Young adolescents focus of Tweed Gold Coast seminar

How do schools address the needs and characteristics of children aged between 10 and 14 years? Are the needs of these young people unique?

These issues will be addressed in a professional development seminar to be held at the Tweed Gold Coast campus of Southern Cross University on Wednesday, August 9, from 5-7 pm, in Harvard Room 1.

This is the third in the University's series of professional development seminars for teachers and others in the caring professions.

Convenor of the seminar, Dr Neville Jennings, School of Education academic liaison officer (pictured), said the purpose of the seminars was to highlight current issues in education and provide support for local educators.

"In this instance, we're providing teachers with a chance to share ideas on a stage of education that presents unique challenges," he said.

"We have received expressions of interest from teachers in a wide variety of schools across the Tweed and Gold Coast districts.

"Representatives from these schools will discuss how they adapt the curriculum, vary their pedagogy, make provision for student welfare and re-organise their school structures to meet the unique needs of young adolescents.

"In some parts of the world separate middle schools have been established for children in this age group.

"In this seminar we aren't necessarily advocating such structures but there will be a focus on middle schooling principles.

"The purpose of the seminar is to develop professional expertise and to explore new possibilities in this challenging stage of education."

This seminar is supported by the Middle Years of Schooling Association based in Toowong, QLD.

There is no charge for admission but intending participants should RSVP by Monday, August 7, because of space limitations. Contact Dr Neville Jennings on 07 5506 9344, mobile 0405 244 903 or email njenning@scu.edu.au.

Media contact: Zoe Satherley media officer, 6620 3144, 0439 132 095.