Warmest congratulations go to Helen Muxlow, Judy Waenga, Pamela McKirdy and Vivian Wang – our latest study grant recipients.
We look forward to reading about their study experiences next year. Michele Ayres SLANZA Professional Development team leader
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The National Executive met in Wellington last weekend with a focus on how we can better support our members.
We are committed to providing a quality conference in both 2013 and 2015, with relevant PD to all our members throughout the country. The 2013 conference ‘Winds of Change’ is shaping up very well and will have something for everyone. I do hope you have requested to attend in your planning for next year. It is also good to mention your desire to attend in your annual report. NE will soon be starting work on a new Strategic Plan. In order to formulate the plan we will be seeking your input early next year on what you would like to see. NE are excited about Word Up (see Collected #8 www.slanza.org.nz/collected.html if you missed news of this) and the potential it holds for a range exciting initiatives to be offered next year. To tie in with this and the launch of the new SLANZA reading site, our first issue of Collected will focus on reading on all it’s forms. Contributions for articles related to all types of i.e. reading book clubs, summer reading reflections, ESOL, book talks etc. will be called for early next term. We are looking for someone to take over the layout and design of Collected magazine. If you have an interest and experience in layout and design in an online environment please contact Miriam Tuohy at [email protected] for further information. This week we called for applications for the SLANZA NE Administration job. The position description is on our website at http://www.slanza.org.nz/vacancies.html. Please share this information with anyone you think could be interested. They do not have to work in a school library to apply. National Executive members in some cases expressed concern about the workload of running both a regional committee and being the regional rep. The NE roles have changed over time and the workload has increased, to this end it is no longer a requirement that the NE Rep also chair the regional committee. The regional committee has many portfolios ie the regional rep, treasurer, membership person and these can be combined or shared within the committee as suits your region. We welcome Karen Clarke as the new NE rep for Wellington and thank Michele Whiting for her enormous contribution. From 2013 Karen will we working with on membership with our new admin person to improve our membership processes. We thank all our members for their support this year. Reflecting on our successful Ross Todd events we look forward to continuning to provide relevant PD to our members while we search for other ways to meet your needs. We wish you all a restful holiday season and all the best for next year. Lisa Salter Communications Leader IS THIS YOU? Do you want a challenge? Do you have excellent administrative and clerical skills? Are you highly organized? Are you confident using online tools such as Google Apps and other online tools? Are you comfortable with online banking and managing finances? Are you passionate about school libraries and education in New Zealand? Do you want to be more involved with SLANZA? Answering YES to these questions could mean you’re just who we’re looking for! SLANZA is looking for an Administration Officer. The position is a demanding but rewarding one. It is not necessary that applicants work, or have worked, in a school library but a general understanding of the way that the education sector works would be advantageous. We need someone who is highly organised, who can communicate well and who understands financial matters as they relate to organisations such as ourselves. Experience with MYOB or other accounting programmes and databases would be an advantage. We would like a person who is responsive to challenges and who is good with systems and comfortable working in an online environment and to a deadline. SLANZA is offering this paid contract position of up to 10 hours a week to the right person, who will work closely with the President and the members of the National Executive. This administrative role involves:
Although our meetings are held in Wellington it is not necessary that the person appointed resides there. If you would like more information, the position description is attached below, or email [email protected] Applications in writing, to be addressed to the President at [email protected] Applications close on Wednesday, December 12th. We would expect to appoint before Christmas.
Blue Sky Thinking! If the sky was the limit, what would you hope for? Are you ready to be inspired? Are you ready to be challenged? Are you prepared for some mental fitness to keep your mind active over the summer, filling your head with ideas and inspiration? How can you make positive changes in your career and your library? Open this issue of SLANZA's Collected magazine and see what the leaders in the field have to say. You will get to know a couple of the fabulous key note speakers gearing up for next year's conference in Wellington bringing us 'winds of change' as well as some local experts keen to share their dreams with you. Get comfortable, open your mind and follow this link! Oh, and while I have your attention... The conference committee have started a Facebook page to keep you up to date on their progress. Check it out when you have a chance and 'like' it to stay informed. Lisa Salter SLANZA Communications Leader Budget option: Downtown Backpackers – 1 Bunny Street, Wellington Phone 0800 225 725 or email [email protected] www.downtownbackpackers.co.nz 10% discount on any room subject to availability – quote “SLANZA”and book before 1 June 2013. Mid-range options:Ibis Wellington Hotel – 153 Featherston Street, Wellington 6011 Phone 04 496 1880 or email [email protected] www.accorhotels.com/Wellington $129 incl gst per room per night subject to availability – quote “SLANZA2013“ and book before 1 June 2013. Kingsgate Hotel Wellington – 24 Hawkestone Street, Thorndon, Wellington (closest to conference venue) Phone 04 473 2208 or email [email protected] www.kingsgatewellington.co.nz $135 incl gst per room per night subject to availability – quote “SLANZA2013“ and book before 1 June 2013. Luxury option:Rydges Wellington – 75 Featherston Street, Wellington 6011
Phone 04 499 8686 or email [email protected] www.rydges.com/wellington $199 incl gst per room per night subject to availability – quote “X-MEC0713“ and book before 1 June 2013. Other Wellington accommodation options can be found online: http://www.wellingtonnz.com/accommodation Wellington July 15th-17th 2013 Submission to Present a Workshop at SLANZA Conference 2013 The theme of the conference in 2013 focuses on libraries continuing to be the source of energy for 21st century learning in NZ schools. We invite submissions to present at the conference workshops. This is a great opportunity for those who have a strong interest in the educational value of school libraries to share their experience and successes by presenting a workshop voluntarily in one of the three strands. · Empowering learners · Generating Enthusiasm · Energising Partnerships A few suggestions for topics, which might fit within these three strands, are: Empowering Learners. The pedagogy needed to meet the diverse needs of students; How NZ school libraries support the principles, values, key competencies and goals of the NZ Curriculum; culture and diversity; meeting the needs of students in Kura Kaupapa and multicultural schools; good curation; leading your students to utilize digital content to broaden their learning. Generating Enthusiasm. Digital literacy; Use of social media; Students critically evaluating what they read and use; Improving engagement and learning; Promoting your services; Library displays; Improving your library management skills; Getting the most out of student librarians. Energising Partnerships. Change management; Advocacy and evidence-based practice; Strategies for successfully sustaining the library and building its effectiveness for student achievement; School and public library partnerships that work; Teachers and librarians working together collaboratively to improve student outcomes. Most workshops will be for 45 minutes but if you have a particularly exciting workshop then we may have some double slots (90 minutes). We have access to a number of computer labs and pods of notebooks to support “hands on” workshops. Please complete the following form with an abstract of no more than 200 words as well as a short bio of yourself. Return to: [email protected] as an attached Word document by Friday 7th December. The date for confirmation will be no later than February 1st 2013. Many thanks Michele Whiting On behalf of the Conference 2013 organising committee. The School Library Association of New Zealand Aotearoa comments on NZ Herald article Why children are failing at writing.
The article Why children are failing at writing in the Monday 24 September edition of the New Zealand Herald points to the relation between reading and achievement levels of New Zealand students. It highlights the importance of free access to books, thus highlighting the school library’s significance to students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Studies show that children who have better reading experiences become successful lifelong learners. School library staff have a critical role to play. Their expertise in providing engaging reading material and targeted resources are vital to the challenges of falling achievement levels. Those schools in NZ whose libraries are not adequately staffed become the additional responsibility of a busy teacher or are run by untrained volunteers. Students who are able to process text in a meaningful way consistently have better school results than those for whom reading is challenging. School librarians at all levels of education are dedicated to sharing the love of reading, working with teaching staff to help children acquire the skills to learn to read, and fostering an interest in reading which can be a lifelong pleasure. A school librarian also supports inquiry learning. The digital future our students face require new and ever growing list of skills including searching the internet, referencing sources, curating information and using social networking safely. These are skills that school librarians support students in using effectively. A well-resourced school library that is staffed with a qualified, passionate librarian or teacher librarian becomes the learning centre of a school. This is the place where all students can find what they need to develop as confident and capable readers and users of information. A dedicated team working in a school library makes a significant difference to the overall achievement of a school. For further information contact: Fiona Mackie President SLANZA [email protected] Or Lisa Salter Communication Leader SLANZA [email protected] On Saturday 15 September the Wellington members of SLANZA attended the annual regional workshop. It was held in the lovely environment of Wellington Girls College. First up was a wonderful talk from SLANZA President Fiona Mackie entitled ‘Books or Oxygen: which would I choose?' It was great. It was a revealing and passionate conversation about books and the value of reading. It also touched on the topic of why libraries are so important. Libraries are there for their community and for all members of that community but especially the families that have the least. Thank you Fiona for revalidating why we love reading, and want others to share this passion as well. We then split into two groups. One went and polished their skills on book mending taken by Robin from Book Protection. Thank you Book Protection for sponsoring the morning and making the book mending session so interesting and enjoyable. There was plenty of laugher coming from the room. The other group listened intently to Senga White’s talk about Curation.Senga is currently the library manager at James Hargest College, a Year 7-13 school in Invercargill, New Zealand. She has also been the SLANZA President. Everyone enjoyed the talk about curation and the tools to use. Senga talked about Livebinders, Scoopit, Diigo, Pinterst, Symbaloo and Evernote. I personally use Scoopit and Evernote. After the talk it was time to play on the compuiters and put what we had learnt into practice. You can see her slide show here at: http://www.slideshare.net/SengaW/curating-content-with-digital-tools Of course this was helped along by meeting new friends bolstered by lovely food and coffee from Caffé L’affare. The Wellington Committee pictured above with Fiona (fourth from left) and Senga (sixth from left).
Karen Clarke On behalf of the Wellington SLANZA Committee [email protected] The Conference committee is happy to announce the pricing for the SLANZA 2013 Conference.
Please note that the correct dates are 15th to 17th July 2013 at Wellington Girls College. This is in week one of the July school holidays. SLANZA Members Rates Full registration: $425 Early Bird: $375 Conference Dinner: $80 Author Breakfast: $30 Daily Registration $160 Non-Members Rates Full registration: $475 Early Bird: $425 Conference Dinner: $80 Author Breakfast: $30 Daily Registration: $200 So now you can get planning and budgeting! Karen Clarke – Conference Committe Ignite your library career!
Apply now for a Slanza study grant. See criteria and providers http://www.slanza.org.nz/study-grants.html Questions? Email Michele Ayres [email protected] Be quick , applications close 31st October 2012 |
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