PEAK Training Newsletter Winter 2021
Welcome to the winter 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:
Calendar Events
Friday 23 July
National Pyjama Day
Organisation: The Pyjama Foundation
National Pyjama Day is all about wearing your favourite pair of PJ’s to help The Pyjama Foundation raise much-needed awareness and funds for children in foster care.
Friday 30 July
International day of Friendship
Organisation: United Nations
The International Day of Friendship was proclaimed in 2011 by the UN General Assembly with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.
2-8 August
Dental Health Week
Organisation: Australian Dental Association
Dental Health Week raises awareness of how to best look after your and your children’s teeth.
Wednesday 4 August
National Aboriginal and Islander Children’s Day
Organisation: SNAICC
National Aboriginal and Islander Children’s Day is a celebration of human rights and Indigenous children.
Friday 13 August
Red Nose Day
Organisation: Red Nose
Red Nose is dedicated to saving the lives of babies and children during pregnancy, birth, infancy and childhood and to supporting bereaved families.
15-23 August
National Science Week
Organisation: Australian Department of Education
National Science Week celebrates the contributions Australian Scientists have made to the world. There are hundreds of activities, events and debates across the country during the week.
16-22 August
Keep Australia Beautiful Week
Organisation: Keep Australia Beautiful National Association
The aim of the Keep Australia Beautiful campaign is to demonstrate the easy ways people can help the environment and also save money by making a few simple changes around the home and in their daily lives.
21-27 August
Book Week
Organisation: Children’s Book Council Of Australia
Each year, many schools and public libraries from all over Australia spend a week celebrating books and Australian authors and illustrators and tell stories relating to a theme to highlight the importance of reading.
Thursday 2 September
Indigenous Literacy Day
Organisation: Indigenous Literacy Foundation
Indigenous Literacy Day aims to help raise funds to raise literacy levels and improve the lives and opportunities of Indigenous Australians living in remote and isolated regions.
Friday 3 September
Walk to Work Day
Organisation: Diabetes Australia
Helps employers and employees build regular walking into their daily routine and, at the same time, support a worthwhile cause. This year, the event continues to support Diabetes Australia.
5-11 September
National Child Protection Week
Organisation: NAPCAN
This campaign aims to engage and educate all Australians to understand they have a part to play in keeping our children and young people safe from violence, abuse and neglect.
6-8 September
Rosh Hashana
Rosh Hashanah is a Jewish celebration that is commonly referred to as Jewish New Year. It is a time of casting off sins and preparing for a new year.
Individual Unit Training Sessions
PEAK Training understands that online learning may feel a little remote, so we have implemented another way to support our students and provide some one-on-one training via Zoom!
As we unlock each unit, a training session will be provided, giving you an understanding of the unit you will be studying. This training session will only take 10 minutes.
This training will benefit you by ensuring:
- A clear understanding of the subject matter
- A chance to ask questions about the unit
- An opportunity to go through the requirements of the assessments
We will go through the unit subject, the resources and assessments with you to give you the confidence to start your next unit.
Compliance Updates
As early childhood educators, we have been using the approved learning frameworks for nearly a decade. It is mandated in the law and regulations that we use these frameworks to ensure we embrace the needs, interests, and uniqueness of each child. They provide fundamental details of what we wish each child to achieve while in an educational setting. They guide practice, and are key to documenting and planning learning.
The Educational Ministers are requesting the update to ensure that the frameworks continue to support today’s educators in meeting their developmental goals for each child. In an ever-changing industry, updates like this are a positive move to make sure we are always reflecting and improving.
The update will be titled “The 2021 National Quality Framework (NQF) Approved Learning Frameworks (ALFs) Update project” and will be carried out by a partnership between several national universities.
Find out more about the update and take part in the first round of consultation by completing a survey on the Approved Learning Frameworks Update webpage.
Recipe Idea
We would like to encourage educators to send in their favourite recipes that children love. A big thank you to our student Lisa for this delicious high fibre muesli bar recipe… yum! Easy to make for or with the children.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup honey
- 125 g butter
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup Rice Bubbles
- 1 cup sultanas
- 1/2 cup apricots (chopped)
- 1/2 cup desiccated coconut
- 1/4 cup pepitas
Method:
- Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced).
- Grease and line a slice tray (31 cm x 22cm) with baking paper.
- Combine honey and butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes until butter melts and combines with honey. Bring to the boil and cook for 2 minutes or until syrup thickens slightly. Remove from heat.
- Combine remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Pour over the hot syrup and stir to combine.
- Spoon into prepared pan and press firmly to make sure the mixture will stick together.
- Bake in oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden
- Cool and then refrigerate until well chilled and cut into 24 slices (about 2cm x 6cm).
Staff Introduction
Lauren Barbera
Hi everyone. My name is Lauren. I am the Administrator and the Student Support Officer here at PEAK training. I have been working in the ECEC sector for just over 10 years now. I have experience working with children of all ages and I have worked for many different types of services, including preschool and long day care. I am still currently working in the sector (on a casual basis) and I love working in a variety of places as I am always meeting new children and I am still learning new things every time I work in a service.
When I first started studying the Diploma of ECEC at TAFE I always looked up to my TAFE teachers and dreamt of becoming a Trainer & Assessor one day. After gaining my Certificate IV in Training and Assessment in 2017, I was employed as a Trainer & Assessor working at an international college by 2018. I enjoyed this role, as I got to meet so many diverse people from all over the world and I was able to support and assist them with starting their career in ECEC. I am really enjoying my current role here at PEAK Training and I am also learning a lot in relation to the administrative responsibilities of an RTO.
PD Webinars Coming Up
Thu 29 July, 10am-12pm
Tue 10 August, 7-9pm
Wed 25 August, 10am-12pm
Fri 17 September, 10am-12pm
Thu 30 September, 7-9pm
Sustainability in Early Childhood Settings
Tue 3 August, 12.30-2.30pm
Wed 1 September, 12.30-2pm
Work Health and Safety Refresher
Wed 11 August, 10am-12pm
Thu 19 August, 12.30-2pm
Book Suggestion
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.
“We’re going to the dentist” by Marion Cocklico
“Kindness makes us strong” by Sophie Beer