Non-government Schools Education Council
Annual Report 2012-13

Dear Minister

I am pleased to submit the 2012-13 Annual Report of the Non-government Schools Education Council.

This report has been prepared under section 6(1) of the Annual Reports (Government Agencies) Act 2004 and in accordance with the requirements referred to in the Chief Minister's Annual Report Directions. It has been prepared in conformity with other legislation applicable to the preparation of the annual report by the Non-government Schools Education Council.

The annual report of the Non-government Schools Education Council is annexed to the administrative report of the Director General of the Education and Training Directorate.

I hereby certify that the attached annual report is an honest and accurate account and all material information on the operations of the Non-government Schools Education Council during the period 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013 has been included and it complies with the Chief Minister's Annual Report Directions.

I also hereby certify that fraud prevention has been managed in accordance with the Public Sector Management Standard 2, Part 2.4.

I commend the annual report to you.

Non-government Schools Education Council
Annual Report 2012-13

A1 The council

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

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.

The Act 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.

A2 Overview

During the reporting period, the Council met seven times between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2013 including a joint meeting with the Government Schools Education Council.

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.

A3 Highlights

The Council identified the following goals to be achieved in the 2012-13 year:

• to meet and advise the Minister about issues related to non-government schooling in the ACT
• to monitor the Risk Management Plan
• to liaise with the Government Schools Education Council on matters of common interest relating to schools in the ACT
• to clarify the role and articulate the strategic vision for non-government schools in terms of the education portfolio in the ACT.

The key issues considered by NGSEC in 2012-13 were as follows:

• Strategic Directions
• Approval and registration processes for ACT non-government schools
• ACT Government Budget 2013-14
• My School – Australian Curriculum; Education and Reform Agenda; National Partnerships
• Australian Government Report on the Review of Funding for Schools (Gonski).

The Council appreciated Minister Burch's advice and contribution when she attended the 2 May 2013 meeting of the Council.

Ms Hargreaves, as Chairperson of the Council and having been invited by the Minister for Education and Training, participates on the taskforce which supports the ACT's input into the development of the Australian Curriculum for kindergarten to year 12.

The Council provided comments on the following Non-government School applications for In-principle Approval proposing development under the Act:

• registration of an additional campus at Brindabella Christian College
• in-principle approval for additional educational levels at additional campus (secondary) of Good Shepherd Primary School.

The Council of Australian Governments' Agenda is of high priority in discussions at Council meetings, including the Australian Curriculum. The work done by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority around the My School website was regularly monitored and issues arising debated by Council.

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.

A4 Outlook

The Council continued to monitor the Strategic Directions for Non-government School Education in the ACT. This position paper was presented to the Minister for consideration during the 2013-14 budget process.

A5 Management discussion and analysis

In 2012, the Council responded to an invitation to participate in the Treasury Budget Consultation. A copy of the Council's submission was also provided to the then Minister for Education and Training as Council's submission for the ACT Government 2013-14 Budget Process.

A6 Financial report

Remuneration for the chairperson is determined by the ACT Remuneration Tribunal in accordance with section 10(1) of the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1995. The current determination took effect on 1 November 2012. The chairperson is the only member to receive remuneration.

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

A7 Statement of performance

Not applicable

A8 Strategic indicators

Not applicable

A9 Analysis of council performance

Not applicable

B1 Community Engagement

Not applicable

B2 Internal and external scrutiny

Not applicable

B3 Legislative Assembly Committee inquiries and reports

Not applicable

B4 Legislation report

Not applicable

C1 Risk management and internal audit

The Risk Management Plan was reviewed by the Council during 2012 and monitored by the Council throughout 2012-13.

C2-C6

Not applicable

C7 Staffing profile

Mrs Narelle Hargreaves OAM - Chair

Mrs Hargreaves was appointed as Chair to the inaugural council and re-appointed in May 2011. Mrs Hargreaves was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2008.

Mrs Hargreaves is the Chair of the ACT Children's and Youth'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. In 2011, Mrs Hargreaves was appointed as a Justice of the Peace in the ACT. In 2011, Mrs Hargreaves was appointed as a Board Member of the ACT Teacher Quality Institute.

Mrs Hargreaves has many years teaching experience, including 14 years as a principal in ACT Public schools. Her teaching career was followed by 10 years as Director of Schools and International Education with the then 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).

Mrs Hargreaves is a member of the Sing Australia Choir.

Dr William Maiden PSM – Community member and Deputy Chair

Dr Maiden was appointed as a community member to the inaugural council. Dr Maiden began his teaching career in 1969 and was principal of a number of ACT public schools until his retirement in 2012. 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 Andrew Wrigley – Education member

Mr Wrigley was nominated by the ACT Association of Independent Schools to represent non-Catholic independent schools. He is Executive Director of the Association of Independent Schools of the ACT. Prior to this he was a manager with the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership and with Teaching Australia. Mr Wrigley has 21 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 degree. Mr Wrigley was appointed to the Council in July 2010.

Mrs Catherine Rey – Education member

Mrs Rey was nominated by the Canberra – Goulburn Catholic Education Office to represent Catholic systemic schools. Mrs Rey is Principal of Good Shepherd Primary School's John Paul College campus. She holds a Graduate Certificate in Education (Religious Education), and Master of Arts (French Literature), a Diploma of Education (Foreign Languages) and a Bachelor of Arts (First class French) degree. Mrs Rey was appointed to the Council in July 2011.

Mrs Mary Dorrian – Education member

Mrs Dorrian was nominated by the Canberra – Goulburn Catholic Education Office (CEO) to represent Catholic systemic schools. Mrs Dorrian is Head of Religious Education and Curriculum Services with the CEO. She holds a Master of Education, a Certificate of Religious Education and a Bachelor of Education degree. Mrs Dorrian was appointed to the Council in July 2011.

Mr Peter Fullagar – Education member

Mr Fullagar represents the Catholic Independent Colleges of Canberra. Mr Fullagar is Principal of St Edmunds College Canberra. He holds a Masters of Educational Leadership and a Bachelor of Education and has over 30 years experience as an educator in the Catholic Independent and public education sectors. Mr Fullagar was first appointed to the Council in August 2009 and was re-appointed in February 2013.

Mrs Lyn Caton – Education member

Mrs Caton was nominated by the Independent Education Union to represent the non-government school union. Ms Caton is an Industrial Organiser in the ACT Office of NSW/ACT Independent Education Union. She holds a Diploma of Arts, Graduate Diploma of Education and a Graduate Certificate of Religious Education. Mrs Caton has 25 years of teaching experience in the non-government and public education sectors. Mrs Caton was first appointed to the Council in June 2009 and was re-appointed in August 2012.

Mr George Gamkrelidze – Education member

Mr Gamkrelidze was nominated by the Association of Parents and Friends of ACT Schools (APFACTS) to represent parent associations of non-government schools. Mr Gamkrelidze holds a Graduate Diploma in Administration and is a member of the Education Faculty Advisory Board of the University of Canberra. Mr Gamkrelidze was appointed to the Council in May 2012.

Dr Janet Smith – Community member

Dr Smith is an Associate Professor of Education and Deputy Director of The Education Institute at the University of Canberra, where she has taught Educational Leadership and Teacher Education for the past 20 years, and has occupied a wide range of leadership positions, including Associate Dean Education and Discipline Head. In addition to her work at UC, Dr Smith also works an Education Consultant, focusing on facilitation, leadership and educational research. Dr Smith was appointed to the Council in August 2012.

Ms Prue Clarke OAM – Community member

Ms Clarke is a highly experienced and respected educator with a history in public education, Catholic education and teacher education through the University of Canberra. Ms Clarke was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2007. She is a Fellow of the Australian College of Education and the Australian Council of Education Leaders. Ms Clarke was appointed to the Council in February 2013.

Mr Paul Sykes – Community member

Mr Sykes has a background in the legal profession, working most recently as a senior lawyer with the Australian Government Solicitor Canberra. He has also had significant involvement in the non-government school sector, having been a member of the Parents and Friends associations of both Merici and Daramalan College, and an office bearer in the Association of Parents and Friends ACT. Mr Sykes was appointed to the Council in February 2013.

C8-C26

Not applicable

For more information contact:

Non-government Schools Education Council

c/- Information, Communications and Governance

Education and Training Directorate

GPO Box 158

CANBERRA ACT 2601