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Better Together Forum: Central Queensland Region

Monday, 17 October 2016 from 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM

Harrup Park Country Club

 

Speakers

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Organisation: University of South Australia

Emeritus Professor Dorothy Scott OAM, PhD, began her career as a child care worker in a state children’s home in Victoria in the late 1960s. Moved by the suffering of children which she witnessed there, she studied social work at the University of Melbourne in the 1970s to pursue her vision of preventing child abuse and neglect. As a young social worker she developed innovative services in the areas of sexual assault, child protection and maternal mental health, which led to her being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia and the Centenary Medal. Professor Scott is an honorary professorial fellow at the University of Melbourne and Emeritus Professor at the University of South Australia. Her current consultancy work involves clinical supervision for those working with vulnerable young children and their families, mentoring leaders of children’s services, facilitating inter-agency collaboration and providing policy advice to governments. Her most recent book (co-authored with Professor Fiona Arney) is Working with Vulnerable Families, A Partnership Approach, published by Cambridge University Press.

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Organisation: Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne

Position: Senior Research Fellow

Dr Tim Moore is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Community Child Health (CCCH) at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, The Royal Childrens Hospital, Melbourne. He heads a small team with the responsibility of monitoring, reviewing and synthesising research literature on a wide range of topics relating to child development, family functioning and service systems.  He has been the principal writer on numerous Centre for Community Child Health reviews, reports and policy briefs.  A psychologist by training, he has worked in a variety of settings, and has taken a leading role nationally in the development of policy and training in the early childhood intervention field.  He has been based at CCCH since 2000.

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Organisation: Department of Education and Training

Position: Regional Director, Central Queensland Region

With a career spanning over 30 years, Kim started her teaching career as a Secondary English, History, and Geography teacher at Hughenden State School.

Kim has worked in many roles during her career including a teaching position at Wynnum State High School, Senior Mistress at St George State High School, Deputy Principal at Newmarket State High School and Principal at Injune State School, Roma Middle School and Sandy Strait State School.

Prior to her appointment as Regional Director in the Central Queensland Region in 2015, Kim was a Teaching and Learning Auditor and Assistant Regional Director in the North Queensland Region. Having completed her schooling at Allora State School and Cleveland State High School, Kim is a proud champion of state schooling and passionately believes that it is a privilege to both work in and attend State Schools.

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Organisation: Department of Education and Training

Position: Director, Central Queensland Region

Grant Webb has had extensive experience in primary and secondary schools as well as the tertiary sector. He has been a classroom teacher, Support Teacher, Educational Consultant and Principal. He has served on national and state committees and has worked on a variety of educational projects and programs. He is currently the ECEC Director in the Central Queensland Region.

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Organisation: Department of Education and Training

Position: Director, Early Learning Pathways, Early Childhood and Community Engagement

From her early career days as a kindergarten and primary school teacher to her current role as Director for Early Learning Pathways with the Department of Education and Training, Dr Mary Lincoln has maintained a key focus on working with community partners to improve outcomes for children.

Mary is currently leading Queensland’s implementation of the Australian Early Development Census, the supporting successful transition to school state-wide initiative and refocusing age appropriate pedagogies in the early years of schooling. Mary believes that working together early childhood services, schools and community partners can make a significant difference to the health, well-being, learning outcomes and future opportunities for our young children.

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Descendant of Traditional Custodians of Yuibera through his Mother Mrs. Neta Smith-Kemp and her father Mr. Peter Smith and Descendant of Traditional Custodians of Ghungalu through his Father Mr. Tim Kemp of Woorabinda – West of Rockhampton.

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Organisation: Playgroups

Position: Primary school teacher

I have been a Primary School teacher for 33 years and have worked in the South East corner as well as in Mackay and Gladstone. I have always had a passion for the lower years and after seven years of family leave I returned to teaching part time prep in 2008. I have developed a real interest in Early Years learning and the importance of the first five years.

In December 2014 I took on the role of Early Childhood Worker for Good Beginnings. Their philosophy was to provide the best possible start for every child. In Gladstone we ran their ‘Learn to Grow’ and ‘Play to Learn’ programs. Last July we merged with Save the Children, Australia and with some changes we continue to run ‘Play 2 Learn’. We also run a Swim and Yarn program funded by AURIZON. Our programs are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander focused and we connect with up to twenty families weekly and up to thirty families quarterly.

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Organisation: Le Smiley Early Learning

Position: Approved Provider of Le Smileys Early Learning Centres

Michelle has over 20 years nursing and health management experience and more recently has moved into the childcare industry in 2011 as Approved Provider and Operator of Le Smiley’s Early Learning Centre in Gracemere. In 2006 Michelle and her husband had twin boys who were born premature at 28 weeks with significant health issues taking their family on a journey of early intervention and increased knowledge of the importance of early intervention and early education in the formative years. 

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Organisation: Nature Play Queensland

Position: Program Manager

Like most children of his generation, Hyahno spent most of his leisure time outside, therefore it came as no surprise to his family when he choose a career in Outdoor Education. For 10 years, Hyahno was involved in devising, facilitating, teaching and leading young people through world-class, outdoor education programs, using adventure and nature to teach children vital life-skills.

Hyahno is passionate about nature play and believes the Nature Play program is a positive and practical way to ensure children participate in unstructured play in nature, delivering the myriad of benefits this type of play offers their physical and emotional health.

Organisation: Tannum Sands State School

Position: Deputy Principal

Anthony has been deputy principal at Tannum Sands State School for five years and one of his portfolios is the line management of the junior school. Key parts of his work have been around the Early Years Transition Program we have established in our community. Anthony has worked closely with our Transition Prep Teacher on developing and facilitating our school’s early years transition program.

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Organisation: Department of Education and Training

Position: Principal Program Officer

Mark has over 30 years experience in early childhood education. He was an early years teacher and education advisor before moving into public service roles in early childhood policy, curriculum, teaching and learning and regulation of early childhood services.

Currently with the Early Learning Pathways team in the Division of Early Childhood and Community Engagement, Mark’s work focuses on promoting continuity of learning through the age appropriate pedagogies program.

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Organisation: George Street Neighbourhood Centre

Position: Senior Program Manager

Nicolette Ffrost is a 'born and bred' Mackay local having attended both primary and secondary school in the region. Nicolette graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from James Cook University, Townsville in 2006 and returned to Mackay to be closer to her family whilst commencing employment at a local law firm.

Nicolette is the Senior Program Manager of George Street Neighbourhood Centre Association Inc., a community based not-for-profit organisation that has been established for over 22 years Nicolette has extensive experience in stakeholder engagement, policy development, strategic planning and project management,

Nicolette previously worked as a Strategic Partnership Broker with a federally funded program to help build strategic and sustainable partnerships which focused on Youth Attainment and Transition in the Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac regions.
 

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Organisation: Barcaldine State School

Position: Prep teacher

Katrina Egerton is currently teaching Prep at Barcaldine Prep-12 State School. Katrina holds a Bachelor Degree in Primary Education, majoring in Mathematics and Science, and has also completed the Bridging into Early Childhood certificate. Katrina started her career as a Director of a Community Child Care Centre and has since worked in early and middle phases of schooling. Katrina’s ability to advocate for early years practices is well documented across over ten years of service.

Most recently, Katrina has been involved in the delivery of Age-Appropriate Pedagogies in a remote rural setting. She has seen a growth in her planning and teaching and improvements for children she teaches; socially, emotionally and academically. She believes that through the implementation of Age-Appropriate pedagogies, there will be a smoother transition from Kindergarten programs to Prep with a solid foundation for future schooling success being laid.

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Organisation: First 5 Forever

Position: First 5 Forever Project Coordinator

First 5 Forever aims to provide strong emergent literacy foundations and life-long learning capabilities for all Queensland children 0-5 years. A First 5 Forever library representative will unpack the importance of directly supporting parents and primary caregivers as their child’s first and most important educator. The role community stakeholders play in empowering families to develop their child’s oral language skills and enhance home learning environments will be discussed.


For the past 25 years, Katie has worked within the education and care sector as a teacher, educator and Early Childhood Officer. Spanning across Brisbane suburbs to East Timor, Katie has worked on various community based projects focussed on improving outcomes for children and youth. Katie is currently the First 5 Forever Project Coordinator for Mackay Regional Council Libraries and continues working in the early childhood sector with the Department of Education and Training.

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Organisation: Rainbow Valley

Position: Director

My name is Marion Hayes. I have worked with children in Preschool and Kindergarten since graduating from Griffith university in 1990. Together with my Husband Paul we have established a Childcare and Kindergarten service in Gladstone. Our service Rainbow Valley Early Learning centre has achieved ratings of Exceeding across all 7 areas of the National Quality Framework.

We strive for best outcomes for children and families and have an attitude of continually researching and applying best Practice across many focus areas including adapting the Abecedarian Approach to the whole service. Examining children sensory triggers and creating a whole of service approach. Connecting to the philosophies of Reggio Amelia to use project work as a way to co construct learning with children through the arts.

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Organisation: Coastal Kids

Position: Approved Provider of Coastal Kids Early Learning Centre

Approved Provider of Coastal Kids Early Learning Centre
Kerrie has been an early childhood teacher for 20 years and started her career in early childhood as an Advance Diploma qualified group leader in Gracemere in 1995. Kerrie completed her Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) and taught for Education Queensland for a number of years before commencing her own family. Kerrie purchased Coastal Kids and has been running a successful Exceeding Early Learning Centre for over ten years. 

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Organisation: Department of Education and Training

Position: Indigenous Pathways and Participation Officer

Fiona is a highly motivated professional with over 22years work history and experience in both the justice and educational fields. Fiona has worked broadly with Indigenous communities and understands the dynamics of cultural and community protocols and practices in Indigenous perspectives and way of doing.

For the past two years Fiona has specifically focused on the engagement of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander parents and children to increase participation in early year’s services and programs that support successful transitions into kindergartens and daycare facilities. Her role with Embedding Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Early Childhood allowed her to collaborate effectively with Indigenous community leaders, public agencies and a range of stakeholders to support the department’s service delivery.

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Organisation: Tannum Sands Kindergarten

Position: Kindergarten Teacher

Lorette completed a Bachelor of Teaching in 1995. Lorette’s teaching career has seen her teach in Brisbane and Gladstone area primary schools.

Lorette was also the Playgroup Plus Facilitator at St Francis Catholic Primary School from 2010-2012. These sessions revolve around stories, music, dance, indoor and outdoor activities, helping to prepare children for Kindergarten and Prep.

After a two years working as relief teacher at Tannum Sands Kindergarten Lorette became the Co-Director/Teacher of Group A for the Kindergarten and has been permanently appointed to this role since 2013. Lorette and the team at Tannum Sands Kindergarten have been working closely with local Primary Schools to enhance and improve the transition to Prep.

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Organisation: Department of Education and Training

Position: Transition and Partnership Officer

Heidi Schumacher is a Transition and Partnership Officer with the Department of Education and Training, Early Childhood Education and Care. She is from the Central Queensland Region based in Gladstone and supports schools from the North Burnett, to the Banana Shire and through the Boyne Valley.

Heidi has taught in the early years as an engaging and passionate prep teacher, as well as in literacy intervention roles. As a Transition and Partnership Officer, Heidi’s role is to support schools to reflect on and improve their transition strategies.