MLTAQ AWARDS FOR EXEMPLARY PRACTICE IN LANGUAGES 2014 Secondary Teachers

SUSIE FENTON JAPANESE COORDINATOR TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN SHS Susie uses an eclectic blend of theoretical educational methods and approaches – with a special focus on J Pop, J movies and Cool Japan – with an overarching emphasis on the Communicative Approach in which students are encouraged to “take risks” and use whatever Japanese they have internalised in order to get their message across and build communicative competency in a range of situations. This enthuses students and fosters personal commitment and retention in Languages one effect being that the school regularly comes first for Japanese in the Language Perfect World Champs. The school’s eight biennial Japan Tour looms, with not only a school exchange, but also a stay at Asia Pacific University,Beppu. Beyond the school, Susie co-convenes the MLTAQ GC GU Japanese Language Speech Competition, presents multi- media workshops and liaises richly with APU.

ELKE JACKEL LANGUAGES COORDINATOR, ORMISTON COLLEGE Elke applies current theories and a variety of approaches to inculcate higher order thinking with clear learning intentions in a continuum of learning in German.. Elke differentiates student learning by offering choice in the way students present work and using technology such as OneNote for collaborative learning. She uses flipped classroom methods to orientate students to new learning before they discuss it in school. Her students’ animated film reached the finals of the Goethe Institut Film Competition; students share their illustrated fairy tales with their families and perform fractured fairy tales for younger grades – all real-world audiences. Elke runs tours to Germany which further enhance student capacity. Team work is central to Elke’s work as mentor to new staff, member of the school Dimensions Of Learning team and part of the Learning Innovations Leadership Committee. Through active involvement with the MLTAQ German Teachers’ Branch and as a district and state QCAA Panel member, Elke aims to instil a passion for intercultural learning and reflection.

KERSTIN LIEBCHEN-MEADES ST AIDANS AGS Three words describe Kerstin’s practice – innovation, reflection, leadership. As an early adopter of intercultural and gesture-based methodology and of technology-enhanced language learning, she links student learning to current news and authentic online learning, assuring a high level of student motivation and German language use. Parents and students alike appreciate Kerstin’s spirit, enthusiasm and skills, and this is reflected in the retention rate of students into Year 12 then tertiary German. Kerstin is actively engaged in big-picture Languages learning and shares her professional expertise both within her school and with the wider community.

SHANNON MASON Shannon Mason - a committed advocate and Languages educator - has applied her well-honed teaching methodology via extensive contribution to teachers’ professional learning in areas of innovative use of technologies and explicit teaching of literacy within Languages programmes. Her collegial approach has extended to the establishment of the Japanese Teachers’ Resource Network website, active engagement with the Modern Language Teachers’ Association (MLTAQ) lists and ongoing branch activities, and the establishment of her active Languages Teachers blog. Shannon has coalesced all of these elements in her Ph D research into Languages teacher attrition, and the improvement of teacher conditions and student outcomes.

MLTAQ AWARDS FOR EXEMPLARY PRACTICE IN LANGUAGES 2014 Secondary Leaders

PAUL BANCROFT PRINCIPAL A MAN OF VISION AND ACTION Taking Languages from understated, poorly resourced area with poor retention rate to the jewel in the crown at Cleveland District SHS, Paul has transformed the profile of language study in the school and the community. Languages are a valued and respected part of the curriculum, taught in state of the art facilities and supported enthusiastically at an administrative level. Under Paul’s guidance and visible, active support, the languages program is actively valued both in the school and local community, with multiple languages taught through Redlands primary schools through to adult classes in a variety of models. With well timetabled, well resourced programs, a global perspective has been developed across the whole school. International exchanges are rich and myriad.

JESUS BERGAS-PAZ HEAD OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES, INDOOROOPILLY SHS Combining the roles of HOD Languages and IB coordinator, Jesús is a teacher who creates a culture of learning which approaches languages, culture and learning with respect, empathy, commitment, enthusiasm and personal responsibility and who demonstrates a strong advocacy for languages education, a commitment to the empowerment of languages teachers and a dedication to the leadership and facilitation of the improvement of highly successful languages programs Supporting students of Chinese and Spanish and their teachers, he developed the three-year Spanish immersion program which culminates in a study tour of Spain in semester two of Year 10. He is also actively involved in growing the profession beyond the school.

CATHRYN BRUTON HOD LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL BENOWA SHS “Cathryn leads an established team of language teachers at Benowa State High School, who collectively continue to influence teaching and learning across the school.” Mark Rickard, Principal “Under Cathryn’s leadership, the Languages department has flourished. She has overseen the inclusion of two new languages (Spanish and Italian), the large growth in the number of students studying a language beyond Year 8, and the development of a sister school relationship with a Japanese school. We have developed strong links with the languages community beyond our school by participating in (and dominating!) the Language Perfect Languages World Championships, as well as the various MLTAQ competitions that enable our students to shine. …multiple staff members attend the Gold Coast MLTAQ meetings each month, at which Cathryn holds the position of Treasurer. “ Lisa Moller, teaching colleague

RICHARD FAIRLEY PRINCIPAL, TOWNSVILLE GRAMMAR SCHOOL The School supports the study of languages because we consider this a fundamental aspect of a broad educational approach to knowledge acquisition in the 21st century. Townsville Grammar School is in the unique position of offering five languages (French, Japanese, Indonesian, Italian and Spanish) taught in the classroom, as well as Chinese by Distance Education. They offer both QSA and IB courses for popular Senior classes and the study of a second language from Year 4. Richard actively promotes and encourages the importance of the study of a second language in many ways such as: Biennial language tours for French, Italian, Japanese and Indonesian Generous Languages budgets Introduction of the IB Diploma course in 2010 (TGS is one of the few regional schools offering IB) Retention of Indonesian, offering it as a compulsory subject in Year 4-6

SELLINA MCCLUSKEY HEAD OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS Sellina was instrumental in establishing Australia’s only secondary immersion program in Japanese. She is actively engaged across her school and in her local MLTAQ branch and fosters vigorous international programs. “As a result of Sellina's leadership and active promotion of language in this school community, we have a clear school culture around the benefits of language study which is reflected in our participation rates, our outcomes and the relationships we have forged with the wider community… Sellina delivers a program which is current, engaging and in line with latest research around pedagogy to support best practice in language instruction. She has changed the lives of many young people and is a complete inspiration to the staff and students of Robina SHS.” Julie Warwick, Principal

MAUREEN NOAKES LEARNING MANAGER, LANGUAGES ST. PAUL’S SCHOOL “Maureen is constantly looking for innovative ways to engage students in meaningful learning experiences. This includes constantly pursuing her own PD and also supporting colleagues in trialling new pedagogies for deeper learning and the use of assistive technologies. She works to create a culture of collaboration and professional sharing of resources and decision- making. Through leading systematic and rigorous evaluation of work programs and learning experiences, Maureen has supported her team in the development of engaging experiences for their students... and spread and share[d] best practices.” Jon Andrews, Deputy Principal

MARK RICKARD EXECUTIVE PRINCIPAL BENOWA SHS Mark’s advocacy of Languages and international education at Benowa SHS is evident through delivery of four languages (French, Japanese, Spanish and Italian – this includes the founding French Immersion Program in the State) which employ 10 full time Languages teachers. Mark had the vision to introduce two additional European Languages (Spanish and Italian), since witnessing the growth and development of international partnerships including: - very strong relationships with two sister-schools in France - Memorandum of Understanding with Yokosuka High School, Japan - visits from Convitto Nazionale Umberto I in Italy. Mark gives generously of his time to be involved in community events, including his support of the Gold Coast MLTAQ and Griffith University Languages speech contest year after year.

KAREN SPILLER PRINCIPAL ST AIDANS AGS The school is regarded as a school of excellence for Languages and this is a direct result of Karen Spiller’s support and foresight in all matters concerning the study of Languages. Karen actively and publicly supports both the professional development endeavours of Languages’ upkeep and pedagogical knowledge of her staff as well as the promotion of Languages in the wider community. She has supported community Languages’ learning initiatives, special and innovative language learning and teaching programmes and publishes in the St Aidan’s newsletters insights about the connection of brain development and language learning. Karen supports all four Languages’ exchange programmes in an active and ongoing manner. She promotes and recognises that connecting students to the wider world in real and meaningful ways is a vital component of 21st Century life. Her support of learning languages and gaining skills of intercultural competence is recognised by her as a way to assist students to engage as members of many communities.

MARIA WOODS PRINCIPAL SUNSHINE COAST GRAMMAR SCHOOL “Under the leadership of Maria Woods for the past two years, Languages at Grammar are supported and given every opportunity to develop. With a growing international exchange program retention in the senior classes has improved and both Senior Japanese and French classes have been non-composite for the first time. To have a Principal of this mindset and calibre is inspiring and motivating for every member of our school.” Elizabeth Suzuki, Japanese teacher

OMEDETOU GOZAIMASU! ZHUHE! HERZLICHEN GLÜCKWUNSCH! FELICITATIONS! ENHORABUENA! SELAMAT! THE MLTAQ SALUTES YOU.