Centenary Learning Alliance of State Schools eNewsletter

114 Burrendah Rd
Jindalee QLD 4074
Subscribe: http://centenarylass.schoolzineplus.com/subscribe
15 May 2015
CLASS Celebrates the ANZAC Centenary
Courtesy of a Department of Veteran Affairs ANZAC Centenary
Local Grant Program Federal Government Grant and strong
community involvement, the ANZAC Centenary is a key learning
focus for our CLASS students in 2015. Our students across the
four schools are involved in a range of projects that are aimed to
improve their understanding and appreciation of this significant
national event.
Key projects currently underway in our schools include an arts
project and writing workshops. Each school within the CLASS
group worked to create an ANZAC honour plinth; with the five
plinths evolving to communicate a narrative about the ANZACs
derived from children’s engagement in ANZAC stories, each
translating into the images depicted from within the mosaics.
The fifth plinth will be installed in preparation for this year’s
ANZAC ceremonies in a community space, the RSL Memorial
Gardens at Mt Ommaney. Its image and story will conclude the
narrative alongside the four pieces installed in schools. A writer
in residence will support students in each of our schools to
formulate and present their ideas in a range of written forms.
Email: the.principal@centenaryshs.eq.edu.au
Phone: 07 3725 5777
Fax: 07 3725 5700
Citizens Associations, Jindalee Lions Club, Brisbane River
Rocks Rotary Club, local defence personnel and our many
parents who have volunteered services for their much valued
support. Together we are providing a terrific opportunity for our
students.
Eli, Harry, Riley and Nam Chi participating in an ANZAC photo
shoot at Centenary High.
Students will also be involved in the making of a documentary
which will be made available online at the project’s completion.
This project has been led by John Westwood of Redgum
Productions which has provided the participants with a valued
interface with professionals working in this area.
The culminating event will be the CLASS production of Voices
of ANZAC which will be performed at City Hall on July 27th.
The Centenary schools have a rich tradition in performance and
the night should be both a wonderful showcase of the talent
we enjoy in our schools and a fitting tribute to the ANZAC
Centenary.
Josh, Ashlyn, Brendan and Zoe – student class
representatives laying floral wreaths as part of school ANZAC
service.
The Centenary Suburbs have shown great support for the
project with numerous groups and individuals offering financial
or in kind support. We are indebted to, Councillor for Jamboree
Ward Matthew Bourke, State Member for Mt Ommaney Tarnya
Smith, the Centenary RSL, respective school Parents and
1
The Legend of the ANZACs
Appreciating Our Returned Servicemen and
Women
100 years and how Australia has grown.
This year, will mark a century since the courageous and selfless
ANZACs landed on the shores of Gallipoli. Across the nation
Australians young and old will commemorate the centennial of
this landing.
JHSS student leaders standing behind wreaths following the
school ANZAC service.
And we all have different stories that link us to the ANZACs and
to our returned servicemen and women.
For me, my father enlisted in the Australian armed services, as a
young, fresh faced seventeen year old, and he has shared many
stories with my siblings and I about his travels, experiences and
lessons learnt. Many of these stories mirror the iconic ANZAC
spirit of courage and sacrifice.
Oscar Courtney introducing guest speaker WO (ret) Donald
Hacker OAM.
Because of this, I have marched on ANZAC Day since I have
been old enough to remember. The feeling of gratitude I feel
every year watching the returned servicemen and women
march so proudly and strongly, never seems to waiver, and
it is here again I am reminded of my security and life in this
wonderful nation of Australia.
We are indeed the fortunate ones. I am a sixteen year old living
in Australia. I don’t need to worry about famine, hardship or
terror. I have been born in a time of Australian history whereby
my ancestors who have come before me have forfeited so
much.
Although this feeling of safety and security exists, my extended
family of aunt, uncles and cousins have been closely touched
with the effects of war. With my uncles and aunt serving abroad
in Afghanistan, East Timor, Iraq and Sudan over the last
decade, I have seen first- hand the social and emotional effects
of war on returned servicemen, including their families.
Warrant Officer (ret) Donald Hacker OAM talking with Jindalee
SS students with Principal Mrs Meaghan Rodgers and Deputy
Principals, Kim Tvede and Louise Whittering in the
background.
With current personnel placed in East Timor and Afghanistan,
combined with our many peace keeping posts in the world,
groups like the RSL must maintain a highly visible role in our
nation to provide support for our servicemen and women.
This year we will commemorate the centennial year of the
ANZAC troops landing in Turkey and we will no doubt see
our diverse nation of young and old, strong and weak, come
together and truly commemorate this important day in
Australia’s history.
Yet our commemoration does not start and stop with just
ANZAC Day. Every day, we should acknowledge and
appreciate the courage and sacrifices of our ANZACs and
todays returned servicemen and women.
By Mikala Crawley
Display for ANZAC Day ceremony at Jindalee SS.
2
Mikala Crawley.
Listening intently to the
fascinating Anzac Story.
Posing proudly with our visitor.
Exploring the ANZAC Legend
ANZAC Ceremony at Centenary High.
A Soldier Visits
The Year 3 classes from Middle Park State School had a special
visit this term from a soldier currently serving in the Australian
Army. He spent a session with the students talking to them
about Anzac Day, serving in the armed forces and the
importance of remembrance and respect for our soldiers. This
is what some of the students wrote after his special visit.
• The Visit by Duran Dwyer
Yesterday Ms Soutar’s brother-in-law came and told us about
ANZAC Day. He had a PowerPoint about all sorts of things
like the uniform, the memorial places and how the uniform has
changed. He showed us the weird belt that he has. It went
around his shoulder. His job in the Army is an engineer.
• Facts about Anzac Day by Emily Ford
- The traditional food on this day is ANZAC Biscuits.
- The music played is the last post and the reveille.
- ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand
Army Corps.
- The ANZAC’s landed in 1915.
• Facts about ANZAC Day by Emma Cassidy
- ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand
Army Corps
- If your grandparents fought in the war, your parents
would wear their medals on the right hand side.
(‘right’ not in line of tab)
- ANZAC Day is on the 25th of April.
- Traditional foods on ANZAC Day are ANZAC
biscuits, and a rum and coffee breakfast.
- The eternal flame never goes out even if it rains.
- They fought in Gallipoli with New Zealand.
- The minute of silence is to remember the people
that died in the war.
As part of the lead-up to the ANZAC Centenary
Commemoration, students across Jamboree Heights have
been exploring historical aspects of World War 1, the
significance of ANZAC day and the ANZAC legend. In
particular, students in 5R have had opportunities to read books
related to the theme, create timelines, and even write a play
around the ANZAC story. In addition to this, Mr Robertson
(5R teacher) has been taking students on a journey through
pictures and images, exploring how people and places of the
era were represented, giving students valuable insights into the
perceptions and realities of the time.
On the back of this class work, a number of students in Year
5R have shared their thoughts on the meaning of the ANZAC
legend.
The ANZACs mean a lot to me. The ANZAC legend is
something special everyone should remember. They made a
big sacrifice by leaving their families, some of them even lying
about their age just to go to war for our country. The soldiers
were very courageous and what they did was very, very brave.
This is what the ANZAC legend means to me.
By Riley Peters
What the ANZACs did really was amazing. Australia united
as one to fight off the enemy. Some young Australians lied
about their age to make their country proud. They really were
incredible people and even though many lives were lost at the
battle of Gallipoli, what they did, makes sure that we will always
honour and remember them.
By Devlin Hampson
The ANZAC legend is important to me and many Australians
and New Zealanders by how the ANZACs fought to protect
our country. The ANZACs sailed through the darkness of night.
Dawn was the time to attack, but by mistake the British landed
in the wrong place causing many soldiers to die. After five years
of death and misery, the ANZACs had won the war, but only a
few made it back to their beloved family.
By Sophie Chiew
3
Mt Ommaney Special School ANZAC
100th year Commemoration
(Left to Right) Sophie, Riley and Devlin showing some of the
books they have read about ANZAC Day.
Our school will be joining with many around the country to
commemorate the 100th year of ANZAC Day. Students will be
creating artefacts in a range of sensory, artistic and symbolic
activities across the school on Friday April 24th. Activities have
been specially selected to ensure all students have access to
appropriate tasks and can contribute to the day to the best of
their abilities. The artefacts to be created include wreathes and
poppy flowers.
The ceremony itself will include the planting of a descendent
pine sapling from Lone Pine on the Gallipoli Peninsular in a
predominant location on the school grounds. This symbolic
planting will form a lasting memorial at the school to
commemorate ANZAC Day ceremonies into the future.
Students and their families have also been invited to participate
with the Centenary Community at the Centenary Suburbs RSL
Sub Branch ANZAC Day community service on Saturday 25th
April. Students will be joining with other schools, scouts, guides
and cadets to mark this event as part of the greater Centenary
Community.
Harry, a Year 5 Student, reading the ANZAC big book ‘We
Remember’ to his class.
Poppies to Remember the Fallen
Artists Lee Fullarton and Denise Chard worked with Year 5
students at Jamboree Heights State School to conceptualise,
develop and design their mosaic installations. Teachers and
students developed their ideas through collaboration and
guided research prior to artists’ workshops. The intent of the
installation was to depict themes in honour of ANZAC traditions
and legends.
Vicky Mynott, with grandchildren Joel and Josh displaying their
great grandfather’s medals. Vicky kindly talked to both of her
grandchildren’s classes about World War 1.
Over 1 ½ workshop days, the Year 5 students were supported
by artists, Lee and Denise, to develop their story, to draw and
design visual concepts, to learn mosaic skills and techniques,
and to work cooperatively to create the unique mosaic piece
that unified their original ideas into one image on their school
plinth. For Jamboree the visual image of the poppies resonated
with our student group, so their final mosaic representation
centred around a field of poppies and crosses to mark the
graves of the fallen. All plinths were textured with pine needles
to represent the Lone Pine narrative and the contour of the
Gallipoli horizon line was represented in the top edge of all five
plinths.
Jamboree Heights unveiled their completed plinth within their
ANZAC memorial garden space on Friday the 24th of April
when parents and students assembled for our school Anzac
Commemoration Service.
(front to back) Prep students Oscar, Emily and Noah proudly
showing the poppies they made for the school’s ‘Flander’s
Field’.
4
Image of Jamboree Heights’ student designed art piece for
plinth.
Bill working on the ‘’ section of the mosaic.
ANZAC Day Art Project at Jindalee State
School
ANZAC Day at Jindalee State School has been commemorated
with great pride and respect for many years and the opportunity
to become involved in such an undertaking as the CLASS
project in this anniversary Year 2015, was not to be missed.
A group of art enthusiasts from Years 5 and 6 were selected to
participate in the project.
Ebony and Jayden working on the “” section of the mosaic.
Kaiya and Payten working on the “” section of the mosaic.
Discussions and research about ANZAC Day and WWI
continually brought the students back to images they had
already developed in their young minds. From these images
they chose the themes and stories they wanted included on
our plinth. The wreath and flowers, the Gallipoli landscape and
Simpson and his donkey were images they believed would
represent our school and resonate with students of all ages.
An image always seen on our ANZAC day, is one of children
walking into school with flowers or greenery. Some with large
bunches, some with just a flower or a sprig of leaves taken
from the garden that morning, but most with something. These
offerings become the wreaths each class creates and have
created for many years. These wreaths are placed at the base
of the catafalque with great formality by a proud pair of bearers
from each class during our memorial service.
After weeks of fine tuning their mosaicking skills on Friday
afternoons and many lunch times, our ANZAC Art enthusiasts
had the opportunity to engage in a full day workshop on Friday,
13th March. They were assisted by Lee Fullarton and Denise
Chard who were impressed with the level of skill our students
had developed.
School leaders Matt, Elise, Lauren and Eli in front of the new
Jamboree Heights memorial garden with completed plinth.
Small groups worked with enthusiasm and obvious enjoyment
as they created their own small section of our plinth. Each
glass tile placed was carefully cut to the correct shape and
individually glued onto a cartooned outline. When you see the
finished plinth, you will understand why it took twenty-six
children a whole day to complete.
The finished product was installed in a prominent position
during the Easter break in readiness for our ANZAC Day
ceremony.
5
All the students involved need to be proud of their
achievements and their involvement in creating an everlasting
piece of Jindalee State School history.
Well done Guys!
The ‘Rising Sun’ badge has become an integral part of the
digger tradition worn proudly by soldiers of the first and second
Australian Imperial Force in both World Wars. The distinctive
shape of the badge, worn on the upturned side of a slouch hat,
is commonly identified with the spirit of ANZAC.
To begin with, the artist in residence, Lee, and the mosaic artist,
Denise, spent half a day with our class, 6E, to gain ideas from
the children around our chosen theme of the rising sun. After
brainstorming, each child produced several drawings. Through
Lee’s guidance, the whole class was able to decide the
appropriate positioning of these drawings to create our
message.
Our homework was to practise our skills by making paper
mosaic designs.
Jindalee SS Yr 5 group who worked on the plinth.
We spent a Friday working on ten different pieces that will be
combined to make our final design. Lee and Denise instructed
the children on how to cut the glass mosaics before they began
to create the outline of the shape. Once this was done, the
shape is then filled in to produce a solid image.
Everyone took great care to ensure they did their best work.
The whole class showed tremendous persistence throughout
the whole day. At the end, all children were very proud of their
achievements and their contribution to this wonderful project.
Isabella Hayden, Makayla Renouf , Caitlin Randerson and
Jasmin McCormack (unseen) with Denise Chard.
The hole for the plinth was dug in the Middle Park ANZAC
Garden and the plinth delivered and installed on Saturday 11th
April. After the holidays the mosaics were added and a
protective coating painted over the finished design. We cannot
wait to see our work in the garden for all to see and admire!
Charisma Michalkow and Nethini Gomes working on the plinth.
Working as a team to fill in the bomber planes outline.
Jindalee’s completed plinth.
The Rising Sun
The ANZAC Art Project, a mosaic-covered plinth, has been a
fascinating work in progress. We really did not know what to
expect and found it hard at first to visualise the finished product.
Middle Park’s theme was the ‘Rising Sun’ and we spent quite
a few sessions in the classroom researching the significance of
this symbol and brainstorming ideas for the design.
6
Feeling rather professional in my glasses.
ANZAC Commemoration Art Project
At the start of the year, students from Year 7 were given
the opportunity to join in an ANZAC Art activity. The project
aimed to not only commemorate the ANZACs and to celebrate
their lives but to remind us of the terrible losses in battle that
occurred to maintain the free world we live in today.
This was a program that involved not only me but 20 other
interested students. With the help of artists, Lee Fullarton and
Denise Chard, our aim was to make a mosaic tile artwork to be
placed in our school.
Giving our fingers a rest after the hard work of cutting the tiles
to size.
The program started with all of us sketching our different views,
ideas or interpretations about what the ANZACs and war meant
to us. This ranged from poppies to guns, bugles to lost letters
at sea. From there, we put many of the drawings together to
create a scene and furthered it with a background. We then
split the drawing back up again so that each group could
mosaic different areas at the same time.
Once we had selected a section, we cut, placed and glued
the tiles down. The artists then took the finished tiled artworks
home to dry and put in concrete. The program was a great
experience for all of us. We were able to experiment with
different areas of art and to look with deeper meaning at the
ANZACs.
Outlining the Rising Sun before filling it in with tiles.
We not only learnt more about the ANZACs and Art, we also
had the great experience of learning more about each other as
the program included lots of group work. I would again like to
thank, on behalf of all of the Year 7s involved in this program,
the artists, Lee Fullarton and Denise Chard, for their time and
commitment in teaching us through the activity.
By Amy Lightbody
Filling in a landing craft with cut mosaic tiles.
Centenary’s completed plinth.
Cutting tiles wearing safety glasses.
Our Jindalee Lone Pine Trees
The original ‘Lone Pine’ was a sole survivor of a group of trees
that had been cut down by Turkish soldiers who had used the
timber and branches to cover their trenches during the Battle of
7
Lone Pine in 1915 in Gallipoli. The original tree was destroyed
during the battle, however pine cones were still attached to
the cut branches over the trenches and were retrieved by two
Australian soldiers and brought home to Australia. This resulted
in Aleppo Pine trees being planted in the memorial avenue in
Canberra.
Aleppo Pine trees, also known as ‘Lone Pine’ or ‘Gallipoli’ pines
are planted as a memorial to the Australian and New Zealand
soldiers who fought in Gallipoli. In 1995/96 Wendy Molloy,
former Deputy Principal of Jindalee State School, organised
for a lone pine seedling from the parent tree in Canberra to
be planted on our school grounds to commemorate the
contribution of all Australian and New Zealand soldiers who
fought in the wars.
This Lone Pine tree was honoured and remembered within
the school community. Every year, wreaths from the school’s
ANZAC Day ceremony were placed at the base of the tree as a
sign of appreciation and remembrance.
Unfortunately, following heavy rainfall and flooding in 2011, the
Lone Pine tree developed fungal root rot. After unsuccessful
attempts to revive the tree it became unhealthy and unsafe, and
a decision was made to remove it.
In 2013, a new seedling was acquired to replace the original
Lone Pine at Jindalee State School. This year, as the seedling
matured, it was transferred from the greenhouse to its
permanent location. The Lone Pine tree was planted behind the
flag posts where the school community can watch it grow and
be reminded of the significant contribution of soldiers who have
fought for our country to ensure we live in freedom and peace.
students at Middle Park to learn of its significance in the ANZAC
story.
The garden is also the home to the plinth having being installed
over the Easter holidays.
This year’s Student Council has taken the garden under its wing
and plans to expand the variety of plants starting with rosemary,
another ANZAC tradition. The Councillors held a free dress day
last term to raise some money to buy rosemary plants, potting
mix, mulch and fertiliser to keep the garden healthy.
Last week we planted eight rosemary plants and next term the
Councillors will make a watering and weeding roster and keep
the student body and community informed of the health of the
garden.
The walking path around the garden was another project from
the Centenary RSL, on behalf of the ANZAC Day
Commemoration Committee, and is named the ANZAC walk.
The path provides a safe entry and exit to and from the school
via a side gate and takes people around the beautiful ANZAC
Garden.
Other projects for the Council this year will be to purchase a
plaque commemorating the installation of the plinth and another
plaque naming the path. They are a very busy group of
students.
Many hands make light work!
School Captains, Holly Vandermaat and Sebastian Neale, with
Facilities Officer, Mr Ken Hacker.
The ANZAC Garden at Middle Park
The garden on your right as you drive into Middle Park State
School from Macfarlane St, was established when the school
was built twenty-eight years ago. However, it wasn’t until 2004
when an old digger who was working at the school organised
an Aleppo Pine, to be presented to the school by the Centenary
Suburbs RSL Sub Branch, that the garden became known
as the ANZAC Garden. This pine tree is a descendant of the
original Lone Pine of Gallipoli, as the plaque proudly states, and
is now a robust tree growing strongly in the garden for future
8
The ANZAC Walk.
Busy students Plaque commemorating the
planting rosemary. planting of the Aleppo pine.
Jamboree Voices of ANZAC
In preparations towards the CLASS musical extravaganza on
the evening of 27th July, Jamboree Heights State School’s
Senior Choir, Orchestra and Band have been eagerly
rehearsing their ANZAC themed musical pieces.
Music teachers have been meeting and coordinating with their
CLASS colleagues, ensuring the true theme of ANZAC is
maintained. Items the Jamboree Heights State School
ensembles will perform include choral performances - ‘In
Flanders Field’, ‘Can You Hear the Children Marching’, and
instrumental pieces ‘Lament’ and ‘Innocence’, by Stephen
Chin.
The lyrics from ‘Can You Hear the Children Marching’, poses
questions to students and provokes them to think about the
ANZAC legend in a deep and meaningful way, as they prepare
for their concert.
“There just couldn't be a greater sacrifice there just couldn't
be”…
“The ones who fought and gave their all, can you hear
Australia's heroes marching?”…..
“They're marching once again across our great land; can you
hear Australia's heroes marching?”
(Lyrics from ‘Can You Hear the Children Marching’ by Peter
Barnes)
At Jamboree Heights State School’s own school ANZAC
Commemorative Service, the Senior Choir performed their two
items for school families and invited guests, a wonderful chance
to publically perform the items, prior to the City Hall concert.
The music students will continue to rehearse over the next three
months, in the lead up to the City Hall performance. On the day
of the ‘Voices of ANZAC’ concert, all CLASS music students
will be transported to City Hall to combine and practise their
musical talents and rehearse as one. Over 500 students from
the four schools will be performing on the evening, with a
combined choral and instrumental item to conclude the
evening.
Jamboree Heights State School music teacher, Mrs Hooper,
has commented “We are very excited for the opportunity to
perform in such an impressive and historical venue as City Hall.”
The Dancing Voices of ANZAC
Our Dance Troupe has been in operation for four years and
is now embedded in the Performing Arts Program at Middle
Park State School. During this time the troupe has grown in
confidence and experience as they have taken part in many
eisteddfods and competitions challenging themselves to be the
best they can be.
This year has been by far the most important and exciting
challenge we have faced. Unlike other years, we were faced
with the enormous task of honouring a theme laden with
respect and significance. In commemorating such a pivotal part
of Australia’s history, we are aspiring for a display of moves and
music that is both uplifting and entertaining.
My first difficulty was finding a piece of music that fitted the
occasion but was also suitable to choreograph into a sequence
of moves that told a story. A past dance teacher of mine gave
me an artist who wrote music that could be suitable, and I tried
out a few of the pieces, and we were up and running! The next
step was fitting moves to the music and developing a series of
routines that transitioned smoothly. A routine can look amazing
in the head but when put to the group of dancers can fall apart.
We are now at the stage where we have developed routines,
practised them to the music and worked on formations. The
students work hard at their weekly practices and it is wonderful
to see the senior students coaching and encouraging the
younger ones. Their spirit and enthusiasm are high.
With a term and a bit to go until the big day we are confident
that we will be able to do our brief justice. We are delighted to
be able to share with the community our tribute to the ANZACs.
The inclusion of dance in the Voices of ANZAC Extravaganza at
the Brisbane City Hall in July is a wonderful opportunity to be
part of such a significant event.
By Lauren Baxter
Dance Teacher
Middle Park State School
Harry & Jacqueline Mr Hoey (instrumental teacher)
– Senior Band.
putting the Senior Strings
through their paces.
Learning new routines
requires great listening
skills and loads of energy.
Holly (left) and Camille (right)
– Senior Band.
The final salute.
Isaac (front)
– Senior Band.
9
coordination of any large project are great and all involved are to
be congratulated. So taking on a production management role
for CLASS in the combined ANZAC Centenary Commemorative
Event is enough to make the mind boggle.
Some moves are pretty difficult and require additional help.
Jindalee ANZAC Music Program
Jindalee State School’s participation in the ANZAC Music
Extravaganza in July brings to the event our Strings, Band
and Choir students for a public performance. Our students are
practised at performance and enjoy the opportunity to display
their achievements, especially when coordinating with other
musicians in their environment for an overall performance,
rather than competing with them in competitions, which is more
commonly the case.
Jindalee State School’s music program is a feature of our
school culture. As well as delivering typical school music
programs, Jindalee puts a focus on creative expression and
interactions between instruments and voice. The school
Orff-Schulwerk program makes extensive use of movement and
both untuned and tuned instruments, for instance, Jindalee
students have access to large marimbas and xylophones for
whole class participation as part of their classroom music
program.
And at Centenary State High School this event is providing
unique leadership opportunities for a few very brave students.
In particular, Brooke Gehrke, currently in her final year of high
school, who has been given the job of Student Production
Manager. The role has provided a diverse array of learning
opportunities for her and even she will admit it has been a steep
learning curve. I’ve learned to keep pace in a busy environment,
adjust to constantly changing conditions, support others and
manage people but most of all I’ve learned to rely on my own
instinct and have confidence in my knowledge and ability.
Brooke has attended the CLASS committee meetings, worked
on agenda items and minutes. She has been to venue meetings
at Brisbane City Hall and discussed a large range of venue
issues, making decisions about how it will operate with staff,
parents and students from across the four schools. She has
provided support to staff and students during rehearsals,
supervised and coordinated performers and backstage crew,
and in the next weeks Brooke will undertake ticketing and
marketing for the City Hall extravaganza.
One very big effort but a great opportunity for a Centenary State
High School student leader.
Our strings and band programs have adapted to the movement
of Year 7 students to secondary schools. For our school
ANZAC ceremony however, it was necessary for Years 4 and
5 to take up the student roles in the school ANZAC program
due to our Year 6 students being on camp. This has had an
impact on the music program. In line with the school focus
on empowering student development and responsibility, the
program has been adjusted for our emerging leaders to show
and practise their capabilities.
Centenary High students taking the lead.
The ANZAC music program in action at Jindalee SS.
Students Taking the Lead
Any teacher involved in a large performance will always take
great pride in the final production and then want to rest for a
week or two. The time, effort and commitment involved in the
10
Excellence in Intensive Interaction
Mount Ommaney Special School was recently awarded a
Certificate of Commendation by the Intensive Interaction
Institute (UK) in recognition of effectively integrating Intensive
Interaction practices.
Intensive Interaction is an evidence based approach that assists
students to learn fundamental communication skills and to build
meaningful equal relationships. Intensive Interaction is a vital
approach for students who have been identified at a pre-verbal
stage of development. The approach is also useful for students
who are socially withdrawn, or who seem to find little pleasure in
interacting with others and for students who display significant
self-stimulatory behaviours that make it difficult for them to
interact with others.
Email: kgr00100@bigpond.net.au
Rather than focussing on what learners cannot do, Intensive
Interaction aims to look for things that have meaning for the
learner and use them to interact and communicate in a
‘language’ that the learner understands.
Subeditors:
Mount Ommaney Special School uses Intensive Interaction as
a communication pedagogy to develop:
Phone: 0423 437 443
Address:
c/o Jindalee State School
114 Burrendah Road
Jindalee Qld 4074
Ann-Marie Price (Centenary SHS): apric20@eq.edu.au
Alister
Warren
(Jamboree
Heights
SS):
awarr26@eq.edu.au
Diana Ghusn (Jindalee SS): dghus1@eq.edu.au
Joyce Kuth (Middle Park SS): jkuth1@eq.edu.au
• Cognitive abilities – social cause and effect,
predicting and exploring behaviours of others
• Fundamental communication abilities – eye contact,
facial expression, turn-taking, engagement
• Sociability – desire and ability to be with others,
taking part and initiating social contact,
understanding ways in which social encounters can
be enjoyable.
Intensive Interaction requires training for all staff and a team
approach is essential. Student interactions are digitally
recorded and moderated by the team to ensure best practice is
maintained.
Students are regularly assessed, and when ready, given the
opportunity to access more conventional intentional
communicative pedagogies.
Lynda and Michael.
Lynne and Ally.
Nina and Quoc.
CLASS ALLIANCE NEWSLETTER
Editor:
Kim Green
Business Manager
11