Wednesday, May 3, 2017

sMAG Autumn ENews

As we moved into 2017, sMAG Vic has focused on various conversations around the Secondary Instrumental Music Program.  At this stage, progress is slow.  We await a progress report from the AEU on their negotiations with DET around the issues. We have reservations around some professional conversations regarding the future of the SIMP, and will continue to advocate for the strong contributions this sector makes to the overall success of Victorian music programs.  Should anyone become concerned with positions advertised as ES, we advise you bring the conversation to the attention of Jo Patterson at the VIT.

SUBMISSION
During Term 1, sMAG Vic Teacher Training Working Party made a submission to the Legal and Social Issues Committee of the 58th Parliament of Victoria: Inquiry into Youth Justice Centres in Victoria.  Dr. Helen Farrell led the writing and research outlining the benefits of using Music Education in the rehabilitation of young people during juvenile detention.  
A summation of our final recommendations:
sMAG (Vic) recommends that the Legal and Social Issues Committee takes courage to develop and implement an exemplary community of practice in the juvenile justice system in Victoria (Wenger & Snyder, 2000; Wenger, 2004; Wenger, McDermott & Snyder, 2002), e.g.,
·                improved culture, policies, practices and reporting, specifically, policy and research relating to exemplary performing and visual arts programs;
·                additional program options for keeping young people out of youth justice centres, specifically, exemplary performing and visual arts programs – such as DIG DEEP at The Arts Centre;
·                a more clearly defined role for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in overseeing practices that this complex adaptive challenge be mitigated, specifically, improved health and wellbeing of school aged children and young people through exemplary performing and visual arts programs, i.e., Rickard & McFerran, 2011, op cit.


VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT
Have a look at this press release: Helping Victorian Students Learn A Musical Instrument

YAMAHA
Yamaha have published a series of videos promoting Music Education: