WELCOME TO MY SCENE
Thanks to Campus Manager Heather Bell, and staff, student and alumni volunteers who helped organize the Campus Open House in February. We had a steady stream of visitors who came to help us celebrate our newly renovated facility, including some of our education partners, prospective students, our MP, Mike Wallace, new Mayor, Rick Goldring, City Councillor Jack Dennison and former City Councillor, Carol D’Amilio. <DROP IN TWO PHOTOS WILL AND MAYOR GOLDRING AND STUDENTS ADAM AND SARAH>
The halls at CSU Ontario have been echoing with the sound of music and the joys of art thanks in part to Dr Peter Wilson, a visiting lecturer from Australia, teaching the Arts in the Bachelor of Primary Education Studies program (BPES) with Leanne Tovey. Peter is a world-renowned potter and he’s also an accomplished ukulele player. He is a champion of the philosophy of incorporating the visual and performing arts into the classroom as powerful tools for children’s learning. Watch for a virtuoso ‘CSU team ukulele’ performance at graduation in June. Shades of Hawaiian Don Ho!
Our School of Education team and students are approaching grad with a great deal of anticipation. This year, we extended a second round of applications for our very successful Bachelor of Primary Education Studies (BPES) and the new deadline is May 16. So spread the word if you know of a budding teacher with a passion for kids and learning.
Pat Dickinson’s CSU Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (BECS) team is gearing up for graduation on June 17. The practicums they organize are always excellent, but this term was especially innovative and diverse. Read more about student and staff work in this area, in this issue of My Scene.
Recently CSU announced that Professor Ian Goulter will leave the position of Vice-Chancellor and President at the end of 2011. Dr. Goulter remains at the helm of the University to roll out the new University Strategy approved by the Council for 2011-2015, including implementation of reforms to enhance the student experience and the introduction of the University’s new brand. Click here for more.
Sincerely, Dr Will Letts
Head, School of Education, Charles Sturt University Ontario
Fun, Fellowship and Career-building: Special Invitation to CSU Ontario Campus Alumni
Come back to your CSU home! Rejoin old classmates. Make some new connections. Attend the
CSU Open House, February 24. Get a taste of Australia, all bundled up in friendship and good
fun.
"Bringing alumni together is a fun way to share information and forge a stronger career
network via the fellowship of other CSU grads," said Associate Head of School, Cam Fraser.
"Come on out and share your ideas with staff on ways CSU can continue to support alumni in
their efforts to build rewarding careers after graduation." Got an idea for an alumni event or
professional development workshop? We’d like to hear it!
Please RSVP to canada@csu.edu.au, or call at 905-333-4955 by February 18th.
Ontario Campus gets a new look
Work on the fourth and final phase of renovations at the Ontario Campus is complete. After six
months of demolition and construction, students and staff have many new places to meet and
study, learn, relax and interact with others. Plan to attend the Open House to showcase the
work, February 24.
Please RSVP to canada@csu.edu.au, or call at 905-333-4955 by February
18.
New challenges mark final year of Vice Chancellorship
Recently CSU announced that Professor Goulter would leave the position of Vice-Chancellor
and President at the end of 2011. He will remain at the helm of the University to roll out the
new University Strategy approved by the Council for 2011-2015, including implementation of
reforms to enhance the student experience and the introduction of the University's new brand.
Click here for more.
 
Staff update
CSU is a beehive of activity these days with the new programs getting up a head of stream and
classes in full swing. As an international University, CSU is home to great teachers from Canada
and abroad. Click here for more news about CSU staff changes.
Program news
* The Ontario Campus will feature three new Charles Sturt University (CSU) business
administration honours degrees from August 2011. The Bachelor of Business
Administration in Accounting, Human Resource Management, and Marketing will meet
both the immediate and long-term needs of industry and business professionals, and
add value and diversity to post-secondary education offerings in Ontario, Canada.
The Provost of CSU in Ontario, Dr Bob Meyenn, says the approval of the three programs
by the Hon. Mr John Milloy, the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities in
Ontario, is welcome news for CSU and Ontario students and businesses. "We aim to
enrol 300 business students over the next two years," said Dr Meyenn. Click here for
more.
* In November, Dr Anthony Cahalan, CSU Dean, Faculty of Arts, and Dr Bob Meyenn, CSU
Provost, Ontario Campus and other senior members of the CSU academic team met
with members of their Ontario Program Advisory Committee who are part of
preliminary preparations to propose a Bachelor of Arts, in TransMedia Communications
(working title). The advisory committee includes representatives from Mohawk College and
Sheridan College as well as leaders in the media and communications fields.
The new degree is important because the internet, new channels such as social media
and media convergence have transformed how consumers interact and communicate.
The digital revolution demands that the next generation of media communication
professionals have the knowledge and skills to capitalize on and integrate with, these
new developments.
* Our natural environment matters. Ontario Campus green initiatives.
CSU is committed to economic, social and environmental sustainability, including the
responsible use of resources. It is proud to be among the
leaders in Australia in environmental stewardship. Go here for
more on our university-wide green initiative.
At the Ontario Campus our Green Awards program engages staff and students in ways
to reduce the impact of our operations on Mother Nature. Each month, we recognise
individuals who practice environmentally sustainable actions.
Here are some winners of our Green Awards, who receive one month's upgraded
parking in our premium visitor area. Thanks for demonstrating your commitment to
sustainability and the environment, as voted by your peers.
Inaugural CSU Ontario Green Award Winner:
September 2010
Stephanie Avenir. The Driver: Carpooling
October 2010
Andrea Hill. The Driver: Carpooling
November 2010
Fiona Doherty. The Driver: Carpooling
At CSU, outstanding people make the difference
Interview with Don Jones, Lecturer, Bachelor of Primary Education Studies
The newly renovated student-friendly surroundings and an approach to learning that
encourages student-teacher interaction, collaboration and opportunities to apply skills and
knowledge, reflect CSU's commitment to an excellent, student-focussed experience. That learning journey is made more rewarding, memorable and fun by staff members who bring deep understanding of their subject areas and a passion for learning to their classes.
Click here for an interview with Don Jones and discover why his classes are so popular.
CSU special events:
As the Campus grows, so too do the events we host. Check out these dates and opportunities.
CSU; where success starts.
CSU Information Nights. Interested in a teaching career? Find out what CSU offers
Bachelor of Primary Education Studies. Information sessions for this program will be
held at the CSU Ontario campus on the following dates:
Wednesday, February 2, 2011 at 7pm
Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at 7pm
These sessions provide an opportunity for prospective applicants to learn about the program
and how to apply; meet the program director and the Head of School; and talk with current
students and alumni about their experiences. See the website for more details about the
program
For more
information, contact Anita Chopra, School Administrative Officer; School of Education, (905)
333-4955 ext. 55105 or email: achopra@csu.edu.au
CSU Research: Excellence in Action
Profile: Karyn Callaghan Assistant Program Director, Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies
My Scene showcases some of the research done by CSU academics. Research is a vital
part of the CSU commitment to excellence in education. This issue features a profile of work
undertaken by CSU's Karyn Callaghan. Karyn has been exploring early childhood education
ideas pioneered in Reggio Emilia, Italy for a number of years. Click here for the story.
Student and alumni news: The Making of Me!
The CSU alumni are a hotbed of bright and engaging talent. Click here to read about their stories.
Highlights:
- Students join innovative community efforts to boost children's literacy
- Double alumna joins CSU Panel
- Grad joins RIM in learning and skill field
- Student publishes in prestigious early childhood professional journal
- In memoriam, tragedy strikes grad
Calling all alumni! Got an interesting piece of news to share? We want to hear from you. Email
the editor of My Scene at mgregory@csu.edu.au
News from Australia
The CSU Ontario Campus is proud of its roots as an important part of one of Australia's largest
and most renowned publically funded universities. Recently the Australian High Commission
passed on their latest newsletter, 'Australia News'. It features Australian and Australia-related
news and views in Canada. Click here to read the edition [2.77MB].
In this edition they are calling on Canadians who graduated from Australian universities to
contact them. If you or somebody you know graduated from an Australian university, please
visit this website.
For a subscription to the newsletter, email the Australian High Commission in Ottawa at
otwanews@dfat.gov.au
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