The Writer’s Labyrinth: A Reflection on the Principles of Academic Writing - II

Hemingway said that the ‘hardest thing about the writing endeavour is ‘getting the words right’. But ‘right’ can mean different things to each writer and reader. It is understandable how writing may be received as positive prophecy by some or critiqued in the extreme as apocalyptic poison by others. Our cultures and conventions are often confusing in life as in writing and our readers come from such diverse backgrounds and perspectives

Avondale Creates Community for Christian Early Childhood Educators in Australia

Avondale has helped establish the first association for Christian early childhood educators in Australia at an inaugural conference organised and hosted by its Discipline of Education. The inter-denominational Australian Christian Early Childhood Educators Association (ACECEA) will bring academics and practitioners together to network, collaborate on research and promote informed practice. “We recognise a key strength will be unity of purpose,” says Kaye Judge, a lecturer in education (early childhood) at Avondale

Reflections: OD or Not OD that is the Question! A Constructivist's Thoughts on the Changing Nature of Change

The landscape of organization development (OD) has changed significantly over the last several decades. This article provides a broad commentary on these changes. In particular, it offers a critique of 'current OD' in terms of the marginalization of materiality in discourse-based OD techniques and the neglect of problem-centred, diagnostic approaches in favour of solution-driven, emergent approaches. The future of OD is also explored in relation to the scope for meaningful 'bottom-up OD' (i.e. employee-instigated change) and 'outside-in OD' (i.e. involving a range of non-organizational stakeholders). © 2013 Taylor & Francis

Breaking the Silence: Connecting and Strengthening the Voices of Christian Early Childhood Professionals in Australia through developing Communities of Practice aligned with the aims of the Australian Early Childhood Christian Educators Association

There are many Christian, Early Childhood services in Australia, but minimal professional development support networks. There is a shortage of appropriately trained Christian Early Childhood educators and academics to sustain current employment levels. There is also a gap in research in relation to Christian Early Childhood leadership and practice. A strong compliance and standards based approach to leadership is presenting a critical challenge to the Early Childhood profession within Australia and globally. Prominent Australian Early Childhood leaders have raised the alarm and given the call for Early Childhood educators to pushback against the destructive forces of neoliberalism. I propose that through a Communities of Practice (CoP) model ACECEA can present a united, dynamic approach towards providing authentic solutions to micro and macro, political and social, early childhood concerns. This paper describes the recent initiatives and research directions of Christian Early Childhood leaders who presented a united voice at the inaugural conference of the Australian Christian Early Childhood Educators Association in September 2017. Through ‘Modelling Christ’s Love’, Christian Early Childhood educators and leaders, across Australia and New Zealand are invited to unite their voices through research informed dynamic Communities of Practice in the best interests of young children

The Writer\u27s Labyrinth: A Reflection on the Principles of Academic Writing - I

It couldn’t have been more idyllic. A large red-brick, country cottage quietly tucked away on the edge of the woods – blue sky–white clouds– moss green grass, and great friends. A writer’s retreat: a rest from the rest of our busy lives. I have defected from my family, found a community and completely ignored housework! The Huffington Post and I agree. I found that I had followed their advice before I even knew about it. Writing is work. Yes, writing is work. I always knew this but wasn’t really committed to it as one should be with real work