The way you measure a society’s soul is by the way that it treats its children.
Nelson Mandela
Issue No. 99 – 15th December 2010
Welcome to Kidz Newz especially to all new subscribers. Kidz Newz is a regular newsletter with information and teaching tips for anyone involved with young children. You are receiving this because you have attended one of my workshops, purchased a book, or you have requested to be on the mailing list. Thank you. Please forward this to anyone you feel it may be of interest to. Feedback is welcome.
This will be the last newsletter for 2010. The next one will go out in late January. Meantime, let me take this opportunity of wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and I thank you for your support throughout 2010.
New Classes
The new classes in the northern suburbs in Perth are going well. If you know of any parents of young children (2-5) in the area, please let them know about these classes. They can enrol online or contact me for more details at info@kidzfizbiz.com.
PD Update
Singapore – postponed.
Perth – 21/22 January. ASME WA Summer School. Performing Arts Centre, John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School, Mirrabooka.
Mary Mountstephen PD
I have just had an email from Mary about her trip to Australia. It has been postponed to Easter next year. She is still looking for a host school, so if you are able to help and you live in Sydney, please get in touch with me and I’ll pass it on. There’s a chance she will also come to Perth. I will keep you posted on details as they come to hand. This is one PD you will not want to miss!
Employment Opportunity
Looking for a part-time teaching opportunity? Love working with children? Love teaching music and movement? I am looking for people to train to run Kidz-Fiz-Biz classes. I have had 25 years in this industry (23 specifically with children) and want to start up classes again due to ongoing demand. Good income and lots of fun. If this is something of interest to you now or in the future, please contact me at info@kidzfizbiz.com or phone 0410 642 781.
Win Puts Teacher in Class of her Own
The above headline appeared in The West Australian newspaper of December 7th 2010. I thought it was a wonderful, inspirational and uplifting story to end the year with, especially because it embodies everything I believe in with regard to Early Childhood Education. I reproduce part of the article here –
“A teacher from a Wheatbelt school has won WA’s highest education award for her success in teaching children well before they start Year 1.
Tambellup Primary School’s Susan Sheridan, who teaches children aged between four and seven, was yesterday named the Premier’s teacher of the year for improving her students’ speaking skills, running a playgroup for Aboriginal toddlers and bringing parents into the school from the time their child is born.
Recognising that many children struggled when they started pre-primary, she set up a weekly Noongar playgroup to build familiarity with the school. Aboriginal students’ attendance and their parents’ involvement in the school has increased dramatically in the four years since the playgroup started. Ms Sheridan also runs an intense therapy program for children with language delays.”
I know teachers are busy but whenever I hear of teachers doing what Ms Sheridan does – bringing parents into the school from the time their child is born (that was my bolding above, not the newspaper’s), I also hear of the immense success of that initiative. If the parents feel involved instead of intimidated, they are more likely to be pro-active with their children’s education as the child goes through the system, and, therefore, more supportive of the school’s and the teachers’ aims. With this level of support, the child is far more likely to succeed at school. This is especially significant for Aboriginal children whose success rate at school is dismal as a general rule.
It is also a fact that Australia spends around 50% less on early childhood education that do most European countries. It is even more important, therefore, that Australian teachers be proactive in meeting the needs of their students. If that means being very innovative in their approach, as Ms Sheridan is, then so be it. Until the government recognises that today’s children are tomorrow’s world leaders and, therefore, time, money and energy needs to be put into them, then the job must be done by the teachers. The job is too important to be left to chance. Ms Sheridan is showing the way; she’s a true inspiration to us all. Heartiest congratulations!
Christmas Special!
In case you missed the last newsletter, I am offering my Multicultural book for $55.00 plus postage (normally $95) for the month of December only. Contact me directly to get this special – info@kidzfizbiz.com. Lots of people have already taken up the offer.
Quotes of the Week
“Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly Merry Christmas.” ~ Peg Bracken
“While you’re gearing up for a petty squabble between now and Christmas, remember, the hardest thing to give is IN.” ~ Colin Pearce
“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” ~ Hamilton Wright Mabi
Entertainment
My wish for you in 2011
May peace break into your home and may thieves come to steal your debts.
May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet for $100 bills.
May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips!
May happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy
May the problems you had, forget your home address!
In simple words….
May 2011 be the best year yet!
Feedback
“I love this website, the information is great and I have bookmarked it in my favorites. This is a well organized and informative website. Great job!” ~ Ethel, June 2010, from Kidz Newz Blogpost (www.kidzfizbiz.wordpress.com)
“You are such an inspiration Marlene. I admire what you have achieved with your books. It has been such a big project for you but you succeeded…FANTASTIC…”~ Monica Wardman, International Ballet Examiner, Royal Academy of Dance
About The Author
Marlene Rattigan B.A., Dip. Ed. (ECS), CELTA
Marlene Rattigan is an Early Childhood teacher, a teacher of English as a Second Language, and from 1987-2000 was a nationally accredited fitness leader. Her background is in music education. A keen interest in motor development in children led to the creation of Kidz-Fiz-Biz which she taught successfully for 13 years. Marlene also conducts workshops for children, teachers and parents at schools, in the community and at festivals. She has produced teaching manuals complete with audio CDs which are an extension of her ‘Kidz-Fiz-Biz’ program.
Kidz-Fiz-Biz
PO Box 6894, East Perth WA 6892, Australia
T: +61 8 9325 1204 M: +61 (0) 410 64 2781 E: info@kidzfizbiz.com
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Until next time … continue being a legend in your classroom.
Marlene Rattigan, Editor
Kidz Newz
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