September 2020 meeting with a review of Paul Jennings new book - Paul taught in schools for some years and remains a "teacher," but one that does not retire!!

Friday, 25th September, 2020, 10.00am in Parramatta Park.

Twelve members present

(you can click on the image to see a wider view)

Apologies – Geoff Dyer, Margaret De La Garde, Glynnis Brown

Treasurer’s Report - ME Bank $15480.3; TM Bank 235.7; TOTAL  $15716. All outstanding cheques have been presented

General Business 

1. John Dixon responded to our email re email list of RTA members. They are unable to provide the list but have offered to create a special Retired Teacher Association space on their website. This was tried previously but was hard to navigate to. Paul to discuss with John and Jason Gurk about placing it in a more accessible position on the website.

2. St Stephens Christmas concert – proposed for Tuesday, 1st December at 1pm. Organisation for performance and refreshments  is still being considered.

3. November AGM – nominations for positions should be submitted at October meeting. There will be a review of donations and honoraria

4. October meeting Friday, 23rd October– Following the meeting, Paul rang Federation to enquire about holding the meetings at Federation. He was advised to email John Dixon with our request. The person he spoke to mentioned that it may be possible to hold the meetings in the auditorium to allow social distancing. He will inform us whether the meetings can go ahead at Federation as soon as he hears from John Dixon. If not, Parramatta Park at 10am, picnic shelter nearest to Westmead station, just 50metres for newish toilet block. Christine Baumann will investigate supply of a light lunch if meeting is at Parramatta Park

AFTINET

1. AFTINET is 20 years old this year. A special Zoom meeting was held to celebrate the occasion

2. Ian Massingham asked the meeting to endorse a submission AFTINET is making to the Review of Australian Bilateral Investment Treaties. AFTINET supports trading relationships between countries as long as they are transparent, non- discriminatory and democratic

3. MOVED Ian Massingham  CARRIED Unanimously

My name is Terry Jones. I am the person who “does the BLOG” for the NSW Retired Teachers Association, known to many as the RTA.

So why is a 74 year old retired science teacher writing his first ever book review. 

Before, during and after my teaching career I did a lot of reading but biographies and memoirs were not generally my scene.

However, this new book by Paul Jennings, is enough to break the drought. It is fabulous. 

With three adult daughters I have of course heard of Paul, and we still have his books on our shelves in the spare room downstairs. But I cannot honestly say that I “have read him” and he has not featured at any of the numerous Adelaide Writers Weeks I have attended with my wife Caroline since retirement.

The book is an honest story of what turns a dedicated teacher into a person who can put himself back in the shoes of an 11 year old and tell short stories for children that gain their attention and always “end in a way that makes the reader gasp” or “an Ah Ha.”

Compulsory reading for novice authors as, throughout the book, Paul tries to explain in his normal humorous manner the mental process involved in writing children’s books. Then of course, what motivated teacher does want to know how others use books in the classroom to educate the young (and older).

Untwisted (get the pun) is a book with short chapters and a brief index of people and places in Paul’s life. The sequence is not chronological but in themes and events of Paul’s life. When reading the book I found it easy to jump around and not get lost. 

So don’t buy his book. Get lots. Gift a copy to all your acquaintances that are teachers, children, trainee teachers, readers, etc. They will thank you. 

And to think, Paul is even older than me and still producing books that people love to read.