PEAK Training Newsletter Summer 2021
Welcome to the summer edition of the PEAK Training newsletter. Please read on for all the latest information you need to know about regulations, upcoming dates to mark in your calendar and meet the PEAK Training team.
Happy reading!
In this newsletter:
December Holidays around the World
Christmas
In the Christian faith, Christmas is the historical celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Whether celebrated for this religious reason or solely as a cultural celebration, Christmas traditions vary around the world.
Hanukkah
Hanukkah, or Chanukah, is an eight-day Jewish celebration. Also known as the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah begins on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. Celebrations revolve around lighting the menorah.
Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa means “first fruits” in Swahili. Each family celebrates Kwanzaa in its own way, but celebrations often include songs and dances, African drums, storytelling, poetry reading, and a large traditional meal
Ōmisoka
Ōmisoka, New Year’s Eve, is considered the second-most important day in Japanese tradition as it is the final day of the old year and the eve of New Year’s Day, the most important day of the year. At midnight, many visit shrines or temples
Las Posadas
From December 16th through December 24th, Las Posadas is celebrated by some Hispanic familiesIt’s a nine-day celebration before Christmas, beginning with a procession with candles, songs
Winter Solstice
December means the holiday of Yule is coming! It falls on December 21st, which marks the winter solstice; which is the shortest day and longest night of the year. The winter solstice celebrates the rebirth of the sun, because days get longer from then on out.
You can access this great interactive map on the link below, which shows how different countries all around the world celebrate the end of the year. A great activity to do with the children!
PEAK Training News
Christmas Closure
Please note PEAK Training will be closed from 12pm Thursday 23 December and reopen on Monday 17 January 2022. Although student support will not be available at this time, we encourage students to continue to submit assessments if you have any down time and would like to get some study done! Your assessments will be marked in January.
Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable break, and we look forward to another great year together!
Compliance Updates
PEAK Training would like to advise all students that the current qualifications:
- Certificate III of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30113)
- Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50113)
will be superseded by the new qualifications:
- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30121)
- Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50121)
This will occur 20 January 2023. All qualifications under the old code must be issued by PEAK Training by 20 January 2023. Therefore, PEAK Training is requesting students have all work, including workplace observations finalised and submitted by 7 November 2022. This allows time for marking and resubmissions if required. Please be assured that if you are currently studying CHC30113 or CHC50113 these are still nationally recognised qualifications and will be accepted by all approved services.
The new qualifications were released by ASQA after an extensive consultation process. The new units within these qualifications are not equivalent to the current units being offered and undertaken by students (with the exception of CHCDIV002, HLTWHS001 and CHCPRT001).
PEAK Training will be able to provide you with a transcript of any fully completed units you have done; however, these would not be able to be applied towards the new qualifications if you chose to enroll in the new qualification at a later date.
It is imperative that all courses are finished to ensure you do not lose valuable work and time spent on your studies.
You can access further information regarding the new qualifications at Skills IQ: www.skillsiq.com.au/currentprojectsandcasestudies/childrenseducationandcaretpd
Please feel free to contact Student Support on 02 9779 9999 if you have any questions.
Recipe Idea
We would like to encourage educators to send in their favourite recipes that children love!
Festive Ginger star biscuits
Ingredients:
- 125g margarine
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 cups Kellogg’s Rice Bubbles, crushed finely to 1 cup
- 1 1/2 cups self-raising flour
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 2 tablespoons golden syrup, warmed
Method:
- Preheat oven to 160°C.
- Beat the margarine, sugar and egg yolk in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually stir in Kellogg’s Rice Bubbles®, sifted flour, ground ginger and golden syrup; mix well.
- Bring dough together using hands; lightly knead to a smooth dough.
- Roll to ½ cm thickness on a lightly floured surface; cut out shapes from the dough using a 5cm star cutter.
- Re-roll dough to cut out remaining biscuits.
- Place on baking paper-lined oven trays. Bake, uncovered, in the oven for 20 minutes or until browned.
- Allow to cool slightly on trays; transfer to a wire rack.
Enjoy!
Staff Introduction
Elizabeth Go
Hello Students! For those who have not met me, my name is Elizabeth and I am a Trainer and Assessor at PEAK Training.
My journey as a trainer started in 2014, when I started presenting and developing professional development webinars for NSWFDCA. It remains one of my favourite jobs within my role as a trainer, extending educators knowledge and passion for learning, while also updating packages for our ever-changing industry.
I then started visiting students for work placement assessments, before finally becoming a permanent trainer with PEAK Training. I share a lifelong love of learning with all our students and find that the teaching flows both ways. I always pick up new methods and information when chatting with students.
Prior to becoming a trainer, I worked in ECEC services for 12 years, working my way up from a preschool cook to an untrained assistant (before we were all required to have a qualification!). My manager at the time saw great potential in my skills as an educator and encouraged me to complete my Diploma. Over the years I was promoted to Room leader, Educational Leader, Assistant Director, before finally taking on my first directorship in 2015. I was Nominated Supervisor of a large service in Sydney for 5 years, before having my baby boy. It was a job I absolutely loved – leading and inspiring educators and families to want the highest quality care and education for children at our service.
I now find great joy in sharing this knowledge and experience with all our students at PEAK Training. I set high standards for our students to be the best they can be and provide constant guidance and support to help you achieve your goals. I look forward to another fantastic year together in 2022!
PD Webinars Coming Up
Thursday 27 January 2022 7pm-9pm
Friday 4 February 2022 7pm-9pm
Wednesday 16 February 2022 7pm-9pm
Work Health and Safety Refresher
Thursday 24 February 2022 7pm-9pm
Wed 10 Nov, 7pm-8.30pm
Guiding Children’s Behaviour to Attain Self-regulation
Tuesday 22 February 2022 12:30pm-2:30pm
Healthy Eating and Safe Food Handling
Tuesday 22 February 2022 2pm-3.30pm
Maximising QIPS and Self-Assessment
Thursday 3 February 2022 1pm-2.30pm
Supporting Educational Leaders
Thursday 10 February 2022 12.30pm -2pm
Wednesday 23 February 2022 10am-12pm
Difficult Conversations: Ensuring positive communication with families
Tuesday 8 February 2022 7pm-9pm
Book Suggestion
Please see below book recommendations from the PEAK Training team. Each quarter we would like to recommend books for our educators relating to calendar events happening in those months, or that may be related to special events.
“Let’s celebrate- Special Days around the world” by Kate DePalma