When he retired from the High Court of Australia in February 2009, Michael Kirby was Australia’s longest serving judge. While he has had a diverse and notable legal career it is his support of human rights, [...]]]> The Importance of Secularism in Public Education

Michael Kirby, 2011 ACSSO National Conference, Sydney, October 13-14

When he retired from the High Court of Australia in February 2009, Michael Kirby was Australia’s longest serving judge. While he has had a diverse and notable legal career it is his support of human rights, and in particular public education, that he was invited to speak at this conference.

In particular, he has publicly defended the secular nature of our public education system at a time when this underlying principle is under threat.

He is a powerful advocate for public education and strongly believes that public education is the cornerstone underpinning our society.

The Australian Parents Council (APC) and the Australian Council of State School Organisations (ACSSO) are inviting parents from around Australia to be part of an exciting and innovative project, Parents Understanding Asia Literacy: Building demand for Asian languages and studies.

ACSSO President, Peter Garrigan, [...]]]> Parents unite to build demand for Asian languages and studies

The Australian Parents Council (APC) and the Australian Council of State School Organisations (ACSSO) are inviting parents from around Australia to be part of an exciting and innovative project, Parents Understanding Asia Literacy: Building demand for Asian languages and studies.

ACSSO President, Peter Garrigan, said today, “Learning about Asia is an increasingly important part of the personal, social and academic development of all young Australians. Through this project the peak national organisations representing parents of students in government and non-government schools will establish a network of parents who can work supportively with school leaders to build student demand for the studies of Asia and Asian languages and increase opportunities for their children to be exposed to high quality and sustainable teaching programs.”

The Parents Understanding Asia Literacy project is being nded as part of the Australian Government’s National Asian Languages and Studies in Schools Program (NALSSP) which has a focus on assisting schools to promote the teaching and learning of Asian languages and/or the studies of Asia related to one or more of the four NALSSP target countries – China, Indonesia, Japan and Korea.

Over 200 parents from 75 government, Catholic and independent schools will be brought together in clusters of 15 schools to be provided with training to build their understanding of the difference that learning about the four NALSSP languages and cultures can make to the lives of young Australians. Each cluster will have a dedicated mentor to support the parents as they go back into their schools to talk to their peers and school leaders about how the studies of Asia might be given a stronger focus in their schools.

“This project is very timely, considering that Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia is a cross-curriculum priority in the new Australian Curriculum,” said Ian Dalton, APC executive director. “We know that parents influence the subject choices students make. If they are appropriately informed and engaged they can also drive school curriculum choices and pathways that are best for their children.

“Our research has shown that there is undoubtedly a genuine interest among parents in their children having the opportunity to study other languages and cultures. However, there are also high levels of confusion and uncertainty among parents about how this can be done effectively considering current structural problems, such as a shortage of qualified teachers of Asian languages and a lack of continuity in the provision of Asian languages programs,” he added.

According to Mr Garrigan, “ACSSO and APC both believe it is critical, if participation rates of students studying Asian languages and studies are to be lifted to any significant extent, that parents are meaningfully engaged as supportive allies of schools.”

http://pual.org.au/

The Hon Peter Garrett MP, Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth, 29 August, 2011

Reading, writing and maths will be taught in fun and new ways this week as schools across Australia take part in activities for National Literacy and Numeracy Week, officially [...]]]> Fundamentals are fun during National Literacy and Numeracy Week

The Hon Peter Garrett MP, Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth, 29 August, 2011

Reading, writing and maths will be taught in fun and new ways this week as schools across Australia take part in activities for National Literacy and Numeracy Week, officially launched today by School Education Minister Peter Garrett.

Mr Garrett visited Arawang Primary School, in Canberra to kick-start the week of activities, alongside the two NLNW Ambassadors: award-winning children’s author, Jackie French; and ‘The Maths Man’, comedian Simon Pampena.

“This year the theme for the week is ‘Fundamentals are fun’, and we saw that in action today as Jackie and Simon showed the students at Arawang Primary interesting and fun ways to learn these vital skills,” Mr Garrett said.

“More than 1500 schools will be taking part in activities this week, including a mass reading event, ‘Read for Australia’ on Wednesday, and the ‘Reach for the Stars’ national maths exercise.

Read more: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Garrett/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_110829_130319.aspx

The conference will be held in the William Wilkins Gallery, Department of Education and Communities, 35 Bridge St, Sydney. The [...]]]> Join us at the ACSSO Conference in Sydney

Parents: Partners in Education, the national conference of the Australian Council of State School Organisations, will be held in Sydney on October 13 and 14, 2011.

The conference will be held in the William Wilkins Gallery, Department of Education and Communities, 35 Bridge St, Sydney. The venue is right near Circular Quay and accessible by train.

We are extremely pleased to announce that the keynote speaker for the conference is Justice Michael Kirby. He will address the conference regarding secular education and the importance of public education to our nation’s future.

Other speakers include Professor Peter Freebody (Sydney University) who will speak about parent engagement in education and his recent research that focussed on teachers engaging with their school communities, ensuring the curriculum is relevant and reflective of the community served by the school.

Read more and register now.

This year’s celebration is from 13-21 August.

There’ll be� more than 1000 events spread across every state and territory as well as fascinating scientists giving talks all over the country on the National Tour.

You can join in� our National Project� on Multi-tasking, or participate in an array of inspiring [...]]]> National Science Week 2011

This year’s celebration is from 13-21 August.

There’ll be more than 1000 events spread across every state and territory as well as fascinating scientists giving talks all over the country on the National Tour.

You can join in our National Project on Multi-tasking, or participate in an array of inspiring activities, as we celebrate science and innovation in Australia.

Get the full lowdown at http://www.scienceweek.gov.au/.

The Hon Peter Garrett MP, Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth, 18 July, 2011

Every school in Australia will be provided with new information packs to help promote positive body image and create supportive school environments, Minister for Youth Peter Garrett said today.