Sydney Electorate: Yvonne Hilsz (P&CFederationPresident), yvonne.hilsz@pandc.org.au
Hunter Electorate: Glenn Campbell (P&CFederationVice-President), glenn.campbell@pandc.org.au
North Sydney Electorate: Jason Wong (P&CFederationSecretary), jason.wong@pandc.org.au
South West Sydney Electorate: Hema Fifita, hema.fifita@pandc.org.au
North West Sydney Electorate: Liga Hegner, liga.hegner@pandc.org.au
Macarthur Electorate: Cassandra Jones, cassandra.jones@pandc.org.au
Southern and Central Tablelands Electorate: Gabrielle Kuta, gabrielle.kuta@pandc.org.au
West Sydney Electorate: Wade Marionneaux, wade.marionneaux@pandc.org.au
Riverina Electorate: Dr Saba Nabi, saba.nabi@pandc.org.au
South Coast Electorate: Aresha Quaass, aresha.quaass@pandc.org.au
Mid North Coast Electorate: Jason Ryan, jason.ryan@pandc.org.au
Central Coast Electorate: Kristy Thomas, kristy.thomas@pandc.org.au
More information at: https://www.pandc.org.au/board-members/
Parent & Citizen Journal
TheJournaloftheFederationof ParentsandCitizensAssociationsof NewSouthWales
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69PhillipStreetParramattaNSW2150 P:0296334808F:0296339764 E: parraphillip@snap.com.au www.parraphillip.snap.com.au
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE By Yvonne Hilsz, P&C Federation President
WelcometoTerm22024.Ihopeyou hadanenjoyablebreakandareready foranewtermahead.TheP&CFederation hasalreadycoveredalotofgroundthisyear andIamexcitedtosharewithyousomeof theactivitiesandinitiativeswehavebeen driving,andwhattokeepaneyeoutforin thecomingmonths.
Welcome back to school webinar
Thisyearwekickedoffwithaveryspecial webinarwithNSWDeputyPremierand MinisterforEducationandEarlyLearning, theHon.PrueCarMP,andTheSecretary, NSWDepartmentofEducation,MuratDizdar. Ihadtheprivilegeofchairingourmeetingof over1,000registrantsaswesetuptheprioritiesforthenewschoolyear.Parentsand carerswereabletoasktheirquestionsinour livechatandwehadagreatQ&Asession thatwasinformative,livelyandalotoffun. Itwasagreatwaytostartanewtermanda newyearandtofacilitatethisvitalchannelof communicationbetweentheDeputyPremier andEducationSecretarywithourhard workingandpassionateparentandcarer community.
Back to school event
IwasalsoverypleasedtoattendtheNSW DepartmentofEducation’sinauguralbackto schooleventatSydney’sTownHall.Itwasa fantasticeveningwhereteachers,students, educationleadersandothersgatheredin celebrationofpubliceducationandthenew yearahead.Weenjoyedperformancesfrom sometalentedstudentsincludingStrathfield NorthPublicSchoolChoir,andvisitingthe manystallsofferinginformationtoassist studentsontheirlearningjourneys.Asa representativeoftheparentsandcarers ofNSW,itwasajoytobeinattendance supportingthegreatworkthatisdoneinour publiceducationsystem.
Full Funding Matters Iamalsoveryproudtosharethatwehave kickedoffthisyearwithacoordinated campaigntochampionfullfundingforpublic schoolsinNSW.InFebruarywelaunchedour FullFundingMatterscampaign,askingthe NSWGovernmenttofundpublicschoolsto thefullSchoolingResourceStandard(SRS). (FormoreinformationontheSRSseethe articleonpp10-11ofthisissue).
Currently98%ofAustralianpublicschools arenotbeingfundedtothefullSRS.So,
we’veaskedP&CAssociationstopassa resolutioninsupportoffullfunding;wehave invitedallparents,carersandcitizenstosign ourpetition;andwehavebeenhardatwork totakeeveryopportunitytospeaktothis issueinthewidermedia.
OurP&CAssociationsdoanamazingjob tosupportandfundraisefortheirschool communitieseachyear.Ipersonallyknow justhowmuchworkandvolunteerhourscan gointoraisingfundsforyourchild’sschool. Butwe firmlybelievethatthisworkshould beanadditionalresourcetoenableschool
Thisyearwe chosetocelebratehowP&Cs MakeItPossible! –fromoperating canteensand uniformshops tofundraising forprojectors andpotplants. Ittakesalotto makeourpublic schoolsthriveandyouareeachabigpartof makingthatpossible.
It was a fantastic opportunity to take stock of all that is happening for P&C Associations. communitiesto flourish,andwearecalling ontheGovernmenttoproperlyresourcethe educationoftheroughly800,000students inNSWwhodependonthem.
Ihaveadvocatedforourparentcommunities onABCRadioonanumberofoccasions andwillcontinuetotakeeveryopportunity tospeaktotheimportanceofthisissueon yourbehalf.Pleasejoinusinthisimportant campaigntoensurefundingforouryoung people’scrucialyearsofeducationand formation.#FullFundingMatters.
P&C Day Iwasalsothrilledtobeabletocelebrate P&CDaywithyouall!The firstWednesdayin MarchisP&CDay,andsoon6Marchthis yearwesawmanycelebrationstakingplace acrossNSW.Iknowhowmuchtime,care, thought,work,andpassiongoesintorunning aP&CAssociation,andIwanttoacknowledgeandsayaheartfeltthankyouforall thatyoudoforouryoungpeopleandschool communities.
IwasgratefultocelebrateP&CDaywithThe Secretary,NSWDepartmentofEducation, MuratDizdar,atBotanyPublicSchool.We hadafantastictimemeetingwiththeP&C Associationvolunteers,andIwanttosaya bigthankstoPrincipalHeatherStrachan andBotanyPublicSchoolparentsforsharing theachievementsoftheirP&Candschool communitywithus.Seep8inthisissueof thejournalformoreonP&CDay.
Board strategy day
InFebruary,theP&CFederationBoardand seniormembersofstaffgatheredforafull daytocraftourstrategyforthenextthree years.Itwasafantasticopportunitytotake stockofallthatishappeningforP&CAssociationsandwhatweasaFederationcando tobestsupportandamplifytheimpactand voiceofparentsandcarers.Thedaywasa greatsuccess,sharingideasandexperiences,andunitedusallunderacommonvision forournextsteps.
P&C Federation on theroad Wewanttoseeyou!Thisyearwewillruna seriesofeventsacrossregionalandrural NSW.TheP&CFederationwillcometoyou –tohearyourstories,toshareresources, andtogettoknowourmembersbetter.We hadanexcellenttimeatourconferencelast year,butweknowthatformany,travelwas abarriertoattendance.Toaddressthis,we arecommittedtovisitingarangeoflocations whereourP&CAssociationmembersare based,tobringallthebenefitsoftheconferencetoyouinalocalform.Wearestarting withtheHunterandCentralCoastregion, butwillbeintouchwithotherregionsasour roadmapemerges.WatchoutfortheP&C Federationteamcomingtoatownnearyou, andseep11inthisissueofthejournalfor moreinformation.
YvonneHilsz
NURTURING STRONG CONNECTIONS By Martin Graham, Deputy Secretary, Teaching, Learning and Student Wellbeing, NSW Department of Education
ThebestthingaboutworkingintheNSW DepartmentofEducationistheprivilege wehaveofwitnessingthetransformational experiencesthatourstudentsundergoas theyprogressthroughtheirschoolyears.Iam alsoaparent,withmyownchildattendinga NSWpublicschool,anditbringsmegreatjoy toseethepositiveimpactofastrongschool communityonmyownchild’sgrowthand development.
Parentsandcarersplayacentralrolein supportingtheirchildrentogetthemost fromtheireducation.Theyarealsocriticalin creatingthekindofschoolcommunitythat everyonewantstobeapartof.Beinginvolved inthelocalP&CAssociationisagreatwayof creatingasupportiveandinclusivecommunity, whichmakesschoolthekindofplaceyouwant togoto–forstudentsandparentsalike.
Why attendance matters
Oneofthekeyelementsthatcontributestoa child’ssuccessinschoolistheestablishment ofagoodattendanceroutine.Whenstudents attendschoolregularly,theynotonlybenefit academically,buttheyalsodevelopasenseof belongingandconnectionwithintheirschool community.Thissenseofbelongingiscrucial fortheiroverallwellbeingandimprovesboth theiracademicandsocialdevelopment.
Supporting mental wellbeing
Wealsoknowthatsometimesstudentshave mentalhealthandotherissuesthatprevent themfromgettingthemostoutoftheir schooling.Aseducators,weareacutelyaware ofthementalhealthneedsofourstudents. Sometimesourstudentsneedextrahelpto thriveinschoolandlife,andwearededicated toprovidingthesupporttonurturethemental wellbeingofallstudentsacrossNSWpublic schools.
Toaddresstheongoingneedsofourstudents, weareincreasingthenumberofcounsellors availableinschools,extendingfundingfor mentalhealthnurses,andsupportingschools toimplementevidence-basedwellbeing programs.Byprioritisingmentalhealth support,weaimtocreateasafeandnurturing environmentwherestudentsfeelempowered toseekhelpwhenneededandthriveboth academicallyandemotionally.
Belonging and collaboration
Ihavepersonallywitnessedtheprofound impactofstrongteachingandlearningon academicandwellbeingoutcomes.Thearray ofextracurricularopportunitiesavailablein NSWpublicschoolsalsoimprovesstudent outcomesbypromotingasenseofbelonging andengagementinschool.Asaparent,my lifehasbeenenrichedbyinvolvementwitha schoolcommunitythatextendsyearsbeyond myownchildren’senrolmentinschool.A strongteachingandlearningprogramanda supportiveschoolcommunitycanfosteradeep senseofbelongingandconnectionwithinthe schoolenvironment.
Parentsplayapivotalroleinnurturingour children’swellbeingandacademicsuccess. Byemphasisingtheimportanceofregular attendance,encouragingactiveparticipation inschoolactivities,andfosteringopen communicationaboutmentalhealth,wecan allcontributetothecreationofasupportive andinclusiveschoolcommunity.
TheworkofP&CAssociationsintheirschool, supportedbytheP&CFederation,createsa positiveandsupportiveschoolculture,which
fostersasense ofcommunity, trustandmutual respectamongst educators, studentsand families.This connection enhances students’sense ofbelonging, whichimproves student engagementanddrivespositivelearningand wellbeingoutcomes.
Wealsoknowthateffectivecollaborative partnershipsbetweenP&CAssociationsand educatorsfacilitateshareddecisionmaking. Workingtogether,thesepartnershipshelp toidentifybarrierstosuccess,implement innovationsandcelebrateachievements, fosteringacollaborativeapproachtoeducation thatensuresstudentsachievetheirpotential.
TheNSWDepartmentofEducationis committedtofosteringstrongconnections andasenseofbelongingforallstudentsin NSWpublicschools.Byprioritisingattendance, providingqualitylearningopportunities,and enhancingmentalhealthsupport,weaim tocreateanenvironmentwhereeverychild canthrive.Asaparentandaseniorexecutive withinthedepartment,Iamproudtowitness thepositiveimpactoftheseinitiativesand welcomethesupportofP&CAssociations andparentsaswenurturethewellbeingand successofourchildreninschool.
MartinGraham
A supportive school community improves student engagement, learning and wellbeing. Photos supplied by the NSW Department of Education
NESA NEWS By Paul Martin, CEO NSW Education Standards Authority
Welcomeeveryone,toTerm2!It’sthat timewheretheexcitementofthenew yearhasgivenwaytothecomfortofroutines aswe findourrhythmfortheyearahead.
Showcasing student achievement
Theannual HSCShowcaseSeason highlights excellenceinHigherSchoolCertificate(HSC) creativeandperformingartssubjectsat NSWpublicschools–andthe2023HSC drew4,244nominationsfromallsectorsand fromthroughoutthestate.
Theshowcasesareprestigiousevents,with manymorestudentsnominatedthancan everbechosen.
Beingnominatedisatestamenttoa student’stalent,workandcommitment –andallstudentsshouldbeveryproud ofwhattheyhaveachieved.Studentsare chosentoillustratethegreatdiversityof exemplaryworkbyHSCstudentsthroughout NSWlastyear.
The HSC Showcase Season openedwitha red-carpeteventatSydney’sRoslynPacker TheatreinFebruary,whereselectedstudents performedtheir2023HSCmajorworks infrontofstudents,specialguestsand membersofthebroaderartsindustry.
Thenightofferedanexcitingpreviewofthe highcalibreofperformancesandworks featuredinthe OnStage (HSCDrama)and Callback (HSCDance)events,concluding withthesell-out Encore shows(HSCMusic) attheSydneyOperaHouseinMarch.
The HSC Showcase Season alsoincludes ARTEXPRESS, SHAPE andtheupcoming Young Writers Showcase.
Writersstillatschoolhavetheopportunityto honetheircraftatthisyear’sSydneyWriters Festivalstudentsessions,developedby NESA,whichcanalsobeattendedonline. Visit: https://www.swf.org.au/education/ student-sessions
SHAPE exhibitionsarecurrentlyunderway atgalleriesthroughoutthestateandonline, presentingoutstandingmajorprojectsfrom HSCstudentsintechnologicalandapplied studiescourses.
Toorganiseavisittoalocalshowcase exhibition,headtotheNESAwebsiteto find outmore: https://bit.ly/showcases-coursesevents
WHAT IS NESA? TheNSWEducationStandardsAuthority (NESA)isanindependentstatutory authorityreportingtoanindependent BoardandtheNSWMinisterforEducation andEarlyLearning.Wesupportthe schoolsectorstodeliverthebestpossible outcomesforstudentsthroughhighqualitysyllabuses,assessment,teaching standardsandschoolenvironments.
NESAisalsoworkingtosupport improvementsinAboriginaleducation; reducetheadministrativeburden onschoolsandteachersrelatingto accreditation;engagewithallstakeholders andschoolsectorsonseniorhighschool reform;andactionrecommendations fromtheQualityInitialTeacherEducation Review.
I’mexcitedtoseewherethefuturetakesall nominatedstudentsandwishthemthevery bestintheirendeavours.
HSC timetables
Thisyear’sHSCtimetableshavenowbeen releasedontheNESAwebsite.Thisserves asasignaltostudentsandtheirfamilies thatexamsareapproaching–albeitsome monthsaway–whichmayinducefeelingsof pressureforsomestudents.
Pleasekeepinmindthatthehealthand wellbeingofouryoungpeopleisalwaysthe numberonepriority.Throughouttheleaduptotheexams,weencouragefamilies andschoolcommunitiestohelpstudents strikeahealthybalancebetweenstudyand downtime,toenjoyhealthyactivitiesandto maintainconnectionswithlovedones.
Formoreinformation,adviceandwellbeing resources,visittheStayHealthyHSC pagesontheNESAwebsite(https://www. educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/ nesa/home).
NSW curriculum reform
Wecontinueoursuccessfulroll-outofthe NSWcurriculumreformprogram–the first majoroverhaulofcurriculuminNSWin threedecades.Thereformsarecentred onbuildingstrongfoundationsforfuture learning,afocusonessentialcontent,and flexibilitytomeetindividualstudentneeds andabilities.
Importantly,new syllabusesare beingledbythe researchand evidenceforhow studentslearn best,including theessential contentthatall studentsneed toprogress,and havearightto know.Arecent reportfromAustralianEducationResearch Organisation,commissionedbyNESA, consolidatestheevidenceforthisapproach –anddispelscommonmisconceptions aboutaknowledge-richcurriculum: https:// bit.ly/knowledge-rich-approach-curriculumdesign
PaulMartin
Lasttermweconsultedonanumberof KindergartentoYear10draftsyllabuses, whichwillbereleasedtoNSWteachersand thecommunitylaterthisyear.Wealsoadvised schoolsthatmathematicswillremainoptional forstudentsinYears11and12.
Inlinewiththeimplementationof KindergartentoYear12Mathematics syllabuses,NESAwillbeginanevaluation oftheHSCminimumstandard.Recognising thatmathsandnumeracyskillsmust beaddressedasearlyaspossible,this evaluationwillconsidertheeffectiveness, timingandcurrentrequirementsoftheHSC minimumstandard.
Theevaluationwillalsoputforwardoptions tobettersupportteacherstoidentify studentsandaddresspotentiallearninggaps earlierintheirhighschooleducation.
Students from Northern Beaches Secondary College Manly perform The Trolley Problem at the HSC Showcase Season opening night.
Photo: NESA
CELEBRATING P&C DAY 2024: P&Cs MAKE IT POSSIBLE! By Sam Manchester, P&C Federation Communications Manager
ItwasgreattocelebrateP&CDaythisyearwith somanyactiveandcreativeP&CAssociations acrossNSW.
P&CDayfallsonthe firstWednesdayinMarch eachyearanditisanopportunitytohighlight andappreciateallthehardworkthatgoesinto runningP&CsacrossNSW.Weknowittakes alottomakeaschoolcommunitythrive,and we’reincrediblyproudoftheworkthatP&C Associationsdo.Somuchso,thatthisyear wehadaspecialfocusonhowP&CsMakeIt Possible!
Wewantedtohighlightallthethingsour membersandP&CAssociationsaredoingto contributetoschoollifeandenableathriving learningcommunity–bothinschoolhoursand throughtheweek.Theserangefrominitiatives suchasrunningacanteen,uniformshop,or OutOfSchoolHourschildcare(OOSH),tothe smallercontributionsthatsomanymake–for example,donatingschoolsupplies,adding muralsandsignstoschools,andensuring membersofthecommunityarecaredfor.P&Cs reallydomakeitpossible!
Toamplifyourcelebrationsthisyear,P&C Federationcreatedasetofvisualassetsfor P&CstouseonP&CDayandgetinvolved–whetherwithaposter, flyer,orsocialmedia post.Thisisyourdayandwewantedtohelpyou makeitaspecialone.
ItwasfantastictoseesomanyP&Csgetting involvedonsocialmedia,andthroughevents andcelebrationsintheirownschools.We reallyenjoyedreadingyourstoriesand seeingyourenthusiasmforyourschools. Wehighlyrecommendtakingalookatsome ofthepostsfromP&CDay–justsearch forthehashtags#PANDCDAYNSWand #PANDCSMAKEITPOSSIBLE.
WewerealsodelightedthatourP&CFederation PresidentYvonneHilszjoinedTheSecretary oftheNSWDepartmentofEducation,Murat Dizdar,foraspecialvisittoBotanyPublicSchool onP&CDaythisyear.Theyspentthemorning meetingBotanyPublicSchoolP&CAssociation membersandstaffandhearingaboutsome oftheirstoriesandprojects.Itwasafantastic morningandagreatopportunitytoshowcase theappreciationtheNSWDepartmentof EducationhasfortheworkofP&CAssociations inourpublicschools.
P&C Federation President Yvonne Hilsz joined The Secretary of the NSW Department of Education, Murat Dizdar, for a special visit to Botany Public School on P&C Day this year
Clockwise from top left: P&C Association members from Lindfield Learning Village, East Maitland Public School and Bogangar Public School celebrating P&C Day 2024. Photos courtesy of each school’s P&C Association
WHY FULL FUNDING MATTERS By Sam Manchester, P&C Federation Communications Manager
TheP&CFederationNSWiscommitted toadvocatingforourP&CAssociation membersandchampioningthebest educationsystempossibleforouryoung people.Aspartofthiscommitmenttopublic schoolsinNSW,atthestartofTerm1this yearwelaunchedamajorcampaignforFull Funding.
Increasingfundingtopublicschoolsis oneoftheP&CFederation’stopadvocacy prioritiesfor2024,andthroughourFull FundingMatterscampaignweareseeking acommitmentfromtheNSWandFederal GovernmentstomeetthefullSchooling ResourceStandard(SRS)forourpublic schools.
TheSRSisanestimateofhowmuchtotal publicfundingaschoolneedstomeetits students’educationalneeds.Itisbasedon recommendationsmadeinthe2011 final reportofthe Review of Funding for Schooling (https://bit.ly/review-funding-schooling-finalreport-2011),ledbyDavidGonskiAC.
P&CAssociationsareacutelyawareofthe financialgapsthatneedtobeclosedinorder forouryoungpeopletoreceivetheeducation theydeserve,andtheNSWandFederal Governmentshavearesponsibilitytoprovide forthestudentswhorelyonthem.
The state of education funding Schoolfundingisanissuethathasneeded addressingforsometimenow.Gonski’s Review of Funding for Schooling established aformalbenchmarkforthefundinglevel requiredforeachAustralianschool,sothat theycanhaveatleast80%oftheirstudents achievinglearningoutcomesabovethe nationalminimumstandardinNAPLANfor readingandnumeracy.Thebenchmarkwas calculatedbyanalysingfundinglevelsin schoolswhereatleast80%ofstudentswere reachingthesestandards.Thisledtothe establishmentoftheSRS.
Thismeansthatifaschoolisfundedto 100%oftheSRS,theyshouldberesourced tohelpfouroutofevery fivestudents performabovethenationalminimum standardsinreadingandnumeracy.This wouldstillleaveonein fivestudentsbelow thestandard.Schoolsthatarefundedbelow 100%oftheSRSwouldberesourcedto helpevenfewerthanfouroutofevery five studentsreachthisstandard.
InmorethanadecadesincetheGonski Review,Australia’spublicschoolshavenot consistentlyreachedtheSRS,andcurrently 98%ofAustralianpublicschoolsdonot receivetheirfullfundingentitlementunder thisstandard.
Witharound800,000studentsinNSW publicschools,eachdependingonthe StateandFederalGovernmentsfortheir education,thisfundinggaphasasignificant andmustbeaddressed.
The impact of funding ManyfamiliesacrossNSWwillknow firsthandtheimpactthatanunderfunded educationsystemcanhave.TheP&C Federationisconsciousofgrowingclass sizes,theneedforone-on-onesupportfor students,andtheregularcallforsupplies andequipmentthatfacilitateandenable learning.Weareincrediblyproudofthefact thatpublicschoolseducatemorethan80% ofchildrenfromfamiliesconsideredoflow socio-educationaladvantage,morethan 80%ofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslander children,morethantwo-thirdsofchildren withdisability,andthosewhocomefrom languagebackgroundsotherthanEnglish. Everystudentisvaluableandshouldhave accesstoanexcellenteducationinAustralia.
Fullfundingforourpublicschoolscould mean:
•Newandupgradedfacilitiesand technology.
•Moreteachersandsmallerclasssizes.
•Intensivesupportandassistancefor childrenwithadditionalneeds.
•Programsforstudentsfallingbehindto helpthemtosucceed.
•Improvedstudentwellbeingwithmore resources.
•One-on-onesupportforstudents.
Our funding campaign TheP&CFederation’sFullFundingMatters campaignhasseveralkeycomponents,each designedtoworktogethertoamplifythe voiceofpublicschoolparentsandtocallfor achangeincurrentfundinglevels.
Just some of the many P&C Associations who have passed a resolution in support of full funding for NSW public schools, as part of the P&C Federation’s campaign: Sydney Secondary College Leichhardt (above), Birrong Public School (below), and The Entrance Public School (next page)
P&C resolutions
Firstly,wehavecontactedeachofour memberP&CAssociationstoinvitethemto passaresolutioninsupportoffullfunding. P&CAssociationscanformallylendtheir supporttothiscauseduringtheirregular meetings,andmanyofourP&Cmembers havetakenthisopportunity.
Funding petition
Atthesametime,we havecalleduponall parents,carers,and citizensinNSWtolend theirvoiceinsupportof fullfundingbysigning ouronlinepetition (https://www.pandc. org.au/full-funding-forpublic-schools-in-nswpetition/).Wehave invitedeveryonewho standsinsupportof publiceducationtosign, andhavealreadyhad thousandsofresponses.
P&C Federation advocacy
Wehavealsotakenproactivestepsto advocateforfundingwithingovernmentand themedia.P&CFederationPresidentYvonne Hilszhasraisedtheissuedirectlywith membersofgovernmentandhasspoken publiclyonABCRadiotoraisetheprofileof thisissue.
P&C FEDERATION IS COMING TO A TOWN NEAR YOU By Sam Manchester, P&C Federation Communications Manager
The2023P&CFederationAnnual ConferenceandAwardsCeremonyin Sydneywasafantastictimeofcelebration andcollaborationforsomanyP&C Associationmembers.Wearegratefulfor allwhocouldattend,andespeciallywantto mentionourawardwinners,whoseefforts wererecognisedandhonoured.
However,weareconsciousofjusthow farandwideourP&CAssociationsare spreadthroughoutNSWandthat,forsome members,particularlythoseinruraland remoteregions,attendingourSydney conferenceisnotpractical.So,thisyearwe arelaunchinganewinitiativethatwillbringa tasteofourannualconferencetoyou.
Focus on regional and rural areas
The P&C Federation Road Show 2024 willseemembersoftheP&CFederation teamvisitingthevariousP&CFederation
electorateregionsacrossNSWtoensurewe canmeetasmanymembersaspossible, especiallythoseinregionalandruralareas ofthestatewhowemightnototherwiseget tosee.
TheRoadShowwilltakeplacethroughout theyear,beginningwiththeHunterand CentralCoastinMay.Thisisanexcellent opportunityforourteamtomeetwithP&C Associationmembers,tohearyourstories andfeedback,andtoshareresources,ideas, andbestpracticeswithyou.Wewillbejoined bymembersofourleadershipteam,andthe Boardmemberrepresentingeachelectorate wevisit.Mostofall,weareeagertomeet withyou,ourmembers,andgettoknowyou andyourP&CAssociations.
Stay tuned for more details WewillbecontactingP&CFederation memberswithkeyinformationanddates
Partnership with For Every Child
Wehavealsosignedupasanofficialpartner withtheAustralianEducationUnioninitiative ‘ForEveryChild’.Wearecollaboratingwith theireffortstopromotethefundingdebate anddrivetangiblechangeinourpublic schools.ReadmoreabouttheForEvery Childinitiativeat www.foreverychild.au
Currently,discussionsandnegotiations forfundingareongoingbetweentheNSW andFederalGovernments,andtheP&C Federationiscommittedtoelevatingthis issuetosecuretheresultouryoungpeople deserve.
Westronglyencourageallmembersofour communitytojoininourcampaign,toshare thisinformationwiththoseyouknow,and totakewhateveractionyoucantoamplify thisissue.Moreinformation,includingan informationpackandaccesstothepetition, canbefoundonourwebsiteat https://www. pandc.org.au/full-funding-matters/ andon oursocialmediachannels.
leadinguptoeachevent,somakesure yourmemberdetailsareuptodateviathe MembersPortal(https://www.pandc.org.au/ members-portal-login/ )soyoudon’tmiss out.
IfyouhaveanyquestionsabouttheRoad Showevents,contactourMemberServices teambyphoneon1300885982orvia email mail@pandc.org.au
Weareveryexcitedtoruntheseeventsand lookforwardtoseeingyousoon!
WEBINARS FORPARENTS AND CARERS By Sam Manchester, P&C Federation Communications Manager
Aspartofourcommitmenttosupporting parentsandcarersinNSW,theP&C Federationrunsanextensivewebinar program.Eachschoolterm,topicsare selectedtoengageparentsandcarers withcurrentissuesaffectingschool communitiesandequipthemwithtools andresourcestohelpthechildrenthey carefor.
Discover the Hub
OurwebinarprogramispartofourParents &CarersHub–adynamiconlineplatform wherelivelydiscussionsandup-to-date resourcesareshared,coveringallaspects ofeducationandschoolcommunities. Youcan findallourwebinarsontheHub at https://www.pandc.org.au/parentsand-carers-hub/.Browseourlibraryof resourcesandmakesuretoregisterfor upcomingwebinars–it’sallcompletely free.
Back to school webinar
Atthestartofthisyear,weweredelighted towelcometheNSWDeputyPremier andMinisterforEducationandEarly Learning,TheHon.PrueCarMP,andNSW DepartmentofEducationSecretary,Murat Dizdar,forourspecialWelcomeBack toSchool2024webinar,hostedbyP&C FederationNSWPresidentYvonneHilsz.
Therewasagreatturnoutandanopen Q&Asessionforparentsandcarerstovoice theirquestionsandconcernsandreceive real-timeresponsesfromtheDeputy PremierandEducationSecretary.Ifyou
missedit,orwanttowatchit again,youcanviewtherecording ofthisgreateventontheHub.
Vaping webinar
We’vehadexcellentfeedback fromwebinarattendeesabout thetopicstheyhavefoundmost helpful.Anotherparticularly memorablewebinarthisyear wasaboutvaping.Weknowthis isanissueofconcernformany familiesandwewerepleased towelcomeNSWHealth’s ChiefHealthOfficer,DrKerry ChantAOPSM,andDrBronwyn Milne,HeadofDepartment AdolescentMedicine,Sydney Children’sHospitalsNetwork, StaffSpecialistPaediatricianandAddiction MedicineSpecialist.Together,they presentedparentsandcarerswithkey healthinformationonthistopic,including whattheyshouldbeawareofandwhat theycando.
2024,ontheParents&CarersHubat: https://bit.ly/vaping-webinar-what-parentsneed-to-know
Give us your feedback
Weknowthatvapingisanissuethatmany youngpeoplearenavigating,andthe potentialhealthdangersmeanthatit’s moreimportantthaneverthatparentshave theresourcestotacklethisissuewiththeir children.Thewebinaralsofeaturedayoung personsharingtheirexperienceswith vapingandhowtheycametothedecision toquit.
You’ll findarecordingofthewebinar, What Parents Need to Know About Vaping in
Asweplanour2024webinarseries,we arekeenlyawareofthepracticalbenefits theseresourcescanhaveforourschool communities.Weareconstantlyrefining ourtopicselectionprocessandlookingfor themostqualifiedandhelpfulspeakers topresentonanygiventopic.Ifyouhave feedbackonourwebinarsortopicrequests, wewouldlovetohearfromyou.
Keepaneyeonoursocialmediachannels andourdirectemailstohearabout upcomingwebinartopicsandgetinearly toregister.We’relookingforwardtoseeing youonlinetodiscussanewtopicverysoon.
MEMBER RESOURCES REFRESH TheP&CFederationisbusyupdatingour resourcesformembers,tobetterdeliver theinformationyouneedtoeffectivelyrun andgrowyourP&CAssociation.Weare pleasedtoannouncethatanumberof refreshedandupdatedmemberresources arenowavailableontheMemberPortal.
OurMemberServicesteamhastheprivilege oftalkingtoandsupportingourP&C Associationmembersdaily.Wehearabout thepracticalchallengesanddifficultiesthat manyP&CAssociationsfaceintheirdayto-dayoperations–frommembership,to
fundraising,orstartinganewcanteen.With nearly2,000P&CAssociationsacrossNSW, nonewillhaveidenticalexperiences,but therearemanycommonissues.So,whilewe arealwayseagertohearfromourmembers, wealsowantedtobetterequipeach associationbeforetheseissuesarise.
Weareworkingtodelivernotonlythemost up-to-dateinformation,butalsotoframeand packageourcontentinawaythataddresses thepracticalexperienceofrunningaP&C Association.
ThisisanexcitingprojectfortheMember Servicesteam,andonewewillbefocusing oninthecomingmonths,sokeepchecking theMembersPortal(https://www.pandc.org. au/members-portal-login/ )aswecontinueto updateandaddresources.We’dalsoloveto hearyourfeedbackontheresources.
Ifyouhaveanyotherissuesorquestions aboutyourP&CAssociation’soperationsyou cancontactourMemberServicesteamby phoneon1300885982orviaemail mail@ pandc.org.au.Callanytimefrom9am-4pm Monday-Friday,we’dlovetohearfromyou.
WHAT PARENTS AND CARERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VAPING Supplied by NSW Health
DOYOUKNOW NSWHealthencouragesallparentsto find outmoreaboutthedangersofvaping.
Vapesarebattery-operateddevicesalso knownase-cigarettesthatareusedto inhaleanaerosol,whichcancontain nicotine, flavouringsandotherchemicals. Theycomeinarangeofshapesandsizes. Attractivepackaging,includingcoloursand cartoonimagery,toy-likedevicedesigns,and appealingproductdescriptorsallserveto marketvapestoyoungpeople.
Chemical and toxin exposure
Alle-cigaretteusersareexposedto chemicalsandtoxinsthathavethepotential tocauseharm.Someofthesechemicals havebeenshowntobeharmfultohealth andcancausecancer,heartdiseaseand lungdamage.Mostvapescontainhigh concentrationsofnicotinewhichishighly addictive.Regularnicotineconsumption byyoungpeoplecanresultinchangesto braindevelopment,impairedattention, learningandmemory,moodchangesand thepotentialtoworsenstressandincrease depressionandanxiety.
Start the conversation
Whetheryourchildisvapingornot,take thetimetotalktothemaboutvapingand helpthemunderstandtherisks.Tryto starttheconversationwithyourchildina relaxedeasy-goingway.Bepreparedwith thefacts.TheNSWHealthVapingToolkit providesarangeofresourcesforparents andyoungpeople( https://www.health. nsw.gov.au/vaping ).
Forfurtherinformationonhowtosupport youngpeopletoquitvaping,parentsand carerscanseekadvicefromtheirGPorby callingtheQuitlineon137848.
A ‘hit to your health’ campaign
NSWHealthhasrecentlylaunchedanew campaign,‘Everyvapeisahittoyour health’,foryoungpeopleaged14-24in NSW.Thecampaignencouragesthem toconsidertheprovenhealthharmsof vaping.Itwasdevelopedinconsultation withyoungpeopleandmedicalexperts, andincludestestimonialvideosofyoung peoplewhohaveexperiencedthehealth harmsofvaping.
RESOURCES TO HELP YOU AND YOUR CHILD LastyeartheNSWGovernment convenedaroundtabletoaddressthe growingissueofvapinginschools. Thiswasattendedbystakeholders, includingrepresentativesfromtheP&C FederationNSWwhoprovidedaparent andcarerperspectiveontheissueof vapingandyoungpeople.
TheP&CFederationalsohelda webinar atthestartofthisyear featuringNSWHealth’sChiefHealth OfficerDrKerryChantAOPSM,Sydney Children’sHospitalsNetworkHeadof DepartmentAdolescentMedicineDr BronwynMilne,andayoungperson whohasexperiencedtheharmful effectsofvaping firsthand,along withrepresentativesfromtheNSW DepartmentofEducationandNSW Health.
YoucanviewthewebinarontheP&C Federation’sParents&CarersHub here: https://bit.ly/vaping-webinarwhat-parents-need-to-know
Parentsandcarerscanalsoaccess somefantastic resources on the NSW Health website thatwillhelp themunderstandmoreaboutvaping, whatsupportservicesareavailable andhowtohaveconversationswith theirchildrenabouttherisksofvaping. Visit https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/ tobacco/pages/vaping-resources.aspx
Compliance and enforcement Itisillegaltosellanyvapingortobacco producttoanyoneunder18yearsofage. NSWHealthhasanactivecomplianceand enforcementprogramandundertakes inspectionsofretailerstoensuretheyarenot sellingtheseproductstopeopleunderthe ageof18.Youcansupportourenforcement workbyreportingretailersbelievedtobe breakingthelaw.VisittheNSWHealth website(www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/ Pages/let-us-know-reports-complaints.aspx ) toreportnon-complianceorcalltheTobacco InformationLineon1800357412.This informationhelpstoinformourenforcement action.
Graphics courtesy of NSW Health
VET: A PATHWAY TO CAREER SUCCESS Vocational Education and Training (VET) gives high school students a head start in their career, offering real-world opportunities and a way of learning that combines theory and practice. This article, from the NSW Departmentof Education, will help parents and carers understand VET for students in NSW public high schools and how it can be a pathway to career success
Youngpeopletodayfacemanydifferent messagesonthepathwaysfor theirfutureeducationandwork.Social expectationsemphasiseuniversityasagoal, regardlessofayoungperson’slearningstyle orinterests.Inaddition,universitystudy imposesanunnecessarydebtburdenon youngpeopleifthecourseisnotcompleted orwasnotrequiredfortheirpost-university employment.
Wearealsohearingfrombusinessand industrythattheyareseekingawiderrange ofpracticalskillsfromjobseekersand thatstudentsmaynotbeawareofwhat knowledgeandskillsemployersactually wantfromapotentialemployee.
What are VET courses? VETcoursesaredevelopedbyindustryand covertheskillsandknowledgerequired toperformeffectivelyintheworkplace. Thesecoursesleadtonationallyrecognised qualificationsfromCertificatesI-IVto DiplomasandAdvancedDiplomas.Students studyingaVETcourselearnexactlywhat employerswantfromapotentialemployee. Apprenticeshipsandtraineeships–includingSchool-BasedApprenticeships andTraineeships(SBATs)–areemployment arrangementswhichcombineaVETcourse, usuallyataCertificateIIIorIVlevel,withpaid employment.[SeetheVETQuickReference Guideonp15formoredetailonSBATs.]
VETcoursesaremadeupofbuildingblocks calledunitsofcompetency.Eachunitof competencyrelatestoaspecificworkplace activityorgroupofrelatedactivities.Unitsof competencydescribetheskills,knowledge andstandardofperformanceexpectedinthe workplaceandtherequirementsassessors needtofollowtojudgewhetherthestudent hasachievedcompetence.
ManyVETcoursesprovideabroadrange ofskillsandknowledgesuitableforawide rangeofoccupationswithinanindustryand acrossrelatedindustries,whilstotherVET coursespreparestudentsforanarrower
rangeofspecificoccupationswithinasingle industryarea.
VEToffersawayoflearningbydoing.It combinestheoryandpracticeinsucha waythatstudents finditeasiertoretain essentialknowledgeastheycanseethe practicaluseofwhattheyarelearning.VET allowsstudentstodevelopbothindustryspecificskillsandmoregeneralemployability skillsneededacrossallindustriesand occupations.Theseemployabilityskills includeproblemsolving,timemanagement, workplacecommunicationanddigitalskills, amongstothers.
How are VET courses assessed?
Unlikeothercoursesatuniversityorschool, VETcoursesuseacompetency-based assessmentmethod.ThepurposeofVET assessmentistojudgewhetherthestudent candotheworkrequiredconsistentlytoan industrystandard;itisnottoawardmarks.A qualifiedassessormustdeterminewhether thestudenthasmettherequirements setoutintheunitofcompetencyornot.A studentcannotbe70%competent.It’slike gettingyourdriver’slicence–youeither meettherequirementsforthelicenceoryou don’t.Whenbeing assessedagainsta unitofcompetency,if youarenotdeemed competentthe first timeyoucantry again,justlikegoing foryourdriver’s licence.
Why study VET at school?
DoingaVETcourse atschoolkeepsyour child’soptionsopen. Itcanbeapathway touniversity,further vocationallearningat TAFENSWoranother RegisteredTraining Organisation(RTO),or
ATAR EVOLUTION: EMBRACING VET IN 2025 Startingwiththe2025HigherSchool Certificate(HSC)examinations, studentscanincludetheirexam resultsfromanyofthefollowing VocationalEducationandTraining (VET)coursesintheAustralianTertiary AdmissionRank(ATAR)calculation. Previouslystudentscouldonlyinclude oneVETcourseintheirATAR.
•Automotive
•BusinessServices
•Construction
•Electrotechnology
•EntertainmentIndustry
•FinancialServices
•Hospitality
•HumanServices
•InformationandDigitalTechnology
•PrimaryIndustries
•RetailServices
•TourismTravelandEvents
straighttoemployment.DoingVETcourses atschoolgivesstudentsahead-startinto theircareer,withrealexperienceandafoot inthedooroftheirpreferredindustrybefore theyhaveevenleftschool.
VETatschoolisn’tjustanothereducational pathway,itisabridgetoreal-world opportunitiesandawayoflearningthat combinestheoryandpractice.Itgives studentstransferableworkplaceskillsand thetechnicalknowledgetoprogresstheir careeraspirations.
The VET courses available to school students provide a sound foundation for work or further study in areas that align with future job opportunities in NSW, Australia and the world. Photos supplied by the NSW Department of Education
FREE WEBINAR FOR PARENTS & STUDENTS Parents,carersand studentsinYears
9-11–jointheP&C Federationand NSWDepartmentof Educationexperts forawebinartohelp
AccordingtoJobsandSkillsAustralia,the sevenlargestemployingindustriesinNSW by2026willbe,inorder:HealthCareand SocialAssistance;ProfessionalScientific andTechnicalServices(includesComputing Services);RetailTrade;Construction; EducationandTraining;Accommodationand FoodServices;andManufacturing.
school youunderstandvocationaleducation pathwaysandbenefits.
When: Wednesday15May2024,from 7pm-8pmAEST.RegisterviatheQRcode above.
Forsecondarystudents,VETcoursesare differenttootherschoolcoursesinthat VETcoursesleadtonationallyrecognised qualificationsandofteninvolvehands-on learningintheworkplace.SeveralVET qualificationsalsocontributetotheHigher SchoolCertificate(HSC)andAustralian TertiaryAdmissionRank(ATAR).
NotonlyisthereaVETcourseforevery industry,buttherearealsoVETcoursesfor thelargestgrowthareasandalloccupations reportingashortageoflabour.VETisnow morerelevantthaneverwhenitcomesto makingNSWbusinessesandindustries globallycompetitive.
Theindustrieswiththestrongestexpected growthfrom2022-2026areProfessional ScientificandTechnicalServices (16.8%),HealthandSocialAssistance (15.8%),EducationandTraining(13.4%), AccommodationandFoodServices(13.2%) andArtsandRecreationServices(10.1%)
Itisimportantforparentsandcarersto engagewiththeirchildrenandencourage themto:
•exploretheirinterestsandabilities, •identifytheirpassionsand, • findandusetheinformation,resources, andadviceavailabletohelpplantheir pathway.
Althoughknowledgeaboutwherethe employmentopportunitiesareishelpful, thereisnopointinpushingyourchildinto anareaoroccupationwheretheydon’thave theinterest,capability,orpassion.Whatyou canbeconfidentinisthattheVETcourses availabletoschoolstudentsprovideasound foundationforworkorfurtherstudyinareas thatalignwiththejobopportunitiesavailable intothefutureinNSW,Australiaandthe world.
In 2023 over 30,000 high school students were enrolled in VET while still
What VET courses are available to secondary school students?
AwiderangeofVETcoursesareavailable tostudentsinNSWhighschools.In2023 over30,000highschoolstudentswere enrolledinVETwhilestillatschool.Some VETcourses,suchasBusinessServices, Construction,FinancialServicesandPrimary Industries,maybedeliveredbyschoolsand RTOsexternaltotheschool(likeTAFENSW). HoweverothercoursessuchasAutomotive, Electrotechnology,HumanServicesand TourismTravelandEventsareonlydelivered byRTOsexternaltotheschool.
Mostcoursesaredeliveredface-to-face ontheschoolsiteoracampusofanRTO externaltotheschool.However,thereare otheroptions,suchasdeliverybydistance,
Continued next page
VET QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE Vocational Education and Training (VET):VETcoursesaredeveloped byindustryandcovertheskillsand knowledgerequiredtoperformeffectively intheworkplace.Thesecoursesleadto nationallyrecognisedqualificationsfrom CertificatesI-IVtoDiplomasandAdvanced Diplomas.
How can students participate in VET while still at school? Therearethreemainwaysthatsecondary schoolstudentscanparticipateinVET. StudentsinYears9-12candooneormore ofthefollowingaspartoftheirschooling:
1. School-delivered VET (SVET): VET coursesdeliveredbyteachersfromtheir school,anotherschoolorthroughdistance education.
2. Externally delivered VET (EVET): VET coursesdeliveredbyRegisteredTraining Organisations(RTOs)externaltothe school,suchasTAFENSW.TheExternally deliveredVET(EVET)programgivesschool principalstheabilitytooffertheirstudents VETcoursesthatcannotbedeliveredby schoolstaff.Thedepartmenthasapproved 22high-qualityRTOsthatschoolscanuse toincreasetheVETcourseofferingsto theirstudents.
3. School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs): theseinvolve studyingtheVETcourseassociatedwith theirSBATaswellasundertakingbetween 100and180daysofpaidwork(SBATs arenotavailabletostudentsinYear9). Towatchatwo-minutevideoexplaining theSchool-BasedApprenticeships andTraineeships(SBAT)program,
headto https://bit.ly/school-basedapprenticeships-and-traineeships
Higher School Certificate (HSC): A student’sHSCmarkforeachcourse indicatestheirperformanceintheirexam andassessments,accordingtostandards setbytheNSWEducationStandards Authority(NESA).
Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR): TheAustralianTertiaryAdmission Rank(ATAR)isanumberbetween0.00 and99.95thatindicatesastudent’s position,orranking,comparedtoallthe studentsintheiragegroupinNSW.Ittakes intoaccountthestudent’sachievement inalltheirHSCcourses. Several VET qualifications also contribute to the HSC and ATAR.UniversitiesusetheATARtohelp themselectstudentsfortheircourses.
at
wherestudentsundertaketheirtraining andassessmentremotelyatatimeand pacethatsuitsthem.Tobesuccessfulin distancelearning,studentsneedtobehighly motivatedandwellorganised.Distance learningisnotforeveryone.
Therearealsooptionsforstudentsto participateinsomeVETcoursesinavirtual classroomenvironment.Virtualdelivery involvesregulartimetabledclasseswhere thestudentsandtheteacherparticipatein classesovertheinternetusingvideoand audiotechnology.Thisissupplementedby
onlineactivities.Unlikedistancelearning,the onlinepartofthecourseisscheduledweekly ratherthanstudentsbeingabletocomplete taskswhenitsuitsthem.Somevirtual courseswillalsohaveapracticalface-to-face componentwherethestudentsandteacher gettogetheronaschoolsiteorthecampus oftheexternalRTO.
For more information on VET options
MoreinformationonSVET,EVETandSBATs (seeReferenceGuideonp15fordefinitions), includingcourse-specificinformationand adviceonchoosingsubjectsthatsupport
aVETpathway,canbefoundontheNSW DepartmentofEducation’sSkillsatSchool Website: https://bit.ly/skills-at-school
TheinformationontheSkillsatSchool websiteisgenericandnotalloptionsare availableatallschools.To findoutwhat optionsareavailableatyourchild’sschool, youoryourchildwillneedtotalktothe school’sCareersAdviser,YearAdviserorVET Coordinator.Informationisalsoavailableon theNESAwebsiteat: https://bit.ly/NESA-VET
ACHIEVING VET STARDOM IN NSW! TheNSWTrainingAwardsareconducted annuallybyTrainingServicesNSW, withintheNSWDepartmentofEducation, torecogniseoutstandingachievementin vocationaleducationandtraining.The awardshonourandrewardtheachievements ofstudents,trainers/teachers,Registered TrainingOrganisationsandemployersata statelevel.
In 2022 Tahli Gleesonfrom Merriwa Central School won the SBAT of the year for NSW.
Nearingtheendofherschooling,Tahliwanted tochooseacareershewaspassionateabout.
Farmingandagriculturehadalwaysbeen abigpartofTahli’slifeandsheaccepteda roleasaSchool-BasedApprenticeTrainee (SBAT)withNSWLocalLandServiceswhile enrolledinaCertificateIIAgriculture(VET) qualification.
Throughouthertraineeship,Tahliwas exposedtonumerousfacetsofagriculture andfarming,bothpracticalandoperational.
Shedisplayedanoutstandingworkethicand a‘getitdone’attitude,applyingherselfwith gustotobothadministrationandpractical farmingtasks.
WithanexpandedresumeandherCertificate IIqualificationinhand,Tahliknowsthat vocationallearningatschoolwasagreat careerchoice.
“VETissuchapracticaltrainingpathwayand fullofopportunities...Inowhavefurtherjob qualificationsandasupportivegroupofwork colleaguesandindustrymentorstohelpme onmycareerjourneytoachievemygoalof workinginagriculture.”
“AsaproudGomeroiwoman,Iwanttobepart ofthechange,”shesays.“Iwanttohelpclose theeducationgapforIndigenousPeoples andlinkstudentswithlearningtheirlocal Gamilaraaylanguageandculture.”
Aaliyah’sdedicationtowhatshedoeshadher balancingafullschedulewhilecompletingher HSCin2023.AlongsidestudyingfortheHSC, hercommitmentsincludedcoaching,her community(throughIndigenousdanceand weaving),aroleasaStudentRepresentative andherCertificateIIIinSchoolBased EducationSport,wheresheworkedatthe localprimaryschoolandranherowncultural activitiesatrecessandlunch.
WhileAaliyah’sachievementshavebeen personallyrewarding,theyalsoripple throughouthercommunity.“Myqualification hasimpactedmystudents,mycommunity andmyfamily–Iamtheonlyonetoachieve
anSBAT,whichencouragesotheryoung peopletoconsiderthispathway.”
Keepaneyeonthedepartment’swebsiteto findoutwhoisnamedtheSBAToftheYearfor 2024: https://education.nsw.gov.au/skillsnsw/nsw-training-awards
Simply the best: WorldSkills national skills showcase.
Everytwoyearsthehighest-skilledVET studentsinAustraliacompeteinthenation’s biggestvocationaleducationandexcellence competition,theWorldSkillsNational Championships,toidentifytheverybest inskillsacquisition.In2023NSWwonthe nationalVETinSchoolShield,awardedtothe statewiththehighestproportionofstudents whoplacedinaskillscategory.
ForstudentsundertakingaVETcoursein Years11thisyear,therewillberegional competitionsheldrightacrossNSWtohelp selecttheNSWteamforthe2025WorldSkills NationalChampionships.Talktoyourschool abouthowtogetinvolved.
Aaliyah Morley from Peel High School was named the SBAT 2023 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year.
Clockwise from top left: Tahli Gleeson from Merriwa Central School; 2023 WorldSkills VET in School Shield winners, NSW; and Aaliyah Morley from Peel High School
A Pathway to Career Success. Continued from p15
STUDENT FORUM WELCOMES 15 NEW DOVES Supplied by the NSW Department of Education ThepeakstudentforumforNSWpublic schoolshasthisyearwelcomed15 newDOVESfromaroundthestate.The15 studentsjoinedthe27-memberMinister’s StudentCouncil,knownastheDOVES (DepartmentofStudentVoicesinEducation andSchools).
TheDOVESrepresentadiverserangeof communitiesacrossNSWandadvocate forpositivestudentengagementthrough educationalimprovementandinnovationin NSWpublicschools.Theyprovidefeedback andadvicetotheNSWDeputyPremierand MinisterforEducationandEarlyLearning, TheHon.PrueCarMP,andNSWDepartment ofEducationSecretary,MuratDizdar, alongwithotherschooldecision-makers, oneducationandschoolpolicy.Theyalso offerfeedbacktoaidintheplanningand developmentofdepartmentprograms.
The15studentsfromArmidale,Boggabilla, BrokenHill,Dorrigo,Griffith,Kyogle,the Hunter,Illawarra,Taree,andSydneywere inauguratedintotheDOVEScouncilinMarch byMsCar,ataceremonyinNSWParliament House.
TheyoungestDOVESareinYear6–Tracey Duncan(BoggabillaCentralSchool),Ivy O’Donnell(SingletonPublicSchool),Emiliah Smith(CurranParkPublicSchool)andAngel King(LakelandsPrimarySchool).
EmiliahsaidsheappliedtojointheDOVES because“Ilovetalking”andwantstobea rolemodelforyoungerstudentsatherschool insouth-westernSydney.
Angel firstheardabouttheDOVESwhenshe sawa Behind The News programinYear4 andwaitedtwoyearstobeoldenoughto applyfromherIllawarraschool.
Traceysaidherteachersuggestedshe nominatefortheDOVESbecause“itwould beagoodopportunity”torepresenther ConnectedCommunities’school( https://bit. ly/connected-communities-strategy ).
Ivywantstohelpstudentswiththeirmental health,by“gettingthewordoutthatyou’re notaloneifyouneedhelp”.
DOVES agenda for 2024
MsCarsaidspendingtimewiththeDOVES wasoneof“mymostfavouritethings”and encouragedthestudents,fromYear6to Year11,tobringtoherattentionareasfor improvementineducation.
“I’vemetsomeofthemostincredibleyoung peoplethroughtheDOVESinthelast12 months.Don’tunder-estimatetheimpactyou canhave,”shesaid.
KatrinaStuve,SeniorAdviserMinister Councils,reportedtoMsCarduringthe DOVESAnnualGeneralMeetingthatthe studentswereworkingwithseniorofficers intheNSWDepartmentofEducation onproposalsforstudentmentalhealth, inclusionandwellbeing,andsport.
RhysHibbert,inYear11atStIvesHigh School,saidtheDOVESmetrecentlywiththe department’smentalhealthteamtoshare concernsaboutthe“culturalaspectsof mentalhealthcare”andhowsomestudents haddifficultyaccessingservices,particularly sincetheCOVID-19pandemic.
AngelinaSidhu,Year9atRichmond AgriculturalCollege,saidstudentviewshad beensoughtfromthedepartment’sInclusive Educationteamon“howwecanensureNSW publicschoolsareinclusivesettingsthat valueandsupportallstudents”.
“Weprovidedfeedbackthatschoolsare doingokayandthereareopportunitiesfor schoolstodoevenbetter,”Angelinasaid.
ThesuccessoftheDOVESinNSWledtothe establishmentofaNationalStudentVoice Council,whichmetwitheducationministers forthe firsttimeinDecember2023.
Year10studentPorterChrist,fromSydney SecondaryCollege–LeichhardtCampus, saidfocusareasfortheNationalStudent VoiceCouncilincludeddiversepost-school pathwaysandaddressingtheperception andvalueofvocationaleducationversus university.
DOVESmemberswererecentlyfeaturedina Channel9newsstoryshowcasinghowthey influencepolicymakers.
In2024theDOVESwillcontinuetoadvocate onbehalfofpubliceducationstudentsin NSWbyraisingawarenessoftheissues thatcontinuetoaffectstudentstoday.The DOVESwillholdonlineforumstohearfrom studentsinregionalandruralareasinNSW toadvocateforequalityanddiversityandto activelypushforchange.
TolearnmoreabouttheDOVESCouncilor toapplyforthe2025DOVES,visit https:// bit.ly/about-the-ministers-student-council ApplicationsopeninTerm4,2024.
NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning, The Hon. Prue Car MP, shares a candid moment with the student DOVES. Photos: Adam Taylor Photography
The youngest DOVES (from left) Tracey Duncan (Boggabilla Central School), Ivy O’Donnell (Singleton Public School), Angel King (Lakelands Primary School) and Emiliah Smith (Curran Park Public School)
RECOGNISING THE VALUE OF CULTURE, CONNECTION AND COMMUNITY Supplied by the NSW Department of Education
MyFuture,MyCulture,MyWayisaNSW educationalcampaigntosupport AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderstudents toachievetheirHigherSchoolCertificate (HSC).
Studiesshowaclearlinkbetween completingtheHSCandpositivefuture employment,healthandhighereducational outcomes.
AchievingtheHSCgivesAboriginaland TorresStraitIslanderstudentsequalityin opportunitynowandinlaterlife.Students whogetanHSCaremorelikelytohave sustainablejobsthanstudentswho leaveschoolearly.IftheyusetheirHSC todoanapprenticeshiporgotoTAFEor university,they’relikelytohaveevenbetter opportunities.Theywillalsobearolemodel forotherAboriginalchildrenandfamiliesin theircommunity.
TheMyFuture,MyCulture,MyWayinitiative wasco-designedbytheNSWDepartment ofEducation,NSWCoalitionofAboriginal PeakOrganisationsandthePremier’s ImplementationUnit.Itrecognisesthatthe HSCjourneycanbeespeciallychallenging forAboriginalandTorresStraitIslander students,andthatspecificsupportand stayingconnectedtocultureisimportantto helpthemtoreachtheirfullpotential.
ThecampaignalsorecognisesthatAboriginal communitieshaveanimportantroletoplay byinvolvingstudentswiththeirlanguageand culturetohelpmaintainculturalidentity,and providingacademicsupportandencouraging themontheirjourneytotheHSC.
Fosteringculturalunderstandinganda senseofbelongingtoschoolandcommunity, communityengagement,andtailoredsupport forAboriginalstudentsastheyshiftfrom earlychildhoodeducationthroughtothe senioryearsofhighschoolarepillarsofthe MyFuture,MyCulture,MyWayframework thatempowersAboriginalandTorresStrait Islanderstudentstothriveacademicallyand personally.Thisholisticapproachnotonly benefitsindividualstudentsbutalsoenriches theentireschoolcommunity.
TheMyFuture,MyCulture,MyWaycampaign aimsto:
•EngageAboriginalandTorresStrait Islanderstudentsinthebenefitsof completingtheHSCandsupporttheir continuedmotivation.
•ProvideAboriginalandTorresStrait Islanderparents,carers,families andcommunitywithinformationand resourcestoimprovetheirawarenessof theimportanceofHSCattainmentand howtosupportstudentsthroughschool.
•Enableeducationsectorstafftosupport AboriginalandTorresStraitIslander studentsandfamiliesinculturallysafe ways.
Supporting transitions
It’scriticaltoactivelyengage,support,and connectAboriginalandTorresStraitIslander studentstotheirschoolcommunityand theirstudiesastheytransitionfromearly childhoodeducationtoprimary,thentohigh school,andthroughtothesenioryears,to fosterwell-preparedstudentsfortheHSC andforlifeafterschool.
TheMyFuture,MyCulture,MyWay initiativerecognisesthesignificanceof thesetransitions,providingresourcesand guidanceforschools,studentsandtheir parentsandfamiliestohelpnavigatethese phases.
Boambee Public School strategies
BoambeePublicSchool,ontheNSW NorthCoast,hasimplementedsuccessful transitionstrategiestoensureitsAboriginal studentsandfamiliesfeelconnectedand supported,therebylayingagroundworkfor continuededucationalengagement.
Theschoolhas429studentsenrolled,of whom12%areAboriginaland6%arefrom alanguagebackgroundotherthanEnglish. About95%ofchildrenstartKindergartenat BoambeePublicSchoolhavingattendedan earlychildhoodeducation(ECE)service.
BoambeePublicSchool’stransitionto schoolstrategiesforallstudentsinclude: allocatingtimeforchildrenandtheirfamilies tovisitearlychildhoodeducationservices; short,regularorientationvisits;fostering asenseofbelongingamongchildrenand families;involvingstudentsacrossdifferent yeargroupsinthetransitionprocess;and implementingapersonalisedapproachfor
studentswithadditionalneeds.
Asstudentsprogresstosecondary education,supportsystemsacrossall NSWpublicschoolsevolvetoaddress thechallengesanddecisionsthatshape post-schoolfutures.Collaborativeefforts acrossgovernmentandcommunitiesaimto bolsterAboriginalandTorresStraitIslander students’journeytowardHSCattainment, emphasisingculturalidentity.
The importance of belonging
Asenseofbelongingtoschoolandculture isessentialforAboriginalandTorresStrait Islanderstudents’wellbeingandacademic success.
TessaHoner,aWiradjuriwomanwho attendedEngadineHighSchool,completed aSchool-basedApprenticeshipand Traineeship(SBAT)atTarongaZooSydneyin 2023.Herstoryisjustoneofmanyfeatured aspartoftheMyFuture,MyCulture,MyWay campaign(https://bit.ly/success-storiestessa),showcasingtheachievementsof
Tessa Honer, a Wiradjuri woman who attended Engadine High School, completed a School-based Apprenticeship and Traineeship (SBAT) at Taronga Zoo Sydney in 2023.
Photos supplied by the NSW Department of Education
AboriginalstudentsthroughoutNSWandthe importanceofsupportfromtheirschools andastrongconnectiontotheirAboriginal cultureandcommunities.
“Therewasoneteacher,MissMiller,whowas themainsourceofsupportwhenIstarted school,”Tessaexplains.
“Shewasalwaysthereandcheckinginand askingmetoparticipateinculturalactivities, workshopsandexcursions.Myparentshave alwaysbeenverysupportiveofmygoalsand education.Havingextrasupportwithinthe schoolhashelpedthemfeelmoreatease withmyfutureandmysuccess.”
Connecting with community
Theactiveinvolvementofparents, carers,andeducatorsisvitalinnurturing AboriginalandTorresStraitIslander students’educationaljourneys.Community ConnectorslikeRobbieTownsendexemplify thecriticalroleofcommunityengagement, offeringpersonalisedsupportandfostering relationshipsthatenhancestudent attendanceandparticipation.
RobbieisaDjiringanj,NgarigoandJerringa manwithstronglinkstotheSnowy Mountains,NowraandBegaareas.
“AsaCommunityConnector,Iwork predominantlyatBega,NaroomaandEden MarineHighSchools,I’vealsoworkedasthe AboriginalEducationOfficeratBegaHigh School,”Robbiesaid.
“Mycurrentroleinvolvesgettingtoknow thelocalstudentsandtheirfamiliesreally well,whichhasbeeneasybecauseIhave thoseestablishedconnectionsinthearea. It’sallaboutgettingtoknowthestudents asindividuals,askingfamilieswhatthey needandtryingtoknockdownsomeof thosebarrierstoattendance.Ifkidsaren’t
comingtoschool,I’lljumponthephonewith parentstoseewhat’sgoingon.Hearingthat anotherKoorivoicecaresaboutthem,that’s incrediblymeaningful.
“Those finalyears[ofschool]canbehard. Some[Aboriginalstudents]don’thavethat reallystrongsupportnetworkoutsideschool, soifIcansomehowhelpthemtogetthrough andkeepthemengagedwiththecultural programs,they’llbefeelinghealthyand strongandreadytotackleanychallenges,” Robbiesaid.
“GettinganHSCopenssomanydoors,even forthosethatscrapethrough,itdefinitely helpsinthelongrun.”
Gorokan High’s culture program
OntheNSWCentralCoast,GorokanHigh School’sLocalAboriginalCultureprogram demonstratesaprofoundcommitment tointegratinglocalDarkinjungculture intoeducation,promotingawarenessand appreciationamongstudents.Thisinitiative reflectsabroadergoaltoembedAboriginal perspectiveswithinthecurriculum,fostering respectandunderstandingforAboriginal knowledgeandpractices.
ThisprogramenablesAboriginalandnonAboriginalstudentstoexploreAboriginal cultureandknowledgethatexistedbefore Europeansettlementandtheimportanceof thiscontinuingandthrivingnowandinthe future.TherichnessofAboriginalculture isintegratedthroughoutthecurriculum. Studentslearnthesignificanceofspiritual connectednessandofAboriginalwaysof knowingandhowtheseareingrainedin thelocalCountry.Allstudentsdevelopan appreciationandacceptanceofDarkinjung cultureandlanguageandvaluehow Darkinjungpeopleexpressthroughdance, storytelling,song,artworksandengravings.
Speakingabouttheprogram,oneGorokan Highstudentsaid:“Ibelievethisclasshas changedmyoutlookonlife.Ithaseducated me,toteachmewhathashappenedin thepast.Andlikeanygoodmindknows, thosewhodonotlearnfromhistoryare condemnedtorepeatit.”
A vision for NSW public schools TheNSWDepartmentofEducation’s OurPlanforNSWPublicEducationis committedtoadvancingreconciliationand inclusivityandfocusingontailored,informed approachesthatincorporatediverse perspectivesintopolicymaking.Integrating Aboriginaleducationintothatplansupports thedepartment’sgoalofattainingequitable educationoutcomesforAboriginalandTorres StraitIslanderstudentsandpreparingthe nextgenerationforsuccess.
Resources and information
FormoredetailsonsupportingAboriginal students’educationalpathways,including resourcesandguidanceforparentsandcarers, students,schoolstaffandstakeholders,visit MyFuture,MyCulture,MyWayat https://bit. ly/stakeholder-resources orconnectwiththe NSWDepartmentofEducation’sresourcesat https://bit.ly/supporting-aboriginal-studentsto-attain-the-hsc
Community Connectors like Robbie Townsend exemplify the critical role of community engagement, offering personalised support for Aboriginal students
The My Future, My Culture, My Way initiative fosters cultural understanding and a sense of belonging to school and community for Aboriginal students
