Useful Links
School directories
- The Internet Non-government Schools Directory- If you're a parent looking for a non-government school for your child, anywhere in Australia, you'll find that school here. www.isd.com.au/
- Directory of ACT Government Schools – Complete list of ACT government pre-schools, primary, secondary and Colleges. www.det.act.gov.au/school_education/directory_of_schools
ACT and National Curriculum
- The ACT Literacy and Numeracy Strategy 2009-2013: www.det.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/59662/Literacy_and_Numeracy_Strategy_2009-2013.pdf
- Curriculum framework for ACT schools Preschool to year 10 students – Information for parents: www.activated.act.edu.au/ectl/resources/ECTL_Brochure_web.pdf
- National Safe Schools Framework (revised 2010). www.mceecdya.edu.au/verve/_resources/NSSFramework.pdf
- The Australian Curriculum on-line - Foundation to Year 10 :English, mathematics, science and history can be viewed in different ways according to the needs and interests of the user – by learning area and strands, by year level or levels – and filtered for general capabilities and cross-curriculum priorities.www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/Home
- NAPLAN dates : http://www.nap.edu.au/Information/Key_Dates/index.html
ACT School reporting
- ACT Student Reports – Parents FAQ: www.det.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/67777/StudentReportingFAQs.pdf
- Attendance Policy for Non-Government Schools in the ACT: www.det.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/107117/Non-government_School_Attendance_Policy.pdf , www.det.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/19020/EnrolmentAttendanceNon-governmentSchoolsOCT20051.pdf
School Transport
- Application form for school bus service. www.action.act.gov.au/info_for_parents.html
- Application form for bus service for special needs transport. www.det.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/169780/SpecialNeedsTransportNewStudent2011.pdf
- Free travel may be available to eligible students under the Student Transport Scheme. www.tams.act.gov.au/move/public_transport/stp
Bullying, Cyber Safety and Cyber bullying
- Bullying No Way – is an anti-bullying site with some useful information for parents www.bullyingnoway.com.au/
- Bullying – A Guide for parents of children Yrs 4-8 www.crimeprevention.gov.au/agd/WWW/rwpattach.nsf/VAP/(1E76C1D5D1A37992F0B0C1C4DB87942E)~Bullying+Parents.pdf/$file/Bullying+Parents.pdf
- Cyber safety provides advice on keeping your child safe in the online world. www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/technology/cybersafety
- Find out what cyber bullying is and what to do if it happens to your child:
- Listen to child psychologist Kimberley O'Brien talking about the dangers of sexting: www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/detresources/sexting_kimberlyobrienatoz_QdFqcItIbp.mp3
- Practice the web safety that you teach your children: www.smh.com.au/technology/security/practise-the-web-safety-you-teach-20110904-1js8b.html#ixzz1XAUpWjYW
- Cybersafety tips for Parents. www.staysmartonline.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/21074/DBCDE_CYBERSAFETY_FACT_WEB_2.pdf
- ThinkUKnow is an Internet safety program delivering interactive training to parents, carers and teachers through primary and secondary schools across Australia using a network of accredited trainers. www.thinkuknow.org.au/site/index.asp
- A must read for parents - Who's chatting to your kids :www.police.qld.gov.au/Resources/Internet/programs/personalSafety/documents/Whos%20chatting%20to%20your%20kids.pdf
Counselling and Mental Health
- Kids helpline : www.kidshelp.com.au
- Mind Matters is a resource and professional development program supporting Australian secondary schools in promoting and protecting the mental health, and social and emotional wellbeing of all the members of school communities. www.mindmatters.edu.au/default.asp
- KidsMatter aims to strengthen the mental health and wellbeing of children : www.kidsmatter.edu.au
- National Youth Mental Health Foundation, helping young people aged 12 to 25: www.headspace.org.au
- Beyond Blue : www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx
Further Education, Careers and Pathways Planning
Further Education Institutions
- University Admissions Centre: www.uac.edu.au
- Australian Defence Force Academy: www.defence.gov.au/ADFA
- Australian National University : www.anu.edu.au
- University of Canberra: www.canberra.edu.au/home
- Canberra Institute of Technology: www.cit.edu.au
- Australian Catholic University: www.acu.edu.au
Careers and Pathways Planning
- My Future - career information, articles and links to thousands of resources to assist you and your children on a career journey. www.myfuture.edu.au
- Pathways planning - A consultation paper on increasing young people’s engagement in education,training and work. www.det.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/55625/Pathways.pdf
Other
- Family Partnerships and Community Bureau : www.familyschool.org.au/
- Parents resource :
- www.yourkidsed.com.au/info/
- www.kidslife.com.au/
- High Hopes Education - Angie Wilcock is a highly regarded Australian expert and speaker on transitions in education. Angie works with teachers, parents and students across Australia. Her sessions are a mix of humour, anecdotes, information and real-life parenting..but above all, strategies to support families during critical phases of education and personal development. Angie's new book is a must read for parents. Assignment and Research Skills Handbook - Angie Wilcock
Affiliates and other Education bodies
- The Australian Parents Council (APC) is the national federation of organisations representing parents of students attending non-government schools. www.austparents.edu.au
- Independent Schools Council of Australia (ISCA) represents the interests of the independent school sector on a national basis such as in relation to Commonwealth funding and representation on national policy making bodies. Its eight member State and Territory Associations of Independent Schools represent a growing sector with close to 1,090 schools and around 550,000 students, nearly 16 % of all school enrolments in Australia. www.isca.edu.au
- The Association of Independent Schools of the ACT (AISACT) represents all seventeen independent schools in the ACT. www.ais.act.edu.au
- The National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) is the official body charged by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference with developing, advising, enunciating and acting upon policy at the national level for the Church's work in education. www.catholic.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1178:national-catholic-education-commission&catid=90:councils&Itemid=305
- Catholic Education Office of the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulbourn ( CEO). Services to Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn are provided by the Catholic Education Commission and the Catholic Education office. Office. www.ceocg.catholic.edu.au/Pages/Welcome.aspx
- Australian Council of State School Organisations ( ACSSO) is the peak national organisation representing the interests of the parents, families and school communities of more than two million children attending government schools throughout Australia. www.acsso.org.au
Government Links
Federal
- Federal Minister for Education –The Hon. Peter Garrett AM, MP. Minister for Education, Early Childhood and Youth. www.aph.gov.au/house/members/member.asp?id=HV4
- Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. www.deewr.gov.au
- Ministerial Council for Education, Early Childhood Development and Youth Affairs (MCEECDYA). www.mceecdya.edu.au/mceecdya/
- Australasian Curriculum, Assessment and Certification Authorities (ACACA). www.acaca.bos.nsw.edu.au/
- The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) is the independent authority responsible for the development of a national curriculum, a national assessment program and a national data collection and reporting program that supports 21st century learning for all Australian students. www.acara.edu.au/default.asp
- The Asia Education Foundation (AEF) is a joint activity of Asialink at the University of Melbourne and Education Services Australia Ltd. The AEF advocates for and supports Asia literacy in Australian schools. www.asiaeducation.edu.au/default.asp
Local - ACT
- ACT Minister for Education – Andrew Barr MLA, Deputy Chief Minister, Treasurer Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation. www.chiefminister.act.gov.au/section.php?v=20&m=49
- ACT Department of Education and Training - www.det.act.gov.au/
- The ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies - The ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies (BSSS) is a statutory authority responsible for the certification of senior secondary school studies in government and non-government schools in the Australian Capital Territory. APFACTS has been a member of the BSSS since its inception. www.bsss.act.edu.au/home
- Non-government Schools Education Council - The Council provides an opportunity for the non-government school sector to have a role in formulating advice to government on school education policy. APFACTS is a key member of NGSEC. www.ngsec.act.edu.au/
The Review of Funding for Schooling - Articles, Reports and Submissions
The ‘Review of Funding for Schooling’ is the single biggest review of funding to Australian schools that has taken place in over 30 years. Its aim is to achieve a funding system which is transparent, equitable, financially sustainable and effective in providing an excellent education for all Australian students.
Developments from the Gonski Review:
- Review of Funding - Paper on Commissioned research for the Gonski Review (August 31, 2011): www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/ReviewofFunding/Documents/PaperCommissionedResearch.pdf
- Review of Funding - Assessment of current process for targeting of schools funding to disadvantaged students, Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) Report (August 31, 2011): www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/ReviewofFunding/Documents/ACER-AssessmentCurrentProcessTargetingSchoolsFundingtoDisadvantagedStudents.pdf
- Review of Funding - Assessing existing funding models for schooling in Australia, Deloitte Access Economics Report (August 31, 2011):www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/ReviewofFunding/Documents/DAE-AssessingExistingFundingModelsforSchoolinginAustralia.pdf
- Review of funding - Feasibility of a national schooling recurrent resource standard, The Allen Consulting Group Report (August 31, 2011): www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/ReviewofFunding/Documents/ACG-FeasibilityofaNationalSchoolingRecurrentResourceStandard.pdf
- Review of Funding - Schooling challenges and opportunities, The Nous Group consortium Report (August 31, 2011): www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/ReviewofFunding/Documents/Nous-SchoolingChallengesandOpportunities.pdf
Throughout the latter part of 2010, the panel leading the review consulted with some 70 key education stakeholders across Australia and heard their views on funding arrangements for schooling in Australia.
On 16 December 2010, the panel released a Review of Funding for Schooling: Emerging Issues Paper that summarises these views to share with the community :
- Panel media release – Release of the Emerging Issues Paper www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/ReviewofFunding/Documents/PanelMediaRelease.pdf
- Review of Funding for Schooling Emerging Issues Paper www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/ReviewofFunding/Documents/EmergingIssuesPaper.pdf
Terms of reference for the Review Panel for the Gonski Review :
APFACTS, APC and other affiliated organisations submissions :
- May 14, 2010 : www.austparents.edu.au/assets/files/pdfs/Latest%20News/APC%20Comment%20Funding%20Review%20Disc%20Paper%20and%20ToR_14May2010_Final.pdf
- March 20, 2011: www.actparents.org.au/docs/submissions/ACT_Council_of_P&C_Associations_School_Funding_Review_Submission_Final.pdf
- March 31, 2011: www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/ReviewofFunding/SubEip/AtoF/Documents/Association_of_Heads_of_Independent_Schools_Australia.pdf
- September 2011 : http://www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/ReviewofFunding/SubResearch/AtoM/Documents/Association_of_Heads_of_Independent_Schools_NSW_ACT_Branch.pdf
- September 27, 2011 : http://www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/ReviewofFunding/SubResearch/AtoM/Documents/Association_of_Heads_of_Independent_Schools_Australia.pdf
- September 30, 2011 : http://www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/ReviewofFunding/SubResearch/AtoM/Documents/Australian_Parents_Council.pdf
- Septmeber 30, 2011 : http://www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/ReviewofFunding/SubResearch/AtoM/Documents/Independent_Schools_Council_of_Australia.pdf
The Austraian Curriculum
The development of a uniform Australian Curriculum will impact on every school, but will provide parents the opportunity for children Australia-wide to be taught and assessed in a similar vein.
The Australian Curriculum includes a focus on seven general capabilities (literacy, numeracy, information and communication technology competence, critical and creative thinking, ethical behaviour, personal and social competence and intercultural understanding) and three cross-curriculum priorities (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures, Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia and Sustainability). Continua of learning have been developed for each, to describe the relevant knowledge, understanding and skills at particular points of schooling. These have been embedded where relevant and appropriate in each learning area and can be viewed explicitly in the curriculum online.
Read more about the developments relating to the Australian Curriculum:
- Australian Curriculum FAQ – Commonly asked questions and answers. www.acara.edu.au/curriculum/faqs.html
- The Australian Curriculum on-line - This site describes the elements of the Australian curriculum – from Foundation to Year 10 :English, mathematics, science and history can be viewed in different ways according to the needs and interests of the user – by learning area and strands, by year level or levels – and filtered for general capabilities and cross-curriculum priorities. www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/Home
- Australian Curriculum factsheets:
- Australian Curriculum Development guidelines and timeframes: www.acara.edu.au/verve/_resources/Information_Sheet_Australian_Curriculum_development_timelines.pdf
- Structure of the Foundation to Year 10 Australian Curriculum - www.acara.edu.au/verve/_resources/Information_Sheet_Structure_of_the_Foundation_to_Year_10_Australian_Curriculum.pdf
- Diversity of Learners - www.acara.edu.au/verve/_resources/Information_Sheet_Diversity_of_learners.pdf
- Cross Curriculum priorities - www.acara.edu.au/verve/_resources/Information_Sheet_Cross-curriculum_priorities.pdf
- General Capability - www.acara.edu.au/verve/_resources/Information_Sheet_General_Capabilities_file.pdf
- Senior Secondary Study - www.acara.edu.au/verve/_resources/Senior_Secondary_Info_Sheet_-_KW.pdf
- Learning Areas:
- English ( Foundation – Yr 10) - www.acara.edu.au/verve/_resources/Information_Sheet_English.pdf
- Mathematics ( Foundation – Yr 10) - www.acara.edu.au/verve/_resources/Information_Sheet_Mathematics.pdf
- Science ( Foundation – Yr 10) - www.acara.edu.au/verve/_resources/Information_Sheet_Science.pdf
- History ( Foundation – Yr 10) - www.acara.edu.au/verve/_resources/Information_Sheet_History.pd
Disability Issues
- Review of funding submission for children with disabilities in school. www.aisnsw.edu.au/Publications/News/Pages/AISNSW%20Funding%20Review%20Submission%20Public%20Apr11.pdf
- New disability funding factsheet for families www.deewr.gov.au/Department/Budget/Documents/20112012/More_Support_For_Students_With_Disability_Families.pdf
- $30,000 difference in funding between students with disabilities in non-government to Government schools www.theaustralian.com.au/news/private-hurdle-for-kids/story-e6frg7b6-1225700364018
The Australian School Landscape
Factsheets:
- How are schools funded in Australia?
- How much do schools get?
- www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/ReviewofFunding/Documents/GovtSchools.pdf
- www.austparents.edu.au/assets/files/Commentaries%20on%20Issues/APC%20Review%20Funding%20Charts.pdf
- How are non-government schools funded?
- How are government schools funded?
- Breakdown of schools:
- How many school students are there is Australia?
RESEARCH REPORTS
- How does Australua stack up globally ?
- OECD Reviews of Evaluation and Assessment in Education – August 2011: www.austparents.edu.au/assets/files/Commentaries%20on%20Issues/OECD%20Reviews%20August%202011.pdf
- A Study among parents of children at independent schools - Interesting study that looks at the views and attitudes of parents and why they have chosen independent schools for their childrens education. www.austparents.edu.au/assets/files/pdfs/ValuesEd3.pdf
- Engaging families in Early Childhood development story 2010 - This report highlights key findings of a national survey of parents with children birth to age eight about their knowledge of brain development in the early years and its implications for parenting, and about their access to relevant information. This project aims to help parents, carers and the community to understand evidence-based information from the neurosciences about early childhood development and thereby to influence their interactions with children for optimal outcomes. www.mceecdya.edu.au/verve/_resources/ECD_Storyresearch_findings_from_a_survey_of_parents.pdf
- Family School partnerships - Issue Paper from APC - www.vicparentscouncil.vic.edu.au/images/VPC/articles/PDFs/robmcconchiesissuespaper.pdf
My School
- Access to the My School Website: www.myschool.edu.au/
- How to get the best out of the My school website: www.austparents.edu.au/assets/files/pdfs/My%20School%20Web%20Document%20PROOF_Final(2).pdf
NAPPLAN
- NAPLAN 2011 Information for Parents:
- NAPLAN 2010 Report: www.nap.edu.au/_Documents/National%20Report/NAPLAN_2010_National_Report.pdf
- NAPLAN Factsheet - www.det.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/109746/My_School_FACT_SHEET_ABOUT_NAPLAN.pdf