News

Tagged: a film about cyberbullying, sexting, digital reputations

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:54:30 +1000

Tagged is a new short film to help educate young people about cyberbullying, sexting and protecting their digital reputation.

When a group of high-school friends post a rumour about a rival it sparks a chain reaction that leaves no one untouched. Cyberbullying, sexting, filmed fights and police action ensue — will these friends avoid being tagged forever?

Developed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s Cybersmart program, Tagged is recommended for use with students aged 14 and over.

Tagged is supported by lesson plans and compelling character reflection interviews. It explores themes of personal and peer safety and responsibility that are crucial to maintaining positive online behaviours and digital reputation into adulthood.

Click here for the link.

Burn: crime prevention film for young people about group offending

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:45:39 +1000

BURN is a major Legal Aid NSW crime prevention project for young people about group offending. It aims to prevent young people from getting caught up in serious group assaults and robberies. On the BURN website you can watch the film, see interviews with the characters, examine their actions from other points of view and find out more

Click here for the link to the info on the Legal Aid New South Wales website.

*Note that the film carries an M (Mature Audience) rating and is recommended for young people 15 years and over. It includes coarse language and some low level depictions of violence and drug use.

Aust Business case study on HR

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 10:05:19 +1000

The role of the HR Manager - handling conflict in the workplace

From AFR Australian Business Case Studies: www.afrbiz.com.au

Part of the role of 98% of HR managers includes handling conflict at work, with businesses with high levels of conflict experiencing greater turnover, increased sick leave and absenteeism, unproductive use of time and increased legal costs.

These are the findings of a recent survey by Employee Development Systems (EDS), which also found that 81% of HR professionals have experienced an employee resigning as a result of conflict, and 77% have seen it result in increased absenteeism.
The survey found that some common causes of workplace conflict included:
Warring egos and personality clashes (86%)
• Poor leadership (73%)
• Lack of honesty (67%)
• Stress (64%)
• Clashing values (59%).

However, the survey also found that when conflict is handled effectively, it can become a catalyst for positive change. In organisations where HR has effectively resolved conflict, 57% have seen better ongoing problem solving, 31% increased motivation, 77% more tolerance of others, and 40% an increase in overall team performance.

The Coates case study 'Strategic human resources to achieve company goals' explains the inter-relationship between company goals and effective HR and how this can be used to engage and develop employees.

Free funded CAV PDs in May - metro and regional. Plus student forum

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 13:55:47 +1000

Teacher workshops and new resource

Consumer Affairs Victoria is offering schools 1/2 day CRT payments to enable teachers to attend CAV free teacher PD. Sessions are being held in metropolitan and regional areas throughout May.

Consumer Affairs Victoria, through its Consumer Education in Schools (CEIS) program and in partnership with the Office of Gaming and Racing, is running a series of teacher professional development workshops in May to support the introduction of the revised Responsible Gambling - building resilience for young learners resource.

This free resource, which now features a DVD, supports learning outcomes across several of the VELS domains and VCAL strands. The accompanying new DVD, Beat the game,was created in partnership with several Victorian schools and their students. Each of the seven clips on the DVD explores an area of concern to young people. There are also new activities in the resource, linked to the DVD clips, which provide more tools for teachers in building resilience for young learners.

Teachers attending these free afternoon sessions (inc lunch) will receive the first copies of the resource. CRT coverage is available to allow as many teachers as possible to attend.

Dates

Tues 1 May Ballarat DEECD Regional Office
Thurs 3 May Sunshine Convention Centre
Monay 7 May Hemisphere Convention Centre, Moorabbin
Wed 9 May Bendigo Lakeview Resort
Fri 11 May Darebin Arts & Enterntainment Centre, Preston
Wed 16 May Malvern Valley Receptions, Malvern East

Teachers interested in attending should email consumerstuff@justice.vic.gov.au with their name, school name, position and email address and the workshop they wish to attend.

Youth forum on responsible gambling

Tuesday 15 May (morning) at Federation Sqaure in Melbourne. For further info on this event, and for a registration form, contact Judy Somes, Event Manager, at rgawenquiries@justice.vic.gov.au or visit www.gambleaware.vic.gov.au

AEF China study tours with an eco focus: subsidy available

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:06:33 +1000

This study tour to China departs Melbourne on Sunday 1 July and departs Beijing on Wednesday 11 July.

Study tour land costs are $4000 pp.

Flight costs are $1090 or you can book your own. Air taxesa re $310pp.

See below for information on a possible subsidy (worth $1500)!

Developed specifically for business educators, this program enables participants to experience first hand
the economic powerhouse that is modern China. Travelling from Guangzhou, Chinaʼs economic trading
window from the Ming to the Qing Dynasty, to Shenzhen, Deng Xiaopingʼs first Special Economic Zone,
then on to Shanghai and Beijing, participants will gain insight into the historical and socio-political forces
behind Chinaʼs modernisation through visits to key sites, interactions with locals and briefings from
experts.

The tour is organised by the Asia Education Foundation.

This program will support educators to consider Asia and Australiaʼs Engagement with Asiaʼ crosscurriculum priority of the Australian Curriculum. The organising ideas of the priority will be explored
throughout the program.

For further information click here.

State school participants are eligible to apply for a subsidy $1500; click here for the application form.

To register for the study tour click here.

New in Legal Studies from TAC: Connecting the dots

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:42:59 +1000

Some VCTA members attended a VCTA Comview Conference session last year on the new Connecting the dots resource which is due for release early Feb2012 by the Transport Accident Commission.

The material is drawn from the Brenton Chaplin case which involved the death of Chaplin's friend in a car accident, followed by a murder/suicide involving the deceased's father and Chaplin's mother.

The TAC resource focuses on Units 1 and 4 of the VCE Legal Studies course and comes complete with an edited DVD version of the Australian Story documentary, originally entitled In my little town. It is a compelling piece of film-making which has been refined for school use.

For a copy of the materials contact: Samantha Collins. Project Coordinator on 03 5225 6738 or email at samantha_collins@tac.vic.gov.au