AFL reveals plans to make footy more attractive

A very bold plan has been unveiled by the AFL. It plans to make the game even better and more comfortable for the fans. This will be accomplished by having stadiums with facilities like free blankets for the seniors, singles bars and playgrounds for children. A wide range of innovative strategies are being examined by the league chiefs to make the game of football more attractive and much more accessible. Andrew Catterall, who is the AFL general manager of strategy and marketing, said, “Footy is what it’s still all about, but it’s also about making the game affordable, accessible, and with good customer service.”

Among the bold plans to make footy even better and comfortable for the fans a few plans are:

• More places for the kids to play
• More parents’ room
• More women’s toilets
• Meet and mingle bars
• Big screens and live music to create a much better ambience
• Better ways to keep warm and comfortable for the older fans like free blankets
• More coffee stations
• Increased safety

Currently the league regards the new Gold Coast Suns stadium as the model for the future stadiums which will meet the requirements by providing various facilities to the spectators. The key targets of the league for modernization in the future are MCG and Etihad. Mr Catterall said, all the aspects will evolve as the stadiums are equipped with modern facilities and are refreshed. He also said that presently the Gold Coast is the top notch stadium. It is best in terms of the wholesome experience. He said that this will flow through as the other half of the MCG and Etihad Stadium are revamped.

This plan of revamping the football stadiums has been given a warm welcome by seniors, fans and parents’ groups. However, Collingwood president Eddie McGuire has questioned the feasibility and usefulness of the plan. He said. “The MCG and Etihad are both great stadiums and the AFL and the MCC are spending $50 million on the Southern Stand.” He commented that already a lot is being done. Jenny Loring, who is St Kilda cheer squad manager said, that the diehard fans of the game come with all the preparation. But the idea of free blankets was appreciated and liked by Jenny. Jenny Loring also said, that the idea of free tea and coffee for the spectators will be great and will be liked by the fans.

Study says rich students perform better at school

A study conducted by The Weekend Australian has found that the top 100 primary and secondary schools have a role-call majorly consisting of students from higher socio-economic areas. The study was of the results of the national literacy and numeracy (NAPLAN) test. Richard Teese, the director of the Centre for Research on Education Systems at Melbourne University, said that the analysis has put a great emphasis on the concentration of advantage based on geography. While talking to The Weekend Australian, Teese said, it is not an even field of play in which every talent has equal opportunity to blossom. He said that people were able to excel because of the support of the social advantage they have.

According to Teese the schools which are located in poor postcodes do not have many resources as a result it is difficult for them to recruit experienced and specialized teachers in the school. He also said that at this time there are no more commonwealth funds available to make right the funding imbalance which exists and has been there since decades. He also commented that the potential in not being harvested as a reason.

The study has also concluded that the selective schools in the country rank the highest among various primary and secondary schools of the country. The government selective schools in NSW, Victoria and Western Australia have out-performed many other high schools in these areas. The study has also highlighted that students from the top performing non-selective government controlled schools belonged to high socio-economic background. A correlation has also been found between the performance of the students and the education level in their families.

Professor Teese also said that the talent which exists in families which are not as well educated as others are not getting the support that is needed to turn them into high achievers who represent all the backgrounds existing in Australia.

The NAPLAN test results that were used in this study were based on a nation-wide testing of year 3, 5, 7 and 9 students. These results were compared with the Index of Community Socio-Education Advantage. This index measures the income and the education level of the families of the students. The Weekend Australian conducted the analysis by comparing these two aspects.

All this came after the education ministers from all over the country came together for a meeting on Thursday in Sydney to discuss various major reforms in the area of the national schooling system.

Tips for children to do homework on their own initiative

Perform school assignments Of ten becomes a torment to the families, since children will not, on their own, or simply prefer to do funniest things. They find no relationship between what should and what they want to do.

If you want to make it easier to do so on their own initiative, I recommend:

- Make a study schedule and leisure. In this way there will be a guide to know what you should be doing at any given time.

- Explain the importance of their duties and, above all, if you can, check what he has done. Thus, feel taken into account. And it will have better results in the School.

- The incentives can be used with good results. But the main reward of accomplishment must be the satisfaction of responsibility.

- Try to find games, movies, songs, theaters, tours that relate to the issues that is taking place in class can help you understand more through experiences.

- Praise when performing their activities without tell him.

- If you see reading and following your own routine, with an order, try to imitate. Leave him a book of your choice next to your bed and read bedtime even a few lines.

- At first it may cost a bit, but if you have good study habits, be easier than incorporate into their daily lives.

- If you have to go travel, scheduling school activities is very important. You can use these pieces of paper that are glued and take off and put dates on what you have to do daily, this allows you freedom of action and feel responsible for yourself.

- Avoid overwhelming him. Do not repeat many times you have to do. If too small, you may need to be reminded and accompany him, but if it is larger, with a one-time must be sufficient.

Assume their responsibilities takes many years to form a habit. Children, especially, require a lot of patience from their elders to the base of his personality takes hold and can take more initiative and responsibility throughout their schooling.

Latin America Scholarships for young teachers and researchers

These scholarships part of the program of support for Universities Banco Santander and aims to promote research within the framework of the Ibero-American cooperation and social responsibility.

For this reason, Santander continues this year with the Latin America Scholarship Program to support young faculty and researchers already started in 2011.

The scholarships are aimed at both research trainees as teaching and research in Spanish universities. In this sense, the purpose of the scholarship is, firstly, to improve training of teachers and researchers and, secondly, to encourage researchers who are finishing their training improve their educational opportunities.

A total grant 100 scholarships for an amount of 5,000 € each, Which should cover the living expenses, accommodation and travel. The minimum of stay is 2 months. Through these scholarships are funded courses Latin American Universities than the source or research centers.

The request for access to this call may be made online only through its web . The evaluation of candidates based on criteria of ability, merit and objectivity.

To evaluate the applications will be a Selection Committee composed of recognized experts in different subjects and appointed by the Banco Santander. When assessing applications are responsible for selecting recipients of the scholarships.

As Evaluation criteria will assess the resume of candidates, academic or scientific interest that has the project presented, the age of the candidate, giving priority to those students who are under 35 years of age and other criteria relating to the school and the diversification of the different areas of knowledge.

Tips to educate responsible consumers

While it is true that some things are very important to be able to function in our daily activities and indispensable to keep, it is also true that we acquired many things do not really need or already have them and buy them for the sake of having them new.

Children are not immune to this pressure, in fact the agents for those most money moves in the field of consumers. For them and for them it is the largest network of family acquisitions. Therefore, educate responsible buyers not only from the fact that they have money to buy, but also do so in a responsible manner.

The example of their parents and some simple tips can be useful for this purpose:

- First of all the example. Parents must demonstrate how they buy when they common sense.

- When you want to buy something, it is best if you save some money. Avoid instantly satisfy their whims.

- When you do some homework, we reward you with some money. Feel the value of gain for themselves and learn to manage.

- Encourage them to who care what they have, as for the simple fact that something may be low price does not mean you have to be misused.

- Before you go shopping make a list of necessary. Take them to make the purchase and let them choose products list. Teach them to compare prices and quality. If you are 12 years or more, and provide conditions so they can go shopping. Tell them not to leave the list.

- Whenever possible, appliance repair damaged house: washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, irons, etc. and they know it. Replaced without reason, is not profitable.

- Go walking to all sites as possible. The fuel energy savings carIs essential. It will also be contributing to your health and theirs.

- Buy good quality and low quantity in clothing. It is preferable to make multiple purchases a year or when really necessary. Since the rate of growth of children will no longer serve many pieces and only have a closet full of things that do not use.

-Avoid buying foods excessively, as it will deteriorate and will be thrown out of date. Purchase planning allows new products weekly and teaches them to organize. Make a weekly food menu saves time, money and effort.

Even when we sleep, eat, because while we rest, many artifacts from our home may be working. Children are especially vulnerable to external pressure to buy things, and his insatiable curiosity that invites you to have different things each time.

Parents and guardians have an important role in the formation of responsible consumers, as there are many products that are difficult to replace both its price and its location. Teach them to reflect on the real need for certain things is a great habit that will help you in your life forever.