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DUBBO
Home > Regional News > Dubbo
HSC students search online for answers
20 Oct 2008
.jpg) For NSW senior high school students, the Higher School Certificate is the ultimate challenge and when competing against thousands of other students for limited university places, the more resources they can access the better. In the past, the Internet has not been seen as a consistently credible source of information for materials, but now teachers are encouraging students to get extra help online. In 2007, the Charles Sturt University (CSU) hosted website NSW HSC Online delivered 13 million pages to users, offering information to students, teachers and parents, with 2008 figures indicating even higher access, despite slightly fewer HSC enrolments. CSU lecturer and NSW HSC Online project coordinator Mr Bob Dengate believes that students and teachers benefit greatly from the site. "With material for 48 HSC subjects, supplemented by advice on study strategies and the availability of past examination papers and markers' comments, figures for this month are expected to approach two million pages."
Media Note: For interviews contact CSU Media. Print this story Nursing student increase at Orange and Dubbo
14 Oct 2008
 The Federal Government has announced that Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange will receive 15 new places in the Graduate Certificate in Rural Mental Health Nursing, and the 30 new places for the Bachelor of Nursing course in Orange and Dubbo in 2009. Supporting higher education places in the national priority area of nursing, the Government offered 300 places for rural and regional areas. “We are happy that 45 places were allocated to Charles Sturt University,” said Professor Elaine Duffy, Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery. “It may be a small per cent of the total number allocated, but Charles Sturt University is already a dominant industry supporter and our graduates are highly sought. Applicants from around Australia are invited to learn more about the distance education courses via the CSU website link.”
Media Note: For interviews contact CSU Media. Print this story Hunting for anxious pets
14 Oct 2008
 Charles Sturt University (CSU) is lending its expertise to a recruitment campaign with a difference. Instead of targeting prospective students, this campaign is targeting pet dogs. In partnership with the Sydney Animal Behavioural Service and the company HomeoPet, CSU is recruiting 150 dogs from across Australia to participate in research into the treatment of anxious animals. The study will examine the effect on dogs of the homeopathic remedy known as Anxiety. “We would like to hear from anyone who has a pet dog which reacts to thunderstorms,” said Dr Jacqui Ley from the Sydney Animal Behavioural Service. “The anxiety may be demonstrated in behaviour ranging from destructive activities to simply barking at a storm.” “Through its veterinary science program, CSU will be supporting the research by analysis of the data,” said Head of the CSU School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, Professor Kym Abbott.
Media Note: Dr Jacqui Ley, from the Sydney Animal Behavioral Service, is available for interview on (02) 9949 8511. Anyone wishing to participate in the trial can register with the Sydney Animal Behavioural Service via email sabs@tpg.com.au or telephone 02 9949 8511. There are some criteria as to the age and health of pets, and the owner must be at home to administer the drops and record the results to submit to the trial. Print this story Future teachers needed
14 Oct 2008
Prospective students interested in a career in education, and their parents and partners, are invited to an information session for Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Teacher Education at its Dubbo Campus on Tuesday 21 October. The information session provides information on courses, accommodation, facilities, fees, scholarships and financial assistance. Associate Head of the School of Teacher Education at Dubbo, Dr Bev Moriarty, said the CSU Dubbo Campus offers the residents of western NSW the opportunity to study closer to home and within the region. “With the spiralling costs of travel and living, Charles Sturt University provides a national standard of education for the professions and our graduates can work anywhere in Australia or around the world.” Representatives from Centrelink and other support agencies will be available to talk about study assistance and future employment possibilities.
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews. Contact for RSVP to Jenny Greene on (02) 6885 7315 or jgreene@csu.edu.au The School of Teacher Education information session is at Charles Sturt University, Yarrandale Road, Dubbo, from 3.30 to 6pm on Tuesday 21 October. Print this story Is homework a help or hindrance?
14 Oct 2008
 Educators have recently begun to rethink the value of the tradition of homework, particularly for primary and middle school aged children. Is homework useful? Should our children do homework at all? If so, what would constitute quality homework for children? A free public lecture in Harden on Wednesday 15 October by Charles Sturt University (CSU) lecturer Dr Tracey Smith will use the example of mathematics to address all of these questions. It will explore perceptions about mathematics, how it is learned most effectively and how parents can help their children learn mathematics. “I will also examine how mathematics homework might be more meaningfully developed to enhance learning opportunities at home rather than create a battle zone for parents and their children,” said Dr Smith.
Media Note: The public lecture ‘Homework and Helping Children with Mathematics’ will be held in the Murrumburrah Public School Hall, Albury St, Harden from 6pm. Dr Tracey Smith from CSU is available for interview. Contact CSU Media. A former primary school teacher and mathematics consultant for the NSW Department of Education, Dr Smith lectures in mathematics education and professional experience in CSU’s School of Education at Wagga Wagga. Print this story Input into national curriculum
13 Oct 2008
 Charles Sturt University (CSU) will be well represented at a national education forum in Melbourne on Monday 13 October. The National Curriculum Board Science Forum is being held to develop a national science curriculum for Australian schools in 2011. Third year science teaching student Ms Lisa Davis from Wagga Wagga will attend the forum with Dr Colin Boylan, a senior lecturer with CSU’s School of Education, also in Wagga Wagga. They will be among the 150 delegates from across Australia. The National Curriculum Board has begun a series of consultations for input into a national curriculum in English, mathematics, the sciences and history, for school students from kindergarten to Year 12.“Participation in such a forum is a rare opportunity and to have a staff member Dr Colin Boylan and student Lisa Davis both heading for Melbourne is an acknowledgement of the University’s engagement with the wider professional and policy bodies that help to shape education in Australia,” said Head of the School of Education, Associate Professor Roslin Brennan-Kemmis.
Media Note: The National Curriculum Board Science Forum will be held from 10am to 4pm on Monday 13 October at 440 Collins St, Melbourne. Dr Colin Boylan and Ms Lisa Davis are available for interview. Contact CSU Media. Further information about the National Curriculum Board is available here. Print this story Live a healthy life in Dubbo
10 Oct 2008
 Events highlighting the need for a healthy lifestyle, mental health, and personal and work safety for Charles Sturt University (CSU) staff and students will be held at the University’s Dubbo Campus from Monday 13 to Wednesday 15 October. CSU Campus Operations Manager, Ms Heather Bell, said the event combines issues highlighted by national Mental Health Week on 5 to 11 October and Safe Work Australia Week on 19 to 25 October. “The University’s Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) committee members will wear safety vests and helmets throughout the week to be easily identifiable, and they will introduce themselves to students and staff so that anybody with OH&S concerns will know who to contact.” Activities will include information stalls, talks about health and wellbeing, and stress and stress management, competitions and free healthy food.
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews with Ms Heather Bell. Events include a SAFETALK presentation by CSU student counsellor Mr Daniel Hayes to increase suicide alertness from 2-5pm on Monday 13 October in Room 220; and a Mad Hatter’s morning tea party will be held in the University courtyard at 10.30am on Tuesday 14 October and. It will feature information stalls with promotional material from Beyond Blue, Quitline, the Australian Red Cross, Alcohol & Drug Info Service, NSW Health, Workcover, Mental Health Association NSW; talks about health and wellbeing by a representative of a local gym; a presentation about stress and stress management; and competitions with great prizes and giveaways donated by Dubbo City Council and local businesses.
Print this story Good luck to HSC students
07 Oct 2008
Charles Sturt University (CSU) lecturer in Teacher Education, Mr Bob Dengate, wishes regional NSW students well in the looming HSC exams, but suggests that there is much more involved than luck. “It’s all about preparation. HSC students have spent the past two years preparing for these exams in one way or another,” he said. “The students who will do best are those who have a balanced life, yet have done the extra work, using value-added resources such as study groups and online services.” The CSU Director of NSW HSC Online, Mr Dengate has been involved in the recent introduction of study tips on the CSU website link. “This is a great way for students to help students. There are plenty of useful tips already and we invite students to also add their favourite tips and to visit the Study & Exams part of NSW HSC Online”. Developed in collaboration with the NSW Department of Education and Training, the website link provides access to quality educational resources for rural and regional students.
Media Note: For interviews contact CSU Media. Print this story CSU Indigenous staff gather in Albury
07 Oct 2008
 Indigenous staff from Charles Sturt University (CSU) will consider issues regarding Indigenous education and employment in the institution at a meeting in Albury on Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 October. Director of the CSU Centre of Indigenous Studies and Head of CSU at Dubbo, Mr Gary Shipp, will open the meeting with Pastor Darren Wighton, who will also welcome visitors to Wiradjuri country. On Wednesday evening during the conference dinner, the participants will hear from Chair of the National Indigenous Higher Education Council, Mr Gary Thomas, who will speak on Indigenous education in Australia and overseas. Coordinator of CSU’s Indigenous Employment Strategy, Ms Karen Kime, said CSU has already ready reached its 2007 target of two per cent of all CSU staff being Indigenous people, and it aims to reach three per cent by 2011.
Media Note: For interviews with Ms Karen Kime, contact CSU Media. Print this story Vocational award for CSU student
30 Sep 2008
 Combining her studies with two jobs, family responsibilities and community service work is part of the juggling act Mrs Jill Morris has successfully performed for a number years. Mrs Morris, from Dubbo in the NSW central west, was named in September as the NSW Vocational Student of the Year at the NSW State Training Awards, hosted by the NSW Department of Education and Training (DET). Mrs Morris is benefiting from a joint program introduced by Charles Sturt University (CSU) and the TAFE NSW Western Institute in 2005. Students enrol at the two institutions and begin their social work studies in three courses at the same time, including the CSU Bachelor of Social Work. As part of her CSU degree, Mrs Morris has this month started her work placement in oncology at Dubbo Base Hospital. “The TAFE/CSU initiative has offered me an opportunity to study at a level that I would not have considered without the joint venture,” said Mrs Morris. “Jill’s success in her studies demonstrates the success that many social work students achieve when they return to learning with a wealth of personal, family and community life experiences,” said Mr Neil Barber, lecturer in the CSU School of Humanities and Social Sciences in Wagga Wagga.
Media Note: For interviews with Ms Jill Morris, contact CSU Media. Print this story |
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