Education Issues
This is a summary of a workshop held as part of the PV/DET Parent Forum in August 2019.
Speaker: Claire Tobin, Principal Health Advisor, Wellbeing, Health and Engagement Division
Workshop summary
Family hardship is a sensitive matter and the overarching theme of discussion was geared towards improving school processes that ensure schools preserve the dignity and privacy of families whilst ensuring they receive the support they need. Parents were also receptive to schools that have taken on a proactive approach in providing assistance and information to families. For example, families are provided a information booklet that lists school initiatives promoting co-located services and partnerships geared towards reducing the cost of schooling.
This is a summary of a workshop held as part of the PV/DET Parent Forum in August 2019.
Speaker - Leela Darvall, Manager, Careers and Pathways Unit
Discussion Summary
The workplace landscape is changing and parents feel schools need to educate students at a much earlier age on career pathways. Improving job readiness and building confidence resonated with parents as important areas that require greater focus in the classroom.
We all do our bit in promoting anti bullying pledges and photos on social media platforms when it comes to National Days of Action (16 March). There are loads of helpful resources on websites and community organizations doing their bit to spread the support and deliver services to schools and communities wanting to help students and their families how to manage situations when they are victims and parents of the bully reaching out for help too.
The cost of bullying
PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting (Australia) Pty Limited (PwC) was engaged by the Alannah and Madeline Foundation (AMF), with funding from the Victorian Department of Education and Training, to conduct an economic impact analysis of the cost of bullying in Australian schools, and Victorian schools specifically. The objective of report was to identify and quantify, to the extent possible, the breadth of the impacts of bullying across student and adult life. The analysis will be used to raise awareness about the impacts that bullying has in the community and to facilitate discussions amongst key stakeholders to further investigate the issue. For further information see the National Centre Against Bullying website.
Read more: Everyone has a responsibility to prevent bullying in our school communities
Parents Victoria is a signatory to a letter supporting fairer funding for our schools and is one of the 23 organisations and more than 6,000 individuals who responded by joining the AEU in sending a clear message to the State and Territory Education Ministers and the Federal Education Minister to stand up for “FairFundingNow” for public schools.
On 13 April, the day of the COAG Education Council, the letter was delivered to all State and Territory Ministers and Minister Birmingham. Prior to the meeting in Adelaide, there was a media conference where a giant print out of the letter and individual names of the 6000 signers was delivered to ALP State and Territory Education Ministers to take into the meeting. This action was widely reported in the media.
Fact Sheet Gonski Review
Secondary school is an exciting and sometimes daunting stage in your child's education.
Read more on the Education Department website about choosing a school, enrolment, what your child will learn and how you can help.
