‘A CLASS ACT’

AN EXCITING NEW WORKSHOP FOR TEACHERS OF PRE-PREP TO YEAR 3

About the Presenter:

Valerie Warwick, now residing in Brisbane, Australia, originally created Playtime Productions as a vehicle to publish and promote her plays. Since childhood in the United Kingdom, Valerie has been involved with the stage and all aspects of production as well as journalism. In England, she worked as a fashion model and went on to establish her own model training school in London’s well known Regent Street. Valerie married an Australian and her two children were born in England. Since the family arrived in Australia, in the early eighties, Valerie has written plays, scripts and innumerable performance work. As a founder member of the Redland Academy of Dramatic Art, she assisted with the development and teaching of a drama program for Downs Syndrome and for students with special needs. She has produced many large cast, major musical productions. As Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Ormiston College (Queensland), she has enjoyed the opportunity to diversify and write in other genres which has enriched and added to her vast experience as a writer.

WORKSHOP OVERVIEW

‘A Class Act’ begins to open the opportunity for children to be successful in literacy using the child's most familiar communication tool - oral language.
Engagement in the use of the ‘Tool Box’, that Valerie identifies in the program, will allow children to experience the fun, excitement and challenge of oral language development and with that, future successes in literacy.

As a vehicle for learning, the performing arts crosses all curricular boundaries opening up the acquisition of literacy and developing the skills, fundamental to success in both the classroom and the world beyond school. The imaginative play, physical play, oral language and social skills all connect and can be connected through the performing arts. Valerie has published a range or original activities that will enrich the lives of young children while surreptitiously developing skills essential to success; not only learning to read and write but to function as a confident and articulate communicator.

Each of the activities within her book opens up the possibility of multiple skill development. The Queensland Studies Authority's Prep Guidelines identify the following learning areas: Social and Personal Learning, Health and Physical Learning, Language Learning and Communication, Early Mathematical Understandings and Active Learning Processes. Teachers with an understanding of the connections between all of these learning areas will be able to plan focused learning and teaching episodes, using the activities contained in Valerie’s program.

This exciting new workshop brings language and learning to life with the performing arts. The workshop directs and assists teachers through ten units of ‘Prep – A Class Act’:

Comments from other educators

“For teachers, ‘Prep – A Class Act’ has the potential to develop, in children, the skills which are essential to success in school life and beyond, even for students who are not confident or natural performers. A great resource which is easy to use”.
Kathy Stanley, Education Today.
The Magazine for Educational Professionals

“The Arts are alive and well for our learners with advocates such as yourself.” Maureen Truasheim, Education Officer, Early Years. Brisbane Catholic Education

“Thanks once again, very well received workshop. Keep playing on the stage.”
Lee Fullarton, Art Specialist Co-ordinator.
Primary Arts Network, Ipswich

“The workshop was very well attended with over 40 participants who did not seem to mind wearing masks, engaging in role play and using their “teacher's voices in a range of expressive ways. The feedback from the pre-service teachers was very positive and we are looking forward to seeing Valerie again in the near future.”
Faculty of Education Staff Newsletter.
University of Southern Queensland, Springfield Campus

“Your workshop has resulted in teachers being involved in professional conversations around how they can further implement the performing arts across the different curriculum areas. Once again, thank you for your very worthwhile and relevant presentation.”
Craig Pearen, Principal.
Hatton Vale State Primary School, Queensland

“Thank you so much for your inspiring session. Your own passion for children, their self esteem, confidence and creativity can only be imparted to us through your wonderfully engaging presentation. You have opened the door ‘dramatically’ and deepened our teaching toolbox with marvellous practical ideas that cross the curriculum. With sincere gratitude.”
Australian Literacy Educators Association. (The Meanjin Workshop Participants) Brisbane

BOOKING AGENT
Speakers Ink
E: helen@speakers-ink.com.au
T: 1300 979 INK (1300 979 465)

Booking Fees:
Two hour workshop plus question time with two facilitators
$650 per session. The workshop may include teachers from
several schools or organisations but the hands-on nature of
this workshop requires a minimum of 10 and a maximum of
30 attendees. Fees are for workshops within 50km of
Brisbane CBD. Further distance may incur additional cost.

Parent Workshop – A Class Act

A modified version of the above workshop is available for parents looking to build confidence and self esteem in their children. The program is also valuable in teaching life skills essential to success in school.

Bookings:
SPEAKERS INK www.speakers-ink.com.au