[CDU eNews] - NEW EDUCATION HEAD AT CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY

[Peter.Hurt at cdu.edu.au]

New Head of School for Education

Charles Darwin University today announced the appointment of a new Head of
School of Education - and his aim is to make the university "a world-class
innovator in teacher education".

Professor David Lynch, Foundation Coordinator of the Central Queensland
University's Noosa campus, will take up his appointment in late September.

CDU Vice Chancellor Professor Helen Garnett said today: "This appointment
is wonderful news for Charles Darwin University and an indication of our
rapidly growing national reputation.

"Professor Lynch has played a key role in a number of teacher innovations
at Central Queensland University, culminating in the development and
delivery of a new teacher education degree, the Bachelor and Master of
Learning Management.

"He will bring these exciting and forward-thinking ideas about education
and implement them here. This university, the teaching profession, schools,
parents and students around the Territory will benefit enormously from his
appointment."

Professor Lynch played a leading role with Professor Richard Smith, the
Dean of Education at CQU, to develop the BLM and MLM programs at CQU.

"The BLM is the first major reform of teacher education in this country in
25 years," Professor Lynch said today. "It's all about preparing teachers
for today's changing world and ensuring that they have a seamless
transition from university to their workplace.

"We no longer prepare teachers in the BLM, but learning managers. The
enormous economic and social changes of the past few years mean that a
different type of learning professional is required. The science of
teaching and learning has changed dramatically in the past 10 years and
thanks to some groundbreaking research in this area we have been able to
achieve a greater understanding of exactly how people learn."

Professor Lynch said it was vital that teachers were prepared properly.
"Our aim is to prepare learning managers who can achieve outcomes for all
children. We are about ensuring that no child in the classroom falls
through the cracks.

"Studies have shown that the BLM program fits the profile of a changing
world and that it can make a significant impact on student outcomes."

Professor Lynch said he would be seeking to strengthen the already close
ties between the CDU and the Northern Territory Department of Employment,
Education and Training. "I also want to explore a strategic alliance with
the Central Queensland University to work in partnership on this program,
so we hit the ground running.

"We want to be a world leader at Charles Darwin and make a difference to
children in schools. Professor Garnett is building a team of key people to
position Charles Darwin University to make a national and global impression
and this was one of the factors that attracted me to the position.

"We're about being a world leader in teaching and teacher education. We
have a key role to play in outcomes for Territory children and in training
- at VET and Higher Education levels - those that work with children."

Professor Lynch worked in the Queensland State school system for more than
13 years, starting as a primary school teacher, then as a principal of a
one-teacher rural school, then in three other positions, culminating as
principal of a large urban primary school. He also spent three years in a
strategic planning role as a manager for a Queensland company.

He joined Central Queensland University in 2001 as Foundation Coordinator
of the Noosa campus and was later promoted to Sub Dean in the Faculty of
Education and Creative Arts.


David Lynch is available for interview


Peter Hurt
Media Manager
Charles Darwin University
Tel: 08 8946 6019 or 0438 466 439

CRICOS Provider No: 00300K