Gateway Learning Communityc/o Balmoral State High SchoolThynne Road, Morningside, Qld 4170P.O.Box 120, Morningside, Qld 4170Phone & Fax: 07 3399 6821

GLC website: www.learningplace.com.au/sc/gbr/glc

The Sparks have lit a fuse!Who says Science isn’t fun. Not the informal network of GLC primary teachers who last year played with racing cars, marbles, torches, polystyrene globes and giant insects as part of several after-school ‘Science Sparks’ professional development workshops staged by the Balmoral SHS Science Department in 2011.The teachers then took their awe and expertise back to their classrooms to enliven the teaching of science enhanced by links to the Balmoral SHS Science Department for curriculum support, equipment borrowing and practical advice.

In 2012 the Science Sparks Network is continuing,its importance heightened by the introduction ofScience as one of the first subjects to betaught as part of the new national curriculum,

known as ACARA. The introduction of ACARA means that all schools across Australia at all year levelsare now teaching the same content in Science.

Both curriculum writing sessions and practical science workshops have already been run in 2012 at BalmoralSHS to assist the implementation of ACARA Science. The common content means that teacher teams fromacross the GLC schools are able to write cooperative units of work, and share and compare their experiencesof teaching them. Balmoral SHS Science teachers are able to assist facilitate the processes as well as ensure that the continuity of science learning through upper primary to high school is taking place.

Those involved have appreciated the mentoring and great working relationships that have developedbetween teachers across the schools. Science Sparks has lit what it is hoped is a very long burning fuse!

Passing the ProportionalReasoning TestDiagnostic test data from 1500 GLC students whose teachers participated in the GLC Proportional Reasoning Project in 2011 was presented by University of Queensland researchers Dr. Geoff Hilton, Dr. Annette Hilton and Dr. Shelley Dole at the first of four workshops for 2012, held on 13 Februaryat Balmoral SHS.

The collated results showed that the proportional reasoning of participating Yr 5 to Yr 8 students wasaccelerated, improving to a level beyond the starting point of students two year levels above them.

The data also showed that more focused instruction needs to be done on some areas, so the mainfocus of the February workshop was on improving students' basic proportional skills in fractions andpercentages using practical tools such as number lines and paper folding; developing conceptual understanding through the discussion of images and the development of numeracy through contextssuch as the Transit of Venus, a rare astronomical event which will occurring in June this year.

Dr. Hilton, speaking on behalf of her UQ colleagues, enthused about the collaborative GLC approach tothis professional development process.

“ We thoroughly enjoy working with the GLC teachers and administrators. They have shown great commitment and are always positive and engaged in their own learning. The administrators regularlyattend the workshops, which is valued by the research team and the teachers. There is a unity and dynamism in the GLC that no doubt benefits all and clearly reflects the long-term commitment of theGLC community and the school administrators to the cluster and its programs.”

“We have been thrilled at the response from the teachers and the progress made by the students. We look forward to another rewarding year in 2012.”

The “Proportional Reasoning as a Key to Numeracy Across the Curriculum” is a three year ‘ARC LinkageProject’ funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC), in conjunction with Education Queenslandand SA Department of Education and Children's Services. It aims to enhance student mastery of proportional reasoningthrough educationaltechnology applications.

Above - Balmoral SHS Science teacher Dan Nightingale, at left, works with GLC teachers planning ACARA Science units of works.

Above - Morningside SS teacher Paula Mayes and Education Qld District Science Advisor Valmai Nolan work together at the January 2012 GLC Science Sparks Workshop.

Below - Science Head of Department at Balmoral SHS Sara Johnston,works with GLC Primary teachers to build across-school science links.

Above - Common Thread values the telling of stories to broaden students’viewpoints. Guest story teller, Pastor John Dowell, spoke movingly abouthis life experiences to a spellbound group.

Above - Students learn toleave self consciousness atthe door when they come toCommon Thread.

Below - Di Ferguson of Beelarong Community Farm brought produce from the farm along as the starting point for her story telling.

Below - Common Thread workshops build students’ confidenceand communication skills.

Below - From the very first Common Thread workshopstudents were excited to express their ideas.

Above - Students are encouraged through drama activities andworkshops to mix with different ages and across the schools.

Above - Production Manager, Sally Schmidt, is pictured here leading idea generation at a Common Thread workshop.

Left - Common Threadasks students to think deeply about issues important to them.

Above - Common Thread shows thatdrama can be physical!

GLC NEWSLETTEREditor: Cherry Van RytEmail: cvanr5@eq.edu.auPhone/Fax: 3399 6821or 0407 972 242

Audience members who have witnessed a performance of CommonThread on one or more occasions over its six seasons between 2004and 2011 find it hard to actually explain in words what it is aboutthis youth theatre experience that was so memorable, so captivatingand so moving.

They come out of the darkened performance space of the BalmoralSHS Hall with a renewed confidence and affection for the upcominggeneration. They feel warmed by the sincerity and depth of emotionand thought expressed in the original theatrical pieces staged by the80 or so Yr 6 to Yr 12 students from local GLC schools. They also feelenergized by the optimism and sense of hope that exudes from theperformers as they dance, sing and act.

Common Thread is a theatrical journey and performance like noother and it is with great pleasure that the GLC announces that itis back for 2012!!!

If you haven’t seen it before, don’t be dissuaded from coming, thinkingit’s “just a school production”. It is very, very different! It is innovative,contemporary community theatre which just happens to be written,produced and performed by young people.

The students are mentored by adults, in this case Arts teachers fromBalmoral SHS, key teachers from participating GLC primary schoolsand professional artists from our local community. The mentors’ skillis to draw the very best out in these enthusiastic and talented students,to allow them to speak through their performance about what is important to them, how they view the world.

In 2012 the theme for Common Thread is loosely based around theconcept of ’The Butterfly Effect’, a well known phrase used in themathematics of Chaos Theory.

Common Thread meets‘The Butterfly Effect’

The Gateway Learning Community is Balmoral State High School, Bulimba State School, Cannon Hill State School, Morningside State School, Murarrie State School, Norman Park State School and Seven Hills State School.

I SSUE 33 APR IL 2012

“Imagine an organisation passionate about striving to achieve common goals but working in seven different locations each with its ownunique identity.” 2002 ‘Imagineering’ Conference Statement.

It was in January 2002 that staff from seven nearby state schools, who saw great benefits and opportunities to be had by working collaboratively,met together for two days of ‘Imagineering’ to participate in the process of establishing and working towards those common goals.

As a result of those two days, and with the iconic mascot of the then recently built Gateway Arterial Bridge, the ‘Gateway Learning Community’ (GLC) was born.

In the subsequent ten years the GLC has created an identity unique in Queensland state education as a distinctive and successful model of a networked community of learners. The skills and collective strengths of the entire member school communities- principals, teachers, students, parents and the wider community-have been harnessed in long term meaningful partnerships and relationships. The GLC’s strong sense of community identity and cohesion, where members are willing to share and celebrate under the unified banner of the GLC, has been actively nurtured. This collaboration has both supported the fabulous work being done in individual school communities, and provided value-added combined opportunities to enhance and enrich learning for all 2700 students, 250 staff and their extended school communities.

Literally thousands of people over the last decade have embraced the vision of this community and have contributed to the longevity, success and continued relevance of the GLC as a model for educational and community engagement. To all of you go our collective THANKS.

The GLC newsletter was produced from 2002, but went A3 and colour in 2004 when the talents of local design business, Make Art Work came on board. It has been produced quarterly ever since, with the wonderful advertising support of local business, to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of our group of seven state schools.

We hope you enjoy reading this 31st Issue which highlights several projects and networks that the GLC has proudly endorsed for 2012 through its annual operational planning process.

This famous analogy explains the idea that a butterfly's wings might create tiny changes in the atmosphere that may ultimatelyalter the weather. The flapping wing represents a small change in the initial condition of the atmosphere, which causes a chain of events leading to large-scale alterations of events, like a domino effect.

The 84 students from five GLC schools - Balmoral SHS, Bulimba SS, Cannon Hill SS, Morningside SS and Seven Hills SS- are currently exploring concepts and story lines, and developingmulti-media pieces which this year will include film, clowning,physical theatre, puppetry, stage combat, drama, dance, song and instrumental music.

Like ‘The Butterfly Effect’, it is still to a degree unknown where the Common Threadprocess is leading the creativity of this year’sstudents. But what we do know at this stage, from the experience of past years, isthat the performances on June 21, 22 and 23will be absolutely remarkable!

You must pencil Common Thread into your calendar now!

Tickets will go on sale from late in May through GLC school offices and also at the door. Look out for more information in school newsletters and on the GLC and Common Thread websites.

Visit www.commonthread.com.au

A N D D E L I C A T E S S E N

Please support thelocal businesses whosupport the GLC

Above - Principal Michael Zeuschner and teacherBrett Day, both from Bulimba SS, participate in apractical exercise at the GLC Proportional Reasoning Project workshop.

Above - UQ researcher, Shelley Dole, presents to the GLC group at the February 2012 workshop.

Left - Joy Pohlner, teacher from Cannon Hill SS, trialling practical tools for teaching proportional reasoning skills.

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For two nights and two days in late February, 47 students from threeof our GLC schools - Balmoral SHS, Bulimba SS and Morn SS - bunkeddown at the Kindilan Camp at Redland Bay to get a head start in the development of their 2012 Instrumental Music, Rock Music and Cheerleading repertoires.

They were also joined by the Balmoral SHS TASS crew- who by way of explanation could be called music ’roadies’ and ‘techies’- who performthe vital role in ensuring all equipment and audio is set up and in greatworking order. The Instrumental Music students from the high school werejoined by eight Yr 7 musicians to learn new music and the finer points ofperformances from their Instrumental Music Teacher, Ms. Kristianne Castner,and members of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra who visited forspecialist ensemble workshops.

The rock band was mentored by Balmoral SHS Music Teacher, Mrs.Kathleen Lamont, and members of a professional band outfit, who also performed for all the campers on the final afternoon.

Ms. Shannon Bell, teacher from Balmoral SHS, and her team of dedicatedcheerleaders learned and practised new and demanding routines incorporating many difficult lifts and acrobatics.

All of this culminated in a wonderful concertfor their families who were impressed by thequality and polish already in evidence afteronly two days of rehearsal. Full attendancefrom band members and requests fromthese students for another camp not justnext year but again this year, is testament to just how highly the experience was valued and regarded.

Look out for some inspired performancesto come from these talented musicians and athletes in 2012!

Striking a New Note

Each year in October the GLC Governance Group meets to draw together the current educational priorities of theseven different schools into a cohesive, meaningful set of collaborative focus projects. These GLC projects, whichthis year form the GLC 2012 Annual Operational Plan(AOP), are designed to use networking and partnering tosupport and add value to what each individual school offers their students.

The GLC is not a separate organisation. It is a simplemutual agreement between the seven schools themselves.Over the past ten years many, many projects, events and networks have been run under the umbrella of the GLC,some of a large scale, involving all GLC schools, and othersinvolving smaller across-school groups. Each school determines which elements it wishes to participate in and,in reciprocation, also commits resources to their management and implementation.

All the projects have the power to nurture links that previously did not exist, building an interconnected web ofprofessional relationships amongst teachers, students, parents and the wider community.

The GLC has never rested on it laurels, recognising that regularreflection and renewal are vital to maintaining the relevance and passion for what we aim to do as a learning community.

What’s in store for the GLC in 2012

Ahh the memories of the school tuckshop…unwrapping the greaseproof paper to reveal a perfecttriangular cut sandwich; counting out 5c pieces mixed with a shredded tissue from your pocket onthe counter… memories inextricably linked to buying lunch in Queensland schools over manydecades.

Tuckshops are still a vital service provided by P&Cs in most of our schools. Day in day out they providemeals and snacks for thousands of school children. In many cases these Tuckshops are run by one ortwo very dedicated, very busy, conveners whose job it is to not only keep up with Education Queensland’sSmart Choices Strategy ‘green’ guidelines, but also ensure the food they serve is perceived as ‘yummy’to the children! This involves the conveners continually renewing menus by testing new recipes and trialling innovative ways of serving the food.

So when local green grocer, Morningside’s ‘Feast on Fruit’ approached the GLC P&Cs Network withan idea to sponsor a cooking workshop to promote the use of fresh ingredients in school lunches, thegroup thought it definitely worth doing. They also saw this as a great opportunity to get the TuckshopConveners together, to build a network of support, share recipes and information, and compareprocesses.

The first ‘Feast on Fruit’ Healthy Fundraising Lunches Workshop was held 1 March at Bulimba SS’skitchens, facilitated by local kitchen garden expert Sara Breckenridge. Sara is a member of the BulimbaSS Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Scheme team. This highly regarded Australia-wide program

is now totally embedded into Bulimba SS’scurriculum and culture with children propagating, planting, nurturing, harvestingand cooking their own food. Sara has beenworking with the Bulimba SS Tuckshop to triallunch options which maximise the use offresh vegetables and herbs, and thus cameup with two delicious recipes to share atthe workshop.

Ten Tuckshop conveners and volunteer helpers from four of the GLC schools- Bulimba SS, Norman Park SS, Murarrie SS, and Balmoral SHS - plus Sts Peter and Paul’s School attended the ‘Feast on Fruit’ Workshop. Working in small groups participants chose to either prepare VietnameseRolls or Moroccan Lamb Burgers. All the main ingredients were prepared from scratch, even the flat bread for the burgers. The atmosphere was casual with conversation, tips, information and advice flowing freely amongst the group.

The session culminated in a wonderful lunch of the prepared dishes on the balcony of the Bulimba SS Kitchens overlooking the Brisbane skyline. Each school also went away with a special pot of growingherbs to take back to their school to supplement or start their own kitchen garden.

It is hoped that the schools will be able to use these or similar recipes to stage special fundraisinglunches or incorporate them into their Tuckshops menus.

All who attended were extremely appreciative of the effort put in bySara to organise the workshop and the filling, flavoursome recipesshe presented; by ‘Feast on Fruit’ for sponsoring Sara’s facilitationand providing the take home recipe cards; and by Bulimba SS for the use of their amazing facility.

As the inaugural meeting of the GLC Tuckshop Network it was a great success. Contact details were exchanged by all and thestaging of another workshop later in the year was enthusiasticallyendorsed.

Thankyou to all who came along, and to the P&Cs who enabledtheir conveners to do so.

A feast of flavoursStudents in GLC Schools who are identified as ‘gifted’ deserve opportunities to feelvalued in learning environments which both challenge and support them to pursueexcellence and develop a passion for life long learning. The opportunity for GLC schools to work together to further this goal was recognisedleading to the initiation of a project in 2009 to provide specific assistance and targetedstrategies to students who are gifted. A network of Gifted Education Mentors (GEMS)sourced from interested and experienced staff from GLC schools began sharing expertise and coordinating key events, to enrich learning for GLC gifted students in thedifferent key learning areas.

In the three years since, several workshops and projects have been conducted havebeen conducted involving small groups of upper school student from each GLC schoolin Art, Maths, Robotics, Science, Music and Film. The most recent workshop, held latein 2011, focussed on writing skills, specifically writing in the areas of Art Criticism andPoetry.

It was hosted by Seven Hills SS and facilitated by experienced teacher Tony Grant with12 students from Bulimba, Seven Hills and Norman Park SSs in attendance.

Welcome to a new year of GLC Chaplaincy. If you’re new to the GLCI’m Gary Cazzulino, the Chaplainat Balmoral BSHS.I’m at the school to support students, their families, staff and the broader school community in anyway that I can,from providing pastoral care and practical support, through running camps and programs at school like Brekkyclub,conducting active volunteering projects and co-ordinating food for BASE, Balmoral High’s after school study program.

Some of our plans/programs for the year include –

Certificate II in Active Volunteering. Last year we piloted this certificate course with two Yr 12 students. This yearwe have 36 Yr 11 and 12 students involved. The students are working on projects around Balmoral SHS, andvolunteering at organisations like Vision Australia, Georgina Hostel, Regis Bulimba, in local primary schools andat the school tuckshop.

“Wild at Heart”is a new camping program for Yr 9 boys at Balmoral SHS. It’s a camp that builds resilience,team work and a sense of manhood. The first in a series of camps will be run in Term 2. It’s a brilliant programand heaps of fun!

Balmoral SHS students can keep an eye out for more info about the Outbreak Intense Camp, a cluster campfor Yrs 8-12 that happens each September/October holidays. It’s a great way to spend the school break, withfour days of intense activities like tubing, laser skirmish and a physical challenge or two.

Don’t forget our Mother’s Day High Tea on 11 May. Hope to see some of you there!

Gary CazzulinoChaplain, Balmoral SHS

Below - A group of Balmoral SHS Active Volunteers pictured with teacherMr. Allan English and Balmoral SHS Chaplain Gary Cazzulino

Above - The GLC Art Criticism and Poetry Workshop in progress.

Below - The main building at the Kindilan Outdoor Education and Conference Centre.

Left - The Balmoral SHS RockBand performed two newarrangements of popular songsat the Balmoral SHS MusicCamp concert.

Below - The Queensland Symphony Orchestra conductedspecialist workshops for the Instrumental Music students atthe Balmoral SHS Music Campin February.

The GLC welcomes new Instrumental Music Teacher and Band Conductor, Kristianne Castner, who is working with students from five of our schools- Bulimba, Morningside, Cannon Hill and Murarrie SS s and Balmoral SHS.

Ms. Castner is introducing new band repertoires for each year level which students have begun to rehearse in readiness for several performance opportunities at school assemblies, public events and local music competitions during 2012.

A feature of the GLC Bands program in 2012 is the extension opportunities planned for students which include the Yr 7 students being invited to attend a Music Camp with their more experienced high school peers (see accompanying article); Instrumental Music workshops facilitated by professional musicians; and concertswhere students both play for each other and come together in a large ensemble to play for their familiesand friends.

We wish all GLC Instrumental Music students, including those from Seven Hills and Norman Park SSswho have their own individual programs, all the very best for a musically momentous 2012!

Above - For several years Metroplex on Gateway has kindly provided the board room at their Murarrie main officefor GLC Governance meetings. Pictured here, after the most recent meeting in February, are Metroplex on GatewayCorporate Estate Manager Maree Pike (centre) with GLC Principals (from left) Michelle Morrissey- Seven Hills SS,Michael Zeuschner- Bulimba SS and Andrew Walker- Norman Park SS.

Above - The GLC Business Services Managers’ (BSMs) Network acknowledges the ongoing, real benefits of developing good working relationships between thevarious GLC school offices. Pictured at a meeting in March this year are from left Rad Vlaski , Danielle Thomas- Norman Park SS, Marya Djuric- Murarrie SS and Chris Wiggins- Bulimba SS.

Above and at left - Instrumental Music Teacher Kristianne Castner leads a band rehearsal.

Left - Sara Breckenridge, pictured at far left, shows Tuckshop conveners and volunteers around the Bulimba SS grounds and kitchen garden.

Learning the Language of Art

The 2012 AOP Focus Projects are as follows-

• A ‘Culture of Thinking’- the major continuing GLC teacher professional developmentproject reaching across year levels and subject areas. A network of GLC teachers, the ‘Culture of Thinking Champions’, coordinate this.

• GLC Combined Bands - sees Instrumental Music students from five GLC Schools (Morningside, Bulimba, Cannon Hill and Murarrie SSs and Balmoral SHS) combine resources to practice and perform.

• Gifted and Talented Network- to provide a program of enrichment opportunities for our gifted students.

• GLC Chaplaincy -providing federally funded, additional, student support services for Balmoral SHS and Bulimba and Norman Park SSs.

• Two GLC teacher Professional Development projects in Science (Science Sparks) and Mathematics (Proportional Reasoning) continue in 2012. These projects form part of the focus on the first phase of implementation in our schools of the National Curriculum (ACARA).

• GLC Sports Project seeks to develop sports carnival and come and try opportunities for GLC primary schools mentored by high school students.

• Under 8’s ‘Big Day Out’- an annual day of fun, educational activities for participating Prep to Yr 2’s in the magnificent grounds of Seven Hills SS.

• Common Thread - the renowned Community Theatre Project hosted by Balmoral SHS for the GLC. It is a multi-media theatrical spectacle performed in late Juneby Yr 6 to Yr 12 students drawn from five Gateway Learning Community schools.

• Sustainable GLC-the GLC continues as a ‘Queensland Environmentally Sustainable Schools Initiative’ hub acting as a lighthouse for sustainable practices to other Queensland schools.

• A number of GLC networks - GLC Business Services Managers, GLC Groundsmen, Sustainable GLC Network, GLC Tuckshop Network, GLC Early Phase of Learning Network,GLC Gifted and Talented Network, GLC P&Cs Network and the GLC Principals’ Learning Circle.

Copies of the GLC 2012 Annual Operational Plan are available for viewing in schools and on the GLC website: www.learningplace.com.au/sc/gbr/glc

GLC Chaplaincy

Using a famous Picasso portrait the students brainstormed andexplored Art terminology and then wrote inventive, descriptive sentences to express the structure and meaning of elements of the image in front of them. The students then also became artists themselves incorporating ‘cubist’ devices, as Picasso himself used, into collaged posters (see example here).

The GLC GEMS Network has recently met and is planning more collaborative workshops and projects for GLC gifted students in 2012.

High lifts and High notes

Left - The GLC Groundsmen’s Network regularly meet to share information that assists them with the great variety of physical tasks that make up their role in GLC schools. The GLC Groundsmen are pictured here at the first meeting for 2012 hosted by Bulimba SS. From left- Fred Collishaw- Bulimba SS, Dennis Fitzgerald- Morningside SS, Pat Egan- Balmoral SHS, Phil Young- Bulimba SS, Ross Stokes- Cannon Hill SS and Brian Saboa- Murarrie SS.

Left - Members of the invaluable Balmoral SHS‘TASS’ crew - from left - Jason, Connor, Lachlan, Nick and Jack.

Below - One highlight of the camp was the concertat its conclusion. Here the Balmoral InstrumentalMusic Band performs for member families.

Right - The Cheerleaders getting airborneat the Balmoral SHS Music Camp.

Above - Sandi Wild- Norman Park SS, Sarah Donnan- Bulimba SS and Debbie Hunter- MurarrieSS preparing Moroccan Lamb Hamburgers at the‘Feast on Fruit’ Healthy Fundraising LunchesWorkshop in Bulimba SS’s kitchen classroom.

Above - Tuckshop Conveners Pip Carter- Bulimba SS and Sandi Wild- Norman Park SS barbequing the burgers for the GLC Tuckshop Conveners lunch.

For two nights and two days in late February, 47 students from threeof our GLC schools - Balmoral SHS, Bulimba SS and Morn SS - bunkeddown at the Kindilan Camp at Redland Bay to get a head start in the development of their 2012 Instrumental Music, Rock Music and Cheerleading repertoires.

They were also joined by the Balmoral SHS TASS crew- who by way of explanation could be called music ’roadies’ and ‘techies’- who performthe vital role in ensuring all equipment and audio is set up and in greatworking order. The Instrumental Music students from the high school werejoined by eight Yr 7 musicians to learn new music and the finer points ofperformances from their Instrumental Music Teacher, Ms. Kristianne Castner,and members of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra who visited forspecialist ensemble workshops.

The rock band was mentored by Balmoral SHS Music Teacher, Mrs.Kathleen Lamont, and members of a professional band outfit, who also performed for all the campers on the final afternoon.

Ms. Shannon Bell, teacher from Balmoral SHS, and her team of dedicatedcheerleaders learned and practised new and demanding routines incorporating many difficult lifts and acrobatics.

All of this culminated in a wonderful concertfor their families who were impressed by thequality and polish already in evidence afteronly two days of rehearsal. Full attendancefrom band members and requests fromthese students for another camp not justnext year but again this year, is testament to just how highly the experience was valued and regarded.

Look out for some inspired performancesto come from these talented musicians and athletes in 2012!

Striking a New Note

Each year in October the GLC Governance Group meets to draw together the current educational priorities of theseven different schools into a cohesive, meaningful set of collaborative focus projects. These GLC projects, whichthis year form the GLC 2012 Annual Operational Plan(AOP), are designed to use networking and partnering tosupport and add value to what each individual school offers their students.

The GLC is not a separate organisation. It is a simplemutual agreement between the seven schools themselves.Over the past ten years many, many projects, events and networks have been run under the umbrella of the GLC,some of a large scale, involving all GLC schools, and othersinvolving smaller across-school groups. Each school determines which elements it wishes to participate in and,in reciprocation, also commits resources to their management and implementation.

All the projects have the power to nurture links that previously did not exist, building an interconnected web ofprofessional relationships amongst teachers, students, parents and the wider community.

The GLC has never rested on it laurels, recognising that regularreflection and renewal are vital to maintaining the relevance and passion for what we aim to do as a learning community.

What’s in store for the GLC in 2012

Ahh the memories of the school tuckshop…unwrapping the greaseproof paper to reveal a perfecttriangular cut sandwich; counting out 5c pieces mixed with a shredded tissue from your pocket onthe counter… memories inextricably linked to buying lunch in Queensland schools over manydecades.

Tuckshops are still a vital service provided by P&Cs in most of our schools. Day in day out they providemeals and snacks for thousands of school children. In many cases these Tuckshops are run by one ortwo very dedicated, very busy, conveners whose job it is to not only keep up with Education Queensland’sSmart Choices Strategy ‘green’ guidelines, but also ensure the food they serve is perceived as ‘yummy’to the children! This involves the conveners continually renewing menus by testing new recipes and trialling innovative ways of serving the food.

So when local green grocer, Morningside’s ‘Feast on Fruit’ approached the GLC P&Cs Network withan idea to sponsor a cooking workshop to promote the use of fresh ingredients in school lunches, thegroup thought it definitely worth doing. They also saw this as a great opportunity to get the TuckshopConveners together, to build a network of support, share recipes and information, and compareprocesses.

The first ‘Feast on Fruit’ Healthy Fundraising Lunches Workshop was held 1 March at Bulimba SS’skitchens, facilitated by local kitchen garden expert Sara Breckenridge. Sara is a member of the BulimbaSS Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Scheme team. This highly regarded Australia-wide program

is now totally embedded into Bulimba SS’scurriculum and culture with children propagating, planting, nurturing, harvestingand cooking their own food. Sara has beenworking with the Bulimba SS Tuckshop to triallunch options which maximise the use offresh vegetables and herbs, and thus cameup with two delicious recipes to share atthe workshop.

Ten Tuckshop conveners and volunteer helpers from four of the GLC schools- Bulimba SS, Norman Park SS, Murarrie SS, and Balmoral SHS - plus Sts Peter and Paul’s School attended the ‘Feast on Fruit’ Workshop. Working in small groups participants chose to either prepare VietnameseRolls or Moroccan Lamb Burgers. All the main ingredients were prepared from scratch, even the flat bread for the burgers. The atmosphere was casual with conversation, tips, information and advice flowing freely amongst the group.

The session culminated in a wonderful lunch of the prepared dishes on the balcony of the Bulimba SS Kitchens overlooking the Brisbane skyline. Each school also went away with a special pot of growingherbs to take back to their school to supplement or start their own kitchen garden.

It is hoped that the schools will be able to use these or similar recipes to stage special fundraisinglunches or incorporate them into their Tuckshops menus.

All who attended were extremely appreciative of the effort put in bySara to organise the workshop and the filling, flavoursome recipesshe presented; by ‘Feast on Fruit’ for sponsoring Sara’s facilitationand providing the take home recipe cards; and by Bulimba SS for the use of their amazing facility.

As the inaugural meeting of the GLC Tuckshop Network it was a great success. Contact details were exchanged by all and thestaging of another workshop later in the year was enthusiasticallyendorsed.

Thankyou to all who came along, and to the P&Cs who enabledtheir conveners to do so.

A feast of flavoursStudents in GLC Schools who are identified as ‘gifted’ deserve opportunities to feelvalued in learning environments which both challenge and support them to pursueexcellence and develop a passion for life long learning. The opportunity for GLC schools to work together to further this goal was recognisedleading to the initiation of a project in 2009 to provide specific assistance and targetedstrategies to students who are gifted. A network of Gifted Education Mentors (GEMS)sourced from interested and experienced staff from GLC schools began sharing expertise and coordinating key events, to enrich learning for GLC gifted students in thedifferent key learning areas.

In the three years since, several workshops and projects have been conducted havebeen conducted involving small groups of upper school student from each GLC schoolin Art, Maths, Robotics, Science, Music and Film. The most recent workshop, held latein 2011, focussed on writing skills, specifically writing in the areas of Art Criticism andPoetry.

It was hosted by Seven Hills SS and facilitated by experienced teacher Tony Grant with12 students from Bulimba, Seven Hills and Norman Park SSs in attendance.

Welcome to a new year of GLC Chaplaincy. If you’re new to the GLCI’m Gary Cazzulino, the Chaplainat Balmoral BSHS.I’m at the school to support students, their families, staff and the broader school community in anyway that I can,from providing pastoral care and practical support, through running camps and programs at school like Brekkyclub,conducting active volunteering projects and co-ordinating food for BASE, Balmoral High’s after school study program.

Some of our plans/programs for the year include –

Certificate II in Active Volunteering. Last year we piloted this certificate course with two Yr 12 students. This yearwe have 36 Yr 11 and 12 students involved. The students are working on projects around Balmoral SHS, andvolunteering at organisations like Vision Australia, Georgina Hostel, Regis Bulimba, in local primary schools andat the school tuckshop.

“Wild at Heart”is a new camping program for Yr 9 boys at Balmoral SHS. It’s a camp that builds resilience,team work and a sense of manhood. The first in a series of camps will be run in Term 2. It’s a brilliant programand heaps of fun!

Balmoral SHS students can keep an eye out for more info about the Outbreak Intense Camp, a cluster campfor Yrs 8-12 that happens each September/October holidays. It’s a great way to spend the school break, withfour days of intense activities like tubing, laser skirmish and a physical challenge or two.

Don’t forget our Mother’s Day High Tea on 11 May. Hope to see some of you there!

Gary CazzulinoChaplain, Balmoral SHS

Below - A group of Balmoral SHS Active Volunteers pictured with teacherMr. Allan English and Balmoral SHS Chaplain Gary Cazzulino

Above - The GLC Art Criticism and Poetry Workshop in progress.

Below - The main building at the Kindilan Outdoor Education and Conference Centre.

Left - The Balmoral SHS RockBand performed two newarrangements of popular songsat the Balmoral SHS MusicCamp concert.

Below - The Queensland Symphony Orchestra conductedspecialist workshops for the Instrumental Music students atthe Balmoral SHS Music Campin February.

The GLC welcomes new Instrumental Music Teacher and Band Conductor, Kristianne Castner, who is working with students from five of our schools- Bulimba, Morningside, Cannon Hill and Murarrie SS s and Balmoral SHS.

Ms. Castner is introducing new band repertoires for each year level which students have begun to rehearse in readiness for several performance opportunities at school assemblies, public events and local music competitions during 2012.

A feature of the GLC Bands program in 2012 is the extension opportunities planned for students which include the Yr 7 students being invited to attend a Music Camp with their more experienced high school peers (see accompanying article); Instrumental Music workshops facilitated by professional musicians; and concertswhere students both play for each other and come together in a large ensemble to play for their familiesand friends.

We wish all GLC Instrumental Music students, including those from Seven Hills and Norman Park SSswho have their own individual programs, all the very best for a musically momentous 2012!

Above - For several years Metroplex on Gateway has kindly provided the board room at their Murarrie main officefor GLC Governance meetings. Pictured here, after the most recent meeting in February, are Metroplex on GatewayCorporate Estate Manager Maree Pike (centre) with GLC Principals (from left) Michelle Morrissey- Seven Hills SS,Michael Zeuschner- Bulimba SS and Andrew Walker- Norman Park SS.

Above - The GLC Business Services Managers’ (BSMs) Network acknowledges the ongoing, real benefits of developing good working relationships between thevarious GLC school offices. Pictured at a meeting in March this year are from left Rad Vlaski , Danielle Thomas- Norman Park SS, Marya Djuric- Murarrie SS and Chris Wiggins- Bulimba SS.

Above and at left - Instrumental Music Teacher Kristianne Castner leads a band rehearsal.

Left - Sara Breckenridge, pictured at far left, shows Tuckshop conveners and volunteers around the Bulimba SS grounds and kitchen garden.

Learning the Language of Art

The 2012 AOP Focus Projects are as follows-

• A ‘Culture of Thinking’- the major continuing GLC teacher professional developmentproject reaching across year levels and subject areas. A network of GLC teachers, the ‘Culture of Thinking Champions’, coordinate this.

• GLC Combined Bands - sees Instrumental Music students from five GLC Schools (Morningside, Bulimba, Cannon Hill and Murarrie SSs and Balmoral SHS) combine resources to practice and perform.

• Gifted and Talented Network- to provide a program of enrichment opportunities for our gifted students.

• GLC Chaplaincy -providing federally funded, additional, student support services for Balmoral SHS and Bulimba and Norman Park SSs.

• Two GLC teacher Professional Development projects in Science (Science Sparks) and Mathematics (Proportional Reasoning) continue in 2012. These projects form part of the focus on the first phase of implementation in our schools of the National Curriculum (ACARA).

• GLC Sports Project seeks to develop sports carnival and come and try opportunities for GLC primary schools mentored by high school students.

• Under 8’s ‘Big Day Out’- an annual day of fun, educational activities for participating Prep to Yr 2’s in the magnificent grounds of Seven Hills SS.

• Common Thread - the renowned Community Theatre Project hosted by Balmoral SHS for the GLC. It is a multi-media theatrical spectacle performed in late Juneby Yr 6 to Yr 12 students drawn from five Gateway Learning Community schools.

• Sustainable GLC-the GLC continues as a ‘Queensland Environmentally Sustainable Schools Initiative’ hub acting as a lighthouse for sustainable practices to other Queensland schools.

• A number of GLC networks - GLC Business Services Managers, GLC Groundsmen, Sustainable GLC Network, GLC Tuckshop Network, GLC Early Phase of Learning Network,GLC Gifted and Talented Network, GLC P&Cs Network and the GLC Principals’ Learning Circle.

Copies of the GLC 2012 Annual Operational Plan are available for viewing in schools and on the GLC website: www.learningplace.com.au/sc/gbr/glc

GLC Chaplaincy

Using a famous Picasso portrait the students brainstormed andexplored Art terminology and then wrote inventive, descriptive sentences to express the structure and meaning of elements of the image in front of them. The students then also became artists themselves incorporating ‘cubist’ devices, as Picasso himself used, into collaged posters (see example here).

The GLC GEMS Network has recently met and is planning more collaborative workshops and projects for GLC gifted students in 2012.

High lifts and High notes

Left - The GLC Groundsmen’s Network regularly meet to share information that assists them with the great variety of physical tasks that make up their role in GLC schools. The GLC Groundsmen are pictured here at the first meeting for 2012 hosted by Bulimba SS. From left- Fred Collishaw- Bulimba SS, Dennis Fitzgerald- Morningside SS, Pat Egan- Balmoral SHS, Phil Young- Bulimba SS, Ross Stokes- Cannon Hill SS and Brian Saboa- Murarrie SS.

Left - Members of the invaluable Balmoral SHS‘TASS’ crew - from left - Jason, Connor, Lachlan, Nick and Jack.

Below - One highlight of the camp was the concertat its conclusion. Here the Balmoral InstrumentalMusic Band performs for member families.

Right - The Cheerleaders getting airborneat the Balmoral SHS Music Camp.

Above - Sandi Wild- Norman Park SS, Sarah Donnan- Bulimba SS and Debbie Hunter- MurarrieSS preparing Moroccan Lamb Hamburgers at the‘Feast on Fruit’ Healthy Fundraising LunchesWorkshop in Bulimba SS’s kitchen classroom.

Above - Tuckshop Conveners Pip Carter- Bulimba SS and Sandi Wild- Norman Park SS barbequing the burgers for the GLC Tuckshop Conveners lunch.

Gateway Learning Communityc/o Balmoral State High SchoolThynne Road, Morningside, Qld 4170P.O.Box 120, Morningside, Qld 4170Phone & Fax: 07 3399 6821

GLC website: www.learningplace.com.au/sc/gbr/glc

The Sparks have lit a fuse!Who says Science isn’t fun. Not the informal network of GLC primary teachers who last year played with racing cars, marbles, torches, polystyrene globes and giant insects as part of several after-school ‘Science Sparks’ professional development workshops staged by the Balmoral SHS Science Department in 2011.The teachers then took their awe and expertise back to their classrooms to enliven the teaching of science enhanced by links to the Balmoral SHS Science Department for curriculum support, equipment borrowing and practical advice.

In 2012 the Science Sparks Network is continuing,its importance heightened by the introduction ofScience as one of the first subjects to betaught as part of the new national curriculum,

known as ACARA. The introduction of ACARA means that all schools across Australia at all year levelsare now teaching the same content in Science.

Both curriculum writing sessions and practical science workshops have already been run in 2012 at BalmoralSHS to assist the implementation of ACARA Science. The common content means that teacher teams fromacross the GLC schools are able to write cooperative units of work, and share and compare their experiencesof teaching them. Balmoral SHS Science teachers are able to assist facilitate the processes as well as ensure that the continuity of science learning through upper primary to high school is taking place.

Those involved have appreciated the mentoring and great working relationships that have developedbetween teachers across the schools. Science Sparks has lit what it is hoped is a very long burning fuse!

Passing the ProportionalReasoning TestDiagnostic test data from 1500 GLC students whose teachers participated in the GLC Proportional Reasoning Project in 2011 was presented by University of Queensland researchers Dr. Geoff Hilton, Dr. Annette Hilton and Dr. Shelley Dole at the first of four workshops for 2012, held on 13 Februaryat Balmoral SHS.

The collated results showed that the proportional reasoning of participating Yr 5 to Yr 8 students wasaccelerated, improving to a level beyond the starting point of students two year levels above them.

The data also showed that more focused instruction needs to be done on some areas, so the mainfocus of the February workshop was on improving students' basic proportional skills in fractions andpercentages using practical tools such as number lines and paper folding; developing conceptual understanding through the discussion of images and the development of numeracy through contextssuch as the Transit of Venus, a rare astronomical event which will occurring in June this year.

Dr. Hilton, speaking on behalf of her UQ colleagues, enthused about the collaborative GLC approach tothis professional development process.

“ We thoroughly enjoy working with the GLC teachers and administrators. They have shown great commitment and are always positive and engaged in their own learning. The administrators regularlyattend the workshops, which is valued by the research team and the teachers. There is a unity and dynamism in the GLC that no doubt benefits all and clearly reflects the long-term commitment of theGLC community and the school administrators to the cluster and its programs.”

“We have been thrilled at the response from the teachers and the progress made by the students. We look forward to another rewarding year in 2012.”

The “Proportional Reasoning as a Key to Numeracy Across the Curriculum” is a three year ‘ARC LinkageProject’ funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC), in conjunction with Education Queenslandand SA Department of Education and Children's Services. It aims to enhance student mastery of proportional reasoningthrough educationaltechnology applications.

Above - Balmoral SHS Science teacher Dan Nightingale, at left, works with GLC teachers planning ACARA Science units of works.

Above - Morningside SS teacher Paula Mayes and Education Qld District Science Advisor Valmai Nolan work together at the January 2012 GLC Science Sparks Workshop.

Below - Science Head of Department at Balmoral SHS Sara Johnston,works with GLC Primary teachers to build across-school science links.

Above - Common Thread values the telling of stories to broaden students’viewpoints. Guest story teller, Pastor John Dowell, spoke movingly abouthis life experiences to a spellbound group.

Above - Students learn toleave self consciousness atthe door when they come toCommon Thread.

Below - Di Ferguson of Beelarong Community Farm brought produce from the farm along as the starting point for her story telling.

Below - Common Thread workshops build students’ confidenceand communication skills.

Below - From the very first Common Thread workshopstudents were excited to express their ideas.

Above - Students are encouraged through drama activities andworkshops to mix with different ages and across the schools.

Above - Production Manager, Sally Schmidt, is pictured here leading idea generation at a Common Thread workshop.

Left - Common Threadasks students to think deeply about issues important to them.

Above - Common Thread shows thatdrama can be physical!

GLC NEWSLETTEREditor: Cherry Van RytEmail: cvanr5@eq.edu.auPhone/Fax: 3399 6821or 0407 972 242

Audience members who have witnessed a performance of CommonThread on one or more occasions over its six seasons between 2004and 2011 find it hard to actually explain in words what it is aboutthis youth theatre experience that was so memorable, so captivatingand so moving.

They come out of the darkened performance space of the BalmoralSHS Hall with a renewed confidence and affection for the upcominggeneration. They feel warmed by the sincerity and depth of emotionand thought expressed in the original theatrical pieces staged by the80 or so Yr 6 to Yr 12 students from local GLC schools. They also feelenergized by the optimism and sense of hope that exudes from theperformers as they dance, sing and act.

Common Thread is a theatrical journey and performance like noother and it is with great pleasure that the GLC announces that itis back for 2012!!!

If you haven’t seen it before, don’t be dissuaded from coming, thinkingit’s “just a school production”. It is very, very different! It is innovative,contemporary community theatre which just happens to be written,produced and performed by young people.

The students are mentored by adults, in this case Arts teachers fromBalmoral SHS, key teachers from participating GLC primary schoolsand professional artists from our local community. The mentors’ skillis to draw the very best out in these enthusiastic and talented students,to allow them to speak through their performance about what is important to them, how they view the world.

In 2012 the theme for Common Thread is loosely based around theconcept of ’The Butterfly Effect’, a well known phrase used in themathematics of Chaos Theory.

Common Thread meets‘The Butterfly Effect’

The Gateway Learning Community is Balmoral State High School, Bulimba State School, Cannon Hill State School, Morningside State School, Murarrie State School, Norman Park State School and Seven Hills State School.

I SSUE 33 APRL 2012

“Imagine an organisation passionate about striving to achieve common goals but working in seven different locations each with its ownunique identity.” 2002 ‘Imagineering’ Conference Statement.

It was in January 2002 that staff from seven nearby state schools, who saw great benefits and opportunities to be had by working collaboratively,met together for two days of ‘Imagineering’ to participate in the process of establishing and working towards those common goals.

As a result of those two days, and with the iconic mascot of the then recently built Gateway Arterial Bridge, the ‘Gateway Learning Community’ (GLC) was born.

In the subsequent ten years the GLC has created an identity unique in Queensland state education as a distinctive and successful model of a networked community of learners. The skills and collective strengths of the entire member school communities- principals, teachers, students, parents and the wider community-have been harnessed in long term meaningful partnerships and relationships. The GLC’s strong sense of community identity and cohesion, where members are willing to share and celebrate under the unified banner of the GLC, has been actively nurtured. This collaboration has both supported the fabulous work being done in individual school communities, and provided value-added combined opportunities to enhance and enrich learning for all 2700 students, 250 staff and their extended school communities.

Literally thousands of people over the last decade have embraced the vision of this community and have contributed to the longevity, success and continued relevance of the GLC as a model for educational and community engagement. To all of you go our collective THANKS.

The GLC newsletter was produced from 2002, but went A3 and colour in 2004 when the talents of local design business, Make Art Work came on board. It has been produced quarterly ever since, with the wonderful advertising support of local business, to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of our group of seven state schools.

We hope you enjoy reading this 31st Issue which highlights several projects and networks that the GLC has proudly endorsed for 2012 through its annual operational planning process.

This famous analogy explains the idea that a butterfly's wings might create tiny changes in the atmosphere that may ultimatelyalter the weather. The flapping wing represents a small change in the initial condition of the atmosphere, which causes a chain of events leading to large-scale alterations of events, like a domino effect.

The 84 students from five GLC schools - Balmoral SHS, Bulimba SS, Cannon Hill SS, Morningside SS and Seven Hills SS- are currently exploring concepts and story lines, and developingmulti-media pieces which this year will include film, clowning,physical theatre, puppetry, stage combat, drama, dance, song and instrumental music.

Like ‘The Butterfly Effect’, it is still to a degree unknown where the Common Threadprocess is leading the creativity of this year’sstudents. But what we do know at this stage, from the experience of past years, isthat the performances on June 21, 22 and 23will be absolutely remarkable!

You must pencil Common Thread into your calendar now!

Tickets will go on sale from late in May through GLC school offices and also at the door. Look out for more information in school newsletters and on the GLC and Common Thread websites.

Visit www.commonthread.com.au

A N D D E L I C A T E S S E N

Please support thelocal businesses whosupport the GLC

Above - Principal Michael Zeuschner and teacherBrett Day, both from Bulimba SS, participate in apractical exercise at the GLC Proportional Reasoning Project workshop.

Above - UQ researcher, Shelley Dole, presents to the GLC group at the February 2012 workshop.

Left - Joy Pohlner, teacher from Cannon Hill SS, trialling practical tools for teaching proportional reasoning skills.

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