STRONG SCHOOLS STRONG COMMUNITIES President’S Message
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Newsletter Issue 2, 2018 NT COGSO President, Tabby Fudge with (from left) Marion Guppy, Deputy Chief Executive Department of Education, Kate Vanderlaan Deputy Commissioner NT Police, Michael Gunner Chief Minister & Police Minister and Eva Lawler Education Minister. NT COGSO staff with Minister for Territory Families Federal Shadow Assistant Minister for Schools Dale Wakefield Andrew Giles MP with NT COGSO President, Tabby Fudge NORTHERN TERRITORY COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT SCHOOL ORGANISATIONS STRONG SCHOOLS STRONG COMMUNITIES President’s Message I hope your children have had a great Term 2 and you have too! This term NT COGSO have continued to be very busy in lobbying for the return of School Based Police Officers. We have had very productive meetings with key stakeholders, including the Chief Minister Michael Gunner as Minister for Police, Deputy Commissioner NT Police Kate Vanderlaan, Education Minister Eva Lawler and Deputy Chief Executive Department of Education Marion Guppy. We look forward to announcing some very exciting news soon. I would like to thank so many people for the overwhelming support you have given us in our efforts, particularly our wonderful Principals across AEU President Correna Haythorpe with NT COGSO the whole of the Northern Territory, Minister for President, Tabby Fudge Education Eva Lawler, Chief Executive Department The Federal Government is failing our children, of Education Vicki Baylis, NT Children’s fortunately the NT Government are picking up Commissioner Colleen Gwynne, Mr Henry Gray, the pieces and continue to invest in our children MLA Kezia Purick, President Australian Education with additional funding for early childhood. Union NT Jarvis Ryan, Shadow Minister for Education Lia Finocchiaro. A special thank you to Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students sat NAPLAN tests you, the parents, who have been very clear in your in May, please keep these tests in perspective. wish to see this invaluable, proactive School Based NAPLAN is only a very brief snapshot every two- Police Officer program returned to our schools. years and results are not a great indicator of your child’s learning. You are far better off talking to On a less brighter note, sadly, our schools and your child’s teacher when it comes to your child’s parents are staring down the barrel of a Turnbull progress in the classroom. After 10 years of Government funding model that will slash $150M NAPLAN it is timely that it should be reviewed from government schools over the next decade. as it is a flawed measurement and limited in its In addition, this year’s Federal budget sees early usefulness. We would be far better off with the childhood funding completely withdrawn after millions of dollars it costs to roll NAPLAN out consecutive years of cuts and at the end of next across the country, reinvested into our schools. year Federal funding for universal access to pre- school will cease. Have a fun and safe mid- year break with your family NT COGSO will continue to lobby for the and friends and a fabulous reinstatement and expansion of Federal funds for term three. NT children and are meeting with Federal Minister for Education Simon Birmingham to discuss these Tabby Fudge very serious issues. In the Territory we have some President of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable young people and every child, no matter where they live, has a right to a high-quality education and to achieve their full potential. 2 Thank you Minister for Our public schools welcome all FOLLOW US Education Eva Lawler for the children from all backgrounds ON OUR tour of Parliament House. Our and do so much with the team members enjoyed having resources they get. But they SOCIAL MEDIA an opportunity to see and hear could do so much more with FOR MORE about government in the NT. #FairFundingNow NT COGSO Executive Assistant Apr 26 Kim Hoyle held an impromptu @FairFundingNow @NTCOGSO meeting at the Minister’s @NTCOGSO conference table - Kim will always seize an opportunity to keep working! Apr 21 @NTCOGSO Our #FairFundingNow asks to give all children a fair-go: 1. Reverse $1.9 billion cut from public schools & disability cuts. NT Schools losing federal funding over ten years... 2. Fund all schools at 100% wonder why the gap between of agreed schooling resource rich sydney private school kids ‘Growing our own’ teachers standard. and kids out at Milingimbi is from rural and remote students growing? We want the real is a smarter way forward. We 3. Establish a public schools gonski! #fairfundingnow need to ensure, as students, they capital fund. have access to full resources, May 4 @TimFrank2 quality IT and inspiring teachers. 4. Remove 20% public school Apr 28 @NTCOGSO funding cap. At today’s monthly meeting Apr 19 with Minister Eva Lawler MLA: @ FairFundingNow Member for Drysdale we took the opportunity to thank her for honouring the government’s annual funding commitments With thanks to Office of the to schools. In addition, Ms eSafety Commissioner we can Lawler’s announcement last now learn how to help our children have safe & enjoyable week of $13.18 million in @tanya_plibersek addressing online experiences. Check out education infrastructure fast- council, stating a commitment iParent for all things internet tracked to improve Territory to reverse the government’s $17 safe! school facilities. billion in education funding cuts. http://bit.ly/iParentNT Apr 17 @NTCGOSO May 04 @TeachersFed Apr 19 @NTCOGSO BULLETIN BOARD 3 NT COGSO working with schools Yurrwi School Council Members across the NT “Fantastic night “Your governance of information. support was very Thank you so much appreciated” much. Very NT COGSO continues to support AGM’s professional.” Warruwi School Council AGM NT COGSO had a terrific day supporting Warruwi School Council Governance Training Regional Governance Training School in the Arnhem Region with their AGM which was Manunda Terrace School Council a huge success. Members were elected and the Audited Darwin and Palmerston & Rural Regions Governance Training provided Manunda Terrace School Financials presented by Jodi-Anne Williamson, Regional Regional Governance, Industrial Relations and Financial Council Members an opportunity to learn more about Business Consultant, Department of Education. Governance training sessions have rolled out in the their role on Council and how to further enhance their Darwin and Palmerston & Rural Regions in Term 2. community partnerships. A General Meeting followed where the Office Bearers were elected. Council are reviewing the Constitution to Culture and Diversity is embraced and celebrated by ensure member numbers and composition is reflective of the Manunda Terrace School Council. Not only is this their culture. Warruwi School Council AGM Elected Members truly reflected in their own membership but through the implementation of the Connecting Cultures program. Strong programs are being planned to benefit student outcomes and increase whole of community engagement. Each Friday in Term 2 students and staff from Manunda Terrace Primary School have the opportunity to engage in Gapuwiyak School Council Governance quality activities that support cultural diversity. Great things are happening at Gapuwiyak. Strong Darwin IR participants partnerships between community and schools result in School Representative Body Members have attended strong achievements for our children. School Council various sessions to enhance their knowledge and Members, community members and school staff came understanding around key Governance areas. together in Term 2 to learn more about School Council Warruwi AGM Audit Report Governance. Thank you to the Department of Education and Chamber of Commerce for your ongoing collaboration, support and expertise in supporting our Members in their roles. Training ensures Governance responsibilities are NT COGSO Strengthens Community met while maintaining the key message that positive Manunda Terrace students Engagement partnerships create the best possible educational Angurugu School Council Governance outcomes for all students in public education. Students are participating in Greek cooking, Torres Strait Islander dancing, bush tucker, painting a mural, singing, NT COGSO was invited back to Angurugu School to support NT COGSO says Thank you learning language plus many others. Connecting Cultures the Annual General Meeting. The Gapuwiyak School Council Governance Training Regional Training Venues is a great program supported by School Council. AGM was attended by 36 members “Thank you for the from the community. great support you It was wonderful to work with such a dedicated group of provided to the people who are truly passionate about supporting their Highlights from the school School Council this children to achieve the best possible outcomes. Great report included; increased week. Your work is discussions took place on how a strong School Council student attendance, positive really appreciated.” creates a strong community voice and strong decisions for programs and appreciation the future. for the dedicated school staff. Regional Training sessions have been held throughout Strengthening the School Council at Angurugu is helping to Semester 1 utilising our schools’ fabulous facilities. create positive partnerships with two-way conversations, transparency and collaborative decision making. NT COGSO would like to thank Alawa School Council, Forrest Parade School Council and their school staff for supporting us with venue hire through their Community Use Agreements. Manunda Terrace students 4 5 A Message from