New Staff Induction February 2015
Left to right: Mr Matt Eyles, 2014 New Educator of the Year, Calwell High School; Ms Diane Joseph, Director-General; Mr Ryan Devlin, Hughes Primary School; Ms Amanda Tully, Belconnen High School.
The organisation
The Education and Training Directorate strives for better outcomes for all learners and for the ACT community more broadly.
Our mission
- Every child, young person and adult will benefit from a high quality, accessible education, childcare and training system.
- Every student will learn, thrive and be equipped with the skills and attitudes to lead fulfilling, productive and responsible lives.
- Our highly educated and skilled community will contribute to the economic and social prosperity of our city and the nation.
Our priorities
The Directorate's Strategic Plan 2014-17, Education Capital: Leading the Nation articulates on:
- Quality Learning:
We will ensure all learners have access to powerful and relevant learning experiences. - Inspirational Teaching and Leadership:
We will build the capabilities of our teachers and leaders - by design, not by chance. - High Expectations, High Performance:
We have high expectations for all and will meet the learning needs of every student. - Connecting With Families and The Community:
We will partner with families and engage with the community to build meaningful relationships. - Business Innovation and Improvement:
We will support innovation, improve our business systems and be open and accountable for our decisions.
Our values
The ACT Public Service values and behaviours of Respect, Integrity, Collaboration and Innovation underpin our service delivery to the community. Specifically:
- we take pride in our work and value the contribution of others;
- we take responsibility for our decisions and actions;
- we work openly, seek out the views of others and welcome feedback; and
- we seek to continuously improve our services and are open to change and new ideas.
Our role and stakeholders
Directorate services include the provision of public school education, regulation of education and care services, registration of non-government schools and home education, and the planning and coordination of vocational education and training. Our clients and stakeholders include:
- students and their families;
- children accessing childcare and their families;
- registered training organisations;
- childcare providers;
- community organisations; and
- peak representative groups.
ACT public schools - network distribution
The ACT public education system is based on four networks. A School Network Leader is assigned to each network and has line management responsibilities for each principal in the network and each school's improvement agenda:
- Belconnen Network Leader - Ms Kate McMahon
- North/Gungahlin Network Leader - Ms Judy Hamilton
- South/Weston Network Leader - Mr Wayne Prowse
- Tuggeranong Network Leader - Mr Stephen Gwilliam
Our organisational structure
The Directorate is accountable to the Minister for Education and Training, Ms Joy Burch MLA. During the reporting period until 11 December 2014 the Directorate was responsible to the Minister for Higher Education and Chief Minister, Ms Katy Gallagher MLA. (Chief Minster Andrew Barr MLA took responsibility for Higher Education for the remainder of the reporting period).
Our Senior Executive Team comprises the Director-General, Ms Diane Joseph; the Acting Deputy Director-General Mr Stephen Gniel; the Deputy Director-General Organisational Integrity, Ms Meg Brighton and the Acting Deputy Director-General Education Strategy, Ms Joanne Garrisson.
Ms Leanne Cover was in the position of Deputy Director-General from July 2014 to February 2015, after which she took up the position of Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Canberra Institute of Technology.
L-R: Ms Meg Brighton, Ms Diane Joseph, Ms Joanne Garrisson, Mr Stephen Gniel.
The divisions supporting the Director-General under the responsibility of the Senior Executive Team are:
- Deputy Director-General Division including Governance and Assurance, Office for Schools, and Training and Tertiary Education;
- Education Strategy Division including Learning and Teaching, Student Engagement, and School Leadership; and
- Organisational Integrity Division including Strategic Finance, Infrastructure and Capital Works, People and Performance, Planning and Performance, Information and Knowledge Services and Business Improvement.
The organisational structure of the Directorate as at 30 June 2015
Our internal accountability
Senior executives
Director-General, Ms Diane Joseph
The Director-General is responsible for the efficient administration of the Directorate and establishing its corporate and strategic directions.
The Director-General is responsible for implementing legal requirements, policy and commitments relating to education and training in the ACT. In addition, the Director-General has a role in the leadership of the ACT Public Service as a member of the ACT Public Service Strategic Board.
Acting Deputy Director-General, Mr Stephen Gniel
The Deputy Director-General oversees coordination activities across the Directorate, manages a range of national and whole of government initiatives and responds to issues at ministerial, intergovernmental and key stakeholder levels.
The Deputy Director-General leads the Office for Schools, Governance and Assurance, and Training and Tertiary Education branches. Mr Gniel has acted in the Deputy Director-General position since February 2015.
Deputy Director-General, Organisational Integrity, Ms Meg Brighton
The Deputy Director-General, Organisational Integrity has responsibility for the planning and coordination of human, financial, information technology and physical resources of the Directorate. The Deputy Director-General manages the modernisation of the information and communication technology infrastructure and planning and construction of new schools through the annual capital works program of the Directorate.
The Deputy Director-General is also responsible for the coordination of the national assessment programs, performance reporting and the assessment of educational programs through the management of a range of data collections. The Deputy Director-General leads Strategic Finance, Infrastructure and Capital Works, People and Performance, Planning and Performance and the Information and Knowledge Services branches of the Directorate.
Acting Deputy Director-General, Education Strategy, Ms Joanne Garrisson
The Deputy Director-General, Education Strategy has responsibility for the development and implementation of educational strategy and delivery of educational support services in public schools.
The Deputy Director-General leads the development and implementation of the school improvement framework through student-centred learning and teaching initiatives. Support services are provided in the areas of student welfare and transitions, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, early childhood and special education programs.
The Deputy Director-General leads the School Performance, Student Engagement, and Learning and Teaching branches. Ms Garrisson has acted in the Deputy Director-General, Education Strategy position since February 2015.
Remuneration for senior executives
Section 10 of the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1995 requires its administrative body (the Tribunal) to inquire into and determine the remuneration, allowances and other entitlements of the Director-General and executives within the meaning of the Public Sector Management Act 1994.
The Tribunal, through a determination in April 2015, increased the remuneration for the Director-General and executives by 2.5 percent, with effect from 1 July 2015.
Directorate committees
The Directorate committee structure is designed to improve the effectiveness of decision making, and to ensure that decisions align with delegations and accountability, and deliver on the commitments of the Strategic Plan.
Senior Executive Team
The Senior Executive Team is the peak decision making body of the Directorate and is responsible for significant operational, policy and resourcing decisions and approvals. The Senior Executive Team sets and reviews the strategic direction of the Directorate and monitors performance in key areas, including educational and financial performance. The Team is also responsible for ensuring compliance with laws, regulations, accounting standards and Directorate policies.
Corporate Executive
The Corporate Executive assists the Senior Executive Team in determining priorities through providing advice in relation to strategic policy and management issues. The Corporate Executive receives and considers reports from the Directorate's committees, and reviews and advises on any issues referred to it by the Director-General. It may establish working groups to undertake specific tasks. Outcomes from Corporate Executive meetings are communicated to staff and other committees as appropriate.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee monitors and reviews Directorate adherence to relevant legislative requirements and its approach to business ethics and corporate conduct. The committee is responsible for overseeing the risk management and audit functions. The committee also reviews the annual financial statements and provides advice to the Director-General on significant risks, audit outcomes and implementation of mitigation strategies.
Security and Emergency Management Committee
The Security and Emergency Management Committee provides advice to the Director-General on significant security proposals, directions, policies and training.
Directorate Consultative Committee
The Directorate Consultative Committee was established in accordance with the relevant enterprise agreements. The main objectives of the Consultative Committee are to improve consultation and communication processes between staff, senior managers and unions regarding significant changes to policy and guidelines that relate to the agreements; promote the sharing of information across the Directorate, and provide a forum for consultation.
Respect, Equity and Diversity Consultative Committee
The Respect, Equity and Diversity (RED) Consultative Committee provides a forum for sharing current and emerging issues and has the responsibility for overseeing all respect, equity and diversity functions of the Directorate and its employees. The RED Consultative Committee provides advice and contributes to the development and implementation of Directorate plans. The committee also provides advice on the implementation of whole of government plans.
Principals' Advisory Group
The Principals' Advisory Group, formerly the School Network Reference Group, is a communication and consultation group. The Principals' Advisory Group considers key strategic policy and operational matters and provides advice to the Corporate Executive and Senior Executive Team. The group raises policy and operational issues impacting on effectiveness and improvement from a school perspective.
Information and Communication Technology Working Group
The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Working Group assists the Director-General through developing and implementing ICT policies, programs and strategies. The ICT Working Group makes recommendations to Corporate Executive about ICT strategic directions, policies and proposals for system wide ICT initiatives.
Data Integration Action Group
The Data Integration Action Group provides advice informing the development of systems, processes and practices to enable schools to access and use data. In particular, the Action Group provides advice and information concerning the development of the school data tool that will provide timely and accurate information to enable principals to better target resource usage and respond to student need.
Leadership Development Group
The Leadership Development Group assists the Director-General to create a networked learning organisation by developing the workforce capability of all staff. The focus of this group is to set strategic directions, improve strategic planning, ensure alignment and provide governance for the Directorate's professional learning and training activities.
Human Resources Action Group
The Human Resources Action Group provides an important link between schools and the Directorate's Senior Executive in the design of empowered business practices. The Action Group draws on the work already completed through the ACT Public Schools empowerment change logic map. An important component of the change logic map is preparing a platform throughout 2014/15 for enterprise bargaining discussions. This platform was informed by advice provided by principals about enabling practices within schools.
Student Resource Allocation Advisory Group
The Student Resource Allocation (SRA) Advisory Group was formed in Term 2, 2015. The main objective of the SRA Advisory Group is to ensure that school's perspectives are reflected in strategic direction, project planning, policy development and shaping the design and delivery of support services associated with implementing the SRA.
Our planning framework and direction setting mechanisms
The Directorate's vision, priorities and performance measures are expressed in the Strategic Plan 2014-17: Education Capital: Leading the Nation. Priorities in the Strategic Plan are reflected in annual Action Plans, which detail specific initiatives at the Directorate and school level to be undertaken to progress the Directorate's strategic priorities.
Action Plans outline activities for the year and link performance measures from the Strategic Plan against these activities. Activities in the Action Plans are translated into activities for business areas and schools through annual plans.
School Annual Operating Plans, endorsed by school boards, are published on school websites.
The Directorate designed internal controls to monitor and manage risk in delivering the Strategic Plan. The Internal Audit program and the Risk Management Framework are the primary risk management tools to manage, monitor and report on the Directorate's risk management and audit functions. A biannual School Compliance Report is the mechanism applied to monitor mandatory compliance in ACT public schools and provides a level of assurance that the Directorate is meeting its legislative obligations.
More information on the Directorate's governance arrangements, including risk management and the audit program, is provided in Sections B.3 to B.6.
Our legislative responsibilities
Under the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 (Cth) and the Public Sector Management Act 1994 (ACT), the Chief Minister allocates responsibility to the various Ministers, Directors-General and agencies for the administration of ACT legislation. The Minister for Education and Training and the Director-General of the ACT Education and Training Directorate are administratively responsible for the list of legislation.
List of legislation:
- ACT Teacher Quality Institute Act 2010
- Board of Senior Secondary Studies Act 1997
- Building and Construction Industry Training Levy Act 1999
- Canberra Institute of Technology Act 1987
- Children and Young People Act 2008, Chapter 20
- Education Act 2004
- Education and Care Services National Law (ACT) Act 2011
- Training and Tertiary Education Act 2003
- University of Canberra Act 1989
Performance highlights 2014-15
The Annual Report measures the Directorate's performance against the Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan sets out the vision for the Directorate as well as strategic objectives linked to the 2015 Action Plan.
Priorities - The Strategic Plan contains priorities to be achieved over a four-year period. To view Priority information in detail click on the relevant section below...
Awards and recognition
Recognition of Service Awards 2015
The Recognition of Service Awards were held during ACT Public Education Week (25-29 May 2015) to honour the long term commitment, dedication and loyalty of employees who have had long periods of uninterrupted service with the ACT Education and Training Directorate.
Employees with ten to thirty years of service are recognised at an individual school or branch level celebration and are presented with a Recognition of Service Certificate.
Employees with forty to fifty years of service were invited to attend a formal Recognition of Service Award Ceremony on 27 May 2015 at the Canberra Museum and Gallery, and to receive their certificates from the Minister for Education and Training, Ms Joy Burch MLA.
Recipients of forty years Recognition of Service Certificates following presentation from Ms Joanne Garrisson, Acting Deputy Director-General Education Strategy Back L-R: Ms Jacqueline Rohrs, Curtin Primary School; Mr Frank Keighley, Hawker College, Ms Joanne Garrisson, Acting Deputy Director-General, Education and Training Directorate; Ms Jane Hubbard, Mount Stromlo High School; Mr Stephen Kyburz, Former School Network Leader. Front L-R: Ms Joy Burch MLA; Ms Jan Day, Kingsford Smith School
2015 Australian of the Year Awards State Finalist,
Australia's Local Hero - Robert Pastor
Mr Robert Pastor has been the principal at Jervis Bay School since 2008. Robert has successfully fulfilled the leadership challenge of a school in a stunning natural environment with high levels of unemployment and socioeconomic disadvantage as well as a complex system of governance.
Under Robert's leadership, the Jervis Bay School has strengthened its role as the heart of the local community, and as reflecting the strong Indigenous culture and proud history of Wreck Bay.
Through Robert's powerful role in fostering social cohesion, Robert has developed a student-centred education model that partners with the greater community to build cultural identity and pride, bring local Indigenous language into the school and strengthen student engagement.
Mr Robert Pastor, Principal, Jervis Bay School.
2014 ACT Public Education Excellence Awards
The Public Education Excellence Awards recognise school leaders, teachers, support staff and volunteers in ACT public schools. In 2014, 123 nominations were received.
The award recipients were:
- Primary Teacher of the Year - Robyn Hammond, Hughes Primary School
- Secondary Teacher of the Year - Nor Idis, Lyneham High School
- Outstanding School Leadership Award - Sue Norton, Fraser Primary School
- Teaching/Leadership in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Education - Lynn Leon, Kaleen Primary School
- Early Childhood Teacher of the Year - Michele Foley, Turner School
- New Educator of the Year - Matthew Eyles, Calwell High School
- Education Support of the Year - Debbie Carne, Harrison School
- School Hero of the Year - Brian Johns, Hughes Primary School
- Family and Community Partnerships Award - Charnwood-Dunlop School Staff
Award recipients with Ms Diane Joseph, Director-General (far left) and Minister for Education and Training, Ms Joy Burch MLA (far right).
Melrose High School teacher Geoff McNamara awarded 2014 Prime Minister's Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools.
Melrose High School teacher, Geoff McNamara, was inspired to improve on his own student experience and seek out working scientists many years later to engage students in his science classroom. Known as 'Mr Mac', he coordinates regular visits from practising scientists, science field trips and has created a hothouse of science learning - complete with a seismometer, GPS antenna, and weather station, each transmitting real-time data straight into the classroom. It is an environment where every student can experience the impact of science in daily life. 'We all need science literacy to navigate the complexity of the modern world', he says.
For his contributions to science teaching and inspiring students in science, Geoff McNamara was awarded the 2014 Prime Minister's Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools.
Geoff McNamara (right) receiving his award from Prime Minister, the Hon Tony Abbott MP, for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools with Simon Vaughan, Principal, Melrose High School (left).
ACT Training Excellence Awards 2014
The 77th ACT Training Excellence Awards were held on 4 September 2014. The Awards recognised the achievements of apprentices, trainees, vocational students, trainers, employers, schools and registered training organisations.
Award recipients with Ms Diane Joseph, Director-General (far left) and Minister for Education and Training, Ms Joy Burch MLA (far right).
- Paula Moeller, St Edmund's College, 2014 ACT VET in Schools Excellence Award Winner
- Brendan Farnhill, Australian Business Academy, 2014 ACT Small Registered Training Organisation of the Year
- James Kumar, 2014 ACT Vocational School Student of the Year
- Rebecca Lyons Wright, 2014 ACT Vocational Student of the Year
- Dennis Ogden, National Mailing and Marketing, 2014 ACT Large Employer of the Year
- Jessica Baczynski, 2014 ACT Apprentice of the Year
- Mark den Hartog, 2014 ACT Apprentice (Trainee) of the Year
- Judith McDonald, 2014 ACT VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year
- Adrian Marron, Canberra Institute of Technology, 2014 ACT Large Registered Training Organisation of the Year
- Eylish Perry, 2014 ACT School-based Apprentice of the Year Certificate III
- Veronica Plunkett, 2014 ACT School-based Apprentice of the Year Certificate II
- Karen Nicholas, 2014 John Scott Memorial Award Winner
- Sally Moylan, 2014 ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year.
Three ACT award recipients went on to receive a 2014 Australian Training Award. The Australian Training Awards are the peak national awards for the vocational education and training sector recognising organisations, training providers and individuals for their contribution to skilling Australia.
National awardees from the ACT were:
- Sally Moylan, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student, Trainee or Apprentice of the Year Award
- Eylish Perry, Australian School Based Apprentice of the Year Award
- Just Better Care Canberra, Australian Apprenticeships Employer Award.
International Women's Day Awards
On 12 March 2015, the Directorate celebrated International Women's Day with a breakfast attended by 125 Directorate staff and students at The Deck at Regatta Point. Captain Sally Dorsett provided a keynote address reflecting on her role in the Royal Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force. Through her role in the Royal Australian Air Force Sally has been pursuing change for work flexibility for women and men in the Australian Defence Force.
The Minister for Education and Training, Ms Joy Burch MLA, presented the Women of Achievement Awards to outstanding role models, inspiring others to achieve.
Recipients included:
- Karin Nagorcka - Wanniassa School Principal
- Sheila Brice - Deputy Principal of Namadgi School
- Sonja Marmon - Deputy Principal of Campbell High School
- Emma Robertson - Director Youth Coalition of the ACT
L-R Ms Beth Dingwall, Gungahlin College; Ms Diane Joseph, Director-General Education and Training Directorate; Ms Sonja Marmont, Campbell High School; Ms Sheila Brice, Namadgi School; Ms Karin Nagorcka, Wanniassa School; Ms Emma Robertson, Youth Coalition of the ACT; Group Captain Sally Dorsett, RAAF; Ms Joy Burch MLA, Minister for Education and Training.