Non-government Schools Education Council Annual Report 2009-10

The Non-government Schools Education Council (the Council) was established under section 106 of the Education Act 2004 (the Act).

The Council’s functions are to advise the Minister on any aspect of non-government schooling and to meet with the Government Schools Education Council to discuss matters of mutual interest. Advice provided to the Minister may be initiated by the Council or may be in response to a request from the Minister. Under section 127 of the Act the Minister must present a copy of the advice to the Legislative Assembly.

Goals

The Council identified the following goals to be achieved in the 2009-10 year:
Goal 1: To meet and advise the Minister about issues related to non‑government schooling in the ACT
Goal 2: To monitor the Risk Management Plan
Goal 3: To liaise with the Government Schools Education Council on matters of common interest relating to schools in the ACT
Goal 4: To clarify the role and articulate the strategic vision for non-government schools in terms of the education portfolio in the ACT.

Council composition

Ms Narelle Hargreaves OAM
Ms Hargreaves is the Chair of the Council. Ms Hargreaves was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2008. Ms Hargreaves is an Adjunct Professional Associate with the University of Canberra, a member of the Australian Catholic University Canberra Pre-Service Teachers’ Professional Experience Mentors, Chair of the ACT Children’s Services Council, Chair of the Canberra/Nara Sister City Committee and President of the ACT Children’s Week Committee. In 2007, she was appointed ‘Official Visitor’ to Bimberi Youth Justice Centre and Marlow Cottage.

Ms Hargreaves has many years teaching experience, including 14 years as a principal in ACT schools. Her teaching career was followed by 10 years as Director of Schools and International Education with the ACT Department of Education and Training. Ms Hargreaves has a Bachelor of Education, is a Fellow of the Australian College of Educators and a Fellow of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACT). Ms Hargreaves is a member of the “Sing Australia” Choir.

Mr John Barker
Mr Barker is an education member representing the Catholic Education Office. Mr Barker has been Head of the Finance and Planning Division of the Catholic Education Office for 12 years. He is a contributing member of a number of committees including the Catholic Education Commission NSW Standing Committee on School Resources and ACT Block Grant Authority Priorities Committee and Finance Sub-committee. He was formerly a member of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on the ACT Interest Subsidy Scheme. Mr Barker has a Commerce (Accounting Procedures) Certificate and an Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting.

Mr Peter Fullager
Mr Fullager was appointed as an education member representing the Catholic Education Office in June 2009 for a period of three years. Mr Fullager is currently Principal of St Edmunds College Canberra. He holds a Masters of Educational Leadership and a Bachelor of Education and has 30 years experience as an educator in the non-government and public education sectors.

Mr Mark Hogan
Mr Hogan is an education member representing the Catholic Education Office and has been Deputy Director since 1994. During this period Mr Hogan served as Head of Education Services from 1994 to 1999 and then Head of Human Resources Division from 2000 to 2009. Mr Hogan holds a Graduate Diploma of Legal Studies, a Master of Education (Class II Division I Honours), Graduate Diploma of Education (Religious), Graduate Diploma in Educational Studies (Educational Leadership) and Bachelor of Education (Secondary Science), Certificate in School Counselling, NSW Teachers Certificate.

Mr Jeremy Irvine
Mr Irvine resigned his position as education member for the non-Catholic independent schools and Executive Director of the Association of Independent Schools of the ACT in March 2010. He has over 10 years experience as a public affairs consultant, political adviser and executive director of a national social services non-government organisation. Mr Irvine holds a Bachelor of Arts and is currently completing a Master of Arts (Organisational Communication) degree. He is a Member of the Australian Institute of Management, the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Australian and New Zealand Communications Association. Mr Irvine is an ACT Chapter committee member of the Australian Society of Association Executives, Director of the ACT Block Grant Authority and is on the Council of community music program Music for Everyone.

Dr William Maiden
Dr Maiden is a community member and holds the position of Deputy Chairperson. Dr Maiden has been teaching since 1969 and is the Principal of Lake Tuggeranong College. He holds a Teaching Certificate, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Letters (Education), Master of Educational Administration, Doctorate of Philosophy (Education), and is a Fellow of the Australian College of Educators and a Fellow of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACT). Dr Maiden has been awarded a Public Service Medal.

Mr Tony Maple
Mr Maple was reappointed as an education member representative of the parent association for a period of three years in February 2010. He is the President of the Association of Parents and Friends of ACT Schools. Mr Maple has a Masters of Public Policy, Postgraduate Diploma in Defence Studies, Postgraduate Diploma in Data Processing and Bachelor of Arts (Military Studies).

Ms Michelle Narracott
Ms Narracott was appointed as a community member on 9 April 2009 for a period of three years. Ms Narracott is a legal practitioner who specialises in organisational review work in the fields of corporate governance, government policy and program performance and employment law. She is a former board member of St Edmund’s College and was a founding board member and Chair of the People and Remuneration Committee of the Edmund Rice Education Australia 2007. Ms Narracott has four children who have progressed through various non-government schools in the ACT. Ms Narracott has a Bachelor of Law, a Graduate Diploma, Legal Practice and Legal Practice Certification and is admitted as barrister and solicitor in the ACT and NSW Supreme Courts.

Ms Lyn Renno
Ms Renno was appointed as education member representing the non‑government school union in March 2009 for a period of three years.

Ms Renno holds a Diploma of Education and a Graduate Certificate of Religious Education. She has been an Industrial Organiser in the ACT Office of NSW/ACT Independent Education Union since October 2008, Ms Renno also has 24 years of teaching experience in the non-government and public education sectors.

Dr Janet Smith
Dr Smith is a community member and was Senior Lecturer, Teacher Education in the Faculty of Education, Division of Communication and Education at the University of Canberra. Prior to becoming an academic, Dr Smith was a high school teacher for 15 years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts, Diploma of Education (Secondary), Master of Education and a Doctorate of Philosophy.

Ms Meg van Beurden
Ms van Beurden was appointed as a community member on 9 April 2009 for a period of three years. Ms van Beurden has extensive teaching experience in both the public and non-government sectors. She has worked in schools in rural NSW, Sydney and with a number of schools in the ACT. Ms van Beurden has also been a committee member on the ACT Health Human Research Ethics Committee.
Ms van Beurden holds a Master of Arts, a Bachelor of Education and a Graduate Diploma in Language and Reading.

Mr Andrew Wrigley
Mr Wrigley was appointed as an education member for the non-Catholic independent schools and as the Executive Director of the Association of Independent Schools of the ACT in May 2010. He has three years experience in management with the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership and with Teaching Australia. Mr Wrigley also has 13 years experience as a professional educator in the non-government and public education sectors. He holds a Masters of Education and a Bachelor of Education.

Criteria of membership

Section 109 of the Education Act 2004 requires the Minister to appoint the following Council members:

• a chairperson
• four people who represent the views of the general community (community members)
• six people who represent the views of the non-government school sector (education members), including:
• • three education members chosen from nominations of organisations representing Catholic schools
  • one education member chosen from nominations of organisations representing non-Catholic independent schools
  • one education member chosen from nominations of the non-government school union
  • one education member chosen from nominations of organisations representing parent associations of non-government schools.

Procedures for the appointment of members

The Education Act 2004 outlines the conditions under which the Minister may appoint or terminate the appointment of a Council member. As a statutory appointment the Standing Committee on Education, Training and Youth Affairs is consulted on proposed appointments.

Council membership and attendance at meetings

During the reporting period, the Council met eight times between 1 July 2009 and 30 June 2010.

Role of council members and number of meetings attended

Remuneration arrangements

Remuneration for the chairperson is determined by the ACT Remuneration Tribunal in accordance with the provision for section 10(1) of the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1995. The current determination took effect on 1 November 2009. The chairperson is the only member to receive remuneration.

Financial controls

The Council has no funds for which it is responsible therefore Council does not prepare financial statements.

Internal audit and risk management

The Risk Management Plan was reviewed by the Council and accepted by the Council at the meeting on 23 October 2008. The Risk Management Plan has continued to be monitored by the Council during the financial year 2009-10.

Ethical standards

The Education Act 2004 specified the obligations of members should a conflict of interest arise. Council members are required to sign a standard ACT Government code of conduct agreement.

A declaration of disclosure of interest is called for at each Council meeting.

Resources

The Department of Education and Training provides secretariat and advisory assistance to the Council. The Council may call on departmental staff to address Council meetings or meet with members to discuss particular issues or programs relevant to the work of the Council. This process occurs on a regular basis. If required, Council has access to legal advice through the ACT Government Solicitor’s Office.

Council operations and achievements

The key issues for consideration by the Council in 2010 are as follows:

1. Strategic Directions
2. Special Education Review
3. National Partnerships
4. 2011-12 ACT Government Budget
5. My School – Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority national reporting website
6. National Curriculum
7. New funding model in offering – Australian Government funding – scrutiny and understanding to keep abreast of it.

Minister’s visit to Council

The Council appreciated Minister Barr’s advice and contribution when he attended the July, 2009 meeting of the Council.

Early Childhood schools in the ACT

Council wishes to congratulate the ACT Government on the provision of early childhood schools which are now operating successfully in the ACT.

H1N1 Virus Pandemic 2009

At the June Council meeting, members expressed concern about the H1N1 Virus Pandemic’s effect on schools and students. Council thanked the Association of Independent Schools and the Catholic Education Office for assistance in implementing appropriate procedures regarding this pandemic.

Special Education Review

The Council welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the Special Education Review conducted by Dr Tony Shaddock. Of particular concern to the Council is the issue of funding for a student with a disability. Council is of the view that funding for a student with a disability from the Commonwealth and the ACT governments should be equal, regardless of the school or sector where the student with a disability is enrolled.

ACT Curriculum Renewal Taskforce

Ms Hargreaves, as Chairperson of the Council and having been invited by the Minister for Education and Training, participates on the taskforce which was reconvened to support the ACT’s input into the development of a national curriculum for kindergarten to year 12 in English, mathematics, the sciences and history.

Registration of new non-government schools

The Council responded to requests from the Department of Education and Training for comments on the possible impact on existing ACT schools of the:

• proposed registration of additional educational levels at the Brindabella Christian College in Lyneham
• proposed registration of an additional campus at Harrison of Good Shepherd Primary School.

2010-11 Budget recommendations

In September 2009, the Council responded to an invitation to participate in the Treasury Budget Consultation. A copy of the Council’s submission was also provided to Minister Barr as Council’s submission for the ACT Government 2010‑11 Budget Process.

Council of Australian Governments

The Council of Australian Governments Agenda is of high priority in monthly discussions at Council meetings, including the Building Education Revolution and National Curriculum. The work done by Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority around the MySchools website is also regularly monitored and issues arising debated by Council.

Cross sectoral collaboration

The Minister for Education and Training has advised Council that the Government will continue to make every effort to ensure Council is kept informed of current initiatives, programs and processes affecting all educational sectors in the ACT.

Strategic directions

Council’s key focus for 2009-10 has been deliberation regarding the development of Strategic Directions for Non-government School Education in the ACT. This position paper will be presented to Minister Barr for the Minister’s consideration when he attends the September 2010 Council meeting.

A joint meeting of the Non-government Schools Education Council and the Government Schools Education Council (GSEC) is planned for July 2010. Discussions will be focused on the National Professional Standards for Teachers, which is in keeping with the ACT Education Act in which GSEC is required:“To meet with the Non-government Schools Education Council to discuss matters of mutual interest;” - Part 3.5 Division 3.5.1 section 55(c).

For more information contact:
Non-government Schools Education Council
c/- Non-government Education
Department of Education and Training
PO Box 158
CANBERRA ACT 2601

Secretariat to the Non-government Schools Education Council
Telephone: 02 6205 9299
Fax: 02 6205 9543
Email: ngso@act.gov.au

Ms Narelle Hargreaves OAM
Chairperson
Non-government Schools Education Council
c/- Non-government Education
Department of Education and Training
PO Box 158
CANBERRA ACT 2601

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