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The federal election campaign continues and while education has had a relatively small amount of election media coverage, it is nevertheless important for the Catholic sector to keep key issues in front of MPs and candidates. Last week the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) published the major parties’ responses to questions on these key issues. Read the responses here.
During these last weeks of the campaign, Catholic School Parents Queensland (CSPQ) are holding a series of candidate forums in a number of marginal electorates. On Tuesday evening a forum was held at Iona College in the seat of Bonner with more than 50 parents and community members turning up to discuss education issues. Last night a smaller but engaged group participated in a forum in the seat of Brisbane while in north Queensland, candidates for the nation's most marginal seat, Herbert, put their views on education before the local community.
There are further forums tonight in Brisbane's north and in a number of marginal seats around the state next week. I extend my thanks to CSPQ for organising these forums to keep families informed and I urge you to ensure your school community is aware of the opportunity to take part.
CSPQ Executive Director Carmel Nash introduces candidates in the seat of Bonner
Last Tuesday evening the QCEC Parliamentary Reception was held at Parliament House in Brisbane. Over 100 guests attended the event, including Premier Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk MP and Hon Grace Grace, Minister for Education and Minister for Industrial Relations, more than 40 state Members of Parliament, diocesan Directors and leadership staff, congregational representatives and Catholic school Principals.
The evening was a great success, recognising many of the current educational initiatives at work within the state Government, along with areas of need for the future.
I noted that we are understandably very proud of our Catholic schools and what they contribute to the lives of families in Queensland. We are extremely mindful of the importance of our partnerships not only with our school communities but with Government and all members of Parliament.
I also reiterated our commitment to working closely with all to ensure that choice, collaboration and continuity are ongoing features of schooling in Queensland.
It was timely to launch the new QCEC corporate video at the reception and I take this opportunity to thank all the schools involved in filming and for providing staff, students and parents for this purpose.
You can view the Learning for Queensland’s Future video here.
Last week the first formal negotiating meeting for EB9 was held in Brisbane. Representatives of Catholic school employers and the Independent Education Union – Queensland and Northern Territory took part in the meeting where each group tabled their log of claims.
Read more about last week’s meeting in the Staff Update #2 and keep up to date with all EB9 developments via the website.
Best wishes to all staff and students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 who will participate in NAPLAN tests (writing, reading, conventions of language and numeracy) from next week.
Schools completing the paper NAPLAN tests will undertake the tests from 14 – 16 May while schools completing the tests online have a two week window (from 14 - 24 May) to complete the tests.
This year there are 114 Catholic schools completing the NAPLAN Online for the first time – added to the 53 schools that participated in online testing last year, brings the total to 167 Catholic schools in Queensland undertaking NAPLAN Online this year.
All online schools have communicated their test schedule to their school communities, checked their devices, locked down browsers, and prepared staff and students in the use of the online platform.
All Catholic schools will undertake NAPLAN Online in 2020 – our remaining schools will participate in School Readiness Test (SRT) training sessions in Semester 2, 2019.
Last Friday I attended the farewell event for John Ryan, who stepped down after 13 years as inaugural Director of the Queensland College of Teachers.
I worked alongside John at various times throughout his tenure and would like to acknowledge his enormous contribution to leading the regulation of the teaching profession in Queensland and promoting quality teaching. The many stakeholder representatives at the farewell function were testament to the high regard in which John is held. He has been a wonderful collaborative leader and a passionate advocate for a highly professional teaching workforce in Queensland.
I wish John all the best for the future.
A reminder that nominations for the 2019 Spirit of Catholic Education Awards will close at 5.00pm this Friday 10 May 2019.
Nominations should be submitted online.
Thank you for again supporting the awards which are a wonderful way to recognise some of those who go the extra mile in Catholic schools.
Semester One online applications for the Non State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme are open. Schools are encouraged to remind parents to apply for assistance via the School Transport website below, as applications for this round will close on 31 May 2019.
The Bus or Ferry Assistance rebate assists those families whose student catch public transport to attend a non-state school outside the Brisbane City Council boundary, within Queensland.
The Students with Disability rebate assists those families whose child / children are driven or catch public transport to attend a non-state school within Queensland.
Join with colleagues in completing the 2019 Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) Stakeholder Survey. This is your chance to have your say on AITSL’s current work, and what you’d like to see from them in the future.
You can help guide AITSL’s work to benefit the teaching profession, and the students of Australia. Take the confidential survey here.
Missed a Circular? Below is a list of Circulars that have been issued recently. Use your login to access them.
038 SchoolsHUB
039 NAPLAN Online Update No. 2 School Readiness Test (SRT) training registrations
040 Anti Cyber-Bullying Taskforce implementation of recommendations
041 Review of Melbourne Declaration
042 NAPLAN Online Readiness Forum
043 Common Ground Project
044 QCEC Cross Authority Moderation Day
045 Teacher Suspensions and Cancellations