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Global Learning Newsletter No. 80 14/09/20
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From the Executive Director


While coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to pose challenges for us all, I’m taking inspiration from the resilience shown by those around me, particularly our students and the teachers.

I’ve also been touched by the efforts of our homestay families and International Student Coordinators, who have gone over and above to support our international school students, many of whom are living so far from family, friends and support networks back in their home countries.

While international travel remains on hold, it’s been great to hear the stories from schools that continue to reach out to their global networks, particularly through sister school and personal relationships, to maintain those important connections. In the International Education Division, we’re continuing to explore ways to pivot our global learning and engagement programs, so we can continue to provide opportunities for students, teachers and school leaders to engage with the world through virtual means.

Never before has it been so clear that the future we are preparing these students for is one that is impossible to predict. We are fortunate to have embedded within the Victorian education system the tools that will help this next generation thrive in a context of uncertainty, and none more important than the General Capabilities – the jewel in the crown of our curriculum. Through developing intercultural, interpersonal and ethical understanding, and critical and creative thinking, our students will build the attributes that will allow them to thrive in a post-coronavirus (COVID-19) world, attributes like resilience, empathy and agility.

Global learning and engagement will be a key component of Australia’s economic recovery, as we look to rebuild our tourism and education sectors, and migration and investment flows. The collaboration taking place across the globe to find a vaccine underscores the rationale for strengthening language and intercultural capabilities in our students so that they, one day, can reach out across countries and across cultures to solve the challenges of their time.

We’ll make it through this crisis, hopefully sooner than we all think, and we can once again set our horizons on the big, wide world around us. In the beautiful the words of Robert Browning, which I’ve stuck to my home office door, “My sun sets to rise again.” 

Editor’s pick for the month: Welcome to the 80th edition of the Global Learning Newsletter. If you’re looking for a bit of light relief in this coronavirus (COVID-19) world, treat yourself to this podcast of ‘Hotel Corona’ where COVID-19 positive patients in Jerusalem unlike the outside world physical distancing, could give each other high fives, hugs and hang out together. A refreshing look at life through the eyes of comedians and podcasters. To listen, see: Hotel Corona.

Global Learning and Engagement Online Symposium



Following last year’s inaugural Global Learning and Engagement Symposium, the Department of Education and Training’s International Education Division is hosting a thought leadership and community practice webinar.
 
With keynote speaker, Alice Pung (Australian writer, editor and lawyer), the Global Learning and Engagement Online Symposium will explore the importance of social cohesion in Victoria’s multicultural community and how global learning and engagement is more important than ever with coronavirus (COVID-19).
 
Global learning and engagement is a key element of preparing young Victorians for today’s challenges and opportunities and the future workforce – helping them to succeed and become all they can be. Global learning provides tangible opportunities to engage students in their learning and lift aspirations, stimulate critical and creative thinking and develop global citizenship.
 
Join us to discuss teaching intercultural capability and creating global citizens through global learning and engagement.
 
Who should attend this event? Principals, assistant principals and leading teachers.
 
To secure your spot, see: Eventbrite. Registrations close Wednesday 21 October, places are limited.

Homestay Bake-off Competition



Studying remotely and flexibly means international students are spending more time with their homestay families – making it the perfect time for a bake-off! Over three weeks international students and their homestay families competed in three rounds to win prizes in the following categories:
  1. Traditional Western dessert
  2. Cultural dessert
  3. Creative dessert
The tasty winning entries can be found at: International School Students Victoria Facebook

Professional development: Importance of culturally diverse literature


VicTESOL are hosting a three part professional development series on the importance of culturally diverse literature. 
  • Part 1 – Why cultural diversity in literature is important: panel discussion with Remy Lai, Solli Raphael and Cath Moore and moderated by Lenny Robinson from the Stella Prize School’s program. 
  • Part 2 – Choosing culturally diverse literature: discusses possible ways to audit current text lists or collections and gives resource recommendations. Separate breakout sessions for participants interested in book recommendations for ages 6-12, 13-14, 15-18 and 18+. When: Tuesday 16 September, 4:00 – 5:00pm.
  • Part 3 – Making changes at my school or institution: an online space to talk about changes schools are considering making to text lists or collections which will support and promote culturally diverse literature. When:  Wednesday 7 October 4:00 – 5:00pm.
For more information, see: VicTESOL

Intercultural understanding with Asian art


Recently the Asia Education Foundation (AEF), in collaboration with NGV, hosted an online professional development session exploring, ‘Intercultural understanding with Asian art.’ Joined by teachers and educators from across the ASEAN region, the discussions looked at the power of the Arts in and beyond the classroom and the invaluable learning opportunities they provide to students, see: AEF.

Growing up Asian in Australia


To address the issue of anti-Chinese or anti-Asian racism in contemporary Australia, The Ideas and Society Program and La Trobe Asia have invited three of Australia's most talented, perceptive and influential younger writers and thinkers of Asian background to reflect upon their personal experience of growing up in Australia, the racism they have encountered, and the strengths and weaknesses of Australian multiculturalism. To watch the podcast, see: Growing up Asian.

India’s new education policy to create opportunities for Australian universities and young people


The Indian Government has approved the new National Education Policy 2020 — the first for 34 years. The policy comes after an expert group produced a draft report last year. Professor Craig Jeffery discusses the policy, see: the Conversation.

2020 AFS Global Conference Online 

 

The AFS Global Conference Online will host the worldwide launch of the results of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2018 Global Competence Assessment and explore their implications for students, educators, policymakers and other education stakeholders. The event is organised by AFS Intercultural Programs in collaboration with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). For more information, see: AFS. When: 22-23 October. 

The importance of Asia-capable young people to industry
 

The importance of Asia-capable young people to industry, by Harrison Rule of PwC, illustrates that whatever approach Australia takes to economic recovery, the skills of Asia-capable young people will be in demand, see: Asia Society.

Australia’s response to student safety, welfare, and support during COVID-19

 

This special podcast episode excerpts two feature panel discussions from the recent ICEF Virtual ANZA event. The ANZA region provides some fantastic case studies of educator and stakeholder response during the outbreak, and points the way to some new strategies and services for students post-coronavirus (COVID-19) as well, see: ICEF.

Maria Ressa on digital authoritarianism and media freedom
 

At a time when digital media—rather than the press—are the "gatekeepers to the public sphere," journalist Maria Ressa believes that "the voice with the largest megaphone wins.” In an exclusive discussion with Asialink Insights she suggests that the“Tools that used to be enablers of normal people were corrupted by people who already had power. They’re being used as part of a dictator's playbook.” 

Some great listening that could be used for critical thinking with students. To listen, see: Asialink.

Survey projects recovery trends for language travel through 2021
 

Most respondents to a new global survey anticipate a longer-term recovery for the language travel sector, with business volumes projected to reach roughly two-thirds of pre-coronavirus (COVID-19) enrolments by the end of 2021.

Agents and schools also expect that recovery will hinge on related policy in major destinations, easing of travel restrictions, and availability of international flights, see: ICEF.

Sister schools wanted

 

Sister schools are a great way to build intercultural capability, learn languages and share good teaching practice. The following overseas schools have contacted us, wanting to form a sister school partnership with a Victorian school. If you are interested, please make contact with the schools directly using the contact details provided. For more information on establishing and sustaining effective sister school partnerships, including through digital technology, see: Sister School Resource Kit.
 

 
Country Type of school Contact person Contact email
China (Shandong Province) All Jessie Wang (education agent) Jessie_wang2010@163.com
China (Shanghai) All Dora Xu Yuanyuan (education/travel agent) OP2@xiangyouxue.com
Japan (Katsuragi City, Nara) Secondary Tommy Ly (City of Katsuragi) kg-international@city.katsuragi.lg.jp
USA (Leigh High School,
San Jose, California)
 
Secondary Nella Khachian
 
nellakhachian2020@gmail.com
Indonesia (Budi Cendekia Senior High School) Secondary Jayus Riyadi S (Principal)
 
jayusriyadisolikhin@gmail.com

Indonesia (Bintang Timur School,
Nusa Dua Bali)
Primary Susan Sestiawan
 
susan.sherryl@yahoo.com
 

France
Secondary Bénédicte Strintz Benedicte.Strintz@ac-rennes.fr

Melbourne’s Chinese Museum


Leveraging their experience in delivering successful school excursion programs, the Chinese Museum is launching Digital Cultural Adventures – an online education program where they bring the Museum into the classroom. To learn more, see: Chinese Museum.

Melbourne Writers’ Festival – International student storytelling competition


Each year we partner with Melbourne Writers’ Festival and Study Melbourne to help international students to tell their stories to a wider audience. This year’s theme is Bold New World and asks students to tell us their vision a better world (either their hometown or Melbourne) post-coronavirus (COVID-19). Student finalists and winners will be featured as part of the official Melbourne Writers’ Festival program, including annual ceremony. Finalists will be announced soon, see: International School Students Victoria Facebook.

Global Youth Advocacy Forums


All Victorian Year 9 students are invited to participate in Global Youth Advocacy Forums (GYAF)
Students will collaborate in teams from their school, other Victorian schools and schools in the Asia-Pacific region to develop an understanding of global issues such as equality and equity in education and globalising education. There are four GYAF, one day online events, being run in late October and early November. Students are assigned countries and work in teams to develop potential solutions and ways of acting locally and globally. GYAF is being delivered by Asian Education Foundation and High Resolves and aims to develop leadership, global citizenship and intercultural capability. The forums have a strong alignment with the Victorian Curriculum F-10, the Framework for Improving Student Outcomes (FISO) and the United Nations Sustainability Goals. To register, see: GYAF.

Composer – Inspiring a new generation of citizens

 

Composer is a place for educators to access the top citizenship education resources from around the world and integrate learning science into curriculum planning. For more information, see: Composer.



Tackling Hate


Tackling Hate is a collaborative initiative developed by researchers from Deakin University, University of Sydney, Michigan State University and City University of New York. It aims to build the capacities of community organisations, government agencies, law enforcement, researchers and students to tackle hate and extremism. The website contains 10 training modules and over 49 original videos featuring interviews with Australian and international experts. To access the resources, see: Tackling Hate

School’s in for refugees


The website provides high-quality guidance and practical resources to support schools to improve the achievement, engagement and wellbeing outcomes of students from refugee backgrounds, see: Foundation House.

Schools Standing Up to Racism


Schools Standing Up to Racism is a new suite of online resources developed by the Centre for Multicultural Youth. This project was funded by the Department of Education and Training under the Victorian Anti Bullying and Mental Health Initiative. The new resources include e-learning modules, factsheets, lesson plans, case studies, action plans, podcasts and a video to help support schools to address racism and strengthen inclusion, see: Schools Standing Up to Racism

SBS Learn website


The new SBS Learn website makes it easier to search for teacher resources related to SBS documentaries and series by subject, year, cross-curriculum priorities, topic, and/or SBS program title. Related resources include classroom activities, edited clips, discussion guides, worksheets, interactive digital tools and quizzes. Resources can be modified to suit the needs of learners, see: SBS Learn.

Building belonging: A toolkit for early childhood educators on cultural diversity and responding to prejudice


Building Belonging is a comprehensive toolkit of early education resources which includes an e-book, song with actions, educator guide, posters and lesson plans. It is focused on encouraging respect for cultural diversity and tackling racial prejudice in early childhood settings, see: Building belonging.
 

Gleebooks


Some of you may remember this resource site from some years back. Gleebooks has been updated and refreshed providing a range of titles to help educators from cultural studies, to history, science and literature. To access, see: Gleebooks.
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International Education Division
Department of Education and Training
80 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Contact us at: international@education.vic.gov.au

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