World Teachers' Day is on Friday 30 October 2020.

Click on the apple to find a comprehensive resource kit from AITSL and some fun ideas to celebrate the day, or scroll down for more.

Where is the long term thinking when we need it? 

Hello friends,

I want to welcome our Victorian families back to classroom learning for Term 4. It has been and continues to be a challenging time particularly in that state and on ACSSO's behalf I want to celebrate the flexibility and understanding shown by school staff, students and families while learning from home.

Budget outcomes

As the budget wraps up, it leaves us wondering, what could have been? This year has highlighted so many areas of education, both government and non-government, that could do with more support.

Parents have been crying out on behalf of their schools and themselves, and it was disappointing to see budget cuts where we could have seen more investment in our schools. Where is the long-term thinking for our nation’s leaders and the next generation? What opportunities have been missed?

Learning continuity has been tested in all jurisdictions this year and, while face to face teaching is irreplaceable, we’ve all made do with a combination of face to face and home learning. This was surely a prime target for greater investment. Our schools across Australia are back in the classrooms now with eased lock downs, and while I sincerely hope it remains that way, there is no guarantee what will happen.

We’ve also seen the contrast in the way our states address their educational needs and the strain the national voice is under to support each of them, but without being in the way. Unfortunately, it is still up to each state and territory jurisdiction to make changes as they see fit, and cause a further divide between the haves and the have nots.

A market for community

We are often told that the “market will work itself out”, and according to the Australian Stock Exchange, we are well on our way to a recovery. But does it feel like that for our society as a whole? What kind of market measures our investment in our society or community?

I’m optimistic for our communities, not businesses or organisations supporting an educational pathway for all Australian students, where organisations and businesses do not dictate what is and isn’t allowed to be studied and learnt, where our future generations can create opportunities and be fully supported by our leaders and communities.

Yet, how is success measured? Is it the number of patents registered to a person or a company? Is it the current index on our stock exchange? Is it for the benefit of society and an engaging community? Is it a market of caring, interest and need, or a market of jobs, money and services?

Job readiness

What is a job-ready graduate? According to our current leaders it is someone who can slot right into a job position, ready to be charged out to the highest bidder at higher fees than they cost to hire. Like many former graduates, I certainly found it wasn't as simple as that.  

There is a quote from a movie I remember well, stating that the graduates of a particular university expected to “invent their own jobs”. This approach, while an enterprising and potentially “market thinking” mindset, restricts young minds to what jobs there are, not what could be. After all, innovation is easy, all you have to do is strike out the wrong ideas. This mindset also leaves little room for education for education’s sake and for study pathways that enrich us and our communities in other ways, such as the arts, which according to the Australia Council in 2015, contributes $50 billion to Australia’s GDP. 

Student wellbeing 

School staff and student wellbeing have always been of concern but emerged as particularly critical issues this year. Qualified counsellors are greatly needed but remain unavailable at many schools.

ACSSO has long opposed the federal funding of chaplains to provide this role, as this program is not acceptable for all students in all our schools.  What our school communities need are trained and credentialed  counsellors who can deal with the full array of wellbeing issues individuals may experience.

Chaplain programs can of course produce some fantastic people who do good work, but they remain affiliated to their own religion and cannot help but have preconceived beliefs directing their guidance.

We maintain that the policy focus must be on experienced and qualified professional counsellors to produce the best outcomes at school for our students – they deserve the best care and we must invest wisely.

Andrew Bidwell
Chair
Australian Council of State School Organisations

October 2020

Vale Susan Ryan AO

Susan was indeed a leader. Our sadness at her passing was all the deeper as she had built on her earlier leadership role in ACSSO to pave a career in politics and public life as Labor’s first female Senator, and as Minister for Education and Youth in the Hawke years.

As Australia's Education Minister, Susan saw school retention rates double and universities and TAFEs grow significantly. She was the first Minister for the Status of Women and in this role initiated extensive anti-discrimination and equal opportunity legislation, including the landmark Sex Discrimination Act 1984 and the Affirmative Action Act 1986.  

As Australia’s first Age Discrimination Commissioner she was highly effective in drawing attention to the extent of discrimination against older people. She commissioned groundbreaking research into ageism and disability discrimination and conducted the first national enquiry into workplace discrimination against older Australians and Australians with disability. 

” Such a great loss to our nation; Susan was a pioneer in many fields – with her beginnings as the first full time Executive Officer of ACSSO in 1973” said Andrew Bidwell, ACSSO President.

“Ms Ryan was an amazing supporter of parent advocacy. When addressing our 70th Anniversary Dinner in 2017 she spoke of the many stories in the fight for a fair, accessible Public Education system and the parents’ right to advocate and engage in the education of their child. 

“From her beginnings in ACSSO, Susan Ryan AO, became a pioneer for those most marginalised – a true champion.

Her passing is a huge loss, we send our deepest condolences to those she has left behind and thank her for her amazing contribution to our nation” Mr Bidwell concluded.

Susan was awarded an AO for services to the Australian parliament in 1990. Read more about her groundbreaking career here.

World Teachers' Day 2020

On Friday October 30 Australia celebrates World Teachers' Day – it’s a time when we celebrate the work of our nation’s amazing teaching staff and take the time to thank them for all they do.

This year has a special challenge for all of us in education and classroom teachers have had to adapt to working very differently and make rapid changes to respond to the pandemic.

The Australian Institute for Teachers and School Leadership (AITSL) invites parents and carers to join them in a campaign to celebrate World Teachers Day. Here's their suggestion:

On Friday 30 October, post a photo in your sunglasses on social media, either on your own or with family or friends, to say a big thank you to teachers and celebrate the bright future of teaching. Use these tags on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn: #thankteachers #brightfuture @aitsl 

Find out more here and download the amazing resources that will let your school community make the most of 2020 World Teachers' Day.

Rhodry's run raises $10K

Well done Rhodry, from Wynyard High in Tasmania.

He recently ran a fund-raising marathon in honour of his mate Ryan, who sadly passed away earlier this year. This resulted in $10,000 being donated to the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre.

Please follow this Facebook link to find out more about Rhodry's tremendous effort to honour his friend and support the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre's work. 

We love to hear your stories of schools and communities doing great things. 

Send your #caughtyoubeinggreat stories to comms@acsso.org.au and use the hashtag on Facebook to find other wonderful stories.

Our video celebrates Australia's deaf community in Auslan

ACSSO created this video for the National Week of Deaf People in September. We'd love to hear from your school about any programs for children or adults who are deaf or hearing-impaired so we can help you share your achievements and challenges. Get in touch!

Fierce girls tell great yarns

ABC Podcasts has new stories on its Fierce Girls podcast.

From athletes to aviators, scientists to spies. From the deep blue sea to the dark, black skies, Australia is full of girls who dare to do things differently.

Join a growing cast of girls and women like the amazing Amy Shark, Yael Stone, Dame Quentin Bryce, Claudia Karvan, Turia Pitt, Stephanie Gilmore, and Leah Purcell as they tell the inspiring tales of some of Australia's most extraordinary women.

Listen for free from your mobile device on the ABC listen app, Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts.

Australian career website offers quizzes and more

Your Career is a comprehensive school leaver service that includes: 

• career quizzes to explore your future career, or your options now
• education or training options to help you upskill or re-skill 
• tips for successful job searching, including resume writing
• links to support services to help you find employment, manage your wellbeing and understand your rights at work, and
• an A to Z of occupations, including detailed career descriptions, average pay and jobs in demand.

The website, from the National Careers Institute, is powered by labour market intelligence from the National Skills Commission.

For young people finishing school in 2020, the website also features the School Leavers Information Kit Your Career: What’s next for you? providing young people with tailored information about education, training and work options as they navigate the changing labour market. 

School leavers may also contact the School Leavers Information Service for assistance in using the kit and the Your Career website, or to access further careers support, where needed. 

•    call 1800 CAREER (1800 227 337) 
•    text SLIS2020 to 0429 009 435
•    email schoolleavers.nci@dese.gov.au. 
 

Introduction to myfuture webinar

Tuesday, 27 October 2020, 1–2 pm AEDT

This is a webinar introduction to the new myfuture website. Cathy Danaher will demonstrate how the platform can be a useful tool in career and transition planning, and will highlight resources that are most relevant to you and your students or clients. This will include reference to myfuture’s psychometric career interest test (My career profile), the occupation and course information, videos, case studies, and resources mapped to the Australian Curriculum Work Studies sub-strands. Cathy will also show you what’s new, what’s changed, and where you can find the existing content that you know and value.

Register now

Infographic: school transition

Contact ACSSO here for a copy of this infographic to share in your school community.

Backtrack Boys film and educational resource pack

This inspiring film documents the journey of the kids at BackTrack, and how this alternative program helps them to navigate their relationships, deal with personal trauma, take responsibility for their own decisions and gain practical job skills so they can eventually create a sustainable future for themselves. 

Backtrack program founder Bernie Shakeshaft won the Australia of the Year Local Hero, 2020 for his work with young people and the BackTrack program
 
There are now Backtrack Boys educational resources around the film that may inspire students and help educators gain insight into techniques and strategies that can be immediately applied in their work.
 
Register your interest in hosting a screening of the film and/or the educational resources here.

STEM Toolkit supports partnerships

The National STEM School Education Resources Toolkit  is a simple web-based package designed to help teachers, school leaders, industry partners and others deliver high quality STEM initiatives in schools.

The aim of the kit is to support schools and industry to work together to establish new STEM initiatives, form school-industry partnerships, and evaluate existing and future STEM initiatives.

Please share this item with anyone in your school or local community who may be able to build partnerships supporting STEM education for children and young adults.

Day for Daniel - 30 October, 2020

The Daniel Morcombe Foundation was established in honour of Daniel Morcombe to make Australia a safer place for children.

The Foundation was founded by parents Bruce and Denise after their son was abducted and murdered in December 2003 while waiting to catch a bus on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.

The aims of the Foundation are to educate children and young people about how to stay safe in physical and online environments and to support young victims of crime.

Click here for more information

Save the date

With continuing uncertainty around in-person gatherings we recommend subscribing to any information emails that organisers might be issuing or following the links below for advice. 

• Grandparents Day (NSW) - 25 October.
• World Teachers Day - 30 October
• ACSSO AGM online – 31 October, watch our Facebook for details