- World Teacher's Day International Baccalaureate and University Entry
- Date claimers for new families
- Creative Generation 2010 calls for performers
- Magical Synthesis
- Harvard Business School and student planning support
- Absolute final enrolment opportunity for 2010
Last night I was privileged to attend Education Queensland’s Showcase Awards for Excellence at the Convention centre. Whilst it was wonderful to see the amazing and inspiring outcomes being achieved by state schools across Queensland the absolute bonus of my attendance was witnessing 6 QACI students perform at this gala function. Of the many performers who participated in the Creative Generation 150 spectacular earlier in the year a small number were chosen to perform at EQ’s premier night.
Emma Harrison , Sarah Mc Creanor ,Alex Mitchell and Kat Scholler were part of a spectacular dance performance. For Sarah and Emma this was their last performance after three years in Creative generation. Three years in which they have represented State education, QACI and themselves to the highest order. They have been fantastic ambassadors for QACI and I am so proud of them for pursuing their passion when we do not offer Dance as part of the formal curriculum.
Opening the performance last night was Adeline Williams who sang an operatic piece, Cavelleria Rusticana with another girl from Mansfield SHS. It was beautiful and Adeline brought to it such grace. I do not mind admitting I had tears.
Finally Ayeesha Ash was given the honour of co-hosting the proceedings. Given all the state school students in Queensland an absolute achievement and by being there you did not have to think why. An absolute natural! Along with this she performed in two Dance routines with the other girls and performed a closing song. Wow!
I was so incredibly proud to be able to claim some connection to these 6 girls and to do so in the knowledge that despite of their wonderful talents their open personalities, willingness to support others and absolute groundedness as community members at QACI on a daily basis, never varies.
And as I said to many an acquaintance on the night “I have many more like them back at QACI.” What a great claim to be able to honestly make.
Good luck year 12
Final IB exams commence next week and I would like to reinforce the sentiments expressed on assembly in wishing them the best of luck. Whilst we as teachers can do no more please be assured we will be going through all the same emotions as you as you sit each paper. We believe in you. Believe in yourself and you will realise your potential.
World Teachers Day
Today is world teacher’s day. It is those in the classroom with the students who make the biggest difference in a school, make no mistake about that. This is as true about QACI as any school. I am very fortunate to have great teachers with the three “Ps” – passion, pedagogical expertise (their just great teachers) and professionalism. It is not what I think that matters most. It is that of the young people they work with. I received many emails today for my teachers. Here is one that sums them up:
To ALL the teachers,
I want to thank you and wish you a very happy world teacher's day.
Thank you for being so passionate about what you do, and wanting to share that passion with us.
I think QACI has some of the best teachers in the world (and I have been to school at many different places including overseas).
So again, thank you,
and keep up the great work
Happy Teacher's Day,
International Baccalaureate and University
I would like to invite you to an information evening which will outline in detail how the International Baccalaureate Diploma qualification interfaces with university entry and the Queensland Studies Authority Certification.
Topics that will be explained will be:
1. Requirements to attain the International Baccalaureate Diploma
2. How the Diploma translates to Tertiary entrance
3. An IB score vs. an Overall position (OP)
4. An incomplete Diploma - the options
5. The Queensland Certificate of Education and an IB course
When: Wednesday 4 November
Where: QACI Theatre
Time: 6.30pm to 7.30pm
Latest Edition of Intuitor Released
http://qaci.eq.edu.au/index.php/intuitor-news/event/volume-3-issue-2-june-26-term-2-20091/
Important date Claimers for our 2010 new Families
This time of the year is very exciting as we have strong sense of our new cohort becoming active members of out community. Since our inception in late 2006, the” New Family” BBQ has been a very significant event in the QACI calendar. This is designed to be very casual, and a wonderful way for all our new families to connect. Members of the P and C will be in attendance.
Prior to the BBQ on Sunday, 15 November, please join us for an Information and Question and Answer Session in the Theatre from 4.30pm. This session will be delivered by several members of staff who will unpack a range of issues that will make the transition of your child into the Academy so much easier. We look forward to seeing you there.
Mid to late November also features a fabulous season of theatre performances that are not to be missed. Please book as seating is limited.
A vital part of the beginning of the journey as a QACI student is what is gained at our induction camp. This year we are travelling to the Kindilan Outdoor Education Centre at Redland Bay in Week 2. A full camp induction booklet will be available in a few weeks, but please date claim Monday 1 February 2010 – Wednesday Feb 3 2010.
Please see separate flyers about both these events attached. Looking forward to seeing you all soon at these induction events.
Calls for Expressions of Interest Creative Generation 2010
Please note that the nominations for participation in the Creative Generation State Schools on Stage event are now open. Please see the nomination form attached. This event is always a fabulous experience for all of those involved.
Magical Synthesis
Since our ancestors first placed handprints on the walls of their caves and invented spears and wheels, humans have been creative. Throughout history, society has revered creators because their ideas and products enable, protect, delight, entertain and amaze us. The word “create” comes from the Latin creâtus and creâre, which means to grow; to make or produce. Sylvano Arieti refers to creativity as a “magical synthesis” – the ability to bring together different elements to develop something new.
As long as humans have created, we have tried to understand and facilitate the creative process. Jane Piirto identified core attitudes that are required for the creative process and outlines them in her book, “Understanding Creativity”. The core attitudes are: naiveté, self-discipline, risk-taking and group trust. These core attitudes appear to be critical to creative endeavours, whether creators operate in the arts, sciences, design or industry.
Naiveté refers to the ability to be open; to pay attention to the little things; to see old things in a new way. The composer, Igor Stravinsky called this the “gift of observation”. Naiveté incorporates curiosity and willingness to accept that which is novel, unusual or strange. The term naiveté can also refer to innocence, but Carl Jung sounds a warning when he said “All too easily does self-criticism poison one’s naiveté.” To maintain naiveté, it is important to remain optimistic and open to possibilities while avoiding self-criticism.
The interest in novelty is aligned with the core attitude of risk-taking. I want to emphasise that this does not refer to dangerous activities, but rather the willingness to explore new ideas and the courage required when exposing one’s ideas to public scrutiny. Change is not always welcome and creators take a risk when sharing new ideas.
The core attitude of self-discipline comes as no surprise. Albert Rosenberg’s research identified that there is one characteristic that is present in all creative people: motivation. Creative people are self-disciplined and work very hard. Thomas Edison famously quoted “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” Establishing an attitude of self-discipline and a strong work-ethic is critical to creative productivity.
Some creators work alone, but those who work with others in order to create, require an attitude of group trust. In theatre, television, film, medical research laboratories, engineering and architectural firms, dance, design and multidisciplinary medical teams – anywhere there is a need to work together to create – there is a need to build trust. These core attitudes are formed early and must be nurtured to encourage creativity.
Michele Juratowitch ©
Harvard Business School Findings
On Wednesday in further support to the time planning and management we are doing with year 10 and 11 students received a session on organisation by Sue Milner whose expertise lay in project management. Mrs Williamson introduced the session with the following research finding:
- “3% of people are successful, 30% are moderately successful and 67% just exist. The significant difference for the 3% who are successful is that they have written down, specific goals. The 30% who are moderately successful have a general idea of where they are going but don't have any goals formalised. The rest are happy to watch the world go by.”
Absolute final chance for 2010 enrolment-Spread the word
Due to significant interest and the availability of limited places, all three Queensland Academies are offering students one last opportunity to test for 2010 entry.
Students interested in commencing Year 10 in 2010 can download the registration form on the Queensland Academies website @ www.qldacademies.eq.edu.au Registrations to sit the entrance test close 9 November 2009.
The entrance test will take place between 8.30 am and 12.00 pm on Friday 13 November at the Queensland Academy for Science, Maths and Technology, 78 Bywong Street, Toowong and the Queensland Academy for Health Sciences, Edmund Rice Drive, Southport.
Due to the short timeframe and the logistics of testing outside South East Queensland, all regional students will be required to test in Brisbane or the Gold Coast.
Upcoming Events
30 October – year 10 Theatre performance 7.00pm
3 November – year 12 Formal IB exams commence (run until 20 November)
13/14 November –year 11 Theatre performances 7.00pm
15 November – New cohort Induction and family barbecue
20 November – year 12 Graduation
16-20 November – year 10/11 submissions block
26 November – year 10/11 Film showing
23-27 November – year 10/11 examination block
28 November – Uniform sales commence
30 November/1 December – year 11 Intensive Extended essay/ TOK workshops
