MEDIA RELEASES 2007-2003

01-11-07: Big Take-Up of Summer Schools Impresses Parents

The national public schools parent body is impressed by the large number of teachers who have applied for places at the Federal Government’s Summer Schools training in January … MS Word format | PDF format

21-10-07: Parents Welcome Computer Policy from Labor

The peak council for Australias public school parents has endorsed Kevin Rudds tax break for computers and other school equipment … MS Word format | PDF format

29-09-07: Parents Wary About Test Results and Ranking of Schools

ACSSO has voiced its opposition to publicly ranking schools according to their national literacy and numeracy test results … MS Word format | PDF format

21-09-07: Parents Welcome Moves on Safety for School Buses

ACSSO has welcomed the Federal Government’s $40 million initiative to provide seat-belts on school buses in country areas … MS Word format | PDF format

30-08-07: ACSSO Supports Primary Teachers Vital Role Says President and Executive Director

In a major statement today, the President and Executive Director of ACSSO called for more support for primary school teachers … MS Word format | PDF format

27-07-07: National Parents Body Praises Sheedy

In a unique tribute, the peak parents and citizen council for Australias public schools has paid tribute to sacked Essendon Football Club coach Kevin Sheedy … MS Word format | PDF format

12-07-07: Languages Education: A Time to Speak – and a Time to Act

“Learning a language in Australia should be like learning Maths or English”, said one teacher respondent to a national Research Survey conducted by the peak parent organisations in late 2006. “It is a normal part of the curriculum in which every student should participate. It is part of an education for life!” … MS Word format | PDF format

3-07-07: Time to get serious about rebuilding Australias language capability

After a dismal decade characterised by lack of political will or purpose, by indifference, procrastination and neglect at too many levels, the need for sustained transformative action across the country in languages education cannot be further ignored … MS Word format | PDF format

7-06-07: Languages Education: Shortchanging our Families – and our National Future

ACSSO is in full agreement with those commentators who have described the crisis in languages education in Australia as an international embarrassment and national disgrace … MS Word format | PDF format

21-02-07: Parents Praise Extra Funding for Public Schools

ACSSO has praised the Australian Government for adding an extra $181 million to the $700 million already spent under the Investing in Our Schools programme … MS Word format | PDF format

24-01-07: Parents Welcome Rudd’s Education Revolution

Australias peak public school parents body, ACSSO, has praised Labor leader Kevin Rudds decision to make education a key issue for the coming Federal election … MS Word format | PDF format

16-11-06: Parents Praise Bracks Promise on Early Childhood Centres

ACSSO has praised Victorian Premier Steve Bracks’ election promise that all new school sites would make provision for early childhood learning centres … read more

09-11-06: Peak Public Schools Parent Body Wants Funding Scheme Renewed

After two years of operation, the Investing in Our Schools programme adds an extra $700 million capital funding to public schools over a four year period: but it is due to run out next year … read more

28-06-05: Principals and Parents Call For Better Deal for Primary Schools

Australias key parent and primary principals bodies have described primary education as the Cinderella of the education system … read more

11-04-05: ACSSO Calls for National Home Reading Campaign

Australias public school parents have called for a national home reading campaign to promote literacy and love of reading amongst young people … read more

07-10-04: Parents Must Look at Our Website Says Public Schools President

Australias peak public school parents body says all parents should examine the website which sets out the key education policies of all political parties … read more

28-09-04: Parents Support Coalition Funding Promise But Fear Duplication

ACSSO has praised the Coalition’s promise to provide more capital funding to Australia’s schools and supports the opportunity for greater parent involvement in the decision making process related to building programs … read more

16-09-04: Parents Applaud Labors Schools Plan

ACSSO applauds Labors schools funding announcement launched today. ACSSO President Judith Bundy says the package is a vote of confidence in the public system … read more

16-08-04: Public School Parents Support Senate Committee

ACSSO has praised the latest report by the Senate Employment Workplace Relations and Education References Committee on Commonwealth funding for schools, tabled in Parliament last week …read more

12-05-04: Long Term Funding Needed

ACSSO says Federal Government funding is still weighted against public schools which educate nearly 70% of Australian students. ACSSO President Judith Bundy today called for all political parties to plan for education well beyond the coming election, including in their programs a plan to lift funds to public schools … read more

07-05-04: Looking For Education Improvements in Federal Budget

ACSSO is looking for major improvements in next Tuesdays Federal Budget (11/05/04). ACSSO President Judith Bundy said, “The parents of Australia want better education services rather then minor tax cuts”. Specifically ACSSO has nominated six key areas where the budget needs to make extra provision … read more

11-03-04: Federal Funding to State Schools Gets Worse

State schools have received less than private schools as a result of the Federal Government’s guidelines released today by Education Minister Brendan Nelson. values. ACSSO, the national peak body representing parents in government schools and their school communities, has expressed its disappointment … read more

20-01-04: Prime Minister’s New Values Undermine Government Schools

“Parents of the 70% of students who go to government schools will be appalled to know that the Prime Minister thinks public schools do not teach traditional values. He is totally wrong!” said ACSSO President Judith Bundy in response to the Prime Ministers recent comments … read more

13-10-03: Leadership Challenge on Fairer Schools Funding

Government school parents have welcomed the announcement of WAs Education and Training Minister, Alan Carpenter, to keep funding for the richest WA private schools at 2003 levels. Judith Bundy, president of the Australian Council of State School Organisations congratulated the Minister … read more

08-07-03: Parents Expect More from Education Ministers

This weeks meeting of Australias nine education ministers in Perth provides a rare opportunity to establish a nationally co-ordinated approach to many of the major issues in Australian education. Of particular interest to parents is the issue of equitable school funding… read more

26-05-03: Federal Education Budget: the Real Story

ACSSO President Judith Bundy commented today that the same pattern is being repeated by Federal Education Minister Nelson as has occurred in previous years. The pattern goes like this: A budget increase for schools is announced, with the increase for government schools made explicit. The increase for non-government schools is not mentioned … read more

30-04-03: Public Education: It’s Really a Matter of Priorities

As the 2003/04 Budget approaches, the organisation representing the parents of the 70% of children who attend government schools seeks assurance that the Federal Government will give serious consideration to the needs of public schools and the students who attend them … read more

27-03-03: Student Protests Need a Rational Response

ACSSO President Judith Bundy expressed concern at yesterdays student protests, some of which were marked by violence and involved young people of primary school age. The violent actions shown at yesterdays demonstration are a timely warning however, that peaceful student protests may be manipulated by others with a more subversive intent … read more

03-03-03: Education Dollars to Fund War?

ACSSO President Judith Bundy today expressed concern that the upcoming Federal Budget will contain substantial cuts to education funding as a result of war with Iraq. Already the Treasurer has made some predictions as to the cost of this conflict, and it would appear that the essential services of education and health will be the first front-line casualties … read more

30-01-03: Public Education: Key to Australia’s Security

ACSSO President Judith Bundy reflected today on the new school year starting at a time when national and world security matters dominate the political agenda. However she cautioned that any nation that sidelines education for even the briefest period, is guilty of short-changing its youth and its own future … read more