The Directorate undertakes regular community engagement activities through community consultation processes, stakeholder relations and community partnership programs. The Directorate's community engagement activities are aligned with the ACT Government's community engagement initiative.
The Director-General and other Directorate staff meet on a regular basis with the executive of the ACT Council of Parents and Citizens Associations, the Australian Education Union, the Catholic Education Office, the Association of Independent Schools and the ACT Principals' Association to discuss key issues and progress on major initiatives.
Major advisory and consultation groups
Government and Non-government Schools Education Councils
The Government Schools Education Council and the Non-government Schools Education Council provide opportunities for the community to have an important role in formulating advice to the Government on public and non-government school education policy.
Community and education members representing significant stakeholder groups form the membership of both councils. The Directorate provides secretariat support for these councils including compilation of their annual reports which are annexed to this report.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Consultative Group
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Consultative Group (the Group) consults with ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to provide advice to the ACT and Commonwealth Governments on education and training programs and initiatives under the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Action Plan (the Plan).
The Group continued to meet regularly during 2011-12 and contributed to a number of policy directions including the Australian Curriculum, the Review of Funding for Schooling and the Plan. The Group held four community forums to provide information and receive feedback about local and national policies and programs. The Group also contributed to the design process of new schools to foster a culturally inclusive environment.
The Group participated in the 2011 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Conference in Darwin. The conference presented a valuable opportunity for professional development, team building and to refine the focus of the Group.
ACT Safe Schools Taskforce
The ACT Safe Schools Taskforce (the Taskforce) provides a forum to discuss concerns raised by stakeholders, the Minister and the community relating to school safety. The Taskforce continued to meet regularly during 2011-12 to discuss and develop innovative solutions to address ongoing and emerging school safety concerns.
The Taskforce is made up of representatives from the Directorate, the Catholic Education Office, ACT Association of Independent Schools, ACT Policing, the Youth Advisory Council, the ACT Principals' Association, unions, school parent associations, the Canberra Preschool Society and the Human Rights Commission.
Key achievements of the Taskforce included strengthening links with ACT Policing, advising on the nature of school safety audits and reviewing policies that provide guidance and direction to schools in promoting safe school environments.
The Taskforce supported the Directorate's 'It's a Matter of Respect' countering racism conference opened by Minister Bourke on 16 March 2012, as part of activities for the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence. Teachers and students from public and non-government schools gained a greater understanding of the impact of racism and developed strategies to counter racism in schools.
Disability Education Reference Group
The Disability Education Reference Group (DERG) is a community consultative forum convened by the Director-General. The DERG provides an opportunity for the community to formulate advice to the Directorate on the education of students with a disability in ACT public schools.
Membership of the DERG includes organisations representing principals, the Australian Education Union, parent associations and other government and community organisations involved in the support of people with disability and their families.
During the reporting period, the DERG provided feedback and guidance on the following:
- the ACT approach to the More Support for Students with Disabilities National Partnership
- the Directorate's involvement in the trial of the collection of nationally consistent data on students with disability
- the implementation of the Directorate's Transport Review Survey
- the Directorate's draft guide to disability education services for parents and carers of students with disability
- the Directorate's development and delivery of training workshops for parents and carers of students with disability
- community and Directorate activities such as the Post-School Expo, Post-School Transitions programs and the Therapy Assistants Pilot program.
Excellence and Enterprise Stakeholder Forum
The Directorate established the Excellence and Enterprise Stakeholder Forum in 2011-12 to consult with the ACT community on projects and initiatives stemming from the Excellence and Enterprise framework. Membership of the Forum comprised of individuals and organisations with a connection, commitment and interest in the education of the young people in the ACT.
The Forum provided stakeholders with opportunities for their active participation and connection with projects and initiatives of the Excellence and Enterprise framework. The Forum met quarterly during 2011-12. The Directorate provided comprehensive information to the Forum and the broader community through the Quarterly Action Report and Key Directions Information Sheet on the implementation of projects and initiatives of the Excellence and Enterprise framework.
In 2011-12, the Forum provided feedback to the Excellence and Enterprise Steering Group on initiatives resulting from the Excellence and Enterprise framework, including submissions for the Secondary Schooling Innovation Fund.
Major community consultations
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consultation
During the reporting period, the Directorate undertook the development of an updated Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and revised terms of reference for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Consultative Group.
The Directorate consulted with the RAP Working Group and parents and carers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to update the existing RAP. All participants (around 20) supported the revision and contributed to the updated RAP which builds on the work achieved during the implementation of the first RAP.
Four officers of the Directorate along with four members of the Group formed a consultative forum to review and revise terms of reference of the Group. The collaborative work resulted in the revised terms of reference and an updated website.
Consultation on engaging young people in education and training
The ACT Youth Commitment requires all agencies and providers to commit to ensure that all young people up to the age of 17 are engaged in education, training or employment.
The Directorate consulted with a wide range of stakeholders with 64 participants contributing to the development of the Re-engaging Youth Network Boards initiative. The initiative was launched on 28 May 2012 to engender a greater level of cooperation and collaboration across all providers and agencies in supporting young people who are disengaged, or at risk of disengaging, from education or training. One board has been established in each of the four school networks.
Membership of the boards is drawn from schools, government agencies, community organisations and youth service providers. Each board is chaired by a prominent member of the local business community.
Vocational education and training community consultation
The Directorate consulted with the community on VET options through quarterly VET Forums. The VET Forums provided opportunities for face-to-face engagement between Directorate staff and VET stakeholders in the ACT.
During the reporting period, four forums were held with approximately 100 participating stakeholders in attendance. Participants included representatives from registered training organisations, group training organisations, Australian Apprenticeship Centres and members of industry and training sector organisations. Topics at the forums included:
- the emerging training and tertiary environment within the context of local and national reform
- consultation on contractual arrangements between the Directorate and training providers and updates to funded program requirements
- Directorate business processes and systems.
Schools capital works
During the reporting period, the Directorate continued stakeholder consultation on the design for a number of new schools, new capital works at existing schools and on the projects funded under the Australian Government's Building the Education Revolution (BER) program.
Table B1.1: Consultation on schools capital works
| Project | Consultation process | Groups/ | Number consulted | Outcome |
| Harrison Secondary School | Regular meetings | Harrison School representatives | Numbers varied between meetings | Finalisation of secondary school design and completion of project |
| Bonner Primary School | Meetings and community consultations | Design Working Group (DWG), Gungahlin Community Council, Harrison School community | 36 members invited to DWG, number of attendances varied for each meeting | Finalisation of design Construction commenced on 30 January 2012 with proposed completion in February 2013 |
| Franklin Early Childhood School | Meetings and community presentations | DWG, Gungahlin Community Council | Numbers varied between meetings | Finalisation of design Construction commenced on 23 January 2012 with proposed completion in January 2013 |
| Molonglo (Coombs) Primary School | Meetings and community presentations | Design User Group (DUG) comprising representatives of the Directorate and school principals, DWG | Numbers varied between meetings | Design progressed to the Final Sketch Plan (FSP) stage with consultation on the FSP to be held |
| Canberra College - Performing Arts Centre | Meetings and school consultations | DWG, theatre consultants, school executive, specialist teachers, acoustic engineers | Varied depending on the issue or speciality | Project is in final stages of construction |
| Red Hill Primary School expansion | Meetings and school consultations | School principal and design consultants on the Red Hill Primary School works French Australian Preschool (FAPS) representatives on the separation of facilities, local community consultation on traffic and parking study | Four Red Hill Primary School executive members on Red Hill extension, school informed the school community FAPS principal on separation works tasks, consultant advisor on land separation, various groups on parking and traffic, including local services | Completion of separation of FAPS facilities Community consultation on traffic improvements, external to the school site |
| Majura Primary School expansion | Meetings and school consultations | DWG, school staff and members of school community | Numbers varied between meetings and presentations | Agreed and approved design options with school principal and school staff |
| Macgregor Primary School expansion | Meetings and school consultations | DWG, school staff and members of school community | Numbers varied between meetings and presentations | Agreed and approved design options with school principal and school staff |
| Duffy Primary School expansion | Initial meeting | School staff, school board and school community representatives | Five school staff, six members of school board and three Directorate staff | Commenced process for design works |
| Taylor Primary School – rectification works | Various community forums – 15 and 22 March and 22 and | Members of the Taylor and Namadgi school communities and staff | A large number from both school communities and staff attended | Initial consultations on condition of Taylor Primary School Further consultation with the Taylor Primary School community to occur during the design stage process |
| Preschool expansions (nine preschools) | Meetings and school consultations | DWG, school staff, preschool staff and preschool associations | Numbers varied between meetings and presentations | Design options agreed Tender process for construction commenced for Griffith PreschoolWork at Red Hill Preschool completed Deakin, Reid, Ainslie Baker Gardens, Hackett, Downer, Watson and Lyneham Preschools into final phase of design |
| Canberra College Cares (CCCares) Program | Meetings and DUG consultations | DUG comprising Canberra College and CCCares representatives, expert consultant from University of Canberra | Numbers varied between five to 12 participants | Finalisation of functional design brief, appointment of design consultant |
| Malkara School – hydrotherapy pool | DWG meetings | School board, school staff, hydrotherapy pool specialists, pool specialists and other hydrotherapy pool builders and owners | 25 invited members | School expansion works are in final stages of refurbishment and construction |
| Trade Training Centre | Meetings and consultations with schools | DWG, consultations with school personnel, industry training experts, architects and training authorities | 30 | Final sketch plans being developed |
| Car Parks and Traffic Safety Program | Meetings and school consultations | School boards, P&C Associations, Roads ACT, traffic engineers and school administration officers | 12 | Three car parks to be developed, one out to tender for construction and two in design phase |
| Environment – Solar Schools: | Meetings and school consultations | School staff | Varied between school sites | Introduction of project and contractors and confirmation of location of roof mounted solar panels and pulse meters |
| Installation of Artificial Grass Surfaces (five schools) | Meetings and school consultations | School principal and business manager at each school at each phase of the project leading up to tender out phase | Numbers varied between schools - two to eight school staff | Sign-off of installation of artificial grass and other artificial surfaces to specified areas within the school grounds and agreement to coordinate with construction works at all schools |
| Landscape improvements – pilot projects | Meetings, school consultations and community presentations | School principal and business manager at each school Presentations to the school boards and P&C Associations at Giralang and Aranda Primary Schools | Varied between meetings and presentation session | Sign-off of design concept and agreement to coordinate with construction works at all schools |
| Landscape improvements – high schools (five schools) | Initial meetings to commence projects | School principal and business manager | Two staff members at each school | Introduction of project and initial discussions on school expectations and surveys to be conducted Agreement and cooperation of five schools to improve landscapes |
| Ngunnawal Primary School - new classroom pod | Meetings | School principal and executive staff School provided information to school community and affected residents | Three school staff | Construction completed in |
Source: Schools Capital Works Branch
Major community partnerships
Community partnerships are important to the social and economic sustainability of the ACT. Partnerships help schools to respond effectively to the educational needs and opportunities of their communities.
The Directorate has a number of specific partnerships with ACT community groups who support public education. These include Capital Chemist Group, Country Women's Association, Paperchain Bookstore Manuka, National Australia Bank, Rotary Club, Binutti Construction Pty Ltd, Hawker Brownlow Education and Teachers Mutual Bank.
Capital Chemist Group awarded a scholarship of $500 to two students from each public high school for their demonstrated commitment to academic endeavour or citizenship during year 10 in 2011. The scholarship was given for continuing senior secondary education through a tertiary package or completing an apprenticeship.
Country Women's Association awarded grants of $350 to seven students commencing year 12 in 2012. The students (from public and non-government schools) were selected on the basis of their aptitude and commitment to completing their schooling in the face of challenges and hardships.
Paperchain Bookstore Manuka supported, through a contribution of $10,000, the 2011 Chief Minister's Reading Challenge. Prizes comprised book vouchers for winning and participating schools from public and non-government sectors. Paperchain Bookstore also supported the 2011 Year 10 Excellence Awards with a $5,000 contribution to the presentation event and $50 vouchers for each student award.
Box B1.1: Paperchain Year 10 Excellence Awards
Paperchain Year 10 Excellence Awards for Outstanding Achievement in the High School Years were held on 5 December 2011. Awards were presented to students from ACT public high schools who excelled in academic work and extracurricular activities including peer mentoring, sports, state and national competitions and charity work.
The awards celebrated student growth as a learner, a person and a school and community member. The awards recognised the strength of students in ACT public schools and the excellence of the educators who work with them.
Paperchain Bookstore Manuka was the main sponsor of the awards.
Rotary Club of Canberra City (RCCC) manages and runs the Canberra Careers Market (CCM) every August. Through a memorandum of understanding, the Directorate assisted the RCCC with promoting, advertising and organising school visits to the CCM. In 2011, more than 7,000 students from the ACT and regional NSW visited the CCM held at the Australian Institute of Sport.
The ACT Training Excellence Awards is the premier VET community event in the ACT. The 2011 awards were held on 8 September to reward and recognise the outstanding achievements of apprentices, trainees, school students, employers, colleges, registered training organisations and industry within the VET sector. The Vikings Group continued its partnership with the Directorate by supporting the awards financially and through the provision of the venue and staff.
The Schools First program encourages best practice in school-community partnerships that demonstrate improved outcomes for students. Schools First is sponsored by the National Australia Bank along with the Foundation for Young Australians and the Australian Council for Educational Research. In 2011, four ACT public schools won awards for their ideas involving community partnerships.
Erindale College received a $50,000 Schools First Impact award for their Indigenous School-based Traineeship Program developed in partnership with the Indigenous community organisation, the Indigenous Social Inclusion Company. The program supported 17 students in 2011. All eight year 12 participants also completed their ACT Year 12 Certificate in 2011 and were employed or studying full-time in 2012.
The Schools First Seed Funding award worth $25,000 was shared between Lanyon High, Bonython Primary and Gordon Primary Schools for their 'Connecting through Giving' project in partnership with the Southern ACT Catchment Group (Kambah) and the University of Canberra. The partnership was developed to educate students from the schools about giving to the community, to the environment, to the school and to each other.
The ACT Refugee Day Committee presented scholarships of $250 to 13 students making good progress during their studies at the Directorate's Introductory English Centres or CIT. The scholarships were awarded to refugee students who were in need of financial assistance.
Binutti Construction Pty, Hawker Brownlow Education and Teachers Mutual Bank provided both financial and in-kind professional development opportunities to the 2012 Public Education Award winners.
Other community associations supporting public education include ACT Children's Week, the Returned & Services League of Australia Woden Valley Sub-Branch Incorporated, School Volunteer Program ACT Incorporated and the Australian Business Community Network.
The Directorate's Corporate Sponsorship policy provides guidance on corporate sponsorships, either cash or in-kind.
Social media
The Directorate continued to provide the community with updates on public school activities, programs and services through the ACT Public Schools Facebook page. Since the start of the page in mid-2009 the number of people who have nominated the Facebook page as part of their social network exceeded 600. A number of public schools used Facebook and Twitter social media sites to extend communication options with school communities. The Directorate's Twitter site followers numbered over 350 and the immediacy of the medium has proved useful in promoting school and Directorate events to specialist audiences including media.
For more information contact:
Director
Information, Communications and Governance
(02) 6205 7661