Parent & Citizen Journal
TheJournaloftheFederationof ParentsandCitizensAssociationsof NewSouthWales
T: 1300885982
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TheParent&CitizenJournalispublishedonce atermandisagreatwaytoshowcasewhat yourP&CAssociationandschoolcommunity isupto.Ifyourschool,studentsorP&C Associationisdoingsomethingspecialthis year,shareyourstoryandphotoswithusand fellowschoolcommunities.
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Term 4 2022: 08/08/2022
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE By Natalie Walker
WelcometoTerm3.Itiswonderfulto seemanyofourP&CAssociations returntoface-to-facemeetingsandon-site schoolactivities.OurP&Csarestillfacing challenges,particularlythosein floodaffectedareas.Iencourageyoutoreachout totheP&CFederationteamforsupport.You arenotalone.
P&CFederationremainsfocusedon waystobestsupportourdiverseschool communities,particularlyinrelation tonaturaldisastersandrecovery.One importantaspectofthishasbeen discussionswiththeRegional,Ruraland RemoteEducationPolicyunitoftheNSW DepartmentofEducationonhowwecan bestsupportthoseschoolcommunities.
Inanotherarea,weworkedwiththe Departmentearlierthisyeartoprovidethe opportunityforthevoiceofparentsand carerstobeheardinthedevelopmentof anOutcomesFrameworkforstudentswith disabilityinNSWschools.Youcanreadmore aboutthisconsultationinthearticleonp17.
Working with Government P&CFederationlooksforwardtoa productiverelationshipwiththenewFederal Government,electedinMay.Wehaveraised severalconcernswiththenewFederal MinisterforEducation,JasonClare,including theneedforincreasedschoolfundingand capitalgrants,anoverhaulofInitialTeacher Education,improvingairqualityinschools, andarecoveryfundtohelppublicschools recoverfromnaturaldisasterssuchas floods andbushfires.
Wewelcometheelectioncommitmentsfor AustralianpublicschoolsmadebyPrime MinisterAnthonyAlbaneseduringthe electioncampaign,particularlymeasures toreducefundinginequitiesbetween governmentandnon-governmentschools. TheSchoolsUpgradeFundwillhelpdeliver toGovernmentschoolscapitalfundingfrom theCommonwealthfornewbuildingsthat willstarttoreducethelong-standingand extremebiasinFederalfundingdirectedto privateschools.Wehavearguedstrongly thatthisexistinginequityisunfairand disadvantagespublicschoolstudents.
Importantly,P&CFederationalsosubmitted detailedfeedbacktotheinquiryintothe NationalSchoolReformAgreement(NSRA) betweentheCommonwealthandStates/ Territoriesoneducationfunding.P&C
Federationhasarguedforyearsthatthis agreementdisadvantagesgovernment schoolscomparedtonon-government schools,andwehopethisinquirymanages toaddresstheseshortcomings.Wewillalso continueourlong-standingadvocacyfor allAustralianpublicschoolstobeproperly fundedundertheSchoolingResource Standardprocess.
AtaStateGovernmentlevel,P&CFederation welcomestheNSWGovernment’s commitmentinthemostrecentbudget toprovidefundingforuniversalpreKindergarteneducationforfour-year-olds by2030,theallocationfor23newand upgradedpublicschoolsandforschool maintenance.Itisapositivesteptosee capitalworksandmaintenancefunding maintainedtoplanfortheprojected enrolmentboominNSWpublicschoolsby 2039.
P&C Federation remains focused on ways to best support our diverse school communities, particularly in relation to natural disasters and recovery. Working with other stakeholders P&CFederationcontinuestoengagewithkey stakeholderstofurtherstrengthenourreach andimpactinlinewithourstrategicgoals.
Werecentlyco-hosted,withBlackDog Institute,awell-attendedwebinarforparents andcarerson Navigating Your Teen’s Mental Health andwillcontinuetolookat opportunitiestopresentontopicsaround mentalhealthandwell-being.Youcanread moreaboutBlackDogInstitute’sresources forteensonp20.
PublicEducationFoundationrecentlyheld itsProudlyPublicAwardsnightinSydney. Thiswasaninspiringeveninghighlightingthe talentsofstudentsinpublicschoolsandthe passionanddedicationofindividualsand organisationssupportingthesestudentsto achievesuccess.
IhadthehonourofattendingtheNSW Anti-BullyingRoundtableinMaywiththe NSWMinisterforEducationandEarly Learning,SarahMitchell,theDeputyPremier
PaulToole,andMinisterforRegional Health,BronnieTaylor,alongwithvarious stakeholders.P&CFederationiscommitted toworkingtogethertoaddressthebullying andcyberbullyingofouryoungpeoplein NSW.
P&CFederationcontinuestoensureparents’ andcarers’voicesarerepresentedat consultationandengagementactivities withtheDepartmentofEducation.Our OfficeBearersmeetwiththeDepartment’s Executiveteameachtermforstrategic discussions,whilefortnightlymeetingsare heldwiththeCOVID-19Taskforceteamto hearaboutsupportandpolicydevelopments thataffectparents,carersandP&C Associations.
Our P&C Association volunteers DuringNationalVolunteerWeekin May,P&CFederationlaunchedour #nswpandcvolunteersatworksocialmedia campaigntoshowcasethiswork.Ithas beenwonderfultoseetherangeofactivities thatourhard-workingP&Cvolunteershave beendoingacrossNSW.ThankyoutoP&Cs whohavesharedtheirphotos–please keepthemcoming.Wealsohostedtwo webinarsonvolunteerengagementforour P&CAssociationleaders.Recordingscan beviewedviatheMembersPortal: https:// membersportal.pandc.org.au/PandCMember
NominationsarenowopenforP&C Federation’sAnnualVolunteerAwardsto recognisethecontributionP&CAssociations andtheirvolunteersaremakingto strengthentheirschoolcommunities.We havelistenedtoourmembersandhave expandedtheawardcategories.Youcan findoutmoreinformationaboutthese
NatalieWalker P&CFederationPresident
ONCE-IN-A-GENERATION TRANSFORMATION OF EARLY LEARNING By Lisa Alonso Love
Aseriesofhistoricannouncementsin theNSWStateBudget2022-23has signalledthestartofanexcitingnewerain NSW;atransformationofearlychildhood educationthatwillimpacteverychildacross thestate.
Everychilddeservesthebeststartinlife withaccesstoqualityearlylearningandthe supporttheyneedtothrive.Unfortunately, toomanychildrenhavenothadthesupport theyneedintheirearliestyears–twoin five NSWchildrenarealreadybehindwhenthey startschool.
TheNSWGovernment’sEarlyYears Commitmentisouropportunitytoturnthis aroundsoeverychild,whetherlivinginthe cityorinremoteorregionalNSW,hasthe opportunitiestheydeservetolearnand thrive.
OurcommitmentwillgiveeverychildinNSW thechancetohavethebestpossiblestart totheirlearningjourneyandwillmakeareal differencetohowtheystartschool,making thetransitiontoKindergartenassmoothas possible.
Thislandmarkinvestmentwillfocusonhighqualityeducationandsetstrongfoundations forlifelonglearningwhichwillplayavitalrole inNSWdeliveringaworld-classeducation system.
Theannouncementsincludetheintroduction ofuniversalpre-Kindergartenforallchildren inNSWby2030,feereliefforfamilies withchildreninpreschool(theAffordable Preschoolinitiative),theexpansionofcritical programsforprenataltoage five(Brighter Beginnings),aworkforcepackagetoattract andretainourinvaluableteachersand educators,andanewfundtosupportmore parentsreturningtowork.Theseinitiatives aredescribedinmoredetailbelow.
Welookforwardtoworkingcloselywiththe community,includingparentsandcarers,to designthebestmodelsfordelivery.
Universal pre-Kindergarten
TheNSWGovernmentwillinvest$5.8billion over10yearstointroduceuniversalpreKindergartenintheyearbeforeprimary schoolby2030.
Thiswillensureaqualitypreschool experienceforeverychildinNSWatnocost inthecriticalyearbeforeschool.Itwillbe availableforupto fivedaysperweekandfor morehoursthatbettersuitworkingfamilies.
ItisimportanttonotethatuniversalpreKindergartenisnotanotheryearofschool. Thiswillbeapreschoolprogramthat focusesoncognitive,socialandemotional developmentsothatchildrenlearntobuild connectionsandarepreparedtostartschool.
Growinginternationalevidenceshowsthat qualitypreschoolsetschildrenupforlife. OntarioinCanadaisleadingthewayinearly childhoodeducation,offeringafulldaypreKindergartenprogramtofour-and five-yearoldsacross fivedaysaweek.Studiesshow thelearningprogramisalreadyimproving children’ssocialandacademicskillsand boostingparents’workforceparticipation.
Thisyearwillseeusstarttoconsultwith families,thesectorandschoolsto findthe bestmodelforthisnewuniversalpreKindergarten.Wewillrunpilotsinselected locationstohelpusunderstandthebest waystointroduceuniversalpre-Kindergarten bytheendofthedecade.
Aordable Preschool TheAffordablePreschoolinitiativewillsee $1.3billioninvestedoverfouryears. From2023,feereliefwillbecomeongoing foreverychildinacommunityandmobile preschool,savingfamiliesupto$4,000 perchildeachyear.Feereliefforfour-and five-year-oldchildreninpreschoolinlongday carewillbeofferedforthe firsttime,saving familiesupto$2,000perchildperyear.In addition,aninvestmentof$64.1millionover twoyearsfrom2023willsupportmorethreeyear-oldchildrenattendinglongdaycareto participateinapreschoolprogram.
FundingwillalsobeprovidedtoNSW DepartmentofEducationpreschoolsto provide600hoursofaffordablepreschool. Thisisequivalentto fivedaysperfortnightof affordablepreschoolforallchildrenattending aDepartmentofEducationpreschool.
Brighter Beginnings TheBrighterBeginningsinitiativewillbe expandedwithaninvestmentof $376.5millionoverfouryears.
In2023asuiteofevidence-basedprograms targetingchilddevelopmentatalllifestages, fromprenataltoage five,willbeexpanded.
BrighterBeginningsseesgovernment agenciesworktogetherwitheducation, healthandsocialserviceprofessionalsto takecollectiveresponsibilityforensuringthe bestlifeoutcomesforeverychildinNSW.
ThroughBrighterBeginnings,healthand developmentcheckswillbebroughtinto NSWpreschools,inpartnershipwithhealth professionals,from2023.
ADigitalBabyBookwillbecreatedin conjunctionwiththeprogram,tomakeit easierforparentsandcarers.TheDigital BabyBookwillgiveparentseasieraccessto, andbettercontrolover,theirchild’shealth information.Thiswillsupportholistic,lifetimeimprovedhealthoutcomesfortheirchild.
MoreAboriginalChildandFamilyCentres willalsobebuilttodeliverkeyculturallysafe services.
The education and care workforce
Wewanttomakeearlychildhoodeducationa careerofchoiceforawholenewgeneration ofteachersandeducators,rightacrossthe state.TheNSWGovernmentiscommittinga landmark$281.6millionoverfouryearsto attractandretainearlychildhoodeducation andcareteachersandeducators.
Wewillturbochargeourscholarshipand supportprogramstohelpattractnewearly learningprofessionalsandmakeiteasier forourexistingworkforcetoupskill.We willpartnerwithuniversitiestocreatenew,
LisaAlonsoLove
DeputySecretary,EducationandSkills Reform,NSWDepartmentofEducation
HARDSHIP FUND HELPS GET STUDENTS AND FAMILIES BACK ON THEIR FEET Supplied by the NSW Department of Education
InMarchthisyear,manyregionsonAustralia’seastcoastexperiencedrecordlevels ofintenseandsustainedrainfall,resulting inoneofthenation’sworst-recorded flood disasters.TheNorthernRiversregionofNSW, hometoaround300,000people,wasoneof theworsthit.Thousandsofhomes,businessesandcommunityfacilitiesweredamaged inthedisaster,withwaterlevelsinLismore peaking2mabovethetown’sprevious flood record.
Inamongthephysical,social,psychological andeconomicwreckageofthe flooddisaster wasthetemporaryclosureofmorethan200 schoolsacrossthestate–aresultnotjust ofdamagetoschoolsitesbutalsotokey infrastructure,includingroadsandpower lines.Manyoftheseschoolswereinthe NorthernRiversregion,wherefamiliesand studentshavehadtocontendwithadversity withintheirlocalschoolcommunitiesandthe disruptiontotheirschoolroutines,ontopof manyotherchallenges.
Asaresultofthe floods,studentsand familieslostnotjustcriticalface-to-face learningtimebutalsokeyschoolequipment, andthesocialanddevelopmentexperiences associatedwithco-curricularactivitieslike sportsandcreativeartstoo.
$67m support package
Inrecognitionoftheadversityconfronting studentsandfamiliesaffectedby floods,the NSWGovernmentannounceda$67million supportpackage(https://bit.ly/educationflood-recovery)forschools,earlychildhood educationandcareservicesandvocational trainingservicesacrosstheNorthernRivers
Once in a generation ... from previous page
fast-trackedprogramsandprovide financial incentivestohelpattractandretainstaff.
Boosting access and aordability Wewanttosupportourearlylearningsector tothinkbigandinnovate–tocomeupwith newsolutionstoaddressthebarriersto familiesaccessingqualityearlychildhood educationandcare.
Significantinvestmentsthroughthe AffordableandAccessibleChildcareand EconomicParticipationFund–$5billionover
andNorthCoastregionsto supporttherecoveryfromthe flooddisaster.
TheEducationHardshipFundis onepartofthispackage,which hasbeendesignedtohelp studentsandfamiliesreplace essentialschoolitems,and fundotherimportantschoolrelatedactivities,including formals,excursionsandmusic productions.TheEducation HardshipFundprovides $500foreachgovernment schoolstudentintheLocal GovernmentAreasofBallina, Byron,ClarenceValley,Kyogle, Lismore,RichmondValleyand Tweed.Intotal,therearenearly30,000 studentseligibleforthegrantacross140 schools.
Positive effect WhiletheEducationHardshipFundswere onlyreceivedinlateMayandearlyJune, storieshavealreadyemergeddemonstrating thepositiveeffectthesupportishavingon ourstudentsandfamiliesin flood-affected areasofNorthernNSW.
Casino Public School
InthetownofCasino,locatedonthebanks oftheRichmondRiverandwhichsawmore than330homesinundatedby floodingin Marchthisyear,studentsatCasinoPublic SchoolareputtingtheirEducationHardship Fundstogooduse.
“WehaveaYear6excursiontoBrisbane
plannedforTerm4,”saysschoolprincipal NickieBartlett.“Atpresent,26families haveindicatedthattheywillbeusingthe EducationHardshipFundstosupplementthe costofthisexcursion,anditisanticipated thatthisnumberwillrise...Thiswillmean thatmanymorechildrenwillhavethe opportunitytoattendtheexcursionthan wouldhavewithoutaccesstothe[Education HardshipFund].”
For more details
TheEducationHardshipFundmoneyis availabletosupportstudentsandfamilies withschool-relatedcoststhroughtothe endofthe2023schoolyear.Westrongly encouragethoseeligibletotakeadvantageof theopportunitytosupportourstudentstoget backontheirfeetwiththeireducation.For moreinformation,pleasevisithttps://bit.ly/ financial-support-package
10years–willboostaccessandaffordability sothatparentswhowanttoreturntowork canaccessaqualityserviceclosetohome.
Thisstrategicinvestmentwillsupportearly childhoodeducationservices–including not-for-profitandfor-profitservices–tooffer moreplacessothatparentswhowantto returntoworkcanaccessaqualityservice closetohomeorworkandsupportservices todrivedownfeesforfamilies.
Formoreinformationonalltheseinitiatives,
pleasevisittheEarlyYearsCommitment websiteat www.education.nsw.gov.au/earlyyears-commitment
ForinquiriesorfeedbackabouttheEarly YearsCommitmentpleasecontactthe EarlyYearsCommitmentteambyemailing EarlyYearsCommitment@det.nsw.edu.au
Lisa Alonso Love DeputySecretary, EducationandSkillsReform, NSWDepartmentofEducation
The Education Hardship Fund offers $500 to eligible public school students in flood-affected areas of the North Coast. Parents and carers can use the funds for items or activities to support student learning and well-being.
NESA NEWS By Paul Martin
WelcomebacktoTerm3–we’renowhalf waythroughtheschoolyearandwhata yearit’sbeensofar.
Asalways,Iwanttooffermythankstothe schoolcommunity,includingparentsand carers,foryourongoingsupport,focus anddeterminationasweworkcollectively toimprovetheoutcomesofstudentsand childreninNSWschools.
Thingsshownosignsofslowingdowninthe secondhalfoftheyear,andIampleasedto saythatthereisplentytolookforwardto.
Firstly,tothecommunitiesintheNorthern Riverswhocontinuetorespondtotheimpacts ofthe floods–NESAremainscommittedto supportingyourschools,studentsandstaff.
Wewillcontinueliaisingdirectlywithstaffto ensureseniorstudentsareabletocomplete theirHSCastheyhadplannedthisyear.
Mysincerethanksgoestotheteachers,and ofcoursetheparentsandcaregivers,ofthe regionfortheirunwaveringsupportofthese students.Youhavebeenamazing.
NAPLAN Online
ThisyearthetransitiontoNAPLANOnline wascompletedinNSWschools.Schoolsput inconsiderableplanningandpreparationto bereadyfortesting,andIamgratefultoall involved.Tohavemorethan1.2milliontests completedonlineoverthenine-daytesting windowisnosmallfeatandIampleasedit proceededsmoothly,onthewhole.
Schoolshavetoldusthatstudents findthe onlinetestsmoreengaging,withtailoredtests thatadapttoeachstudent.Adaptivetesting resultsinbetterassessment,moreprecise resultsandgivesteachersabetterideaof howindividualstudentsaretravelling,aswell astheirstrengthsandareasforimprovement.
WithNAPLANOnlinemovingforwardtoMarch nextyear,NESAwillcontinueworkingclosely withschoolstosupportpreparations.
Theearliertestwindowmeansschoolswill receivepreliminaryresultssoonerforreading, conventionsoflanguageandnumeracy.
NSW Curriculum Reform I’dliketoextendawarmthankyouto everyonewhoprovidedfeedbackduring theconsultationperiodfortheEnglishand Mathematics3-10draftsyllabuses,aswellas theAuslan,ModernLanguagesandClassical LanguagesK-10draftsyllabuses,thatwere releasedforfeedbackfrom21Marchto 2May2022.
Thesyllabusesaresettobeavailableto schoolsfrom2023andmarkanimportant milestoneinourNSWCurriculumReform agenda.
Higher School Certicate WithHSCstudentsenteringtheir finalterm ofschool,Iencouragethemtofocusontheir well-beingandputstructuresinplacetohelp thembalancestudy,rest,connectionswith friendsandfamilyandphysicalexercise.
PaulMartin,CEO NSWEducationStandardsAuthority
Remember,beforethewrittenexamsbegin, studentshavealreadyachieved50%oftheir grade,soitisreallyimportanttokeepexams inperspective–andtherearemanypathways forstudentstoreachtheirgoals.
Tosupportstudentsthroughoutthejourney, wehavelaunchedStayHealthyHSCforthe thirdyearinarow.ReachOutisonboardfor thethirdyearrunning,andtheyare finding newandengagingwaystoencourageyoung peopletoaskforhelpiftheyneedit.Formore informationonNESA’sStayHealthyHSC initiative,visit www.education.nsw.gov.au/ student-wellbeing/stay-healthy-hsc
Anotherexcellentresource,nowavailable, isthe2022 HSC Study Guide inthe Sydney Morning Herald.Itincludesinformation, resourcesandadviceontheHSCfrom previousstudents,teachersandexperts.
Premier’s Reading Challenge ThePremier’sReadingChallengeisquickly drawingtoaclose,withthelastdayfor studententriesonFriday19August.The annualChallengeaimstoencouragealoveof readingforleisureandpleasureinstudents andtoenablethemtoexperiencequality literature.TheChallengeisopentoallNSW studentsfromKindergartentoYear10in government,independent,Catholicandhome schools.Formoreinformation,visit https:// online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc
Iwishyouahealthy,safeandproductiveterm ahead.
Untilnexttime,
Paul Martin ChiefExecutiveOfficer, NSWEducationStandardsAuthority(NESA)
NESA’s Stay Healthy HSC initiative offers resources to support students throughout their HSC journey. Photo: NSW Education Standards Authority
RECONNECTING WITH PARENTS By Linda Doherty
Morethantwoyearsoflivingthrough bushfires,apandemicand floods hasseenmanyP&CAssociationsstruggle toretainvolunteersandplantheirusual fundraisingandevents.
Schoolshavebeenevacuatedfornatural disastersorclosedduringCOVID-19 pandemiclockdowns,asmask-wearing andsocialdistancingbecamepartofthe ‘newnormal’.ManyP&CAssociationshave reportedtoP&CFederationthattheyare encounteringcommunitydisengagement,lost incomeandfewervolunteers.
P&CFederationhelda Reinvigorating Your P&C webinarformembersinMayduring NationalVolunteerWeektorecognisethese challengesandtoofferideasaboutattracting andretainingvolunteers.
Issues and solutions Thewebinarspeakerssaidcommon issuesincludedstayingconnectedand communicatingwithparents,anddealing withtheirfears.Butaspandemicrestrictions arerelaxed,thewebinarheardthatapositive attitude,lateralthinkingandreachingout toparentswerehelpingP&CAssociations reinvigoratetheircommunities.
Cherrybrook Technology High P&C RonHarrop,PresidentofCherrybrook TechnologyHighSchoolP&CAssociationin Sydney,saidparents’habitshadchanged duringCOVID-19,andtherewasafear factorthatneededtobeovercome.“Intheir hearttheystillwanttovolunteer,”hesaid. Volunteeringinthecanteen,forexample,had beenparticularlyaffected,andmanyP&C Associationshavehadtoreinforcehygiene, socialdistancingandvaccinationrulesto makepeoplefeelsafe.
Technologyhasbeencriticalforcommunity connection,withCherrybrookTechnologyHigh SchoolP&CAssociationusingwell-publicised onlineP&Cmeetings,guestspeakersand presentationswithgreatsuccess.The transitionofYear6studentsfromlocal primaryschoolstoYear7atCherrybrook TechnologyHigh–whichhas2,000students andisoneofthelargestpublicschoolsin NSW–hadbeenchallengingto find“theentry point”forparents,MrHarropsaid.
Raymond Terrace PS P&C
JenniferSarginson,PresidentofRaymond TerracePublicSchoolP&CAssociationin
theHunterregionforthepastyear,saidher committeewasformedduringapandemic lockdownanditwasdifficulttoconnect withparents.MrsSarginsonsaidherP&C committeereliedonvirtualmeetings,butshe couldstillseeparentsface-to-facebystanding outsidetheschoolgatetomeetandgreet them.
TheP&CAssociationreviewedprograms delayedduringthepandemicandreactivated prioritiessuchasfundsforschoolcomputers forthe355students.Inthepastyear, RaymondTerracePublicSchoolP&C Associationhasalsotransitionedfroma volunteer-runcanteentohavingapaid employeeinacashlesscanteen.
Goodold-fashionedrafflesdrewsomany donationsfromparentsandlocalbusinesses, whowereasked“togiveifyoucan”thatthere were36prizesfortheEasterrafflesandeight prizesforMother’sDay.
“Weputthepositiveenergyoutthere,andit worked,”MsSarginsonsaid.
Cammeraygal High School P&C
HeatherClarke,Vice-Presidentof CammeraygalHighSchoolP&CAssociation, saidhercommitteetriedto“keeplooking forwardinspiteofthechallenges”andhas foundthathybridP&CAssociationmeetings –heldsimultaneouslyonlineandface-to-face –areattractingmorepeopletomeetings. CammeraygalHighSchoolopenedin2015on Sydney’sLowerNorthShoreandnowhas900 students.
Aspandemicrestrictionseased,theP&C Associationfoundwaystoinviteparentsback intotheschool,suchashostingwelcome drinksandHSCinformationnights.Ms Clarkesaidshespoketoaschoolmeeting abouthowshebecameinvolvedintheP&C Associationtounderstandmoreabouther son’seducationandhadseen first-handthe “prideandcare”thatteachershadfortheir students.
A recording of the Reinvigorating Your P&C – Better Together webinar is available on the P&C Federation Members Portal at https://www.pandc. org.au/members-portal-login/
TIPS FOR ATTRACTING AND RETAINING VOLUNTEERS From the P&C Federation Team
•Createapositiveculture.
•Setclearandrealisticexpectations andbe flexiblewiththevolunteer’s time.
•Establishgoodcommunication.
•Beengaging.
•Providerespectandrecognition.
•Considervirtualvolunteeringif possible.
•Respectavolunteer’sdonationof time,viewsandculture.
•Thankvolunteersinyour communications.
•Recogniseexceptionalvolunteers (volunteeringawards,life membership).
•Peoplevolunteerwhensomeone asksthemtojoininperson.
ENGAGING WITH YOUR P&C COMMUNITY Suggestions from the P&C Federation Team
•Communicate,communicate, communicate!
•Communicatewiththewholeschool communityregularly.
•Letthemknowwhatyouaredoing andwhy.
•IncludecallstoactioninyourP&C Association’snewslettersorsocial media.
•Beconsistentandrespectful.
•Don’tjustrelyononemodeof communication.
•Planeventsthatsupportand showcasecommunitydiversityand bringthecommunitytogether.
•Inviteguestspeakerstoaddress P&CAssociationmeetings.
VIRTUAL AND HYBRID MEETINGS A LIFELINE GoodbyeZoom,helloclassroom’wasthe headlineontheNSWDepartmentof Educationwebsitewhenstudentsreturned toschoolfromthe firstCOVID-19pandemic lockdowninMay2020.Studentshadspent sevenweekslearningfromhome,andthis wouldberepeatedinanevenlongerlockdownin2021.
However,whilestudentsandteacherswere abletoconnectvirtually,initiallythiswasn’t thecaseforP&CAssociations.Inearly 2020,P&CFederationraisedaserious anomalywiththeNSWGovernment–P&C Associationscouldnotrunonlinemeetings becausetheirConstitution,approved decadesearlier,didnotrecogniseorpermit virtualmeetings.ThisleftP&CAssociations unabletomake financialdecisionsor approveschoolprojects,atatimewhenmany werelosingincomeduetoschoolclosures thatimpactedoncanteens,uniformshops andfundraising.
Inresponsetotheseconcerns,inMay 2020,theMinisterforEducationandEarly ChildhoodLearning,SarahMitchell,approved thePrescribedConstitutionforincorporated P&CAssociationstoholdvirtualmeetings. ThisonlyappliestoincorporatedP&C Associations.
Virtual meetings
Avirtualmeetingisdefinedasameetingof peopleinmultiplephysicallocationswhouse videoand/oraudiotomeetup.Thesemeetings heldoverplatformssuchasZoom,Microsoft Teams,GoMeetingsandGoogleprovideda lifelineforP&CAssociationstostayconnected
GUIDELINES FOR VIRTUAL AND HYBRID P&C ASSOCIATION MEETINGS Virtual meetings: Thesearemeetings wherepeopleareattendinginmultiple physicallocationsbyvideooraudio. Membersshouldbeconsultedastohow meetingsshouldworkinavirtualcontext.
Equity: Thereisarequirementtoensure thatallpeoplewishingtoparticipateare abletodosoinawaywheretheycanbe heardand/orseenandtheycanhearand/ orseeotherparticipants.
Security and privacy: Attendees’ personaldetails,includingemailaddresses andphonenumbers,arenottobeshared withotherparticipants.
No recording: P&CAssociationsshould beawaretherearelegalrestrictionson
recordingpeople.Forthisreason,we stronglyadvisethatmeetingsarenot recordedtoavoidpotentialconsent,privacy anddefamationissues.
Quorum: P&CAssociationswillneed todevelopaprocedureformonitoring quorumduringthemeeting(thenumber ofmemberspresent),especiallywhen debatingandmakingdecisions.Ifquorum isnotmet,thenyouneedtoconsidera proceduretoreconveneatanothertime.
Voting: Whenrequired,anyvotingsystem mustbeequivalenttoasecretballot.The constitutiondoesnotallowforashowof hands. No Proxy or absentee voting –no exceptions.
withtheirmembershipandschoolsduring pandemicrestrictionsthatpreventedparents physicallymeetingonschoolsites.Jennifer Sarginson,PresidentofRaymondTerrace PublicSchool,saidhercommitteereliedheavily onvirtualmeetings“togetthroughthetough monthswhenthingshadtogetdone”.
SETTING UP A VIRTUAL OR HYBRID MEETING Notification of a meeting: shouldincludewhen, where,dateandtimeas wellasdetailsofhowto joinbytechnology.Consider includinganRSVPto meetingssotheSecretary canconfirmattendanceatthe meeting.
Agenda: Makesurethe agendaisprovidedin advanceofthemeetingalong withanymotionsoritemsof businessforconsideration.
Taking membership: Developaprocessfordealing withnewmembershipor membershiprenewalinthe virtualenvironment.
From the P&C Federation Team
NEW-LOOK P&C FEDERATION AWARDSFOR 2022 TheP&CFederationNSWAnnual VolunteerAwardswillreturnthisyear aftera12-monthbreakduringtheCOVID-19 restrictions.Theseawardsrecognisemember NSWP&CAssociationsandtheirvolunteers whoarecontributinginoutstandingways totheirschoolcommunitiesandintheir supportforpubliceducation.
Volunteeringisatthecoreofbuilding strongpublicschoolcommunities,and P&CAssociationsprovidethehubforthese
valuableactivitiesandcontributions. Inourcentenaryyear,P&CFederationhas reviewedtheseawardsandmadechanges basedonfeedbackfromourmembers.The awardcategorieshavebeenexpandedto includegroupsofpeopleandindividuals, enablingustocelebrateandacknowledge awiderrangeofcontributions.Theaward categoriesfor2022are:
•P&CMember/softheYear
•CommunityVolunteer/softheYear
•P&CAssociationoftheYear
CONGRATULATIONS NEWLY INCORPORATED P&C ASSOCIATIONS CongratulationstothelatestnewlyincorporatedP&CAssociations.IfyourP&CAssociation isnotincorporated,takethetimetoconsiderthemanybenefitsthatincorporationbrings: https://www.pandc.org.au/incorporation .Ifyourequirefurtherinformationorclarification, contactP&CFederation’sMemberSupportTeamat mail@pandc.org.au orcalluson1300 885982.
P&C ASSOCIATIONP&C FEDERATION ELECTORATE
Ballimore Public School Far West
Cassilis Public School New England
Coopernook Public School Mid North Coast
Hargraves Public School Far West
Porters Creek Public School Central Coast
South Sydney High School Sydney
Forestville Public School North Sydney
President’s message ... from page 4
awardsandsubmitanominationviatheP&C FederationwebsitebyFriday,2September 2022: https://www.pandc.org.au/awards/ Membersupport
P&CFederationoffersanadvisoryserviceto supportP&CAssociationsthatarelooking attakingonanexistingOSHCservice.We’re currentlydiscussingwiththeDepartment waystosimplifythisprocessandmakethe transitionsmoothformembers.
AnnualmembershipwithP&CFederation wasdueforrenewalon1August.SomeP&C
Associationsmaybeexperiencingsignificant financialchallengesthisyear,particularly thosein flood-affectedareas.Iencourage theseP&CAssociationstocontactouroffice toseeifyouareeligibleforfeereliefunder theMembershipFeeHardshipFund.
Our AGM
P&CFederation’sAnnualGeneralMeeting willbeheldonSaturday,27August. And finally,weareverypleasedthatP&C Federationwillbeabletoholdourannual conferencethisyear.ItwillbeinSydneyon 29Octoberwiththeoptiontoattendonline.
Nominations close Friday, 2 September 2022.
PresentationswillbemadeatanAwards Dinnerfor finaliststobeheldontheevening ofSaturday,29October2022.
Furtherinformationaboutthenewaward categoriesandhowtosubmitanomination fortheseawardscanbefoundontheP&C Federationwebsiteat https://www.pandc. org.au/awards/
meetings ... from page 9
A virtual meeting is defined as a meeting of people in multiple physical locations who use video and/or audio to meet up.
Hybrid meetings
Butwhenschoolsreopenedandparents wereallowedbackonschoolsites,many P&CAssociationskeptuptheirvirtual meetings,oftencombiningthemwithfaceto-facemeetings,inahybridmodel.Many P&CAssociationshavereportedthathybrid meetingshaveresultedinmorepeople attending,allowingaccessforparentsthat wouldhavepreviouslyfounditchallenging toattendduetochildmindingorwork commitments.
Discounted licences Forthepastthreeyears,P&CFederation hasnegotiateddiscountedvirtualmeeting licencesforincorporatedP&CAssociations tosupportvirtualmeetings.Formore information,contacttheMemberSupport Teamat mail@pandc.org.au orphone1300 885982.
IhopetoseemanyofourP&CAssociations attheconferencetohearfromothersand shareexperiencesabouttheamazingwork youarealldoinginyourschoolcommunities.
IwishallourP&CAssociationsandtheir volunteercommunitiesagreatTerm3.
Natalie Walker President,
FederationofParentsandCitizens AssociationsofNSW
Virtual
PUBLIC EDUCATION: BUILDING GREAT AUSTRALIAN LIVES Supplied by The Public Education Foundation
Thereissomuchmediacommentary aboutpublicschoolsfocusingonaglass halfempty–theproblemsandchallenges facedbystudentsandeducators.Yetlittle publicattentionisgiventothethingswecan berightlyproudof,andshouldshoutfrom therooftops!AsAustralianactor,Deborah MailmanAOproudlyshares,“Mykidsarein publicschool.Theyhavefantasticteachers andIjustreallybelieveeducationandgreat educationbelongstoeveryone.”
Acoupleoftimesayear,whenthemajortest resultscomeout,storiesofstudentsfrom publicschoolsexcellingarefeaturedinthe papers.Butevenwiththose,thedeliveryof qualityeducationisnotwhatishighlighted: mostarticlesfocusonthestudents’ exceptionalabilities.
Publicschoolsarecompetitive,delivering qualityeducation,producinghighachievers andmeetingtheneedsofalllearners.
Inthe2021NSWHSCschoolranking,eight outofthetop10arepublicschools!
Jurist,educatorandformerjudge,TheHon MichaelKirbyACCMG,describeshispublic schoolexperienceas,“Encouragingpeopleto dowhattheywanttodoandwithexcellence. Excellencewasthemottoofmyschoolandof publiceducation.”
‘Essential Facts’ toolkit
Thenarrativeaboutpubliceducationis oftenswayedbywhoeverholdsthepenor canbemostcontroversialonsocialmedia. Factualinformationishardto find.ThePublic EducationFoundationhaspreparedatoolkit called Essential Facts About Public Education
In the 2021 NSW HSC school ranking, eight out of the top 10 are public schools! toaddressexactlythat.Everypublicschool educator,parent,andcarershouldbe equippedtotelltheessentialstoriesofpublic education.Ourgoalinproducingthisresource istoprovideprincipals,teachers,andschool supportstaffwithmaterialsthatcapturethe keyelementsofwhat’sgreataboutpublic educationandwhatthepubliceducation systemneeds.
Telling our stories
Theseeasy-to-readmaterialsaredesigned toserveasahandytoolkitwhentalkingwith yourcommunity:parents,students,new staff,neighbours,friends,andfamilywhose
mainsourceofinformationaboutpublic schooleducationmightbewhatthemedia tellsthem,whattheyhearoverthefenceor what’savailableonsocialmedia.Wewantto ensurethesediscussionsareunderpinnedby facts.Wewanttomakeiteasytospeakwith confidencewhendiscussingpubliceducation withanyonewemeet.Weinpubliceducation shouldknowourownstoriesbetterthan anyoneelse.
DownloadthetoolkitfromthePublic EducationFoundationwebsiteat https://bit. ly/essential-facts-public-education .Itconsists ofasix-pagebrochure,aone-pagesummary, aPowerPointpresentationandsocialmedia assets.
THE PUBLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION The Public Education Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing life-changing scholarships to young people in public education and enhancing the value and reputation of public schools. It works in collaboration with schools, communities, unions, the private sector and government to help students achieve their full potential and support teaching and learning excellence in the public education system.
Renewingmembership withP&CFederation
Membershipandinsurance renewalisdue1August2022
It’stimetorenewyourP&CFederationMembershipandInsurance. P&CFederationprovidesarangeofservicestomemberP&C Associationsandtheircommunitiesandiscommittedtoempowering P&CAssociationsandsupportingpubliceducationinNewSouthWales.
Memberbenefits
Information Technology P&CFederationmembers areofferedexclusiveaccess toOffice365onlineversion, affiliateemails,Member Portalandadiscounted Zoomaccount.
Professional Development GainaccesstotheMember Portal,wherememberP&C Associationscanaccessrelated informationandresourcesor takecoursesintheLearning Hub,anonlinelearningplatform tosupportthetrainingneedsof OfficeBearers.P&CFederation alsoofferswebinarprograms tosupportOfficeBearersand topicsofrelevancetoparents andcarers.
DirectMember Support P&CFederationstaffareon handtoprovidesupportto memberP&CAssociations overthephone,face-to-face, virtuallyorbyemail.
PublicLiability $50millionPublicLiability Insurancecoverisincluded inmembershipwithP&C Federation.Anumberof optionalcoversarealso availablethroughAndrews Insurance,providingadditional protectionforP&CAssociations runningbusinessoperations andactivities.
EmploymentLegal Advice InpartnershipwithHicksons Lawyers,P&CFederationoffers resourcesandbase-level, employment-relatedlegaladvice.
News&Publications P&CFederationpublishesa fortnightlyE-bulletin,alongwith the Parent&Citizen quarterly journalandcommunicates directlywithmembersonthe latestnewsandinformation relevanttoP&CAssociations andthewiderpublicschool community.Wealsostriveto givevoicetoP&CAssociations bysharingtheirsuccessstories inrecognitionoftheirservice totheirschoolandwiderpublic schoolcommunity.
VolunteerRecognition P&CFederationrecognises thecontributionsofindividual volunteerswhohave demonstratedoutstanding commitmenttotheirpublic schoolcommunitythroughthe P&CFederationNSWAnnual VolunteerAwards.
MembershipwithP&CFederationentitlesyourP&C Associationto$50millionPublicLiabilityInsurance
MemberP&CAssociationsarealsoencouragedtoconsiderother classesofinsurancestoensurethatyourbusinessneedsaremet (seeoptionsatright).
ItisrecommendedforallP&CAssociationstoreviewtheiroperations toensurethattheappropriate,adequatecoverisinplace. Ifyouwouldliketospeaktosomeonefurtheraboutyour specificinsuranceneeds,pleasecontactAndrewsInsuranceon 1300885982Option1.Email:ela@andrewsinsurance.com.au orangela@andrewsinsurance.com.au
CommunityAdvocacy ‘VoicewithValue’
P&CFederationiscommitted toafree,publiceducation systemwhichisopentoall peopleirrespectiveofculture, gender,academicability, andsocioeconomicclass.We representthevoiceofparents throughelectedDelegates andCouncillorstoworkwith theDepartmentofEducation andotherstakeholdersona rangeofpublicinteresttopics ineducation.
Torenewyour Membershipand completeyour MemberRegister Update,visitP&C Federation’swebsite: www.pandc.org.au
A NATURAL COLLABORATION By Janine Thwaite
LugarnoPublicSchoolP&CAssociation isthrilledtohavebeenpartofatruly collaborativepartnershipbetweenstudents, teachersandtheschoolcommunitytocreate theNaturePlaySpace–abeautiful,calming naturalenvironmentwhereourchildren explore,learnandgrowtogether.
Hard work and commitment
TheNaturePlaySpacereplacestheschool’s previousplayground,whichhadbeen off-limitstostudentsforseveralyearsdue tosafetyreasons.Thenewspace,which openedin2021,featuresawaterpump, creekbed,dryandwetsandpitareas,rock grindingstations,outdoorstage,climbing fortandaslide.
Aswellasaplayground,it’salsoanoutdoor learningareaandisusedbytheschool’s on-siteBeforeandAfterSchoolCarefacility (LOOSH).Aneighbouringpreschoolisalso keentousethespaceinpreparingits studentsforthetransitiontotheschool.
TheNaturePlaySpaceproject“reflects thehardworkandcommitmentofahighly collaborativeschoolcommunity,”says PrincipalJustineWilliams.Withagoodtrack recordforfundraising,ourP&CAssociation wasabletocontribute$47,000towardsthe totalprojectcostof$128,579.Thebalance camefromacombinationofschoolfunds andaStateGovernmentPremier’sgrant.
P&C ASSOCIATION STORY
In2022theFederationofParentsand CitizensAssociationscelebrates100 yearsofvolunteeringforNSWpublic schoolsandwewanttohearthestories thatshinealightonourremarkable membersandhighlighttheimportant roleofparentssupportinglocalschools inoneofthelargesteducationsystems intheworld.
Youcansubmitstoriesandphotos aboutyourP&CAssociation’sactivities andinitiativesviaP&CFederation’s websiteat https://www.pandc.org. au/100-years-of-pc-federation-2/ Wewillsharethestoriesinthe Parent & Citizen Journal,onourwebsite,in ourE-bulletin,onsocialmediaandin mainstreammedia.#PandC100years
Planningbeganin2019,whentheschool formedaPlaySpaceConsultationCommittee comprisingstudent,teacher,P&CAssociation andparentrepresentatives.Studentswere invitedtosubmittheirideasanddesigns toupgradetheoldplayequipmentand theseweresharedwiththeirpeerstogain consensusonthepreferreddesignelements.
As2021SchoolCaptainSophiaexplains, “Weweregivendifferentsheetsofpaper withalloftheideasonthem,andwepieced someofthemtogether,whichbuiltupthe twodifferentvariablesyoucouldvoteon.” Allstaff,studentsandtheconsultation committeerepresentativesvotedfor theirfavouritedesignand,aftersign-off bytheDepartmentofEducation’sAsset ManagementUnit,thelandscapecontractor settowork,removingtheexistingplay equipmentandcreatingthenewplayspace.
Getting back to basics ThebenefitsofthenewNaturePlay Spaceforstudentsandtheschool communityhavebeenhuge.
Studentsbubblewithexcitementasthey describetheimaginativewaysthattheyuse thespace.Mia(Year2)explains,“Wetry
makingnewthingseveryday.So,oneday wemightmakeareallycoolcastle,andthe nextdaywemightdigintothegrounduntil wegetthroughtothebottom.”Hayley(Year 2)agrees,“Youcanevendocompetitionsof whocanmakethebiggesthouseorhole.”
Overwhelmingly,therockgrindingstations seemtobethemostpopularfeature.Mia says,“Ireallyliketherockgrinding,because youcanmakepowder,thengetwaterand makethismixture,thenputitonyourhand andthenpretendit’smake-up.”Kailani(Year 1)agrees:“Outsidetheplayspacewecan’t playwithrocks,buttherewe’reallowedto useotherrockstosmashrocks.Iliketo crushthemandcreatestuff.It’sawesome–Icanmakemyownpaintoranythingoutof rockdust.”
SophiaandEmma(Year6)loveusingthe playspaceforlearningandimpromptudance performances.
More than just a play space TeacherDebRainfordthinkstheNature PlaySpaceblendsinnaturallywiththe leafyenvironmentofLugarno,andthatthe benefitsitprovidesforoutdoorlearningare endless.Sheusesthestageandsandpit
SHARE YOUR
1. Celebrating the grand opening of the Lugarno Public School Natural Play Space. 2. Students show Member for Oatley Mark Coure how to pump water in the creek bed in the new Play Space.
3. Students and adults together in the Nature Play Space creek bed during the opening. 4. Students dig and build in the wet sandpit area during the official opening. All photos courtesy Lugarno Public School
formathsandliteracylessons,and studentsusedifferentpartsofthe spaceforPDHPE.
Emmapointsout,“Whenwe’rethere,it feelslikeafunspacetohangoutand play.”Inadditiontohavingfun,Deb Rainfordhasalsonoticedstudents buildingresilienceandteamworkskills inthenewspace.“It’sreallygreatto seethekidsjustbecreative,getdown tobasics–notstressoverthings–they makethings,andthesandfallsdown, andtheypickitbackupagain.”She alsosaysthatbecauseitispeaceful andcalm,itallowsstudentswhodon’t wanttoplaysportorsocialiseinbig groupstohavesomequiettime.
TeacherBonnieDowhasseen studentsdevelopingsocialskillsand self-regulation.“Thechildrenare responsibleforhowtheyplayandclean upafterthemselves.Thesearethings theynormallydoontheweekend–playinginsandandwithwater–so itwasabittrickyat firsttoknowhow we’dmanageifkidscamebackwetor sandy,butI’vealreadyhad[students] askiftheycancleanupnowbecause theydon’twanttobesandylater… they’restartingtothinkahead.They’re alsolearninghowtosharethespace, taketurnsandbesafe.”
Playspaces,whenco-designedbythe childrenwhowillusethem,canbe somuchmorethanasetofplastic equipmentplonkedinaplayground. TheLugarnoPublicSchoolNature PlaySpaceisasensorygarden,an outdoorlearningarea,astageand ahabitatforbirdsandanimals.It providesopportunitiesforstudentsto investigate,becurious,becreative, beresponsible,cooperatewitheach other,engagewithnatureandcarefor country.
We wish to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which Lugarno Public School stands: the Bidjegal people of the Eora Nation, and pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
Janine Thwaite InclusionLeader, LugarnoPublicSchool P&CAssociation
FREE DENTAL CARE PROGRAM TO BENEFIT MORE NSWCHILDREN Supplied by NSW Health, Primary School Mobile Dental Program
Learningandbehaviourdifficultiesatschool canstartwithtoothandgumproblems. That’sbecausedecayandgumdiseasecan causepainanddifficultiesineating,sleeping, talking,concentratingandlearning,whichin turncanaffectachild’sbehaviourinclass. Achildwithtoothdecaymayalsofeelselfconsciousaboutthewaytheirteethlookand feel,makingitharderforthemtojoininclass andsocialactivities.
InNSW,allchildrenunder18yearsoldcan accessfreedentalcareatNSWHealth’spublic dentalclinics.Parentsandcarerscan find moreinformationandbookanappointmentat theirlocalpublicdentalservice( https://bit.ly/ nsw-health-oral-health).
PrimaryschoolsinWesternSydney,the MidNorthCoastandtheCentralCoastcan alsohaveoneofNSWHealth’s35Mobile DentalClinicsvisit,toofferalltheirstudents onsite,professionaldentalcare,rightinthe playground.
Theprogramiscurrentlybeingexpandedto includefurtherregionsacrossNSW.Ifyou wouldliketheprograminyourschool,please email MOH-PrimarySchoolDental@health.nsw. gov.au formoreinformation.
BoththeNSWHealthlocalpublicdental servicesandtheMobileDentalClinicswill offerfree,high-qualitycarebyexperienced NSWHealthstaff.Somechildrenmayalsobe eligiblefortheCommonwealth’sChildDental BenefitsSchedule https://bit.ly/child-dentalbenefits whichcanbeusedinpublicclinicsor atprivateproviders.
There’snoreasonforanychildinNSWto missoutongoodoralhealth,andthelearning benefitsitcanbring.Formoreinformationand healthpromotiontipsvisit: www.health.nsw. gov.au/oralhealth/prevention
Two things every parent should know for their child’s success
1.Goodoralhealthisessentialfor childrentosuccessfullylearnand participateatschool.
2.NSWHealthoffersfreepublic dentalhealthservicestoall childreninNSW.
NSW Health has 35 Mobile Dental Clinics which visit primary schools in Western Sydney, the Mid North Coast and the Central Coast. The program is currently being expanded to include schools in other regions across NSW. Photos: NSW Health
P&C FEDERATION AN EARLY SUPPORTER OF TVS IN CLASSROOMS As part of our Centenary year coverage, Linda Doherty explains the important role that P&C Federation played in introducing televisions in classrooms and advocating for high-quality children’s content
TelevisioncametoAustraliainSeptember 1956anditwasparentswho firstsaw theeducationalbenefitofthenewmedium–andpaidforTVsetsforpublicschool classrooms.
TheFederationofParentsandCitizensAssociationsofNSWwasanearlysupporterof televisionandcalledforTVsinclassrooms, high-qualitychildren’sprogramming,safe andrestrictedadvertising,andtheproper useofnewtechnology.
Fromtheearly1960s,P&CFederationes-
tablisheda‘TVCommittee’toadvocatefora separatetelevisionchanneltobecreatedfor educationalpurposes,accordingto A Short History of the P&C Federation 1908 to 1980 (Wimmer1980).
“Federationsawtelevisionasaveryuseful toolintheteachingofchildrenbutwasmost frustratedbytheunwillingnessorinability oftheDepartmentofEducationtoprovide apolicystatementofanysortontheuseof televisionforschools,”thepublicationsaid. AtthetimetheDepartmentsawtelevision asstillbeinginthe‘experimentalstage’and
questioneditseducationalvaluecompared withtheradioprogramsand filmsthatwere broadcastinschools.
Responsibilityforthepurchaseandmaintenanceoftelevisionsinschoolsfelltothe P&CFederationuntilJune1966whenthe DepartmentofEducationtookoverthemaintenanceofTVs.
In1962therewerejust36TVsinpublic schoolspaidforbytheP&C–threeinsecondaryschools,18inmetropolitanprimary schoolsand15incountryprimaryschools. TheNSWGovernmentprovidedfreesets to10hospitalschoolsandninewelfare schools.
Thequalityofeducationprogrammingwasa keyconcernofP&CFederationanditscommitteereviewedshowsavailableforchildren. Forexample,itfoundTheThreeStoogesset “abadexample”forchildrenbutwas“inane butharmless”.
P&CFederationalsotookonpowerful corporations,callingin1965forthebanning ofcigaretteadvertisingontelevision.Ittook until1976untilallcigaretteadvertisingwas bannedonradioandtelevisioninAustralia.
Mainsource: A Short History of the P&C Federation 1908-1980,bySWimmer,published bytheFederationofParentsandCitizens AssociationsofNSW,Sydney,1980.
A rare television in a classroom in the early 1960s at Arthur Phillip High School, Parramatta, Sydney. Photo courtesy NSW Department of Education
P&C FEDERATION PAST PRESIDENTS REFLECT This article, by Tim Spencer, is the last in our Centenary celebration series in which we ask P&C Federation Past Presidents to reflect on their time in the role
ADVERSITY BRINGS INNOVATION P&C Federation President 2019-2021
MyPresidency,from December2019 untilthenewBoardwas electedinJuly2021, occurredduringatime ofuncertaintyand unprecedentedchallenges forP&CFederationandourmemberP&C Associations,duetoachangeofFederation leadership,theCOVID-19pandemic,bushfires and floods.However,thisperiodofadversity alsoofferedusopportunitiestoinnovate, expandandstrengthenP&CFederation’s presenceandengagementwithitsmembers andstakeholders.
InNovember2019,P&CFederationfound itselfintheunusualpositionofhavingto electanewPresidentand findanewGeneral Manager.AlthoughelectingthePresidentwas straightforward,themainprioritywasto find anewGeneralManager.Duringthisperiod, considerableeffortwasputintomaintaining servicesandprovidingguidanceandsupport tostaff.HannahPiaBaralcommencedinthe GeneralManagerroleinMarch2020.
Inearly2020,COVID-19arrived,andwith loominglockdowns,P&CFederationtook proactivestepstohavetheConstitution amendedtoallowincorporatedP&C Associationstoholdvirtualmeetings.This provisionwasintroducedtoensurethatP&C
Associationswereabletocommunicateand continuewiththeiractivitiesthroughoutthe pandemic.
OneofthekeyfocusesofmyPresidencywas activelypursuingcloserworkingpartnerships withtheDepartmentofEducationandkey stakeholderssuchastheNSWTeachers Federation,theNSWSecondaryPrincipals CouncilandtheNSWPrimaryPrincipals Association.Thislaidthegroundworkforthe positiverelationshipsnowbeingfurtheredby P&CFederation’scurrentBoard.
OtherachievementsduringmyPresidency included:
•Developingandimplementingarevised StrategicPlanfor2021-2024.
•Creatingabudgetthatinvestedindigital transformationactivities,rebranding, additionalstaffingandresourcesand preparationforP&CFederation’s100-year anniversary.
•Introducingwhatisnowahighly-successful webinarprogramwithinafewweeksof lockdown,inresponsetotheneedto increaseourengagementwithmembers andbeabletoquicklyshareinformationin anaccessibleandtimelymanner.
•Introducingcasemanagementprocesses forcomplexP&CAssociationissues.
•Offeringbasiclegalsupportformembers.
•Establishingregularmeetingswith theDepartmentofEducation’sSenior Executiveteam.
•ProvidingdiscountedZoomlicensingfor members.
•Offeringamembershipfeereliefprogram toP&CAssociationswhoexperienced financialhardshipduringthepandemic.
•IntroducingP&CFederation’sOnline LearningHubformemberstosupport professionaltraininganddevelopment.
•AcknowledgingtheeffortsofP&C AssociationvolunteersattheVolunteerof theYearAwardsDinner.
• HostingP&CFederation’s firstVirtualTown Halleventonthefutureofvolunteering.
•WelcomingthenewBoardinAugust 2021,aftertheelectionofCouncillors andDelegatesscheduledfor2020was postponedto2021duetoCOVID-19.
Despitetheunprecedentedchallengesduring mytimeasPresident,P&CFederationworked hardtosupportourmemberswithnewand improvedservicesandtorepositionthe organisationasastrongandvibrantpeak bodyandmembershiporganisation,readyto facethechallengespresentedtousandwell positionedtobuildasustainablefuture.
ItwasaprivilegetoserveasPresident,andin thisCentenaryyearofP&CFederationIwould liketoacknowledgetheeffortsofallthose thatcamebeforeusinbuildingandsustaining suchanimportantorganisation.
summarisedinthegraphiconpreviouspage. Thankyoufortellinguswhatisimportantto youandyourchild/children.Yourfeedbackis importantandvaluable.
Next steps TheDepartmentisnowdevelopingan evidence-based,systemslevelOutcomes Frameworkthatisinformedbythevoices ofstudentswithdisability,theirfamilies, educatorsandexperts.Weareworking towardsreleasingtheOutcomesFramework towardstheendof2022.
Inclusive Learning Support ... from page 17
theschoolforhelp,planningforpersonalised learninganddifferentlearningenvironments andkindsofsupportinNSWpublicschools. Parentscanalsotakeadvantageof theenrolmenttoolwhichgeneratesa personalisedtimelineforcontactingtheir localpublicschooltodiscusstheirchild’s supportneeds.
Wewelcomefeedbackonthehubaspart ofitscontinuousimprovement,withparents andcarersencouragedtovisitthesiteat https://bit.ly/inclusive-learning-support and tocontactuswiththeirthoughts.
Theimprovementstothehubarepartofthe Department’spushtoensurethatparents
ofstudentswithdisabilityhaveaccessto accurate,easy-to-readinformationabouthow theirchildrencanbesupportedthroughout everystageoftheirschoolingjourney.
TheDepartmenthascontinuedtoimprove outcomesforstudentswithdisability inarangeofways,includingproviding professionallearningforteachers, creatingaDisabilityLearningandSupport virtualstaffroomforstaffandprioritising technologicalsupportsforstudentswith disability.
Youcan findoutmoreat https://bit.ly/ourdisability-strategy
Creating better outcomes ... from page 17
RESOURCES TO SUPPORT YOUR TEEN’S MENTAL HEALTH Supplied by Black Dog Institute
InAustralia,youngpeopleaged16to24 yearshavethehighestprevalenceofmental illnesscomparedtoanyotheragegroup. Wearecurrentlyfacingsomeofthemost challengingtimesasanation,withresearch showingthattheCOVID-19pandemicand associateddisruptiontonormallifehas affectedyoungpeople’smentalhealth, withnegativeimpactsreportedonlearning, friendshipsandfamilyrelationships(Li et al 2021).
Settingteenagersupwiththerightskillsand resourcesearlyinlifecanhelptosupport theirwell-beingandresilience.Aboutthreequartersofcommonmentalhealthproblems emergebeforetheageof25,sointervening earlytoprovidetherighttoolsisessentialto enableouryoungpeopletolivehealthyand fulfillinglives.
Start with positive psychology
Positivepsychologyisbestunderstoodasa groupofmentalhealthareascontributing toanindividual’swell-being–whichaligns withtheWorldHealthOrganization’s(WHO) definitionofmentalhealth:“astateofwellbeinginwhichtheindividualisabletorealise theirpotential,copewithnormallifestresses, andisabletoworkandcontributetothe community”.Inthisway,wecanbegintothink aboutthewell-beingofyoungpeopleasmore thanjusttheabsenceofmentalillness.
Therearemanyareasofpositivepsychology thatarethoughttocorrespondtooptimal mentalhealth.Theseincludegratitude, mindfulness,positivesocialrelationships, meaninginlife, flow,optimism,hopeanda healthylifestyle.Researchhasalsoshown thatincreasesingratitudealone,defined asastateofpositivereflection,canleadto improvedpositivemood,lifesatisfaction,and relationships.
Researchshowsthatpositivepsychology programscanleadtoincreasedwell-being andreducesymptomsrelatingtodepression. Theseprogramscanbeaneffectiveearly interventiontoolforyoungpeople,helping themtobuildhappier,healthierandmore resilientlives.
Mental health and resilience BITEBACKisBlackDogInstitute’sfree, self-guidedandonlinewell-beingand
resilienceprogrambasedon positivepsychology,foryoung peopleaged16-24.Itusesa combinationoffuninteractive activities,quizzesand animationsacrossessential areas,includinggratitude, optimism, flow,meaning, hope,mindfulness,character strengths,healthylifestyles andpositiverelationships.
BITEBACKteachesyoung peopleaboutthebenefits ofincreasingwell-being, strategiestodevelopskillsin eacharea,andlinkstoother relevantresources.
BITEBACKmakesbuilding skillsforbettermentalhealth andwell-beingfunforyoung people.ItfeaturesaMental FitnessChallenge,which guidestheuserthroughthe criticalareasoversixweeks.Theyareinvited tolearnandcompletetheweeklychallenges andarerewardedwithtokensthatplace theminadrawtowina$50voucherattheir favouritestore.
EvidenceshowsthatusingBITEBACKcan decreasesymptomsofdepressionandanxiety andincreasewell-beinginyoungpeople (Manicavasagar et al 2014).Italsoaligns withtheMentalHealthandwell-beingfocus areaoftheHealthandPhysicalEducation Australiancurriculum.
Liketohaveago?Try BITEBACKforfreeby scanningthisQRcode.
References
LiS,BeamesJ,NewbyJ,MastonK,ChristensenH, Werner-SeidlerA(2021)TheImpactofCOVID-19On TheLivesandMentalHealthofAustralianAdolescents. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. https://doi. org/10.1007/s00787-021-01790-x
ManicavasagarV,HorswoodD,BurckhardtR et al (2014)FeasibilityandEffectivenessofaWeb-Based PositivePsychologyProgramforYouthMentalHealth: RandomizedControlledTrial. Journal of Medical Internet Research 16(6)e140.doi:10.2196/jmir.3176
Who is Black Dog Institute? TheBlackDogInstituteisa globalleaderinmentalhealth researchandtheonlyMedical ResearchInstitute(MRI)in Australiatoinvestigatemental healthacrossthelifespan.We createreal-worldimpactby integratingourresearchinto newclinicaltreatmentsand services,educationalandtraining programs,digitaltools,resources, andapps.Thesearedesignedto supportAustralianswhenthey feelsad,worriedandanxious, andarelookingforsupport.Visit https://www.blackdoginstitute. org.au/
BITE BACK website
SCHOOLS SWITCH ON TO SMART ENERGY By Nick Fisher
Australia’slargestschool-basedtrialof solarandbatterytechnologyisnow underwayinNSWpublicschools.
Sixtyschoolsarecurrentlytakingpartin thetrialofsolarandbatteryenergystorage systemsandVirtualPowerPlanttechnology, tohelptestthemosteffectivewaytodeploy renewableenergytechnologyacrossthe publiceducationsector.
TheSmartEnergySchoolsPilotProjectis expectedtosavemorethan$550,000in energycostsandreducecarbonemissionsby 1,670tonneseachyearattheschools.The exactsavingsandreductionswillvaryateach school.
Solarandbatteryenergystoragesystemsare nowbeinginstalledatthe60schoolsand willbeconfiguredtomaximisetheuseofthe renewableenergytheygenerateandstore.
How it works
Thesolarpanels(whichmakeuparooftop solarsystem)generatepowerwhichisused
Nimbin Central banks on $18,000 power saving
NimbinCentralSchoolinthestate’s NorthernRiversregionhaditsnew solarandbatterysysteminstalled aspartoftheSmartBatteriesinKey GovernmentBuildingsInitiative.
ItisnowalsotakingpartintheSmart EnergySchoolstrial.Its66kilowatt solarsystemisexpectedtogenerate morethan100megawatthoursof renewableenergyayear–moreenergy thanitconsumes.Evenbetter,the systemisexpectedtosavemorethan $18,000ayearinelectricitycosts.
However,theSmartEnergySchools PilotProjectwilltesthowcost-effective thesolar,batteryandVirtualPower Plantsystem(seemainarticle) isforschoolslikeNimbinCentral andwhethertheycanhelpreduce costsandearnextrarevenuefrom supportingtheelectricitygrid.
WatchavideocasestudyonNimbin CentralSchoolat https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=X8MMs4HCcvg
onsiteandalsostoredinthebatterysystems tousewhenrequiredbytheschools.The excessorstoredenergycanalsobeexported totheelectricitygridormanagedaspartof aVirtualPowerPlant(VPP).AVPPdelivers energybyusingtechnologytolinksolarpanels andbatterystoragesystemsatdifferent sites(inthiscaseschools)sothecombined generationanddemandcanbemanagedin thesamewayasatraditionalpowerstation.
VPPsoftwarewillbeusedtosendsomeofthe energygenerationintotheNSWelectricitygrid whenit’sneeded.Thisintelligentoperating systemcanalsodeterminewhenit’sagood timefortheschoolstobedrawingpower fromthegrid–suchasinthemiddleofthe daywhenthereisexcesssolarpowerinthe system.Thissystemcanhelpfurtherreduce carbonemissionsandenergycosts.
TheSmartEnergySchoolsPilotProjectis lookingathowschoolsandlocalcommunities canmaximisethebenefitsfromthese consumerenergyresourcesandsmart operatingsystems.
Cooler Classrooms Program
Newairconditioningsystemswithsmart controlsarealsobeinginstalledatsomeof theschoolsaspartoftheCoolerClassrooms Program.Thiswillhelptestwaystheycan operatewiththesolarandbatterytechnology toavoidcostlyupgradestotheelectricity gridthatwouldberequiredasaresultof increaseduseofairconditioning.
TheresultsoftheVPPandairconditioning
trialswillbereviewedoverthenext12months todeterminethemostcost-effectivewayto deploythistechnologyonamuchlargerscale.
Theprojectwillalsoinvestigatehowthiscan beachievedwithoutaddingtotheemerging challengeofmanagingtoomuchsolar generationbeingsentbackintotheelectricity gridallatonce.
Classroom resources
SchoolstakingpartintheSmartEnergy SchoolsPilotProjectwillalsogetaccessto anonlineportalshowingtheenergythatis generated,storedandusedonsiteattheir school.
Thisenergydatacanalsobedownloadedby studentsandteachersaspartofclassroom lessons,particularlyforcoreSTEMsubjects likescienceandmaths.
Theportalcouldalsobeaccessedbyschool communitiestohelpengageparents,families andothergroupsinlearninghowthisnew technologyworksandhowthebenefitscanbe shared.
Find out more
Moredetailsabouttheproject,includinga rangeoffactsheetsandcasestudies,canbe foundat https://bit.ly/smart-energy-schools
NickFisher ProjectDirector SmartEnergySchoolsPilotProject SchoolInfrastructureNSW
Kingswood Public School Vice-Captain Timothy Hammond inspects the school’s new 55 kilowatt solar array. Photo courtesy School Infrastructure NSW
START PLANNING TO GET THE MOST OUT OF WORK EXPERIENCE Supplied by the Careers Advisers Association of NSW & ACT Inc Workexperienceisoneofthelasting memorieswealltakewithusfrom highschool.Itcanalsoshapeusinsome unexpectedandpositiveways.Formany, workexperienceispartoftheYear10 educationalexperience,anditcomesalong atatimewhenstudentsmaybestrugglingto seethevalueoftheireducation,questioning theroadaheadorinneedofemployment andgreater financialindependence.Itisan opportunitytoexplorefutureoptions–no previousknowledgeorskillsarerequired!
Where should my child go?
Talktoyourchildrenabouttheirdreamjobsor thingstheyaregoodatorinterestedinandbe preparedtoplan.Ifthisisn’tsomethingyou normallytalkabout,it’sagreatideatostart thisconversationinYear9,givingyourchild plentyoftimeto findtheplacewheretheywill receivearelevantandpositiveexperience.
The school’s Careers Adviser will usually hold an information event for students, and often parents as well, to explain the work experience process and answer any questions.
Workexperienceinsomeindustriesneedsto bebookedupto12monthsinadvancedue tothehighdemandand/orlowavailability. Forexample,mediaandentertainment organisations(suchasnewspapers, magazines,webcompanies,televisionand filmproduction)areoftenhappytohostwork experiencestudentsbutneedtoschedule themacrosstheyearsothatitisaworthwhile experienceforeachstudent.Thismeans forwardplanning.Someworkexperience placementsareco-ordinatedby,andrequests mustgothrough,theschool,socheckthis withtheCareersAdviser.
Taking action •Checkifallstudentsatyourchild’s schoolgooutonworkexperienceat thesametimeoratatimeduringthe yearthatissuitablefortheemployer.
Ifalleligiblestudentsgoouttowork experienceatthesametime,thismay limittheavailabilityoflocalemployers andoftenit’sacaseof‘firstin,best dressed’tosecureanemployerwith limitedplaces.
•Workexperienceisoftennotpermitted duringschoolholidays,socheckwith yourschoolifyourchildisconsidering this.
•Someschoolsmaynotallowstudentsto completeworkexperienceinthelead-up toexamperiods(usuallytwotothree weeksprior).
•Howwillyourchildgettotheplacement oftheirchoice?Aretheyanindependent travellerorrelyingonotherstotransport them?
• Someemployersmayhavespecific clothinganduniformrequirements.
•Studentsalsoneedtothinkabouthow theywillorganise,storeandcarryfood andwaterduringtheday.
•Someemployersmayrequirestudentsto workatseveralsitesthroughouttheday, whichusuallyrequiresthecompletion ofadditionalpaperworktocoverthe studentmovingbetweensitesinan employer’svehiclewiththeemployeror anotheremployeeofthecompany.
•Willthechosenworkplacerequire somethingspecific,suchasaWhite Cardtoaccessconstructionsites?Some schoolswillrunaWhiteCardcourse throughouttheyear.Checkwiththe CareersAdviser.
•Someindustriesareconsidered toodangerousforstudentsandare excludedorrestricted,suchasshipping, commercial fishing,transport,farming, andthoseinvolvinghorsesormachinery. Thesewillbelistedintheinsurance documentprovidedbyyourchild’s school.
• Someindustriesaredifficultto secureworkexperienceinduetothe confidentialnatureofthework,such aslaw,psychology,thepoliceforceand medicine.However,thereareseveral ‘virtual’workexperienceopportunities inthese fieldsavailabletostudents.The CareersAdviserwillhaveinformation onhowtoaccessthemandyourchild’s schoolmightalreadyhaveasubscription tothesewebsites.
•Employyournetwork.Doyouknow anyoneworkingintheindustryor occupationyourchildisinterestedinthat mightofferthemworkexperience?And remember–workexperienceisunpaid!
Permission notes
Paperwork,oftenreferredtoasaStudent PlacementRecord(SPR),mustbecompleted andsignedbyparents/carers,thestudent, theemployerandtheschoolbeforethe studentstartstheirworkexperience.This documentisessentialfortheinsurancethat coversboththestudentandemployerwhile yourchildisintheworkplace.
Theschool’sCareersAdviserwillusuallyhold aninformationeventforstudents,andoften parentsaswell,toexplainthisprocessand answeranyquestions.
Tips for students • Askquestionsand findoutasmuchas possibleaboutthejob,prospectsfor employmentandindustrytrends.
•Takethetimetolearnnewskills.
•Getadviceonpathwaystothisjoband acareerpathwithintheindustryfrom thosewho’vedoneit.
•Iftheyhopetogainemploymentfromthe workexperience,theyneedtoshowthe employerwhatavaluableemployeethey are.Thismeansbeingwellpresented, punctual,showinginitiative,being enthusiastic,followingsafetyprotocols, doingtheirbest,askingquestions–and puttingtheirmobilephoneawayduring workhours!
Work placement ThisisusuallycompletedinYears11and12 andisdifferentfromworkexperience.Work placementisamandatoryrequirementof somespecificvocationalcoursesofferedby theschool,TAFE,orothertrainingprovider.
Studentsareexpectedtohavehadsome specificindustrytraininganddemonstrate someoftheskillstheyhavelearnedinthe classroomintheworkplace,toindustry standard,andareassessedbytheteacher as‘competent’or‘notyetcompetent’.Talkto yourschoolCareersAdviserifyouneedmore information.
Go Camping at Cockatoo Island Located in the heart of Sydney Harbour, Cockatoo Island’s waterfront campground is a great way for P&C group members and their families to celebrate their school community, forge closer ties and unwind in a historic setting ripe for exploration.
There are ve camping options, catering for dierent budgets and family sizes. With easy access to harbourside cafés as well as sheltered facilities (incl. showers, barbeques, and a kitchen), it’s no wonder camping at CockatooIsland has become an annual tradition for many P&C groups!
BONUS: When eligible P&C groups register their stay with us, we’ll reward their school with a camping voucher for use in a fundraising initiative (T&Cs apply).
SPECIAL OFFER: P&C group members save 5% when they book camping online with the following promo code by 30 September 2022: HAPPYCAMPER
To learn more and book a P&C group camping trip, scan the QR code.
DISCOVER WHAT LW REID CAN DO FOR YOUR SCHOOL 
