celebrating literacy and numeracy
National Literacy and Numeracy Week
in New South Wales 1-7 September 2008
Literacy and Numeracy Week Awards
NSW National Literacy and Numeracy Week Winners 2007
Following his recognition of the Traditional Custodians of the Land, the Cammeraigal People, the Minister for Education and Training, the Hon. John Della Bosca, MLC recognised that National Literacy and Numeracy Week is an Australian Government initiative involving the three education sectors.
Mr Della Bosca went on to enlighten the audience about his Government's initiatives in literacy and numeracy, focusing on statewide testing, the Best Start initiative, the Premier's Reading Challenge, the Counting On and Count Me in Too programs, and finally National Literacy and Numeracy Week. He stated that one of the goals in the Adelaide Declaration on National Goals for Schooling in the Twenty-first Century states that: In terms of curriculum, students should have attained the skills of numeracy and English literacy, such that every student should be numerate, able to read, write, spell and communicate at an appropriate level. The NSW Department of Education and Training is striving to assist every student in mastering literacy and numeracy.
Mr Della Bosca presented the 12 Highly Commended Award-winning schools with their certificate:
- Berne Education Centre
- Coonamble High School
- Dee Why Public School
- Empire Bay Public School
- Erina High School
- Kangaroo Valley Public School
- Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School, Terrigal
- Presbyterian Ladies College, Armidale
- St Agatha's Catholic Primary School
- Warrawong High School
- Westdale Public School
- Wiley Park Public School
Summaries of all 2007 New South Wales nominees are also listed.
Mr Della Bosca recognised the importance of community partnerships and how in Government schools the State Literacy and Numeracy Plans provide strong foundations for student learning. These Plans have strategic action areas, ambitious student achievement targets and are informed by the recommendations of the National Inquiry into the Teaching of Literacy.
Click here to access the mini video displaying each of the 2007 Awards to Schools winners across Australia. (Please note this is a .swf file (50 kb) and requires a Flash player)
The Minister, John Della Bosca, presented an award to Principal Brother Michael Flanagan from the Berne Education Centre for their literacy program.
Principal Peter Flowers and students, Corey Shields and Paul Greenaway, from Coonamble High School receive their Highly Commended award.
Presbyterian Ladies College, Armidale, Principal Mrs Debra Kelliher and students Alex Hiscox and Lauren Hiscox receive their award.
The awards ceremony was held at the ANZ Conservation Theatre at Taronga Zoo and students and adults enjoyed the company of various animals.
Max Champion and Eloise Mounsey from Kangaroo Valley Public School with Taronga Zoo educator, Paul Maguire who is holding an endangered long-nosed bandicoot.
2007 National Awards Ceremony for National Literacy and Numeracy Week
June 2007
Let's Be Fair is new for NLNW 2007 and offers opportunities to encourage secondary school students to focus on the importance of mathematics for making informed decisions. Activities will be ready-to-use and reflect good teaching practice as well as being topical, flexible and interesting. Detailed activity suggestions and teacher notes are provided to guide students in proposing their own investigations. Link to: http://lbf.aamt.edu.au/
Reach for the Stars is an Australia-wide numeracy activity for pre-school to junior secondary students. It involves a single event with a numeracy focus. This year, students will be "Stepping Up with Maths" to explore whether there is a relationship between height and the size of feet. Link to: http://rfts.aamt.edu.au/ for details.
Australia Post encourages children to become involved in opportunities to develop and improve their literacy and numeracy skills. Australia Post has an excellent website for both primary and secondary students and teachers: http://www.auspost.com.au/EDP/0,,CH3206~MO19,00.html
They also release new and exciting stamps for the younger audience, supports school programs across Australia. Australia Post is progressively developing a strong range of entertaining educational resources for use by individuals and school groups which can be viewed at: http://www.auspost.com.au/EDP/resources_new.htm
More fun, learning opportunities for children can be found at the Scholastic Australia website:
http://www.scholastic.com.au/kids/index.asp
There is also a site especially for families:
http://www.scholastic.com.au/families/index.asp
and yet another intended for teachers and schools:
http://www.scholastic.com.au/schools/index.asp
Scholastic Australia endeavour to bring the best in children's literature and educator resources to schools via their fun Book Clubs, Book Fairs and Educational publishing programs.
Why not enter the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Writing Competition this year? Log on to: http://www.dorothea.com.au/ for full details.
The Australian Library and Information Association annually organises National Simultaneous Storytime in September. The aims are to:
- promote the value of reading and literacy
- promote the value of books
- promote an Australian writer and publisher
- promote Storytime activities in public libraries around the country.
National Simultaneous Storytime provides a great opportunity to involve parents, grandparents to participate in and enjoy the occasion. Information is available at: http://www.alia.org.au/advocacy/storytime/2007/
... Return to Awards
© DET 2007