Ms Joy Burch MLA
Minister for Education and Training
ACT Legislative Assembly
London Circuit
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Dear Minister
I am pleased to submit the 2013-14 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 under the 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.
I certify that the attached Annual Report is an honest and accurate account and that all material information on the operations of the Non-government Schools Education Council during the period 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014 has been included.
I hereby certify that fraud prevention has been managed in accordance with Public Sector Management Standards, Part 2.
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 commend the Annual Report to you.
Non-government Schools Education Council
Annual Report 2013-14
A. Transmittal Certificate
See covering letter.
B. Performance Reporting
B.1 Organisational Overview
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.
The Council identified the following goals to be achieved in the 2013-14 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 articulate the strategic directions for non-government schools in terms of the education portfolio in the ACT
- to provide a response to any issue requested by the Minister.
The key issues considered by NGSEC in 2013-14 were as follows:
- Teacher Quality Institute – teacher registration particularly for casual relief teachers
- Safe and Supportive Schools policy
- 2014-15 ACT Government Budget
- Australian Government Report on the Review of Funding for Schools
- Review of Approval and Registration Processes Applying to Non-government Schools in the ACT
- Australian Curriculum; Education and Reform Agenda; National Partnerships.
The Council will continue to monitor the Strategic Directions for Non-government School Education in the ACT.
B.2 Performance Analysis
Not applicable.
B.3 Community Engagement and Support
Not applicable.
B.4 Ecologically Sustainable Development
Not applicable.
C. Governance and Accountability Reporting
C.1 Internal Accountability
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 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.
During the reporting period, the Council met six times between 1 July 2013 and 30 June 2014 including a joint meeting with the Government Schools Education Council.
Table NGSEC 1: Role of council members and number of meetings attended/number of eligible meetings
Member Name | Role | Number |
---|---|---|
Mrs Narelle Hargreaves OAM | Chairperson | 6/6 |
Dr William Maiden PSM | Community member and Deputy Chairperson | 5/6 |
Mr Andrew Wrigley | Education member | 4/6 |
Mrs Mary Dorrian | Education member | 6/6 |
Mrs Catherine Rey | Education member | 1/6 |
Mrs Lyn Caton | Education member | 4/6 |
Mr Peter Fullagar | Education member | 2/6 |
Mr George Gamkrelidze | Education member | 1/2 |
Dr Janet Smith | Community member | 5/6 |
Ms Prue Clarke OAM | Community member | 6/6 |
Mr Paul Sykes | Community member | 6/6 |
Ms Julie Sengelman | Education member | 3/3 |
The Council provided constructive feedback to the Minister regarding the Registration Processes Applying to Non-government Schools in the ACT. A joint meeting was held with the Government Schools Education Council that focused on the roles and responsibilities of the Teacher Quality Institute, particularly teacher registration processes. The Council held a 'conversation' with the Minister regarding the position paper 'Creation of an ACT School Education Advisory Council'.
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 2013. 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.
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.
All new members are provided with the ACT Government Boards and Committees Code of Conduct and asked to sign a Code of Conduct/Conflict of Interest Declaration Form. These documents outline expectations regarding ethical behaviour in order to satisfy standards of probity and accountability that apply to the public sector. These documents also provide information to assist members in identifying, avoiding and disclosing potential conflicts of interest.
C.2 Risk Management and Internal Audit
The Risk Management Plan was reviewed by the Council during 2013 and monitored by the Council throughout 2013-14.
C.3 Fraud Prevention
Not applicable.
C.4 Legislative Assembly Inquiries and Reports
Not applicable.
C.5 Auditor-General and Ombudsman Reports
Not applicable.
D. Legislation Based Reporting
Not applicable.
E. Human Resources Management Reporting
Not applicable.
F. Financial Management Reporting
Not applicable.
For further information contact:
Non-government Schools Education Council
c/- Governance and Assurance
Education and Training Directorate
GPO Box 158
CANBERRA ACT 2601