For teachers
Welcome to the Compass Teacher Homepage! For further information on any of the information below, please contact us.
Overview
The Compass project aims to increase school completion rates and raise community expectations, student attainment and aspiration. The Compass project focuses on:
- primary school years 3, 4 & 5 and secondary school years 8, 9 and 10
- science, mathematics, music and information technology curriculum areas
- adding value through staff capacity-building programs and curriculum and student learning support
- the important role of parents in increasing student attainment and aspirations.
Staff capacity-building programs (teacher development)
Teachers in Compass schools have a unique opportunity to participate in a range of FREE teacher professional development programs offered through the University of Sydney, from project-specific skills training and one-day/short-term courses through to postgraduate study programs.
Science in the Schools
The University of Sydney Science outreach program delivers a wide range of programs. This year many schools participated in Giant Science, which runs in alternate years to the My Science program. In 2010 students and teachers will be able to participate in My Science.
MyScience was developed as a collaborative program between the University of Sydney (represented by the Science Foundation for Physics), Australian Catholic University, IBM, and the NSW Department of Education and Training. It is a primary science initiative first piloted in 2006 and aimed at developing skills in authentic scientific investigation within the primary school environment - an environment often constrained by competing curricular interests presenting particular challenges for the teaching and learning in and about science. From second semester 2010 MyScience@Sydney will run out of the University of Sydney and into local primary schools. Please click the link to view and read the My Science Prospectus for more information about the program.
Please note, expressions of interest for the program will be open to all schools in the Sydney and South West Sydney region. Giant Science will be available again in 2011.
Short courses
The Faculty of Education and Social Work’s Division of Professional Learning (DPL) at the University of Sydney is endorsed by the NSW Institute of Teachers to provide Institute Registered professional development for the maintenance of accreditation at Professional Competence.
DPL offer a comprehensive range of short courses ranging from one day to Certificate programs in all aspects of school curriculum as well as middle years schooling and special needs programs.
For more information on the nearly 40 courses offered by DPL each year please refer to DPL’s Calendar of Events 2009.
Postgraduate Study
The University of Sydney’s Compass program is also offering Compass school teachers the opportunity to enrol in postgraduate courses relating to their teaching role offered by the University.
Compass Teachers Postgraduate Study Guidelines (PDF)
Compass Teachers Postgraduate Study Application Form (PDF)
To find out more about relevant courses offered at the University of Sydney, please visit www.usyd.edu.au/future_students/domestic_postgraduate_coursework/find_a_course/index.shtml.
Other professional development opportunities
These include:
- University-based professional learning days to build organisational knowledge of university faculties
- University Career Centre opportunities
- Early-career mentoring
- Support to develop and implement learning projects in-school
Library resources
Compass teachers are invited to use the University of Sydney libraries online resources, including short and interactive learning tools:
Curriculum and student learning support
Sydney University supports curriculum & student learning support in Compass schools through the provision of online resources, campus tours, school visits, skills training opportunities as well as involvement in a range of projects and activities including, but not limited to:
- MacquarieNet – All Compass Schools have in-school and remote access to this comprehensive online reference library
- Visits to the University of Sydney by students from years 3 and 4 for cultural or learning activities
- Half-day visits to primary schools by University students and staff, to support programs and learning activities
- Student experience days at the University for years 9 and 10, including faculty-based activities, campus tours and a session on ‘what university is really like’ by current students
- Study groups/mentoring for small groups of students in years 9 and 10, facilitated by University students
- Science Alliance program including ‘Giant Science’ , experience days at the University for years 3 and 4, ‘Kickstart Workshops’ for Higher School Certificate science students, and ‘Science in the City’ workshops of hands-on experiments, lectures and seminars for years 3, 4, 8, and 9
- University student ambassador visits
To find out more about how the Compass program can support you, your students and your school please contact your Compass Senior Project Officers.