Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Ontario teaching graduate Mr Chad Pilon can’t wait to take to the classroom. Mr Pilon, who uses a wheelchair, has overcome more challenges than most in pursuing his teaching dream and said CSU has been barrier-free.  He’s full of praise for the Bachelor of Primary Education Studies (BPES) program. “Charles Sturt University really is ahead of the game in its approach,” he said. “Having a solid grounding in proven teaching strategies and new technology has given me the confidence to go to job interviews feeling fully prepared.” The BPES is a one year teacher education program that prepares students to teach in primary/junior (JK-6) classrooms in Ontario. It’s open to graduates of a three or four year degree and focuses on developing practical and professional skills based on theoretical and conceptual understandings of teaching.  Applications for the 2012 fall intake are open until 4pm Friday 18 May 2012.

Four students from Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Ontario in Canada have arrived in Dubbo to work at Dubbo South and Buninyong Primary schools as part of their studies. Ms Jaclyn Craig, Ms Bobbi-Sue Airdrie, Mr Andrew Petruccelli, and Ms Natalia Yarmak will work at the school as part of their Bachelor of Primary Education Studies. Two more students, Ms Amanda Waugh and Mr Marcus Johnson, have been placed at schools in Bathurst. Ms Waugh says she is enjoying her stay. “We are all loving it here and just had our first day yesterday at the schools,” she said. “It was great to meet everyone.  We have found so many similarities but also so many cool differences.” The students will be in Australia until Friday 25 May.

Two students from Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) in Ontario, Canada have arrived in Bathurst to work at Bathurst West Primary School as part of their studies. Ms Amanda Waugh and Mr Marcus Johnson will work at the school as part of their Bachelor of Primary Education Studies. Ms Waugh says she is enjoying her stay. “We are all loving it here and just had our first day yesterday at the school,” she said. “It was great to meet everyone.  We have found so many similarities but also so many cool differences.” The students will be in Australia until Friday 25 May.

Members of the Riverina equine community at a Charles Sturt University (CSU) Equine Influenza (EI) forum have been urged to work together so that NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) quarantine restrictions, imposed in response to Australia’s first EI outbreak, are upheld by everyone in the community. Participants emphasised that the disease poses a threat to all horses, ponies and donkeys. Around 130 people attended the forum which was organised in Wagga Wagga by the CSU School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences. A panel of CSU equine health experts, led by Director of Veterinary Science Professor Kym Abbott, outlined the status of the EI outbreak, how the highly contagious virus is transmitted and ways to prevent its spread through the nation’s equine population. CSU veterinary science lecturer Dr Sharanne Raidal stressed the importance of community vigilance and compliance to halt the advance of equine flu, which can be transmitted by humans, vehicles and equipment.

Eight Charles Sturt University (CSU) International School of Business staff leave for China later this month to conduct intensive professional enhancement programs with their counterparts at four Chinese universities. Tianjin University of Commerce, Yunnan University of Economics and Finance, Changchun Taxation College and Yangzhou University are strategic partners with CSU for the delivery of business studies courses to international students overseas. Professor Alan Fish is Head of the International School of Business at CSU. He explains that the articulation agreements with the four Chinese institutions means students can graduate with both Chinese and western qualifications, making the students more employable. “We will be conducting intensive face-to-face sessions with the Chinese academics to familiarise them with assessment procedures and content of the CSU subjects,” Professor Fish said.

Lynn Taitt-Isaac completed her Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing) course at Charles Sturt University (CSU) Ontario at the end of last year and was due to commence a Masters with CSU in July. Sadly, in March, Lynn was killed in an accident. She was 33. Today, at the CSU Ontario graduation, Lynn’s sister Lori Taitt will represent Lynn and wear the gown and mortar-board. Lynn’s family say they are all very proud of her accomplishments and want to celebrate on her behalf. Her mother, Monica Taitt, wants the other students graduating today to see that, even though Lynn has passed away, “life goes on. Lynn worked hard to achieve this. She had a zeal to do things, and she was very motivated - that keeps her spirit alive in us. Lynn talked about CSU a lot because she loved getting up in the morning and going there.”

CSU Ontario second-ever graduation will take place later this week. Over 250 graduands from the Faculties of Education, Arts, Health Studies, Science and Agriculture are expected to attend the two formal graduation sessions. Lisa Martin is not only graduating from her Bachelor of Primary Education Studies with distinction, but is also a passionate member of the CSU Ontario choir. A classically trained singer, Lisa received the gold medal in performance in her undergraduate studies at the University of Western Ontario, and has a Masters of Music from McGill University in Quebec: “The choir was a great way to unwind on Fridays during our teaching block and it adds another bonding element to the graduation experience.” Lisa adds that she is “thrilled” to have secured a position teaching grade 3-8 vocal with the Waterloo District School Board in Ontario.

Eight Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Ontario teacher education students arrive in Wagga Wagga and Albury this week to work in local schools. The Canadian students will then continue their antipodean travels before returning to Ontario for their graduations in June. This will be the second visit from Bachelor of Educational Studies (Primary Teaching) students from CSU in Ontario. Last year seven CSU in Ontario students spent time in Australia, where they got up close and personal with some native animals at Dubbo’s Western Plain Zoo and described the countryside as “very rural and very flat. It’s not desert but there’s not much green. It’s brown and dusty.” One student travelling to Australia this week, Ruth Markuc said, “I've always wanted to come to Australia and I think it will be an amazing opportunity to teach there. I would love to meet as many people and animals as possible. I really want to see a koala bear and a kangaroo while I'm there”.

From strategies to prevent bullying and messages about body image, to Aboriginal education and equality in the classroom, a conference at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Ontario will tackle some of the many issues facing teachers. The Equity and Social Justice conference on Friday 28 September is an annual event hosted by the CSU School of Education in Ontario with talks by CSU academics, teachers and community leaders. It’s designed to give students undertaking a Bachelor of Primary Education Studies (BPES) and Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies a greater understanding of some of the issues they’re likely to face in the workforce. BPES course coordinator, Ms Paige Bennett, said, “Students will have opportunities to hear about issues that will affect their daily contact with children and help to expand their knowledge of equity and social justice in relation to schools and early child care settings.” The conference will also include presentations on the rights of the child, the needs of an English language learner, and child protection and welfare.