Latest News

2/09/2008	Sympathetic - but leave the kids out of it.
	The state wide teachers strike called by the NSW Teachers Federation is a disappointment to parents across New South Wales.
28/08/2008	Rudd fails to deliver
	The Rudd government education policy is no revolution, it is systematic dismantling of public education.
25/08/2008	More help less punishment, please.
	P&C call on the Federal Government to support families where there is an issue of non-school attendance.
25/06/2008	World Youth Day Accommodation List
	This is a list of all NSW Public Schools providing pilgrim accommodation for World Youth Day.
25/06/2008	World Youth Day Fact Sheet
	This is the Fact Sheet regarding Pilgrims in the schools.
25/06/2008	World Youth Day Letter
	This is the correspondence from the World Youth Day Co-ordination Authority regarding the accommodation at Public Schools.
17/06/2008	Sydney West Area Health Service booklet outrage
	The “Choosing to use…but wanna keep your head together” informs students of the risks involved in drug use. While it appears controversial, it gives young people a clear picture of the consequences for drug use. This pamphlet has been developed by health professionals and it is distributed in the limited context of drug education. We know that the “just say no” campaign is somewhat effective, but we also need a realistic approach for those students who don’t make that choice. Awareness of consequences has been one of the primary reasons for the decline in drug use.
30/05/2008	Private schools hog funding
	Recent figures are showing NSW private schools are overfunded by as much as $3,306 per student. This is the natural progression from the Federal Government’s commitment to continue the previous government’s “no losers” policy. There can be no justification for this overfunding by the Federal Government when they say they can’t fund the $2.9 billion in funding that their internal government reports said were required to adequately support Public Schools.
20/05/2008	Parents hope for strike breakthrough
	Now that the Federation has the public’s attention, let’s hope that the Department and teachers will unite in their desire to promote the best Public Education system possible. Rather than strengthening resolve to hold their ground, now more than ever the need for unity is urgent.
24/04/2008	Child abuse not properly looked into by DOCS
	Leading into the final weeks of the Inquiry into Child Protection Services, the Federation’s February submission makes headlines.
18/04/2008	CouttsTrotter rebuffs gay lobby on school language
	After the erroneous reporting about banning classroom use of gender specific terms to describe relationships, the Director-General for Education was forced to emphasise that this was not the case. This week’s Anti-Homophobia Conference saw an emphasis on inclusive language and asked for teacher sensitivity. The idea that “mum” or “dad” would be replaced doesn’t even make sense as they apply to all parents. The huge backlash demonstrated that a real nerve has been touched on. Teachers, parents and students feel very strongly about the terminology that is used, which is why the language must be carefully chosen, but never in such a way as to de-value the relationship.
7/04/2008	DG message to parents - staffing
	The DG has just released this message for parents regarding the pending staffing changes and the stopwork action taking place on 8 April 2008.
7/04/2008	Machete, bat attack at Sydney school
	School procedures were enacted to provide a quick response and maximum security of students and staff in this shocking event. Our thoughts are with the school community at this time.
3/04/2008	Iemma backs student fingerprint scans
	In the controversial debate over the benefits and dangers of using new biometric technologies in schools, the DET has placed clear boundaries to ensure that the rights of students and parents are protected. In this instance, they were clearly ignored, highlighting the greatest concern around implementing new methods while disregarding the objection of parents.
2/04/2008	Jail parents of truants, says Iemma
	The P&C Federation along with other leading experts have real concerns over the impact jailing parents will have on the child’s wellbeing. Rather than increased punitive measures, additional interagency support must be the focus. Tougher laws will only serve to exacerbate problems for those who are already marginalised. The correct response is to get different departments working together for prevention, identification, intervention and follow-up.
1/04/2008	New truancy crackdown to protect our kids
	Premier's media release about the proposed truancy laws.
1/04/2008	DET Anti-bullying Article
	First published in P&C Journal Term 1 2008.
1/04/2008	Teenage girls charged with school stabbing
	In light of these tragic events, Federation urges all P&Cs to tackle issues of bullying. No school is exempt from the need to put in place appropriate preventions and responses to bullying. Additional counsellors are a start, but all teachers, students, staff and parents need to be involved in educating about the impact of bullying and creating a community-wide plan. Acts of bullying are not isolated, they are recurring and they are preventable. Students need to be aware of and confident in their rights and security. Everyone in the school community must be equipped to respond to any acts of bullying or intimidation before they escalate. Please see the DET Anti-Bullying Plan for Schools (see link above) for more details.
17/03/2008	Terrified teachers flee schools
	This story emphasises the need for real solutions to the systemic issues leading to misbehaviour in schools. Additional support for teachers is needed to ensure they are properly trained to deal with difficult classroom situations and have the appropriate supporting personnel to intervene when necessary. This sort of behaviour demonstrates the need for more school counsellors to help with issues before they escalate and to help resolve lasting conflict. Even more important is the need to look at school funding to ensure that staff are not being stretched too thinly, but can directly respond to student needs. Interagency support is required to ensure appropriate scaffolding and earlier intervention so that students are able to learn from their mistakes, rather than reinforcing the trend of negative behaviour.
17/03/2008	Horror over school sex tape
	It is concerning to see students seeking attention in this manner and seeing such a widespread acceptance of the video. As children get more and more adept with technology, education must continue to educate about the ethical imperatives that go with the use of technology. Teaching about proper “netiquette” is only more important in light of the pending digital education revolution. Students must be taught the lessons of respect and responsibility in the realm of technology. It is not enough to merely fund the programs. Teachers must be trained to properly use and monitor the use of technology in the classroom.
16/03/2008	Stoner slams proposed scrapping of HSC help line
	The Board of Studies proposal to discontinue the HSC help line has met with wide criticism. Teachers and lawmakers alike have spoken out about cutting back on aids to students at the most stressful period of their schooling. One major flaw that has been noted is that the help line is primarily accessed by those in the top SES income bracket. However, discontinuing the phone line compounds the difficulty for students without internet access at home to get the same tools and resources to prepare for the HSC. If the state government wishes to discontinue this resource, it is imperative that they provide a plan for how to address the gap this will leave, and what programs they intend to implement to ensure that all students are given the attention needed to succeed on the HSC.
10/03/2008	White flight leaves system segregated by race
	This recently revealed report indicates that the “white flight” phenomenon from public schools is not just a theory, but a reality. This trend is the clear result of government policy facilitating the movement from public to private schools. The abolition of the new schools policy also leads toward this movement. This “de facto segregation” is detrimental to all schools. This separation between schools is inherently unequal. Not only should schools be open to all, but they should be a good reflection of the wider community. When this is not possible in public schools, the schools are not equipped to teach the lessons of diversity and acceptance over the systemic stereotyping and segregation.
7/03/2008	Parents making a difference
	P&C Day in local news.
4/03/2008	May I leave class? Teachers big ambitions
	o The results of this national survey indicate an additional factor compounding the pending teacher shortage. With one third of NSW teachers expected to retire by 2012 and nearly half of new teachers indicating they plan to leave the profession within 10 years, a state and national crisis is looming. It is essential that an immediate response by state and federal governments is implemented. Improving selection and training are a start, but adequate resources must be available for teachers to perform their job. The profile of the teaching profession must be lifted and recognised as respected by the wider community. Until the funding of schools and teacher salaries is prioritised, this problem is only going to get worse.
12/02/2008	Proposed amendments to the staffing agreement.
	These are Q&A to explain the proposed amendments to the staffing agreement between the DET ad the NSW Teachers Federation. P&C Federation in recognizing some of the positive aspects embedded in these amendments reiterates its position that the NSW Government is reponsible to ensure that all schools across the state are properly staffed and that all students have equitable access to the curriculum. Federation has long been a supporter of parent involvement in local teaching staff selection. Federation will continue to monitor the negotiations to ensure the best possible position for P&C Associations and outcomes for our children.
12/02/2008	Apology to stolen generations -- Q&A
	Reconciliation Australia has released a helpful list of questions and answers regarding the apology to stolen generations by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. This is a useful teaching tool to use with students when looking at 'Sorry Day'.
11/02/2008	In black and white, unfairness of school funding
	The pressure is on the Rudd Government to take an unbiased look at the campaign promise that has contributed more the inequality than any other. With the release of the internal reports showing that $2.7 billion above and beyond the funding formula over the next funding cycle, taxpayers are shocked by this huge misdirection of funds. Federation continues to call on Federal and State governments to make equitable, all-inclusive public school funding their top priority.
11/02/2008	Students trailing those of the 60s
	The real story highlighted by this article is that despite Australia’s overall OECD ranking being fairly high, the literacy and numeracy results are slipping because the funding is being misdirected. The effort and support needs to be focused on bridging the gap between the top and bottom achievers. Funding and efforts need to be directed at all students with an equitable distribution that takes needs into consideration before overall trends will improve. In real terms, the poorest schools are poorer than they were 40 years ago. If the current funding structure continues, the disparity will only increase, leading to lower overall results for literacy and numeracy. In accordance with the Vinson report, additional development for teachers and reducing class sizes must be prioritised without sacrificing teacher salaries. The choice shouldn’t be one or the other, but rather a holistic approach that takes varying needs into consideration and ensures distribution of public funds toward public institutions for equitable outcomes.
30/01/2008	Students to stay in school until 16: Iemma
	This much needed Education reform is essential to ensure that the NSW Education System is meeting the needs of a changing workforce and society. Research supports the fact that the longer a young person stays at school, the more likely they are to have success in the workforce. The imperative that goes hand in hand with this change is the need for the Government to make sure that Public Education is resourced to ensure relevance and engagement of the student. Resourcing needs to start from before school to make certain that any student (and their family) at risk is supported, particularly during the many transitions (home to school, primary school to high school, high school to work). Public Education offers pre-apprenticeship, trade school, vocational education, and HSC with links to University and TAFE. The key to keeping students in and engaged is support commencing from prior to school and teaching that keeps them engaged.
30/01/2008	McGaw to oversee national curriculum
	With the announcement of Professor Barry McGaw of the Melbourne Educational Research Institute to head the board responsible for implementing the Rudd Government’s national curriculum, the need for the voice of Public Schools to be heard is even stronger. The national curriculum debate focuses attention on the need for ensuring quality Education. While a national standard will improve consistency for students travelling between schools, it is important that the teachers still have the freedom to tailor lessons to individual needs and the standard adopted must be ensure a top rate Education. Federation is especially concerned that any national standard does not water-down the existing high standards practiced in NSW. If the Government wishes to raise standards nationally, then the funding and training ramifications must be addressed. Any plan put forward must be accompanied by a realistic financial plan to ensure Public Schools take priority in meeting national standards. As the only fully-inclusive institutions, the board must carefully consider how any changes affect the ability of teachers to reach students across the learning spectrum. It is no change to make Public Schools fully-accountable, but additional standards require thorough support for the implementation process.
21/01/2008	Kevin Rudds $10m handout to Exclusive Bretheren
	Going a step beyond supporting the flawed educational funding scheme of the Howard Government, Kevin Rudd has now gone against his own convictions in awarding special funding to Exclusive Bretheren Schools. If this is any indicator of the funding trends we can expect over the next few years, then public schools risk losing even more funding as even the most exclusive private schools are rewarded time and time again. Why would the Rudd Government award public funds to exclusive private institutions above and beyond their commitments to maintain the funding schemes put in place by their predecessors? As baffling as this move is, it is clearly a wake-up call for all parents and citizens concerned for their local school. It is imperative that the needs of the public schools are heard and that the government responds to their failure to prioritise adequate funding for public institutions.
14/01/2008	Cyber bullying rife in schools
	The current school generation are “digital natives.” They are far more equipped than their parents in using Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Embracing technology as the young people’s communication tool with their friends requires special provision to ensure these ICTs are not abused amongst students. Cyber-bullying is a community issue and young people must be shown appropriate uses of ICT. Parents have the right ant the responsibility to be aware of childrens’ use of ICT and should model appropriate behaviour. Considering the Federal Government promise of computers for all students, the importance of teaching appropriate communication and etiquette increases exponentially. If the Federal government is going to give schools the technology then they need to supply the professional development for teachers to ensure this technology is not wasted or abused. This issue must be addressed and included in any plans for incorporating ICT into the classroom.
11/01/2008	Expensive now, but future schooling could cost hun
	The Australian Scholarships Group revealed the rising cost of education, above and beyond what many parents plan for in school fees, stationery, computer and internet costs. In response, the Federation was one of the primary voices championing the need for a free secular public education system. This is the right of every young Australian and this is where governments should put their money. Federation President Dianne Giblin told the Sydney Morning Herald, “P and Cs used to supply the icing on the cake and now they are fundraising to supply basic necessities within the school.” The Federation continues to stress that it is the responsibility of the government to give a 21st century education via the public education system.
11/01/2008	Program for Run-Down Schools Axed
	A disappointing blow for public schools came when the Rudd government announced that the Investing in Our Schools grants would be terminated. While the Liberals had already set an ending date for the program for the end of this year, the popularity caused funds to run out sooner and Minister for Education Julia Gillard has announced that they will not continue the program. The Federation is saddened to see this sort of funding stop because so many public schools benefited from it. Federation would like to see a greater amount of funding given to rectify the backlog of maintenance in Public Schools and bring their facilities into the 21st Century. The submission basis of the promised education funding does not always favour need. Federation wants to see the accountability of the private schools as to what is actually purchased with the government funds they have applied for.
11/01/2008	$4.5 million in private school subsidies
	When this exclusive broke, we came out with a strong voice championing public education. The issue of subsidising private schools highlights the crux of the matter: it is the shared responsibility to provide adequate, sustainable funding for public schools. The disparities demonstrated in this article underscore the need for the government to prioritise public schools that are free and open to all.
9/01/2008	School funding flaws hidden
	The campaign cover up of this critical report confirms the worst trend instigated by the Howard government: the inflated funding of private schools. Even communities within the private school system are upset with the favouring of the most elite of the private schools at the price of schools with greater need. However, even more concerning is the response of the Rudd government to continue in these footsteps. Now that this report has come to light, it is their responsibility to review these obscene levels of funding. The Federation was quick to point out that the government and taxpayers are responsible for the infrastructure and therefore, funding for public education must be the top priority. Australia currently provides private schools with one of the largest percentages of educational funding compared to other OECD countries. Federation continues to emphasise that funding of this kind fosters a lack of accountability as these schools do not need to report to the DET in the same way public schools do. Perhaps the greatest need is that compared to other OECD countries, Australia is well down for spending on education. The problems revealed in this report give an indication of what trends need to be reversed before Australia’s educational status will improve.
4/01/2008	Teachers criminal past exposed
	In the furore over the criminal backgrounds of teachers, Federation strongly supports the current system of checks. Federation is confident with the background check process and believes that these people are no risk to our students. The majority of the records are for minor offences such as speeding fines that have been contested in court. Most offences are minor mistakes made in their youth and Federation emphasises the need for a rehabilitative approach that allows past offenders to get on with their lives. Allowing these people a second chance is the only way of acknowledging societal rehabilitation. Individuals who choose to complete several years of training, with the aim of helping children in our schools, demonstrate a commitment to positive change that is an important consideration. Most importantly, the Department of Education and Training has a mentoring and monitoring system that goes beyond their thorough screening to continue to ensure the safety of all students.
8/09/2007	2007 Annual Conference Resolutions
27/09/2006	Student Reporting
	The NSW Iemma Government has acted to end uncertainty surrounding student reporting. Education Minister Carmel Tebbutt announced that school communities will have flexibility in making the reporting system work. P&C Federation President Di Giblin welcomes the changes stating, "the NSW Government has delivered what parents and students want".
30/05/2005	Vinson “Audit” - Provision of Public Education
	Professor Tony Vinson has released the findings of his audit into public education on Thursday 19th May. The audit has been commissioned by the Federation of Parents and Citizens Association of NSW and the NSW Teachers Federation and focuses on the progress of the State Government’s progress towards implementing the recommendations from the 2002 Inquiry into the Provision of Public Education in NSW.