A message from the President
Welcome to our website. The information about APFACTS, our aims and activities, as well as background information and research has been brought together to help you familiarise with current issues affecting schools, students and parents.
The work of APFACTS is to support our members - the ACT non-government school community, but as part of our work we endeavour to bring a parents perspective to education issues both locally and nationally. In a time when our children face ever-growing challenges, we as parents are the persistent voice speaking on their behalf.
One of our aims is to support parents’ capacity to positively influence students’ progress through their school years. We know from decades of research that when families are engaged in their children’s education, children have a greater chance of success.
In November, with the support from the Australian and ACT Governments under the ACT Youth Attainment and transitions strategic funding pool we will be hosting, a series of workshops for parents focussing on transition skills. Please follow the links, explore the aims of the workshops and book on line.
I hope you will also take the opportunity to subscribe to our e-newsletter, which is a quarterly update on education issues.
As always, we welcome all feedback and look forward to hearing from you on the areas that matter to you.
George Gamkrelidze, President
APFACTS
The Association of Parents and Friends of ACT Schools Inc (APFACTS), established in 1982 is a peak body representing parents and carers of students attending ACT non-government schools.
APFACTS is a non-denominational and a-political organisation. It represents and provides a collective voice on education issues locally and nationally to nearly 40% of parents of school aged children in the ACT.
APFACTS advances the interests of its membership though engagement with government and key stakeholder groups. It also serves to keep its membership informed on the latest and emerging education issues.
Facts about non-government schools in the ACT:
- The ACT has the highest number of students that attend non-government schools (Catholic and Independent) nearing 40%.
- Parents save the ACT Government over $221million each year by choosing to educate their children at a non-government school.
- In 2008–09, combining Commonwealth and State or Territory recurrent funding, public support for a student in a government school was on average $13,544. On average, total government funding for a non-government school student was $6,850, while for an independent school student it was $6,100 per year. For a student in a very high SES school, public support could have been as low as $1,750.38.
- Demand for places in the ACT non-government school sector has grown 13.9% over the past 5 years compared with 0.05% in government schools.
- Parent contributions, fundraising and school fees contribute up to 83% towards capital development at non-government schools for school buildings, grounds and equipment.
News and Events
Successful Transitions - Parents making a difference.
7, 8, 9 November 2011 - free workshops for parents of students in years 9-12. Places are limited, book online now.
The T.O.P.S Program - Success in school and beyond.
14, 15, 16 November 2011 - free parent workshops featuring education advisor, Angie Wilcox. Places are limited, book online now.
New Executive and Management Committee announcement
Following its Annual General Meeting on 28 September, APFACTS is pleased to announce the election of delegates to its Management Committee.