Page 3367 - Week 09 - Thursday, 24 August 2017
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existing work and improve the way we support the diverse learning and wellbeing needs of children and young people.
In 2017 the ACT education sector, through the schools for all program, remains committed to system reform. The program has entered a consolidation phase with a focus on strengthening a whole-of-systems response to create and sustain safe, supportive and inclusive school environments for every child and young person. Over the past months the emphasis has been to build the capacity of our schools for inclusive and student-centred education through professional learning, readily available resources and support and mentoring by the network school engagement team and Catholic education wellbeing and diversity officers.
Our partnerships across the education sectors, government and non-government agencies, have continued to strengthen wraparound support services for our children, young people and their families. While progress continues in implementing the remaining expert panel recommendations, the program acknowledges a number of recommendations depend on cross-government initiatives or other reform projects currently being undertaken by the directorate including the resourcing of schools through the student resource allocation model.
This is particularly relevant in meeting the needs of students with a disability. Within the Education Directorate the schools for all program is seeking to catalyse cultural change so that all children and young people in the ACT’s public schools are placed at the centre of all decision-making to enable their social, academic and wellbeing needs to be met. The directorate believes in a diverse and creative school system that embraces difference in our children and young people, empowers our school leaders, teachers and education support staff and fosters excellence. Achieving a thriving and inclusive education community where no-one is excluded because of their background, culture, gender, class, religion, sexuality, wealth or ability is vital, and everyone benefits when we achieve this equity.
I am pleased to inform members that, since commencing the implementation of the expert panel recommendations just 18 months ago, the schools for all program is having a positive impact on the culture, programs and approaches within our Canberra schools.
I have presented the schools for all report for May 2017 for members’ consideration. This report was endorsed by the schools for all program in July 2017 and is published on the Education Directorate website. The Education Directorate has completed 34 of the 49 expert panel recommendations that relate directly to our Canberra public schools, and the Catholic Education Office has completed 15 of the 26 recommendations.
Our partners in the Association of Independent Schools ACT are working with each of their member schools through their executive committee and schools for all committee. The recommendations are providing each independent school with further opportunity to refine and reflect on their approaches to support their students’ wellbeing and learning needs.
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