It is a privilege to work in education.
Each year when I endorse the Education and Training Annual Report it has been an opportunity for me to reflect on the honour we have as educators and education administrators to shape the lives of those seeking to learn and achieve.
We are lucky to be in a position in the ACT to have many things to celebrate. ACT students have been high achievers, both nationally and internationally, for many years and the 2013-14 year has been no exception. It is from this benchmark that we strive for even better outcomes.
We are always looking for new ways to teach, inspire and connect. This vision has been articulated through the release of Education Capital: Leading the Nation, the ACT Education and Training Directorate's strategic plan for 2014 to 2017.
It is through Education Capital: Leading the Nation that we have committed to:
- increasing the number of high performing students;
- reducing the number of students who are not achieving;
- increasing the number of children who benefit from early childhood education and care; and
- increasing the qualification levels of the ACT community.
The ACT education and training community is extensive. Our schools, teachers and leaders, together with our parents, stakeholders and partners have a tradition of striving for excellence to ensure that every individual benefits from a high quality education system, from beginning to end.
I make a concerted effort to visit as many school communities as I can to experience for myself the excitement of learning and the achievements of our future leaders. Everything I see, from kindergarten students discovering new concepts to the awesome talent of emerging visual and dramatic artists, inspires me to push for better outcomes.
This year has been important for celebrating our successes, understanding our current strengths and defining how we will address our challenges.
The Education and Training Directorate Annual Report 2013-14 highlights the combined effort of the Directorate to unequivocally lead the nation. I warmly acknowledge the contribution of our employees, in our schools and in our central office, on their contributions to the outcomes shared in this report. These outcomes belong to the Directorate and to the students, families and education community.
It is through collaboration and dedication that we have an important story to tell. Everyone has a stake and a contribution to make.
Education is the key to our future and I am proud to share with you our achievements and ambitions as Australia's Education Capital.
Diane Joseph
Director-General
Education and Training Directorate