Special Events

Past Presenters

Within the annual training and professional development program, Gowrie NSW hosts a number of special events which are unique, one-off training presentations featuring speakers with exceptional credentials from around the world. They offer participants inspiring, global perspectives of early childhood practice and research, often with the result of infusing professional practice with refreshing new ideas.

In the past 12 months, guest presenters have included high profile practitioners such as Claire Warden who came out from Scotland in November of 2010. Claire Warden’s expertise centres around what children can learn from nature and the lived environment. She explored how her ‘Nature Kindergartens’ model, which involves childcare delivered outdoors and in every type of weather, could be incorporated within any childcare service.

In 2009, Gowrie NSW hosted a dynamic forum which demonstrated the importance of research-based evidence in everyday practice. The forum focused on infancy, attachment theory and the role of early childhood educators in fostering positive developmental outcomes for children from their very early days through to school age. United States based researcher and world-renowned expert in infancy and brain development, Ron Lally, discussed his research findings and how these could effectively be applied to early childhood pedagogy and practice in a quality childcare environment.

Other recent international speakers included Professor Iram Siraj Blatchford from the UK who showcased her innovative work around sustained shared thinking. This approach to pedagogy and learning is based on the lived experience of children and educators working together in a learning environment to solve problems, discuss issues and investigate the world. This event included Professor Collette Taylor, an eminent Australian early childhood researcher, and was very well attended.

Special Events in 2011

In June 2011, the multi-disciplinary Early Years Services Director, Margy Whalley, toured Australia to present to educators possibilities for engaging with children and families.

Margy drew on her extensive experience as Director of the Research, Development and Training Base at Pen Green in the UK. The professional development day in Sydney on 23rd June focused on collaborations between early educators, children and families. Margy discussed pedagogy and practice and the role of educators in developing a model of parental engagement requiring professionals to share responsibility with parents for their children’s learning. The day also included an interactive session with questions and answers with Margy, Dianne Jackson and Megan Mitchell, the NSW Commissioner for Children and Young People.

If you would like further information about our special events, please contact Gowrie NSW Head Office on (02) 8571 9743. Alternatively, you can email the training team at training@gowrie-sydney.com.au