offers two new subjects: Philosophical Inquiry and Media Arts. The subject of Media Arts will be explored in a future podcast. In this episode, Tracy Burton chats to one of the teachers of Philosophical Inquiry, Mr Tim Ricketts as he explains this innovative new subject.

Additionally, late last year Tracy was fortunate enough to travel to Melbourne to attend the annual conference for the VCE subject of Psychology – a subject that Queensland will now offer for the first time. What can students learn by studying Psychology and why is it so popular?

In this interview, Tracy speaks to a highly experienced and accomplished VCE Psychology teacher, Ms Anna Marazita.

Stay tuned for future podcasts on Media Arts and the roll out of the new Senior Curriculum for Year 11 next year. For more information about the new courses being offered in the new QLD curriculum, visit the QCAA website.

#Interview by Senior Teacher, Tracy Burton

BA Arts (Communication – Theatre/Media), Grad Dip Ed

In this episode, Tracy Burton interviews Dr Shelley Davidow, a lecturer in curriculum and pedagogy at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Dr Davidow is also an international author and educator. For the past twenty years she has written and taught in various settings around the world, and is an advocate for social justice and the mitigating the effects of stress on children both at home and in the classroom. Dr Davidow's research into the physical effects of stress and anxiety on the body; particularly the nervous system is truly fascinating. Her books include the recently released Raising Stress-Proof Kids (Exisle 2014, Familius, 2015).

#Interview by Senior Teacher, Tracy Burton

BA Arts (Communication – Theatre/Media), Grad Dip Ed

In the first episode of 2018, Tracy Burton talks to Dr Ali Black - a highly regarded early childhood specialist who lectures in Education at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Dr Black is an innovative arts-based and narrative researcher who seeks to foster connectedness, community, wellbeing and meaning-making through the building of reflective and creative lives and identities. She is widely published and considered an expert in several areas of early childhood education.