FROM THE FRONT
Towards a more inclusive society, developing sustainably
in response to continuing levels of interest and requests for its resumption, we are re-launching this quarterly publication – and at the critical juncture of a Federal Election that must critically concern itself with the needs of Education as the essential foundation element of nation building and of equipping our young people and our whole country for a fulfilling role in the changing world dynamics of the 21st Century. So a key theme of this first edition is to provide input from each state and territory umbrella group, and ACSSO’s national perspectives, as to those issues the Parents of Australia hold as important for the incoming Australian Government and its federal Education Minister to address in the next three years.
Now that a date has been set for the vitally important federal election on Saturday 21 August 2010, the thoughts of every parent naturally focus on what the issues, outcomes and policy initiatives will mean for the learning and personal development of their children, how these will equip them more effectively for a fulfilling life in terms of the needs and dynamics of the 21st century as it unrolls through the years ahead, and what sort of society and world this next generation will inherit.
Every parent wants the best possible outcomes for their children – and is both keen and anxious about how to help schools provide their children with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, values and aspirations that will equip them for the journey ahead and enable them to pursue their choices and opportunities through the rapidly changing times and context of the modern world. read more
My School and Parents
On Monday 1 February 2010, ACSSO President Peter Garrigan was interviewed on the ABC Radio program The World Today on what parents want from the My School website.
It is very easy to say this is what parents want. Which parents are we talking about? I am not aware of our organisation or any of the peak parent bodies or even the state bodies who represent the parents in those local communities being asked what parents want.
The best way to make an assessment, if you’re moving into a community is to actually go to the school, have a talk to the parents, have a talk to the principal. Have a walk around the school community through the school itself and see how the children interact with themselves and also with the staff and then have a look at the report that the school has to produce every year.
That gives you some good base data and some good grounding to determine well is this the best school for my child.
The interview also featured the views of Ian Dalton, executive director of the Australian Parents’ Council. Listen to or download the interview audio or read the full transcript online here.
Public Education: Australia’s Future
The Australian Education Union’s Public Education For Our Future campaign is all about teachers and parents joining together to make a difference.
“Working together we can convince the politicians that their top priority should be investing more in our public schools and our children.
Now more than ever we need strong, well-resourced public schools to ensure all children get the best education and fulfill their potential. Investing in public schools is also the key to a stronger economy, a more skilled workforce and a prosperous and socially cohesive society.
Public schools are a foundation stone of our society. They are places of learning, of inspiration and opportunity where every Australian child can get the education they deserve.
Now more than ever with a global financial crisis and an economic downturn it’s vital for our future that we invest more in public education. It’s the key to a strong economy, a skilled workforce and a socially cohesive society.
Join teachers and parents today in our campaign for stronger public schools.”
13-10-08: National Education Authority
The Australian Council of State School Organisation (ACSSO), Australias peak council for parent and citizen groups, is delighted to support the establishment of the National Education Authority to bring together responsibility for curriculum, testing and reporting at the national level.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education Julia Gillard earlier this month announced the agreement of the members of the Council of Australian Government to form the new authority, a significant step forward for the Education Revolution being promoted by Ms Gillard and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd since their election to government.
ACSSO President Jenny Branch called the establishment of the National Education Authority a victory for common sense.
It has never made sense to separate testing from curriculum and reporting. ACSSO has been pushing a move like this for some time, Ms Branch said.
A national curriculum and its implications will be the first item on the agenda for ACSSOs annual National Conference, which opens in Brisbane on 20 October.
We look forward to including discussion of the National Education Authority at the Conference.
- Read the ACSSO media release: click here
- Visit the ACSSO National Conference website: click here
24-07-08: Parents Team Up with Mobile Tele Association
The national peak body for Australia parents and citizen groups and school councils (ACSSO) has signed an important agreement with the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA).
The program is designed to work on a number of levels, including:
- » building new approaches to school learning
- » improving communication between parents and schools
- » analysing ways that new converging technologies can help improve education both at home and at school
As well as the positives that can flow from the agreement, the program will help parents and schools to protect young people against cyber bullying and predators.
ACSSO President Jenny Branch said the agreement was a valuable chance for parents to influence the modernization and improvement of Australian education.
“Technologies can help learning and provide access to information provided that our young people, their teachers and their families can be informed users and understand the potential of new technology.”
ACSSO Executive Director Terry Aulich said parents and their children learning together was a new direction that education would take and that the new converging technologies could enable this to happen.
“We haven’t scratched the surface in using that technology for education purposes,” he said.
Read the statement by CEO Chris Althaus explaining why AMTA is teaming up with ACSSO.
Download: AMTA Tips for Young People on Cyber Bullying | AMTA Tips for Parents on Cyber Bullying
16-05-08: A BUDGET OF PROMISE
Representing the hopes, fears and expectations of parents of public school students around the country is often a heavy responsibility but, as the President of ACSSO, I do get the occasional opportunity to gain some special insight into how our country operates.
The Federal Budget is a case in point.
From the lock-up, fuelled by a keen sense of expectation and high hopes, to the formal presentation on the floor of the Parliament, I was able to observe at close hand the process that decides how our money will be spent.
It was fascinating to watch such a complex, detailed plan being brought into clear shape and focus as a framework for the future, and then to work out the implications for the public education system.
I’m glad to say we back this education budget, which we view as a thoughtful plan that addresses key issues without heating up the economy … read more
21-04-08: 2020 VISION
Parliament House. The steps lined with reporters. Crowded with the famous, the politicians – the best and brightest in the nation – and me.
A beautiful clear calm Canberra morning – yet I could feel the shared excitement, the sense of opportunity. So many feelings running through my mind. I knew something special was about to happen – and I was going to be part of it.
Brought together in the Great Hall like a precision military operation. Proud to be Australian as we all sang the National Anthem together. Then the Prime Ministers inspirational speech of what this might deliver for the future of Australia.
The challenges were exhilarating. Think big, wide, long-term, inclusive and linked-up. Think outcomes and impacts. The things that will take us forward together to a future we can only guess at. The future our children will inherit … read more
21-02-08: THREE LOVE
Report from Parliament House, Canberra by Jenny Branch, President of ACSSO
All the executive representatives of the two national parent organisations were there in the House of Representatives wing as Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard went to the microphone.
For many, this was the first time they would meet the Minister.
Julia Gillard was going to bring us news about a particular decision.
Whether or not the Government would fulfil its election promise to fund ACSSO and APC’s proposal to establish and run a Family School and Community Partnership Bureau … read more
14-02-08: SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG
Report from Parliament House Canberra by ACSSO Executive Director Terry Aulich
Thousands were on the lawns, others waited patiently in long lines to get into Parliament House. Young, old, indigenous, non-indigenous; they had come from all over the country. The mood was quiet and determined as if a long overdue obligation was about to be fulfilled.
Then, it happened. The Parliament opened with a prayer and Kevin Rudd walked to the despatch box and went straight to the heart of the matter, saying the word that most Australians had waited so long to hear. Sorry. Without equivocation, without qualification. Sorry … read more
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