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Ann Blue (and Kiama BC) Achieve Accreditation

Congrats to Ann (pictured below), on reaching ABF Accreditation status. Here's Ann's story: Having learned bridge in the 90's, it wasn't until her retirement to Kiama In 2006 that Ann become more involved. Firstly it was as a director with the club, and more recently as a teacher having run several bridge for beginners' classes. With her school teaching background she was keen to pursue accreditation offered through the ABF program and attended the first CPD and organised the second one with Joan Butts at the Kiama Club.

She loves to watch the progression of her students and runs a supervised session every week for new players. She also teaches bridge on cruise ships. 

Both the teacher and their club will be awarded a certificate of achievement on accreditation status. The club should display this certifcate as an indication that it is promoting "best practice" modern teaching methods as endorsed by the ABF.  

CPD Day at Kiama

Attendance at a CPD day (pictured at Kiama) offers 10 points towards accreditation. You receive a folder of the very latest (from the US) workbook material on Modern Competitive Bidding Methods, along with deal records to use at the table if/when you are ready to teach it. There's plenty of material for four workshops of two hours length. The ABF and the state bodies, in this instance, NSWBA are very supportive of teachers, and provide all this  for you at no charge.

In 2015 I will be running CPD days in  Victoria (Traralgon BC) on Wednesday June 10th, WA (Perth) Sunday June 30th, NSW (Central Coast) Sunday August 30th, and Queensland (Townsville) Sunday 13 September and (Brisbane) in late October. 

Congrats Ann

Here we are after the February weekend of ABF teaching activities. I gave a workshop on Doubles the day before for 60 club players,  and then presented the CPD programme  for 30 teachers. They came from local areas, and Sydney and beyond.

The CPD days are content- based, and help to  upgrade teachers' own skills. For more information, visit the ABF website. If your region would like to book a CPD day please contact me: teaching @abf.com.au

Can't Attend a CPD Day? No worries, read on...

If your timetable or anything else prevents you from actually attending. there is an ABF Training video on the ABF web site (Teaching, Videos, Modern Methods)

If you watch this, and then answer (successfully) the questionnaire attached, and return it to teaching @abf.com.au, you will be awarded 5 points. Even if you have attended the day you are still able to do this. 

A Great TTP Weekend in Southern Highlands NSW

Video of TTP Day in Southern Highlands (Bowral)

In early February, the first TTP course for 2015 was held in the NSW Southern Highlands (Bowral). Rob Ward, the main organiser, did an amazing job. He advertised the event widely, and constantly  fed me updates. He also casually interviewed teachers during the weekend, and the results are the video above. What fun it all was! 

While I was in the area, Donelle Foate (Grange Bridge Club) invited me to give workshsops. I covered Declarer Card Play (from my Play Bridge 2 book), and Defensive Communications. The next day, I went to Dubbo Bridge Club to introduce them to the Two Over One Game Force system. I sure hope they keep going with it, as it's definitely an improvement on Standard. AND, when approached properly, is EASIER than Standard.  Why? Because there's less guesswork when the bidding goes: 1H p 2C p 2NT/2H p ?? Sometimes in Standard it is not clear whether to bid to game or not. At least in Two over One you know you can't pass!

Rob Ward

Thanks Rob, for your wonderful organisation, enthusiasm, efficiency and great ideas. Cath Whiddon (Education person for NSWBA).came from Sydney too for the TTP Day in the Southern Highlands. She brought her husband Bob, who is becoming interested in bridge!  

Cath helped me organise the Teachers' party at the Gold Coast Congress in February too. We invited 40 teachers for drinks after bridge at the GCC's official hospitality appartment (Therese Tully's). There was a short panel discussion on Signals and Defensive Methods, with Ron Klinger (Sydney), Hugh Grovesnor (Hobart), Phil Gue (Adelaide), Dave Debbage (Manchester, UK) and Jeff Fust (Melbourne) giving their opinions. 

Many teachers attended, including the Maitland gals, Jenny, Miriam and Wendy, Goondiwindi players, Kerry and Steven, Traralgon teachers, Lorraine and Helen from ERBA in Victoria, and some of the Sydney Peninsula BC Education Committee. We will do it again!

 

 

ABF Forum

The next plan to support teachers is via a forum on the ABF site. It is all ready to go live now. and I'm about to ask some expert players and teachers if they would answer your questions there.

You might lke to moderate the forum for a period too. This will give you more points towards Accreditation by starting an interesting discussion topic, whatever it is...(well, bridge of course).

Stay tuned...

I am running TTP's this year in: Adelaide: March 14,15 Melbourne March 21,22 Perth June (probably 20.21) Brisbane (October). I have room for one or two more, so please advise if your state or region are interested.

Joan