[Commpsych] FW: Free PD at LMERC Tuesday 16 June 2009 : The RefugeeExperience and Impact on Education - An Introduc

[Heather Gridley]

________________________________

From: Loughnan, Pamela P [mailto:loughnan.pamela.p at edumail.vic.gov.au] 
Sent: Friday, 8 May 2009 5:29 PM
To: Heather Gridley
Subject: FW: Free PD at LMERC Tuesday 16 June 2009 : The
RefugeeExperience and Impact on Education - An Introduc

Dear all
Apologies for cross postings

Please distribute this free professional learning opportunity to your
networks as appropriate

<http://www.education.vic.gov.au/studentlearning/programs/esl/refugees/>


Foundation House, the Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture
(VFST) is a counseling and support agency for people from refugee
backgrounds. Foundation House has a long history of working in
schools.  This work includes individual counseling, group work with
students and
families and professional development for school administrators,
teachers, school support staff, and community agency staff that support
schools.

Session: The Refugee Experience and the Impact on Education

An Introduction

The refugee experience and related trauma can have a profound and long
term impact on learning and wellbeing. Trauma and disrupted schooling
pose large hurdles for young people as they attempt to engage in
learning in the Australian education system.  Schools play a vital role
in supporting students in their recovery from trauma and the provision
of appropriate strategies help rebuild a sense of safety, dignity,
identity and connection to others that allow a space for learning and
thriving.

This workshop outlines the experiences of trauma shared by many of our
refugee background ESL students. We will explore a framework for
recovery and the role of teachers and schools in supporting students
of refugee background.

Date: Tuesday, 16 June 2009

Time: 4.30 -6.00 pm

Presenters: Foundation House, VFST

Target Audience: Teachers primary/secondary, Transition Coordinators,
Welfare coordinators, MIPs and ESL teachers, year level coordinators

Cost: no cost but registration required

Refreshments and registration from 4.15pm

Venue: Languages and Multicultural Education Resource Centre (LMERC),
150 Palmerston Street Carlton

Map: see attached

Please note: allow time for parking

Registration via email: juriansz.kelly.k at edumail.vic.gov.au

This workshop is being run to coincide with Refugee Week and UN World
Refugee Day (20 June). The theme for Refugee Week 2009 (14 - 20 June)
"Freedom from Fear" provides school communities with the opportunity
to
acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding contribution that refugees
make to Australian society.  A school resource kit is available at:
http://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/newsevents/rwinfopack.html


In recent years the percentage of students from refugee backgrounds
enrolling in Victorian government schools has increased. This
particular cohort of students due to their backgrounds and refugee
experiences
require targeted support to achieve appropriate educational outcomes.

To provide students from refugee backgrounds with appropriate
opportunities to succeed educationally, it is essential that school
communities have an understanding of the range of factors which affect
these students' educational achievement as well as existing programs
and support services and employ appropriate strategies for addressing
their specific needs.

The 2005 State government policy statement A Fairer Victoria aims to
ensure people have access to the support needed at critical
transitions in life, including young people at risk of disengagement
from
education and training opportunities.

This workshop will focus on key considerations for program planning
for ESL learners with students from refugee backgrounds in mind.   It
will
bring together a diverse group of providers who will share the issues
and challenges in their settings.

Information for schools about the range of resources available to
support students from refugee backgrounds in Victorian schools can be
found in the DEECD resource Strengthening Outcomes  available on line
at:
http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/public/teachlearn/student/Streng
theningOutcomes-rpt-v1.pdf 

For additional information and teaching resources
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/studentlearning/programs/esl/refugees/de
fault.htm 

For more information about other celebrations and activities during this
week please visit
http://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/newsevents/refugeeweek.html
<http://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/newsevents/refugeeweek.html> 




-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.curtin.edu.au/pipermail/commpsych/attachments/20090515/c641a1e6/attachment-0001.htm 
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: LMERC map.pdf
Type: application/pdf
Size: 145240 bytes
Desc: LMERC map.pdf
Url : http://lists.curtin.edu.au/pipermail/commpsych/attachments/20090515/c641a1e6/attachment-0001.pdf