Engaging boys better in class

The question of "how to get primary school boys better engaged in class" was addressed at a recent staff development day held at the Ettalong Beach War Memorial Club recently.

Teachers from several Peninsula primary schools were among 170 teachers who attended the day on April 23.

The local participating primary schools were Umina, Ettalong, Empire Bay, Woy Woy and Woy Woy South.

Victoria Clay and Denis O'Brien from the University of Newcastle's Family Action Centre discussed with teachers strategies for encouraging boys to apply themselves better, with topics including literacy, mentoring, Indigenous education and information technology. The pair stated that when the teachers return to their classes they will involve their colleagues in assessing which elements of the program will be "most useful" to their particular school, and build best-practice into their lessons "to the benefit of boys and also girls, who also do better in a more settled learning environment".

The program is based on a federal government "Success for Boys" grant of $70,000, applied for by Brisbane Water Secondary College Umina Campus head science teacher Mr Brett Giles.

Press release, 20 Apr 2007 Sven Wright, Department of Education and Training