Government Schools Education Council
Annual Report 2012-2013

Dear Minister

I submit the Annual Report of the Government Schools Education Council for 2012–2013.

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. The Annual Report of the Government Schools Education Council is annexed to the administrative report of the Director-General of the Education and Training Directorate.

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

I also hereby certify that fraud prevention has been managed in accordance with Public Sector Management Standards Part 2.

I commend the Annual Report to you.

Government Schools Education Council Annual Report 2012-2013

A1 the Council

The Government Schools Education Council (the Council) is established in accordance with section 54 of the Education Act 2004 (the Act).

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 Young Affairs is consulted on proposed appointments.

Sections 56 and 57 of the Act state that the Council must consist of the Director- General and the Minister must appoint the following members of the Council:

• a chairperson
• six people who, in the Minister's opinion, have experience in one or more of the areas of business and commerce, public policy, early childhood care, education, the special needs of young people and teacher education (the community members)
• 10 people who, in the Minister's opinion, represent the views of public school education (the education members), including:
  • two education members chosen from nominations of the peak organisation representing principals
  • two education members chosen from nominations of the government teacher union
  • two education members chosen from nominations of the peak organisation representing parent associations of public schools
  • two education members chosen from nominations of the peak organisation representing students
  • one education member chosen from nominations of organisations representing school boards
  • one education member chosen from nominations of organisations representing preschool parents.

A2 Overview

The council met six times between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2013.

The Council's functions are to advise the Minister on any aspect of the ACT public school system; and when asked by the Minister, to inquire into and give advice to the Minister on any aspect of the ACT public school system. Under section 66(1) of the Act the Minister must present a copy of the advice to the Legislative Assembly.

The Directorate provides secretariat and advisory assistance to the Council. The Council may call on directorate staff to address Council meetings or meet with members to discuss particular issues or programs relevant to the work of the Council. If required, the Council would have access to legal advice through the ACT Government Solicitor's Office.

A3 Highlights

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

• Continue discussions with the ACT Education and Training Directorate (the Directorate) around the implementation of major Directorate initiatives.
• Continue to monitor the achievements of students in public education in the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN)
• Continue to seek input from Council membership constituencies concerning all matters pertaining to public schooling
• Continue to meet with the Non-government Schools Education Council
• Continue to maintain a close interest in the funding of government schooling for all students and particularly for students with disabilities, those for whom English is an additional language or dialect and those who are disengaged from schooling.
• Continue to provide advice to the Minister and engage in discussion on bridging the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students in ACT government schools

The Council sought and received information from the Directorate on:

• progress towards Empowerment in ACT Public Schools
• Disability Education
• Student engagement
• National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN)
• National School Improvement Framework

The Council also celebrated the success of staff and volunteers who demonstrated excellence, innovation and talent in their service to ACT Public Education by the attendance of council members at the 2013 ACT Public Education Excellence Awards held in June 2013.

A4 Outlook

The Council remains very keen to continue to bring a range of views and perspectives on public education matters to the Directorate. It identified the following areas of focus in the next reporting period:

• 2013-14 ACT Budget initiatives, including the University of Canberra's new Quality and Teaching Learning Centre
• the ongoing implementation of the Australian curriculum
• development of a needs based funding model for ACT government schools.

A5 Management discussion and analysis

Budget 2013-14 recommendations

In March 2013, the Council responded to an invitation to participate in the Treasury Budget Consultation. The Government Schools Education Council budget submission was tabled in the Legislative Assembly by the Minister for Education and Training, Joy Burch MLA on 9 April 2013.

The Government Schools Education Council identified three main areas where budget commitments need to be made or sustained:

• provision of additional specialist officers for literacy and numeracy support
• provision of support for EALD students
• provision of support for students living in poverty.

GSEC also identified other Initiatives for consideration:

• renovation and upgrading of public schools
• continued investigation into IT trends
• professional development of teachers in the implementation of the Australian Curriculum

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, and therefore does not receive or expend funds.

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

Council operations are regarded as low risk and the Chair has put processes in place to monitor identified risks. No risk mitigation activities have been required.

C2-C6

Not applicable

C7 Staffing profile

Ms Di Kerr (Chair)

Ms Kerr Chaired the council for six years, her most recent period expired in March 2013. She has 20 years of teaching experience in ACT public schools and 12 years at senior management level in ACT and Western Australian education departments. She also has extensive experience in curriculum development at the national, state and school level and is Curriculum Advisor to Education Services Australia. Ms Kerr holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma of Education.

She is a Fellow of the Australian College of Educators and the ACT Minister's nominee on the Board of the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority.

Ms Wendy Cave (Deputy Chair)

Ms Cave is an education member on the Council representing the Australian Education Union. She is currently the principal at Macquarie Primary School and has worked in the Directorate for over 20 years as a teacher and various executive positions. Ms Cave holds a Bachelor of Education.

Ms Jill Burgess

Ms Burgess is a community member on the Council and lectures at the Australian Catholic University (Canberra Campus). She is an ACT Chapter committee member and National Councillor for the Australian Association of Special Education Inc. and committee member on the Coalition of ACT Education Associations. Ms Burgess has extensive experience in a variety of educational settings, at all levels from early childhood to tertiary. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Diploma of Education, Graduate Diploma in Reading and Language Education and a Master of Education (special needs education).

Ms Diane Joseph

Ms Joseph commenced with the Directorate in January 2010 and is the current DirectorGeneral.

Ms Joseph was previously the General Manager, Innovations and Next Practice, in the Office for Policy Research and Innovation at the Victorian Department for Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD). Other previous positions include Assistant Regional Director Barwon-South Western Region and Assistant General Manager Office for Learning and Teaching in the DEECD.

Her leadership experience in policy, strategy and program development, and implementation spans all levels of the education system. Ms Joseph holds a Bachelor of Science (Education) from the University of Melbourne.

Mrs Jane Tullis

Mrs Tullis has been an education member representing the ACT Council of P&C Associations. Mrs Tullis has many years of community volunteering experience including terms with the Holt Primary School P&C Association, Ginninderra District High School Board and P&C Association, and Copland College P&C Association. Mrs Tullis currently holds the positions of Vice President, ACT Council of P&C Associations; President, Melba Copland P&C Association; and Vice President Australian Council of State School Organisations. Ms Tullis resigned from GSEC in December 2012.

Mr Roger Amey

Mr Amey has extensive experience in education in the ACT. He is currently the Coordinator of Science programs at University of Canberra Senior Secondary College Lake Ginninderra (UCSSC) and is a Vice-President of the ACT Branch of the Australian Education Union.

Mr Remy Chadwick

Mr Chadwick has been a student representative on the Council and currently attends UCSSC. Mr Chadwick has been accepted into the Excellence Program of UCSSC and was part of the leadership team that attended the Global Leadership conference. Mr Chadwick previously lived in France for 12 years with his family. Mr Chadwick's term expired in August 2012.

Ms Trish Keller OAM

Ms Keller has extensive experience in education in the ACT, particularly in teaching and at an executive level. Ms Keller is the principal of Giralang Primary School and is an education member representing principals on the Council. In 2006 Ms Keller was awarded the Order of Australia Medal and holds a Bachelor of Education and is a Fellow of both the Australian College of Educators and the Australian College of Educational Leaders.

Ms Alexandra Tolmie

Ms Tolmie is a community member who has experience in the areas of public policy, primary school education and curriculum development. Ms Tolmie completed her Year 12 Certificate at Narrabundah College. Ms Tolmie holds a Master of Teaching (primary).

Mr Denis O'Dea

Mr O'Dea has extensive experience as a senior foreign policy analyst with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Mr O'Dea has also worked in key public policy roles in other Australian Public Service and New Zealand Government agencies. He has held the Chair position on the Hughes Primary School Board and is a current committee member of the ACT Council of Parents and Citizens Association. Mr O'Dea is an Education member representing the ACT Council of Parents and Citizens Associations.

Mr Shane Gorman

Mr Gorman is an education member representing the ACT Principals' Association.
Mr Gorman has vast experience in education in the ACT working as Principal in the system for the past 13 years. Mr Gorman has worked across both the secondary and primary sectors and is the current Principal of Bonython Primary School. Mr Gorman holds a Bachelor of Education.

Mr John Darcy

Mr Darcy is currently the Office Manager providing executive and administrative support to the volunteer Council of the Canberra Preschool Society since 2010. Mr Darcy served from 2007 as a volunteer office holder on the Canberra Preschool Society Council as Vice President, Acting President and Secretary. He has also served on his own children's Preschool Parent Association Committees and as a delegate to the ACT Council of Parents & Citizens Associations. Mr Darcy is an Education member representing the community of parents of preschool children.

Ms Misty Adoniou

Ms Adoniou is a community member of the Council. She was educated in Canberra's Government schools, and has completed further education at the University of Canberra. She has taught in Canberra's public schools for 15 years and has worked internationally in the education sector. In addition she has educated teachers in the ACT at the University of Canberra for the past 10 years. Ms Adoniou is a passionate advocate for public education and believes that a quality public school system is a requisite cornerstone of an equitable and fair society. Her PhD research has focused particularly on teacher education, and its role in the development of excellent school systems.

Ms Deborah Evans

Ms Evans is a community member of the Council. She is an experienced senior manager with a strong background in Instructional design, Adult Education and the development of Individual Education Plans for students from Pre-school to late adulthood. Ms Evans is an experienced teacher and workplace trainer, providing client support, staff development programmes and has designed programmes for accreditation including the design of resources for such programmes. She has a Bachelor of Education Studies.

Mr Hugh Boulter

Mr Boulter has over 30 years experience in the financial services industry, government policy and administration and over 15 years experience as a company director mainly in the NFP sector and statutory organisations. For more than 15 years Hugh has been a company director, board and or executive member for a range of significant not for profit organizations. and an educational statutory authority.
Mr Boulter was Chairman of the Miles Franklin Primary School P&C 2007-12 and is the Treasurer of the ACT Council of P&C Associations. He is an education member representing the ACT Council of Parents and Citizens Association

Ms Nadia Osman

Ms Osman was a community member of the Council. She has a Master in Teaching, specialising in early childhood, from Macquarie University. Ms Osman understands the theoretical knowledge in an emergent curriculum teaching style, which she puts into practice working as an early childhood teacher at a not-for-profit organisation in the ACT. Ms Osman resigned from the Council in August 2012.

The Council met six times between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2013.

Table GSEC 1: Membership of the Council for 2012-13

C8-C24

Not applicable

For more information contact:

The secretariat or the Chairperson for the Government Schools Education Council

(GSEC):

GSEC Secretariat

Ministerial and Commonwealth Relations

Education and Training Directorate

GPO Box 158

CANBERRA ACT 2601

620 59444

detgovtrelations@act.gov.au