A record 60 teachers attended the JLTAWA ‘Shukuhaku’ Seminar 2010 in sunny Mandurah recently. For the third year, the annual residential seminar was a great success and the premier professional development activity our committee organises. Participants from all over Western Australia attended and had the opportunity to mix with exhibitors from Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.
It is always encouraging to see Japanese teachers willing to share their time and expertise with other teaching colleagues and present fresh ideas for immediate use in the classroom. There were sessions with hands on activities, sessions about team games on the whiteboard and games for small groups, not to mention, sessions on sophisticated ICT applications. One evaluation stated, “I thought the standard of the sessions this year was outstanding”.
But it is clear that networking or ‘socialising’ with colleagues is one of the real benefits when so many teachers get together. The evening activities which included a kimono fashion parade, a koto performance, karaoke and even some dancing, made for night of fun and laughter. Thanks in particular to Andrea, Anita and Desiree!
The Hyogo PFCC made an exciting announcement with the news of an annual prize to be awarded to a Japanese language teacher in WA. The award is to be accompanied with a $500 voucher and will be an opportunity to acknowledge outstanding educators in our field. More details will follow.
Finally, the AGM was held in quick time and the following people were all elected unopposed to our expanding committee.
President: Chris Graham
Vice President: Heidi Rybak
Secretary: Andrea Kurasho
Treasurer: Margo Whittle
CAC Representative: Kumiko Sue
Website Editor: Kaz Nagatani
MLTAWA Representative: Nathan Harvey
Primary Representative: Vacant
Committee: Amy Boylett
Committee: Scott Haddrell
Committee: Noburo Hagiwara
Committee: Angela Jeitz
Committee: Bae Kent
Committee: Fiona Norris
Committee: Jessica Perrin
Congratulations to all the above who support JLTAWA in a voluntary capacity and we look forward to another exciting year and welcome your input.
Chris Graham
President
Committee
