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ISOLATED CHILDREN’S PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION QUEENSLAND INC VOL 45 - NO. 2. APRIL 2020
Downlands College
TO O W O O M B A Q U E E N S L A N D A U S T R A L I A
2021 Academic, All-Rounder and
Performing Arts Scholarships
Applications close 10 February 2020
YEARS 4-12 | COEDUCATIONAL | INDEPENDENT | CATHOLIC | DAY & BOARDING
CONTENTS
produced a series of videos that home together. Although it’s busy
A NOTE share hints and tips for ‘at home
learning’. Visit the facebook page
and squashy and there’s plenty
of frustration some days, it’s not
A Note from the Editor......... 3 About the News................... 10
FROM THE and check them out, may be
pass them onto a friend who is
something we get to do very much
any more so I’m seeing it as the
Members Vital Health Celebrates
Front Cover Photo:
Levi O’Sullivan, grade one student at
EDITOR experiencing this for the first time.
You’ll also find included with
silver lining to the dreaded COVID!
Until Next Time
Natalie
Charters Towers SDE, and his chook; photo
Recommendations................. 3 30 Years In Rural taken by Amelia Kenny
this edition a fun home learning
resource. The wonderful Rebecca
Allied Health......................... 12 CONTRIBUTIONS
Dear Readers
Sparrow has kindly let us reproduce
From Your President............. 4 DEADLINES Well an unexpected start to 2020 her list of well researched online Natalie Kenny
Talwood Branch with COVID-19 coming to visit! With and offline activities to keep kids Editor
All contributions to be with
Minister’s Message................. 5 Offers Bursaries...................... 13 the editor before: so much information already floating busy and learning. Rebecca is an
14 January • 1 April about I’ll just touch on things that Australian author known for her
1 July • 1 November are directly related to ICPA. Sadly, best-selling books for teenage girls
Well Deserved Life Taroom/Wandoan
the annual ICPA Qld conference designed to help them navigate
Membership Presented......... 6
Natalie Kenny | M: 0484 835 250
Branch Update..................... 14 qldnewsandviewseditor@icpa.com.au has been postponed. The those tricky high school years.
conference has been rescheduled I’d recommend checking her out
Yaraka Isisford Delegation Snapshot........... 15 Disclaimer: News and Views is the official
for the 20th/21st October 2020, on social media, she has some
Branch News........................... 7 publication of ICPA Qld Inc. If branches wish still in Roma, and state council fantastic resources available.
to reproduce articles or excerpts from this
A Note From nbnTM.............. 18 edition please contact/credit the author and
will keep everyone up-to-date
as information comes to hand. I wish you all the best as we
Don’t Just Google It!............... 8
acknowledge News and Views as the source.
negotiate our way through term
Branch Bites........................ 20 Other organisations wishing to use our articles should
contact the Editor for permission to reproduce any
Many ICPA members are very 2. It definitely wasn’t how any of
Three Ways to Help material. Articles not written by an ICPA representative well rehearsed in online learning, us planned it, but right now I’m
do not necessarily reflect the policy or opinion of relishing in having my four children
Children Think Critically Conversations With.......... 23 ICPA Qld Inc. ICPA Website www.icpa.com.au
however state council have
MEMBER
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APP
2 News and Views News and Views 3
PRESIDENT’S to lockdown. State Council had
worked tirelessly to produce our
In light of NSW decision, we
feel confident that we have Mind . Body . Spirit
new Position Statement as a key made the best decision possible
MESSAGE feature of our lobby in an election
year, and it was disappointing
to postpone our own State
Conference to 20/21 October
to lose the opportunities to forgoing any further complications.
put it forward face to face. We sincerely appreciate the
“Every cloud has flexibility of the Roma Convening
a silver lining so Despite these hurdles, we put our Committee in working with State
best foot forward and led the way Council around these changes
remember that there in teleconferencing procedures and and thank all those businesses
will be no silver skype meetings with Departmental and sponsors also impacted.
representatives and some MP’s.
linings if there are Conversations were positive and Even at a time when we struggle
to see a brighter side to life, we
no clouds.” Anonymous we appreciated them taking the
have to believe that it is there. I am
time to meet with us despite the www.allsouls.qld.edu.au
so happy that we’ve been able to
turmoil that was occurring within
As I write this piece today, I sit here
and still struggle to comprehend the Department at the time.
show Queensland our brighter side More than just a School - we are a family.
through this difficult journey – we’ve
the enormity of the situation we
I would like to thank the Minister been able to share some amazing
face in our world today. It was
and the Department of Education tips and tricks for home learning
only a couple of months ago that from our members – the experts! It
Covid-19 was being mentioned and for ensuring that ICPA Qld has
is our members who are currently
at the time we had no concept of remained an inclusive part of the
leading the way in the education
the situation we were about to be consultation process throughout the Celebrating 30 years
of children, and our members who
thrown into. Yet I can confidently difficulty of the past month. I can providing rural
I place the utmost faith in coming Allied Health
say that I have witnessed the silver assure members that we have been
out of this as strong as before.
linings, and I hope too that I have kept abreast of issues involving
even been a part of somebody our students on a daily basis
else’s silver lining (I did donate and have had opportunity to put “When nothing is
toilet paper to a stranger in the forward concerns personally with certain… anything is
shopping centre!) Acts of kindness the Department and QCAA. These
possible!” Mandy Hale Speech Occupational
Pathology + Therapy
are everywhere as long as we opportunities are highly valued and
Tammie
choose to see them, and you have a result of the respectful relationship
to admit there are some very we share with all our stakeholders.
entertaining memes and videos
On behalf of Qld State Council, Tammie Experinced in providing assessment and individualised
coming out of the internet as a treatment programs for children who live rurally!
I would like to acknowledge the President
result of isolation and boredom!
difficult position that Claire Butler
- Speech
State Council certainly didn’t (ICPA NSW President) and her State
- Understanding and using language
find the virus amusing during Council, along with the Moree
- Attention
our recent delegation to Convening Committee, were placed
- Social interaction
Brisbane in March. Whilst we in with their State Conference. What
- Reading | Spelling | Comprehension
were able to have an extremely a heartbreaking decision to have
- Stuttering
valuable face to face meeting, to make under the circumstances
and we understand that the
- Writing
our meetings with Members of
Parliament were either cancelled disappointment for NSW members
- Memory
or moved to teleconference due would have been overwhelming.
- Balance | Coordination
- Fussy Eating | Drinking
www.icpa.com.au
Based in: Charleville | Roma | St George | Goondiwindi | Dalby
www.vitalhealthqld.com.au 07 46224322
facebook.com/ICPAQLDINC Telehealth available
4 News and Views News and Views 5
WELL DESERVED
LIFE MEMBERSHIP
PRESENTED
The heart of a volunteer is never from making delicious plum
measured in size but by the puddings for bring and buy stalls to
depth of the commitment to catering for many different events.
Cr Tony Martin, Dale Bignell - Isisford, Jon Karger - Yaraka
make a difference in the lives Margaret’s tireless efforts at various & Ross McKinnon - Australia Day Ambassador
of others. Recently, our branch functions assists our branch in
acknowledged a very special lady holding many successful activities
who has been involved in our throughout the year. Margaret can
community on various committees always be relied upon to help. Mrs Margaret Maloney presented with Life Mrs Patricia Mitchell OAM presenting retiring Secretary,
for the good part of half a century. This kind of support is extremely Membership of the Belyando/Mt Coolon branch Kaye Albrand with her life membership badge.
valuable to our organisation.
Margaret Maloney has been
involved, and continues to be about lobbying for education equity
Out of the goodness of Margaret’s
involved, in the Belyando / Mt Coolon for rural and remote students and
heart she has been helping in the
is not afraid to stand up and say
ICPA Branch for the past 35 years.
Margaret joined ICPA in 1977,
kitchen with camp catering at the
Clermont ICPA Sports Camp for over
15 years. Margaret has perfected
so at every opportunity. Although
Margaret’s children have all grown
YARAKA ISISFORD
firstly as a member of the Bowen/
Collinsville branch and then as
an inaugural member of the
the art of making scrambled
eggs for over 150 people every
up and she is not actively involved
in education at the moment she
is keen to stay involved and fully
BRANCH NEWS Cake Cutting for 40th Birthday L-R: Billy Edwards, Isisford with
founding Branch Members Theresa and Mike Cobb
Belyando/Mt Coolon branch when morning and creating delicious supports the aim of ICPA – “Working
it formed on 24th August 1984. smokos for the kitchen staff. together for equality of access to The word unprecedented has been After stepping down from the role Despite having moved on, two
education for all students who live used a lot lately and it certainly of Secretary in 2019, Mrs Kaye of our former branch members
Over the years, Margaret has Margaret has attended many State
in rural and remote Australia”. does sum up the situation we are Albrand was awarded with Life received prestigious awards earlier
remained an important member of & Federal conferences over the
facing around the country. We’re Membership during the gathering. in 2020 including Sam Peterson
the Belyando/Mt Coolon branch years travelling Australia wide Her tireless support and dedication all very aware of the impacts this Kaye, a member since 2001, who was named LSODE School
taking on many executive positions including Adelaide, Broome, Broken at a Branch level ensure the Branch virus is having just on ICPA alone dedicated 13 years of service in the Captain for 2020 and to Jamie
including Vice President 1984 – Hill, Charters Towers, Clermont, can assist both State and Federal
Darwin, Longreach, Mackay, and given the circumstances, our role making her much deserved Mills who received the Isisford
1985, Treasurer 1986 – 1992 and ICPA to continue lobbying. For this,
Townsville & Yeppoon. She has Branch and the wider region is and worthy recipient of such an Junior Achievement Award on
Publicity Officer 1994 – 2003. we believe Margaret’s dedication,
also assisted neighbouring ICPA shaping up to be having a quiet accolade. We again thank Kaye Australia Day. Congratulations
Margaret always encourages new countless hours of volunteering and
families in the district to become branches along with other branch continued support of the Belyando/ and hopefully, healthy, year ahead. for her tireless and longstanding also to Branch Member, Dale
members of our branch and takes members, in the running of a Mt Coolon branch and ICPA in dedication to the Branch. Bignell on receiving two awards
Very fortunately and well before
younger members under her wing State Conference in Mackay and general, deserves recognition. during Australia Day Celebrations
event restrictions came into place, A very sincere and genuine thank
to offer guidance and support. Clermont. In 2014, Margaret also On behalf of the Belyando/ including Isisford Community
the Yaraka Isisford Branch was you must be extended to the
helped when the branch ran the Mt Coolon ICPA branch we are Volunteer of the Year and Isisford
From the inception of the Belyando/ Townsville State Conference. able to host our highlight event hardworking branch members
privileged to award Mrs Margaret Citizen of the Year for 2020.
Mt Coolon branch, Margaret has for 2020, being our 40th Birthday and the wonderful catering ladies
Maloney, a most worthy recipient,
and still continues to be an active Having home schooled her own four celebration. Held at the Yaraka who worked behind the scenes Luckily, even though some families
a “Branch Life Membership”.
member of the branch and always children through Distance education, Hall on the 22nd February, it was to create such an enjoyable and move on from our Branch, we are
attends any fundraising activities, Margaret is extremely passionate Amanda Clark & Goscelyn Sullivan a wonderful afternoon of festivities momentous occasion. Happy 40th always very excited and pleased
and atmosphere where past and Birthday to Yaraka Isisford Branch to welcome new members. So far
present Branch Members shared – a wonderful achievement for one in 2020 we extend a very warm
stories on the achievements of the of most remote ICPA Branches. welcome to Joe & Bel McKillop,
Branch. Attended by 80 people, Paul & Michelle Hockings and
those present heard from founding At the beginning of the year we Louise Cameron. We look forward
Branch Members, Mr Mike and said farewell to a few member to your involvement with ICPA and
Patricia Cobb and the State Patron families including the Peterson and our Branch. In closing, we wish all
of ICPA, Mrs Patricia Mitchell OAM. Mills family who have relocated ICPA members and your families
All spoke of the evolvement of ICPA from the area and to Des Deighton all the best in health and safety
over the years and the continued who has moved back to the coast. in the challenging times ahead.
relevance and necessity of ICPA’s Thank you very much for your
Harry & Sue Shann, Lyndy & John Heelan, Margaret, Thelma Goscelyn Sullivan (branch secretary), Margaret Maloney, Marian Fletcher work even after 4 decades. contributions to our Branch. Ingrid Miller - Publicity Officer
Powell, Ros & Terry Kenny, and Marian Fletcher (branch life member) and Amanda Clark (ICPA Qld treasurer)
6 News and Views News and Views 7
More can be learnt about Sumatran tigers with better search techniques
The student could have learnt much students don’t write effective search While students feel confident as
DON’T JUST more had they also searched for
• where Sumatra is
queries or get the information they
need. They may also not have
searchers, my PhD research found
they were more confident in Google
GOOGLE IT! •
•
why the tigers are endangered
how people can help them.
enough time to consider search
results and evaluate websites
itself. One year eight student
explained: “I’m used to Google
for accuracy and relevance. making the changes to look for me”.
I searched Google using the key My research confirmed young Such attitudes can mean students
Searching online has many This does not result in students on the internet, rather than just words “Sumatran tigers” in quotation searchers frequently click on dismiss relevant keywords by
educational benefits. For instance, obtaining the skills they need. locating one thing and moving on. marks instead. The returned results only the most prominent links automatically agreeing with
one study found students who used offered me the ability to view and first websites returned, the (sometimes incorrect) auto-
advanced online search strategies For six years, I studied how young Search engines offer endless National Geographic footage of possibly trying to save time. This is correct or going on irrelevant
also had higher grades at university. Australians use search engines. educational opportunities but many the tigers and to chat live with an problematic given the commercial tangents unknowingly.
Both school students and home- students typically only search for expert from the World Wide Fund environment where such positions
But spending more time online schoolers (the nation’s fastest isolated facts. This means they are for Nature (WWF) about them. Teaching students to choose
does not guarantee better can be bought and given children
growing educational cohort) no better off than they were 40 websites based on domain
online skills. Instead, a student’s Clicking the “news” tab with this tend to take the accuracy of
showed some traits of online years ago with a print encyclopedia. name extensions can also help
ability to successfully search same query provided current media everything online for granted.
searching that aren’t beneficial. ensure they are in charge, not
online increases with guidance It’s important for searchers to use stories, including on two tigers
For instance, both groups spent Fast search is not always the search engine. The easily
and explicit instruction. different keywords and queries, coming to an Australian wildlife
greater time on irrelevant websites problematic. Quickly locating facts purchasable “.com”, for example,
multiple sites and search tabs park and on the effect of palm oil
Young people tend to assume they than relevant ones and regularly means students can spend time denotes a commercial site while
(such as news and images). on the species. Small changes to
are already competent searchers. quit searches before finding on more challenging educational information on websites with
search techniques can make a
Their teachers and parents often their desired information. Part of my (as yet unpublished) PhD follow-up tasks – like analysing or a “.gov”(government) or “.edu”
big difference to the educational
assume this too. This assumption, research involved observing young categorising the facts. But this is (education) domain name extension
benefits made available online.
and the misguided belief that Here are three things young people people and their parents using a only true if they first persist until better assure quality information.
should keep in mind to get the search engine for 20 minutes. In one they find the right information.
searching always results in learning,
full benefits of searching online. (typical) observation, a home-school
2. SLOW DOWN Search engines have great potential
means much classroom practice
focuses on searching to learn, family type “How many endangered All too often we presume search 3. YOU’RE IN CHARGE to provide new educational
rarely on learning to search. 1. SEARCH FOR Sumatran Tigers are there” into can be a fast process. The home-
OF THE SEARCH,
benefits, but we should be
Google. They enter a single website school families in my study spent cautious of presuming this
Many teachers don’t explicitly MORE THAN JUST where they read a single sentence. 90 seconds or less, on average, NOT GOOGLE potential is actually a guarantee.
teach students how to search ISOLATED FACTS viewing each website and searched Contributed by Renee Morrison
online. Instead, students often The parent writes this “answer” Young searchers frequently rely
a new topic every four minutes. Lecturer in Curriculum Studies,
teach themselves and are Young people should explore, down and they begin the next on search tools like Google’s University of Tasmania
reluctant to ask for assistance. synthesise and question information (unrelated) topic – growing seeds. Searching so quickly can mean “Did you mean” function. www.theconversation.com
8 News and Views News and Views 9
There is a series of materials their ideas (calling them “idiotic”) In Australia people of Chinese
(www.abc.net.au/education/ heritage have experienced
media-literacy/questioning-news/) using a shocking or altered image racist attacks while many
from ABC Education can help (such as one that suggests a Australians have now stopped
children distinguish fact from celebrity might be pregnant or in a eating at Chinese restaurants.
fiction, including how to quickly new relationship when she is not).
identify fake videos and images. There is a short ABC sci-fi drama
You can also talk to children about (www.abc.net.au/education/
You may like to begin with their some of the reasons people
fun quiz (www.education.abc. media-literacy/bias/10209092)
spread disinformation, such as: that helps children aged 12 and
net.au/res/media-literacy/fake-
news/2018/index.html), which • to influence how people will vote older recognise media bias.
highlights how complicated it • they may be racist, sexist,
can be to identify real news from homophobic or wish to vilify
misinformation (for children 12+). people they do not like
• to discredit another person’s
2. HELP THEM or group of people’s ideas
to promote their own
UNDERSTAND
• to create clickbait, which is a
SOME MEDIA MAY sensationalist statement designed
EXPLOIT EMOTIONS to encourage people to click on
it. This can make money for a
In our survey, 71% of young website’s owner if they include
Teaching children to identify trustworthy news sources can help them avoid the effects of misinformation
Australians said news often or advertising, since they will be
sometimes upset them and 57% paid based on how many people
said it scared them. It’s not all see and click an advertisement.
THREE WAYS TO HELP CHILDREN negative though, as 69% said
news often or sometimes made
them happy or hopeful and 48%
3. DISCUSS HOW
THINK CRITICALLY ABOUT THE NEWS said it motivated them to respond
to the situation being reported.
NEWS MEDIA TALK
ABOUT DIFFERENT
Discussing what children see in the news
can help build their critical thinking skills
Discussing how children feel PEOPLE Trustworthy news is critical to
Like adults, children use the news Although children’s news programs YouTube celebrity videos – as news. about news can help them decide
to learn about what’s happening are important, safe and appealing, To help decide if a source is reliable In our survey, 38% of children society. We rely on it to help
which programs are good for them
in the world. But the circulation children are still exposed to they can ask the following questions: said news does not treat people us make decisions about who
and which they should avoid.
of misinformation, such as the other types of news. Our survey from different race and cultural to vote for, how we feel about
recent spread of fake news found 73% of children regularly is it clear who created this news? While it’s natural for news about backgrounds equally and 40% events or other people, and how
about COVID-19 (the disease consume the same news as their It’s not possible to trust a source major events and issues to evoke believed news does not treat to manage aspects of our lives
caused by coronavirus), blurs our parents or guardians and 49% you don’t know since you need emotions, sometimes people can men and women equally. like our finances and health.
understanding of events and issues. get news from social media sites, to be able to be able to query the also seek to exploit our emotional
Parents and teachers can help Identifying misinformation in
which increases with age. person or organisation about why responses for their benefit. Research
In 2017, we conducted the first children be on the lookout for the digital age is a challenge
and how they created the story shows catchy, provocative and
nationally representative survey Our survey also found only one stories where some people are for everyone. As media literacy
sensationalist news headlines are
of how Australian children, aged third of young people felt they could is this a straight presentation of the represented in a denigrating way researchers, we have found
more likely to receive clicks online.
eight to 16, consume news. distinguish fake from real news. facts or does it include opinion? that does not present their ideas listening to children’s experiences
A fact is objective information, Media can trick you into having fairly. In these cases it’s best to seek is a valuable starting point for
We found children as young as Here are three things you can an emotional response by: out other news sources to consider developing their critical literacy.
supported by evidence, and it can
eight are interested in news. But do (whether you’re a teacher how they are reporting the story.
be checked to ensure it is right. using sensationalist claims or Contributed by
there are few news media designed or parent) to help children Tanya Notley
specifically for children in Australia. critically think about the news. Opinions are subjective thoughts headlines not supported by facts. For instance, racist information has Senior Lecturer in Digital Media,
about an issue nobody can prove These claims may say things like been presented as news in relation Western Sydney University
The three national news programs
for children are News Corporation’s
1. HELP THEM are right. If opinions are presented “The wonder herb that stops to coronavirus. Some sites claimed Michael Dezuanni
as facts this is misleading coronavirus!” or “Coronavirus you could get it from eating Chinese Associate professor, Creative Industries
Kidsnews, an independent IDENTIFY RELIABLE spreading fast on Sydney trains!” food while others promoted the Faculty, Queensland University of Technology
are the people essential to this story www.theconversation.com
daily news podcast Squiz Kids NEWS SOURCES included? If a story makes claims using emotive or dehumanising
notion of it being a bioweapon
and the ABC’s longstanding made by China or the US.
Behind the News (BtN), which In our research children considered about organisations or groups of language when describing people
our research shows is popular a range of items – from breakfast people, they should be given the (such as referring to asylum This kind of misinformation
with eight to 12 year olds. morning television segments to opportunity to reply to these claims. seekers as “queue jumpers”) or contributes to discrimination.
10 News and Views News and Views 11
speech pathologist, who has
returned home to be based
in Roma . Harriet is one of a
number of young professional
mums who work for Vital Health.
She mentions the similarities
to her mum saying jokingly “ I
never thought in a million years
I would be travelling around the
country side with a toddler in the
backseat like she had” Harriet
continues “I suppose you could
say I inherited her passion.” She
went on to explain that “It’s been
my mum’s life-long goal to ensure
that rural and remote families have
access to good quality health
services… Being from the bush we
understand how difficult it can be.”
In celebration of our 30th
anniversary, keep an eye on
Vital Health’s social media
Rebecca Benham, Jean Benham and Harriet Chambers
platforms, there will be
spotlights on many of the local
families, and communities.
VITAL HEALTH Contact the Charleville or Roma
office to book an appointment or
CELEBRATES 30 YEARS to find out how the local teams are
able to support you or your family.
IN RURAL ALLIED HEALTH
What started 30 years ago as a The more Jean worked with her
one-woman-show, has developed clients, the more she understood
into a multi-generational family
business that proudly provides
the limitations of working as a
sole practitioner. Although her TALWOOD BRANCH
local Physiotherapists, Speech
Pathologists, Occupational
therapists, Dieticians, Exercise
patients were receiving quality
physiotherapy, they still had
to travel east for other allied
Celebrating 30 years of Vital Health
OFFERS BURSARIES
Physiologists and most recently services such as dietetics, exercise
opened further clinics in Dalby,
Psychologists in towns all across physiology, speech pathology The Talwood Branch offered $500
Charleville, Inverell, St George,
rural Queensland and parts and occupational therapy. The bursaries to two lucky students
Goondiwindi and Kingaroy so
of rural New South Wales. solution was simple, her small in the area that were going to
that this integrated approach to
practice had to expand in order high school in 2020. The names
Vital Health’s story begins in treatment can be accessed on
for the rural communities to have of the six applicants were put
1990 when Jean Benham, a access to the same services as a permanent basis for rural and into a hat and drawn on the night
young physiotherapist from Toowoomba and Brisbane. In remote families from further afield. of the Talwood Christmas Tree
Bymount, living in Roma, had a short - Vital Health was born. Vital Health also now provides a in December. Charlotte Luhrs,
vision of providing physiotherapy pathway for young professionals Mungindi and Bonnie Ladner,
services to the west. It was In more recent years, with the to grow in their field and share “Goolarie”, Lundavra were the two
then that Jean opened her commitment and expertise a passion for rural health and students who received bursaries.
original physio practice which of a number of passionate community engagement.
delivered a standard of service team members, as well as the We wish these students all the
that previously had only been contribution of many local Jean’s eldest daughter, Harriet best as they embark on their
Charlotte Luhrs with Jocelyn Freeman,Talwood Bonnie Ladner with pet pig
accessible in the big cities. families, Vital Health have Chambers, is now a Senior secondary school journey. branch secretary, at the Talwood Christmas Tree
12 News and Views News and Views 13
e l e g a
D SNAPSHOT t i o n
TAROOM/WANDOAN
BRANCH UPDATE
2019 saw another round Churchie Goodwin House dinner. Jane Thornton completed Year 12
of students from Taroom Angus is currently working at at Glennie School Toowoomba.
Wandoan graduate from Brightlands Station, Cloncurry QLD Jane was partnered by Peter
their respective schools. for the McDonald family (MDH) Welsh to her formal, she is taking
a Gap year Working for her ICPA Qld State Council will have the full school year to ICPA Qld remains invested in
Abbey Staines graduated from Ben Stuart from Taroom completed parents at Morven during 2020. experienced quite a different work through this new program ensuring the continuity of a
Fairholme College Toowoomba. year 12 at The Southport School
Abbeyhere with her parents Miffy looking delegation in mid-March with their school community. program for preservice teachers
in 2019 his formal partner is Emily Peter Welsh with parents Rachael
and Ian Staines at her Valedictory as we hit Brisbane at the onset at universities who have identified
Waters (Bell) who completed year and Matthew Welsh Taoom on his of Covid-19. In the few days we
dinner. Abbey is working at Anna ICPA Qld is closely monitoring the rural and remote teaching as their
12 at the Glennie School in 2019. final day at Toowoomba Grammar were there, Parliament House
Plains in WA below Broome. She dynamic school environment given first preference upon graduation.
Ben is currently on a gap year School. Peter has gone on to do went into lockdown and many
has deferred from UNE where the evolving COVID-19 situation The Kelvin Grove Teacher
she was accepted to do nursing. working for MDH on “Chatsworth an apprentciship Boiler Maker of our scheduled meetings were Education Centre for Excellence
in Queensland and Australia. We
Station” Boulia and plans to in manufacturing with Gessner either cancelled or transferred (KGTECE – Rural and Remote)
are communicating with relevant
Angus Golden along with his attend University in 2021. Emily Industries Toowoomba QLD. to teleconference. Whilst it had provided a program over the
bodies on a daily basis and
mum and dad Stuart and Naomi is currently studying Agriculture was disappointing to lose the past few years with great success,
responding to any situations which
Golden, attending the final and Business at UNE in Armidale. impact of a face to face meeting, however have been slated to
affect our members directly.
we were able to continue with cease at the end of 2020.
a number of crucial meetings
as well as enjoy our own State TEACHER EDUCATION
Council face to face meeting. DISTANCE
State Council met with multiple
divisions of State Schools and
EDUCATION
We would like to issue a huge
thank you to the Kelvin Grove were able to generate discussion The 7 Schools of Distance
Teacher Education Centre for regarding a minimum standard of Education are working together
Excellence (KGTECE – Rural rental housing for those teachers to update all curriculum including
and Remote) who allowed us in rural and remote areas who eTeach to version 8. The
to base ourselves there for a are placed into private rentals schools hope to have this ready
day of virtual Skype meetings due to lack of DoE housing. to deliver by 2021. Brisbane
with State Schools, to Carmel
Nash (Catholic School Parents
Angus Golden with his parents Stuart & Naomi
attending the Churchie Goodwin House dinner
Qld) for again extending us the
hospitality associated with using
their meeting room for our face
to face and to all those who met
with us under the unprecedented
Abbey Staines at her valedictory dinner circumstances we all found
with parents Miffy & Ian Staines
ourselves in that week!
SCHOOLS
There has been an update of
the Department of Education’s
Behaviour Management Review.
Updates involve student
discipline procedure (focused
on positive behaviour as well
as disciplinary actions), the
Peter Welsh with Parents Rachael & Matthew Jane Thorton & Peter Welsh at
student Code of Conduct,
Ben Stuart & Emily Waters at the TSS formal on his last day at Toowoomba Grammar Glennie School formal and the procedures around
Meeting with Agforce Qld L-R Sonia Spurdle, Dr Dale Miller, Peter
restrictive practices. Principals Smith, Louise Martin, Cam Parker & Elisa Westmoreland
14 News and Views News and Views 15
School of Distance Education is CURRICULUM met with the eKindy team who
leading the rewrite of the prep were able to share a draft re-
curriculum which will be rolled ICPA Qld met with QCAA and were write of the learning materials
out in all SDE’s next year. assured that no student studying using the One Note platform,
as a part of the new QCE system which is available to all through
In regard to overcrowding issues DoE Microsoft 365 licensing.
will be disadvantaged in the
within SDE’s, ICPA Queensland
current environment of Covid-19.
have been assured that there
is plenty of work going on
TERTIARY, TRADE
QCAA provided a leaflet detailing
behind the scenes in getting the links to agriculture within the & TRAINING
plans, reports, audits and Australian Curriculum which is
data together to progress this also available on their website A very informative discussion
matter and find a solution. - https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/ was held with TAFE Qld
Catching up with Outback Futures L-R Selena Gomersell, Michelle Tammie & Wendy meeting with the Independent Schools Qld
downloads/aciq/science/teaching/ around the Discover My Career Freshwater, Kate Bradshaw, Sonia Spurdle and Pam Seymour
TRAVEL aciq_ag_ed_primary_prod.pdf Profiling, degree courses
which are available, Trade
Whilst there is still no progression Conversations around Agriculture Tasters for Year 10 students, the
around the issue of calculation in Curriculum were also held with Agriculture Centre of Excellence
Conveyance Allowance from Independent Schools Qld and Qld (Toowoomba) and enrolment
the home garage, we are Catholic Education Commission. numbers in the South West region
encouraged that Translink for 2020 being over 1100.
are seeking more data and
supporting cases from ICPA. COMMUNICATIONS Unfortunately our meeting with
VETiS was unable to proceed,
Clarification around codes for Unfortunately, our meetings with
however the TTT portfolio are
rural bus routes and information Telstra, nbn and The Education
continuing to maintain contact
on conveyance allowance criteria. Department were cancelled
regarding any updates they may
at delegations. However, we
have with this program also being
continue to work closely with all
SPECIFIC NEEDS sectors in ensuring our rural and affected by the Covid 19 crisis.
Wendy Henning, Jessie Persse, Kasie Scott Tammie Irons & Mel Bennet discussing Louise Martin, Melissa Iland & Kasie Scott
teacher attraction and retention
remote students are being fairly on zoom with Yvonne Ries, Director Education meeting with the e-Kindy team from
The Specific Needs portfolio met
with the Disability and Inclusion
represented and not forgotten FINANCIAL (QCEC) and in person with Carmel Elliot. BSDE, Cath O’Connor & Bec Hurwood
during these extraordinary times.
Branch of the Department via
Nbn and Telstra have been very
ASSISTANCE
Zoom. Council’s priority was
generous with extra data, un- Due to the impact of COVID-19
ensuring our students with
metered sites and extra download upon recent delegations, the
specific needs were considered
in preparation for on line learning. ability to progress our advocacy
in school’s planning for the
possibility of remote learning. on financial assistance matters,
We were assured materials were EARLY CHILDHOOD notably LAFHAS, was severely
being produced to assist schools hampered. However, we do
and students in this scenario. State Councillors met with the continue to raise this matter, as
Early Childhood Community often as opportunity arises and
The telehealth trial was also Engagement team and discussed it is one of the core tenets within
discussed and the results funding for Play Based Mobile our Position Statement which we QCAA team Kathryn Tully, Jo Gordon, Janis McDermott and Tim Roberts
Kindergartens, the continuing meeting with Tammie Irons, Wendy Henning and Kasie Scott
have been very positive. The are sending to politicians this
department will investigate rolling rollout of State Delivered election year. Please be assured
telehealth out across the state. It Kindergartens and focusing on that this issue remains at the
was also reiterated that Catholic the impact to their communities forefront of Council advocacy.
and Independent Schools can and Transition Statements going
access the Reading Hub once it to an online portal able to be
goes online. This is great news uploaded by the incoming Principal
for all rural and remote students. (with parental consent). We also
facebook.com/ICPAQLDINC www.icpa.com.au
Australian Boarding Schools Association’s Tom & Richard catch up with State Council in Brisbane for delegations in early March
ICPA’s Wendy, Tammie, Trish Mitchell, Kim Donaldson & Louise Martin.
16 News and Views News and Views 17
A NOTE FROM nbnTM
Whether you’re working and increased significantly, while Effective from 31 March for a Enhancements to nbn™ will not count as part of their of offering of ‘top up’ data,
educating from home by choice or for customers on nbn™ Sky limited period of up to three Sky Muster™ Plus monthly data allowance. should their customers use their
by necessity, NBN Co continues Muster™ Plus services, nbn will months, nbn will increase the monthly metered data allowance
to monitor and augment the implement an increased range of download data limits that apply to Available from 1 April on an In addition to this expansion of (available in coming months).
network as quickly as possible to applications that will not count RSPs for the standard nbn™ Sky ongoing basis, enhancements unmetered activities, nbn is also
meet potential demand surges. towards monthly data quotas. MusterTM service, providing an for nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus plans introducing a number of other nbn has been working on
will include an expansion of enhancements to nbn™ Sky these enhancements since
additional 45GB* for each standard
You can stay up-to-date with Both standard nbn™ Sky Muster™ unmetered content. Once these Muster™ Plus plans, including: the initial launch of nbn™ Sky
nbn™ Sky Muster™ service at no
all latest announcements as and nbn™ Sky Muster™ Plus enhancements take effect, Muster™ Plus in August 2019.
additional cost to those RSPs. a new 25GB+ entry plan offering
well as working from home services provide access to fast all traffic on nbn™ Sky Muster
tips and FAQs at www.nbn. and accessible broadband across Plus plans will be unmetered, 25GB of peak data and 25GB of Today’s new measures follow nbn’s
This additional 45GB will allow
com.au/workingfromhome regional and remote Australia. except for video streaming and off-peak data for video streaming recent announcement of a capacity
RSPs, in some cases, to effectively
With standard nbn™ Sky Muster™ traffic via a VPN, both of which and VPN traffic, which will boost across the nbn network
double the average monthly improve accessibility for lighter for three months, to help RSPs
nbn increases Sky Muster™ plans, all data is metered and will continue to be metered.
download limits on retail plans users (available from 1 April); support customers in response
data allowances, enhances customers have a set amount of
offered to many of their customers. Unmetered activities currently to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sky Muster™ Plus data each month. Currently, nbn™
include web browsing, email functionality to give RSPs greater
Sky Muster™ Plus plans provide
For an RSP’s standard nbn™ Sky and operating system updates. flexibility to customise the data nbn is anticipating increased
NBN Co has unveiled new unmetered data for a select range
Muster™ services, nbn is increasing However, as part of these further allowances on their retail plans in demand on the nbn network
measures to support increasing of essential online activities.
capacity and data demand for average wholesale download enhancements, common social increments of 5GB (starting from as more people need to spend
nbn satellite services in regional nbn is offering these new limits to 90GB* of data on average media applications such as 25GB of peak data and 25GB more time at home during the
and remote Australia during measures to support retail service depending on the services that Skype and Facetime will also be of off-peak data, up to 150GB COVID-19 response. nbn is
the COVID-19 pandemic. providers (RSPs) in passing on the RSP has ordered from nbn. unmetered. These are just a few of peak and 150GB of off-peak working with industry and to
these benefits to their customers. This offer is an effort to support examples of where customers data) (available from 1 April); and monitor demand and any further
Customers on standard nbn™ the anticipated higher volumes of can now have additional peace potential required measures.
Sky Muster™ services will have nbn™ Sky Muster™ data download traffic as people work from home of mind that staying in touch with a new ‘top-up’ feature, which
and conduct schooling remotely. family, friends and colleagues will provide RSPs with the option
their data download limits limits significantly increased
18 News and Views News and Views 19anch
BrBITES
MA’S TOMATO
RELISH
1lb tomatoes
1 lb onions
1 ½ cups sugar
1 cup vinegar (apple cider adds a nice flavour)
1 tblspn curry powder
½ tblspn mustard powder
MICROWAVE ½ tblspn salt
RUSSIAN 1 tblspn cornflour (heaped)
CARAMEL 1. Dice tomatoes & onions. Add to saucepan
FUDGE the tomatoes, onion, sugar, vinegar, curry
powder, mustard powder & salt.
1 cup sugar 2. Boil for ½ hr and thicken with the cornflour mixed
100g butter with a little vinegar. Cook for a further 6 mins.
¼ cup golden syrup
3. Bottle & seal when cold.
400g tin condensed milk
SELF SAUCING
1. Prepare a loaf tin by lining
with baking paper. ANZAC PUDDING
2. In a large microwave proof 1 ½ cups SR Flour SAUCE:
bowl add all the ingredients.
Stir till combined. 100g butter 50g butter
½ cup rolled oats ½ cup syrup
3. Place the bowl in the microwave ½ cup sugar 2 cups boiling water
uncovered for 10 mins. Check
every 2 mins & stir. (the ¼ cup coconut
mixture will begin to boil & 1 cup milk
look split but this is fine) 1 egg
4. At 8 mins check for the soft 1 tspn vanilla
ball stage by dropping a small
amount of mixture into a cold
cup of water. If it immediately
1. Preheat oven to 160C & grease a pie dish.
forms a ball it is ready. If not 2. Sift SR Flour into a bowl & gently rub in butter.
cook for the remaining 2 mins.
(My microwave takes 10 mins). 3. Combine rolled oats, sugar & coconut
& combine with flour mixture.
5. Allow mixture to cool for 2 mins 1.
(add vanilla if you wish) & beat CHOCOLATE Place all ingredients in a heavy
based saucepan & stir to combine.
4. Mix together milk, egg & vanilla & add
to the flour mix & combine well.
with a wooden spoon for 5
mins until the mixture begins FUDGE 2. Bring to the boil whilst stirring &
to thicken & change colour – boil for 6 mins – still stirring.
5. Pour into greased pie dish.
this is a good arm workout!! 2 cups sugar
3. Take off the heat & continue 6. Mix together all the sauce ingredients until
butter has melted & pour gently over the
6. Spoon the mixture into the ½ cup milk to stir until thick. Place into
back of a spoon to cover the pudding mix.
prepared tin & spread to smooth. 1 tspn butter a greased & lined tin.
7. Chill in the fridge for 1 hr before 1 tblspn golden syrup
4. Allow to set before 7. Bake for 30 mins or till golden & serve
1 dstpn cocoa warm with custard & cream.
slicing into squares & storing. slicing into squares.
20 News and Views News and Views 21AROUND THE C o n v e r s a t i o n s
RIDGES WITH...
2020 MEGAN WOODWARD
APRIL
Born and bred between the (pretty lush stuff in the December THE BEST PART OF
20th First day term 2 Qld State Schools
cane fields, cattle properties and humidity of north Queensland!!) We MY JOB IS...
25th ANZAC Day
coal mines of Mackay in north used to complain so much about
27th Agenda Motions Deadline Queensland, Megan has had a Grandad’s snoring but always felt My job these days is incredibly
for Qld Conference successful career as a journalist totally privileged to be the spoilt varied, working with everyone from
including more than a decade ones to get to bunk in their room. We the university sector to herbicide,
MAY pesticide and liquid fertiliser
in radio and television at the did that until we were teenagers.
4th Labour Day suppliers and everything in between!
ABC. Megan filled the roles of
15th Pedals Deadline I WENT TO SCHOOL/UNI... Best part of the job remains talking
reporter, presenter and Journalist
in Charge, as well as filing for the I went to primary school at Eimeo to people, telling their stories,
JUNE Road State School in the northern
ABC’s flagship rural current affairs and arming organisations with the
9th/10th Qld State Conference, Roma postponed beaches of Mackay. That area is so skills to do it themselves as well!
program, ‘Landline’. She’s a well-
26th Last day term 2 Qld State Schools developed now but up until 25 years
known and trusted face throughout I’M EMBARRASSED
ago there was just a single unsealed
JULY Queensland’s rural sector, with a
road to get out to Eimeo. When my TO ADMIT THAT…
reputation as a true story teller and
1st News & Views deadline sister and I were little, whenever my I never thought social media
an advocate for the bush. For the
for term 3 edition Dad had to travel for work, Grandma would take off … !!
past few years she’s jumped on the would come down from Bowen to
13th First day term 3 Qld State Schools
other side of the camera and turned stay with Mum because she didn’t MY CHILDHOOD IDOL WAS...
AUGUST her hand to communications, PR want her alone “all the way out there I was incredibly enamoured by Jenny
and public speaking. She now runs with little kids”! Our house was built
5th/6th Federal Conference, Hobart Cancelled Woodward, the ABC Queensland
her own small media consultancy in the middle of sugar cane and weather presenter! Possibly the first
SEPTEMBER business and resides on the pineapple farms and over the years seed that was planted around my
8th Qld ICPA conference motions due Sunshine Coast with her husband became more and more built up with plans to get on the telly one day
18th Last day term 3 Qld State Schools
Page 1 of 1
WHATSAPP and two sons. A Friend of ICPA! housing estates popping up around … she always looked to colourful
us. Our little primary school only had
Keep up to date with the COVID-19 facts MY EARLIEST MEMORY IS…. and at ease in front of the camera,
OCTOBER around 60 kids from Preschool to
by downloading WhatsApp (oz.gov.au/ Family Christmases at my and everyone in my family took
6th Qld ICPA supplementary motions due Grade 7 for the early stages of my
whatsapp) and joining the chat. grandparents’ house in Bowen in her words as gospel. (And for the
6th First day term 4 Qld State Schools education there and slowly grew in
north Queensland. It blows my mind line with development in the area. record, I am not related to Jenny!)
20th/21st Qld ICPA state conference now but every other Christmas, As a kid I had a real soft spot for
I went to high school at Mackay
Grandma and Grandad would host North State High School where I John Williamson (the singer) too. I
an extra 15 family members (and was also school captain in Grade thought he was quite the rock star!
COVID-19 APP often some extra orphans) in their 12, and then I went on to study a I WANT TO BE
little cottage that was one bedroom Bachelor of Journalism at James
COVID-19 FAQ’S FOR PARENTS You can use the Australian Government
and a sleep-out! Lucky the house Cook University in Townsville. REMEMBERED FOR….
Coronavirus app to: This is such a good question and
The Qld Department of Education has a was on a huge block of land with
Page 1 of 1
WHAT IS YOUR SPECIAL I can think of a handful of things
new webpage which answers frequently massive mango trees to climb and
• stay up to date with the official TALENT/SKILL… I’d like to be remembered for in
it was right across the road from the
asked questions from parents. information and advice golf club and the beach, so during I can find the personal angle in any a professional sense. However
• important health advice to help stop the day we had plenty to do outside. story. I guess it helps that I’m a talker in this bizarre time living through
https://qed.qld.gov.au/about-us/news-
file:///C:/Users/Danielle/Documents/Danielle/Greenridge%20Press/xxxx%20ICPA%2... 10/04/2020
the spread and stay healthy But at night, you couldn’t walk more with Welsh blood in my DNA! I run Covid-19, when personal connection
and-media/novel-coronavirus/frequently- and reflection is such a huge part
• get a quick snapshot of the current than half a step without there being a lot of workshops to help different
asked-questions-for-parents be aunties and uncles and cousins organisations tell their story better of learning to adapt to this ‘new
official status within Australia
asleep on every square inch of the and the basis of all good story normal’ for a lot of people, I have
floor. My bigger male cousins would telling is asking good questions. to say replying to this changes
move the kitchen table each night I whole heartedly believe that my focus quite a bit! At the end
LEARNING @HOME and roll out their swags to sleep. everyone has a story worth telling, of the day I guess I’d most like to
My sister and I were the youngest and every story has an audience if be remembered for raising good
The Department of Education has a dedicated kids. Good kids that become good
cousins so we always got to sleep it’s told authentically and with skill.
website for parents to support student learning on a blow-up mattress at the foot Second to that … I guess my special teenagers that become good
at home. This new learning@home site provides of Grandma and Grandad’s bed talent would be a tie between men. I think that would be a great
parent versions of the two week units of curriculum in their room under the big fan karaoke and interpretive dance. thing to be remembered for.
resources, as well as many other learning resources.
file:///C:/Users/Danielle/Documents/Danielle/Greenridge%20Press/xxxx%20ICPA%2... 10/04/2020
L www.linkedin.com/in/megan-woodward-b836238b/ T @meganwoodward23 E hello@meganwoodward.com.au
22 News and Views News and Views 23If undelivered return to :
ISOLATED CHILDREN’S PARENTS
ASSOCIATION QUEENSLAND INC
Amanda Clark
“Ibis Creek Station” Mt Coolon
via Colinsville Qld 4804
Print Post Approved PP100002576
ICPA QLD CONTACTS & PORTFOLIO ALLOCATIONS
2019 - 2020
EXECUTIVE Distance Education Lone Members Officer
Kate Bradshaw Kelly Ostwald
President councillor2@bigpond.com qldlonesofficer@icpa.com.au
Ph: (07) 4657 3030
Tammie Irons Ph: (07) 4653 6145
M: 0417 834 736
Teacher Education
qldpresident@icpa.com.au Boarding Schools & Curriculum
Ph: 0427 931 629 Kelly Ostwald OFF COUNCIL
Vice President councillor4@bigpond.com
Ph: (07) 4653 6145 POSITIONS
Louise Martin M: 0438 232 671
Communications Fundraising Officer
councillor9@bigpond.com Tertiary, Trade & Training
Ph: 0427 151 234 Michelle Freshwater
Louise Winten fundraisingofficer@bigpond.com
Vice President councillor10@bigpond.com Ph: (07) 4625 7538
Ph: (07) 4654 9544
Wendy Henning M: 0428 549 562 Webmaster
Special Needs
councillor13@bigpond.com Early Childhood Lynelle Urquhart
Ph: 0427 708 943 qldwebmaster@icpa.com.au
Kasie Scott
Secretary councillor12@bigpond.com Hospital Schools
Ph: (07) 4983 5173
Kelly Ostwald Margie Greenway
qldsecretary@icpa.com.au Schools mgr4311@bigpond.net.au
Ph: (07) 4653 6145 Jessie Persse ICT Advisor
Treasurer councillor14@bigpond.com
Ph: (07) 4625 9031
Jeffery Little
Amanda Clark jlittle@bigpond.com
qldtreasurer@icpa.com.au Financial Assistance Ph: (07) 5462 3228
Ph: (07) 4983 5298 Kylie Camp News & Views Editor
councillor6@bigpond.com
Ph: (07) 4748 5585
Natalie Kenny
qldnewsandviewseditor@icpa.com.au
COMMITTEE Publicity Officer Ph: 0484 835 250
Melissa Illand
Travel qldpublicityofficer@icpa.com.au
Sonia Spurdle Ph: 0428 203 887
councillor8@bigpond.com
Ph: (07) 4770 3903
Visit the
facebook.com/ICPAQLDINC
You don’t have to be a Facebook member to visit this page, though there is a ‘Sign Up’ button
near the top of the ICPA page if you would like to join. Your branch can have a Facebook group
icpa website:
to advertise meetings and increase communication within your area, please take a note of the
guidelines. www.icpa.com.auYou can also read
