Welcome to 2013.

I am back from leave and firstly want to update you about the professional learning planned for new EALD teachers. The full day tarining will be held at EDC on Monday 11th February. New EALD teachers can go to www.ealdteacherinduction.eventbrite.com.au for details and registration.

Term 1 will be very busy due to the implementation of the Language and Literacy Levels. A full day's training is planned for teachers with experience in assigning ESL Scales on Monday 18th February. For details and registration go to http://experiencedlevels18thfeb.eventbrite.com.au  It will be repeated on Monday 25th February. For details and registration go to http://languageandliteracylevels25thfeb.eventbrite.com.au A full day's training for junior primary teachers with little or no experience of assigning ESL Scales will be held on Friday 1st March. For more details go to http://juniorprimarylevels.eventbrite.com.au 
The version for primary teachers will be on Monday 4th March http://primarylevels.eventbrite.com.au   and for secondary teachers on Friday 8th March http://secondarylevels.eventbrite.com.au
Country teachers who cannot attend these days will be catered for by training in several country centres during Term 1 or via Centra. The training in Port Lincoln is on Tuesday 12th March. For details go to http://languageandliteracylevelsportlincoln.eventbrite.com.au  Details about other country training will become available during the first half of the term.

Finally, I want to acknowledge the significant work of Karyl Martin who is retiring on Wednesday. She has been a committed leader of ESL in South Australia for many years.  At different times over recent years, Karyl has managed the work of the ESL Innovative Schools, Community Liaison Officers and ESL Consultants. She has lead the development of new resources including the new Language and Literacy Levels. In the past year, she has literally done the work of two people without the second wage so she ceratinly deserves to have some time with her family. I thank her for her wise leadership and wish her all the best for the future.