U3A BRISBANE

University of the Third Age Brisbane


Connecting Seniors to Lifelong Learning

University of the Third Age Brisbane


Connecting Seniors to Lifelong Learning

U3A BRISBANE

OUR NEW CLASS MIX FOR 2021


Online classes From Term 1 2021 we have returned to face-to-face classes in our City Campus, as well as continuing face-to-face classes in the districts. We also have many active classes employing various Remote Learning methods, e.g. email, discussion groups or Online Classes using Zoom videoconferencing (over 80 classes will still be using Zoom). Congratulations to both tutors and members who have embraced the new learning opportunities.

To enrol in a class and join the revolution, either see our current Timetable, or use Class Search.


  eNews for January/February 2021

  Latest Situation Update
 

 

U3A is the University of the Third Age, which is the age of active retirement, coming after the age of youth and work and home making. University is a loose term - there are no academic requirements for membership and no exams.

U3A is a worldwide self-help organisation promoting learning for personal enjoyment and wellbeing. Keeping the brain active, doing interesting things and making new friends are essential for helping older people to maximise their chances of independence, and this is what U3A does very effectively. U3A is making a very substantial contribution to society by helping its members to remain healthy and active for longer.

Winter School talk 2018

U3A Brisbane is one of many similar U3A organisations in Australia. Formed in 1986, we are a totally volunteer organisation, and provide leisure and educational courses to local seniors. We have over 4000 members and offer more than 290 courses each term, all of these at a low cost.

Our City Campus classes are held at our own premises at 97 Creek Street Brisbane, and in leased rooms nearby at 232 Adelaide St Brisbane, just a short walk from bus, train or ferry. Other City Precinct classes are held at various locations in the CBD.

We also have classes in surrounding suburbs and districts - in Logan (our largest district outside the city), Southside, Northside, Westside and Wynnum.

See the Class Search page for information on all  current classes, and our How to Join page for information about joining U3A Brisbane.

 

 

TERM 1 CLASSES

Class Schedule for Term 1 2021 is now available and enrolments are open.  Term 4 finishes on Friday 11th December and Term 1 commences on Wednesday 27th January.

To join a new class, enrol through the Class Search page by clicking on the Enrol button, or contact the tutor directly by email or phone. If you book online you may assume your enrolment is accepted unless the tutor advises otherwise.

If you are currently enrolled in a Term 4 class that you wish to continue attending in Term 1, you can use the Member Dashboard to re-enrol.

Search Classes and Enrol
Class Help Page Download PDF

Member Dashboard

 

COVID Safe Plans

U3A Brisbane is required to have COVID-19 Safe Plans in place for face-to-face classes and current plans are available below. Tutors must contact the relevant District Coordinator if you wish to conduct a face-to-face class and you must agree to abide by the relevant Plan.

COVID Safe Plan - City Campus

COVID Safe Plan - Indoor District Classes

COVID Safe Plan - Outdoor District Classes
 

 

REMOTE LEARNING

We are recommending Zoom videoconferencing to tutors who do not wish to conduct face-to-face classes. Many tutors are successfully running their classes online at present. This facility will not be appropriate to all classes but should suit those classes where presentations are typically made. It is very easy to use and we encourage all members to join these sessions online when invited by the tutor.
  Zoom - Student Instructions
  Zoom - Tutor Instructions

Email Discussion Groups
U3A Brisbane is also recommending that tutors consider setting up an Email Discussion Group. This enables class members to join the group for interactive discussion.
  Discussion Group Instructions (for tutors)

 

CORONAVIRUS PRECAUTIONS

Current advice can be summarised as:
Protect yourself and others by staying home. Stop the spread by practicing good hygiene and social distancing.

Please read these advisory documents for detailed advice:
Coronavirus (COVID-19), Qld Health

Coronavirus (COVID-19), Australian Government

Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Install the COVIDSafe app on your mobile phone

The ABC Coronavirus website is an excellent source of up-to-date information.
 

 

2021 Term dates:

  ACNC Registered Charity
 Term   From   To   Weeks 
 1  27-Jan   1-Apr  10
 2  19-Apr   25-Jun  10
 3  12-Jul   17-Sep  10
 4  5-Oct   10-Dec  10

 

City Campus COVID Safe Plan


We are re-opening both Creek and Adelaide St in Term 1 2021.  COVID-19 is still with us.  We have a COVID Safe plan and a list of precautions which will be implemented to reduce risk to our members who are in the most vulnerable age group. 

Class fees
Class Fees must be paid in advance.  These should be paid online if possible to avoid congestion and delays at the office (the online payment feature for upfront payments will be available from 1st January). Fees can also be paid at the office 9-12am in the week before term starts (i.e. 18-22 Jan) or in the first week of class, but remember to stay 1.5m apart if waiting your turn at the office. If bringing cash, please have the correct amount to facilitate the process. Credit cards are preferred.
Zoom class fees of $25 are voluntary and should be paid online, also before term starts.

Remember: Do not attend if you are unwell.
 
General Rules for both Creek and Adelaide Street

To avoid Congestion and Keep us all safe :-
  • Class times will be staggered. Check your class time carefully.
     
  • Class duration is 1 hour.
     
  • On arrival, go straight to your classroom. No delays or congregating in foyers etc. There will be no chairs in the Creek St foyer.
     
  • You may arrive up to 30mins. early.
     
  • Remember to stay 1.5m apart at all times.
     
  • Kitchens will be closed, so bring your own water.
     
  • We are using our QR Code system to register attendances.  You will find a printed QR Code in your classroom. Please read these instructions for how to use this code, and practise to make sure your phone will read the QR Code. Install a QR Code Scan app if necessary. 
     
  • If you do not have a phone that you can use then another class member can enter your number on their phone to register your attendance.  You must know your U3A number.
     
  • At the end of class please wipe your chair, table and the surrounds where you were sitting with the sanitised wipes provided ready for the next class.
     
  • After wiping your area leave the premises immediately.  Do not stop to chat in the foyer. You can organise coffee with friends outside.
     
  • No Sharing and no Physical Contact if possible.

Toilets
Use the supplied Sanitiser frequently, especially if you go to the toilet. Remember to wash your hands thoroughly, but also use the sanitiser as well when you return.  Stay 1.5 m away from other people and, if necessary, wait outside if it is too crowded.

Adelaide St
  • There are a maximum of 4 people permitted in the lift.  There are 2 lifts – One at each end of the corridor.
     
  • Remember to stay 1.5 m apart while waiting for a lift.  Class times have been staggered so this should help congestion.
     
  • After class, if you are able you may use the stairs to descend, otherwise maintain the 1.5m distance while you wait for the lift.
 

City Campus Room Capacities
Room Capacities  
 

QR Code Attendance System


QR Code reader Under COVID Safe rules, U3A Brisbane is required to keep accurate records of attendances at face-to-face meetings in case health authorities need it for contact tracing purposes. We are asking members who attend face-to-face classes to assist tutors by recording their own attendance in a contactless way using QR Codes (QR stands for "Quick Response" and is a kind of barcode).

Here's how it works:
1. Tutors of face-to-face will be provided with a sheet containing a QR Code (example below) specific for their class.

2. On entry to the class each week, members will be asked to scan the code with their mobile phone. Our app will then ask you to enter your member number and surname.

3. To avoid congestion at the sign-in desk, once the screen has recognised the code please go to your seat to enter the details. Your attendance will then be entered into the class roll on the U3A system.

4. If a fellow class member has no phone, you can assist them by entering their details on your phone.

QR Codes are becoming more common in cafes, restaurants and other public places as a means of recording your presence there in a contactless way. You simply point your phone camera at the code and it should show a link to our site. Touch that link and it will take you to our app.

Some phones may not have this facility built-in and in this case you will need to download a QR Scan app from the phone’s app store. We recommend the following free apps, but there are others that are equally suitable:
  QR and Barcode Scanner
  Kaspersky QR Scanner

The code below can be used to test your phone or other device. It should return a green tick:
 
Tutors:
If you have a district class, the office will mail laminated sheets to you, which will be easier to sanitise for re-use. You are also able to print QR Sheets from the Tutor Login if required. For City Campus classes, laminated sheets will be kept in the office at each venue and provided prior to each class.

If you have any questions, contact:
    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.		 QR Test Code
QR Test Code
Tutors:
If you have a district class, the office will mail laminated sheets to you, which will be easier to sanitise for re-use. You are also able to print QR Sheets from the Tutor Login if required. For City Campus classes, laminated sheets will be kept in the office at each venue and provided prior to each class.

If you have any questions, contact:
    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
 
 

Coronavirus Update

13-Mar-20
The following message was sent to all members:

The U3A Brisbane Management Committee started planning for possible suspension of classes several weeks ago, owing to the risk to U3A members from a potential Coronavirus infection. In the light of rapidly developing local and international containment measures, and in consultation with our Health Advisory Committee, the Management Committee made a decision this morning to suspend all classes, including those held in District venues, from Monday 16th March inclusive, until further notice. This is purely precautionary in order to protect our members. 

As you will appreciate, we have not taken this decision lightly, but in view of the continuing spread of the Coronavirus, and the increasing risk of widespread infection, we consider that this action is warranted. The health and well-being of our membership must be our first priority in the current circumstances. 

We fully appreciate that there may be some criticism of the decision to suspend classes at such short notice. But we can only reiterate that our decision is to safeguard the health and well-being of our membership.  

The Committee will continue to update members in the weeks ahead, and classes will resume when it is appropriate and safe for our members to do so.  We will inform members of the resumption in a timely manner.

We will be contacting tutors in coming days about ideas for possible "virtual classes', and we will communicate further information to members regularly. We will also advise District tutors on issues relating to their classes.

As we have over 4000 members, it would be helpful if we weren't flooded with replies, whether bouquets or brickbats. However, if you wish to raise specific issues, questions or suggestions, please reply to our Feedback address:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Our website will be updated with further information from time to time, so please monitor it regularly. We will look forward to welcoming you all back when it becomes possible.
 

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