News

Coronavirus - Department of Education statement

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 20:28:05 AEDT

The department is working with the Ministry of Health to monitor and respond to the unfolding international novel coronavirus situation.

Get up-to-date information about the department's response to novel coronavirus.

Premier highlights the value of public education

Thu, 16 Aug 2018 12:08:32 AEST

The Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, with (from left): Education Minister Rob Stokes; State Member for Parramatta, Geoff Lee; Department of Education Secretary Mark Scott; student performers and comperes, and the Principal of Parramatta Public School, Gail Charlier (far right).

Public education can be the springboard to the top job in New South Wales.

That was the message from the Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, as she launched Education Week celebrations today at Parramatta and Kiama public schools.

"I know that all schools across the state today are highlighting and celebrating what we all value in public education – where someone like me who couldn't speak a word of English when she started school has somehow ended up being the Premier of NSW," she said.

Ms Berejiklian said she had met many possible future leaders during her visit to Parramatta Public School and "couldn't be prouder, as your Premier, to witness the outstanding achievements of all the students across the state".

The dual school launch, linked via a live simulcast, focused on the theme of Education Week, Today's schools – creating tomorrow's world, which highlights how NSW public schools are equipping young people with the skills and capabilities they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

For the first time the launch was hosted entirely by primary school students and featured student performances from Eastwood Public School violinist Justine Zhang, Bossley Park High School soloist Ezra Loau and dancers from Hoxton Park Public School.

Year 8 students from Kiama High School – Alira Morgan, Jannali Morgan and Olivia Talbott – opened the celebration with an Acknowledgement of Country performed in language.

Keynote speeches were delivered from Kiama by Terara Public School Year 6 student Lucy Boundy, Molly Chapman, a Year 8 student at Dapto High School, and Nowra East Public School instructional leader Vishanti Govender.

Lucy told the launch that education was about opportunity: "Opportunity to learn, opportunity to improve and opportunity to make a difference."

In detailing her early struggles with learning, Molly said a more hands-on approach to study at her high school had a huge impact on her.

"I learn more effectively by seeing and doing things because it gets in my head more easily and pictures are worth a thousand words. Thanks to school, I'm exceeding in almost everything I touch," she said.

Education Minister Rob Stokes highlighted the "incredible legacy" of public schools on society, a role contemporary education and educators would play in the future.

"We are in a period of vast technological, social and economic change, and with that the role of education becomes more important, even bigger, and the challenge for teachers and students becomes more complex," he said.

"We need to provide training in those skills that recognise the future is uncertain and to train and encourage young people not just to be ready for the change that is coming but to be excited by it."

Education Week 2018 - Today's schools creating tomorrow's world

Thu, 16 Aug 2018 12:10:33 AEST

Education Week kicks off on Monday, August 6, with a simultaneous launch at Parramatta and Kiama public schools livestreamed on YouTube so all government schools and their communities can join in.

This year's theme, Today's schools – creating tomorrow's world, highlights how NSW public schools are equipping young people with the skills and capabilities they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

For the first time the Education Week launch will be hosted by primary school students and will feature a dancing robot, student performances and a film highlighting how schools are working with their communities to solve real-world problems.

A highlight of the week is the Game Changer Challenge, in which 16 teams of students from schools across NSW will compete in a three-day design program, working alongside leading industry professionals to create the school of the future.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said today's students were learning at a time of great change.

"From the far west to our metropolitan hubs and everywhere in between, our state's schools will celebrate not only what we've achieved, but the future we are creating," Ms Berejiklian said.

"We are living in a time when the traditional walls of the classroom are opening up to new worlds of learning, paving the way for students to connect and collaborate with their peers regionally and globally."

Education Minister Rob Stokes said there had never been a more exciting time to be involved in schools with technology reshaping the way students learn and billions of dollars being invested in new school infrastructure.

"The NSW Department of Education is continually striving for improvement and innovation so that the young people in our care learn in a world-class education system," Mr Stokes said.

"The NSW Government is supporting that vision through a record $6 billion in funding to build the classrooms and schools of the future."

The Secretary of the Department of Education Mark Scott said ensuring today's students had the skills they would need to "not just survive, but thrive" in the future underpinned the department's evidence-based approach to learning.

"I am incredibly proud of the innovative teaching and learning that is being done across our State's public schools to ensure that every student can perform to their full potential," Mr Scott said.

"We don't know what the future will hold, but we do know that we are focused on equipping today's students with the skills and knowledge they will need to lead fulfilling lives in the future."

New uniform policy for NSW public schools

Thu, 16 Aug 2018 12:12:02 AEST

The Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, and the Minister for Education, Rob Stokes, announced the new "clear and concise" policy today at Condell Park Public School in Sydney.

Ms Berejiklian said the "modern makeover" would ensure that uniforms were practical and comfortable for students and affordable for parents.

The new policy says all students should have the opportunity to access the full range of school activities while wearing a school uniform, including physical activities, and girls must have the option to wear shorts and pants.

For more information, read the media release by the Premier and Minister. The new policy and implementation guidelines (PDF 116.83KB) are available on the department's website.

The Department of Education supports the wearing of school uniform to promote a sense of belonging for students and create a positive identity for the school community.

Each public school decides on its school uniform in formal consultation with students, school staff, parents and the school community.

Mian School Dubbo Last Chance Crew Video Launched

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 22:01:42 AEST

Last Chance Crew Video

The Mian School students are stars in the Last Chance Crew ' Dubbo Stuff ' video which is now live on Youtube.

"The last chance crew, what you gunna do?"

"Who ever knew we could do what we do?"

Follow the link to watch this exciting new video produced by Desert Pea Media, in partnership with Leader In Development @ The Apollo House in Dubbo, NSW.

http://youtu.be/FIVk-DIdRcs

Vocational Education 2010

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 22:01:42 AEST

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM 2010

The Mian School Vocational Education Program is designed to further develop the student's work readiness skills through a specialised program for one year. Students suitable for this program should meet the following criteria:

o Student will be 14 years of age

o Student will be entering Year 9 in the year that they commence the program

o The student may be disengaged from main stream education

o The student should have at least a foundation of communication skills and social skills so that they can interact with members of the community in a positive way.

o Social and communication skills developed to a level that would enable them to participate in offsite education (TAFE) and participation in a work experience program.

o Co operation and teamwork foundation to enable participation in the Mian School Car Detailing program

Students completing this course undertake a modified curriculum pattern.

The curriculum has a focus on Workplace Literacy, Maths at Work, Social Skills for the Workplace, Sex Education, Growth and Development, OHS and First Aid and sport. There are also two TAFE courses in Horticulture and Hospitality and a Work Experience component.

Workplace Literacy: This component is completed in three sections, Vocational Communication, Communities and Jobs.

Vocational Communication covers topics including:

The need for communication	Telephone etiquette
Receiving and giving instructions	Reading a pay slip
Listening carefully	Presenting an argument
Non verbal communication	Memos
Letter writing	Employee forms

Communities cover topics including:

Tourism	Hospitality
Safety and Communication	Other Leisure Activities
Written and oral communication	Problem solving

Jobs cover topics including:

Knowledge of self	Interviews
Sources of job information	Managing time
Conditions of employment	Job advertisements
Resumes	Legal situations
Referees	Changing nature of work

The Maths at Work Component of the curriculum includes:

Common calculations	Finance
Workplace maths	Angles
Maths for life	Length, mass, perimeter
Enterprise and Maths	Area and volume
Basic skills	Data collection
Probability	Statistics

Social Skills in the Workplace component includes:

Communication	Workplace etiquette
Sexual harassment	Complaints
Talking to your boss	Racism
Workplace Scenarios	What would you do if?

The program also includes:

o TAFE Course – Horticulture

o School-based Course - Hospitality

o Students complete a resume and a detailed personal portfolio during the year.

o Students complete coursework in order to gain their OH&S white card

o Students complete a First Aid course including resuscitation and workplace injuries

o Guest speakers from local businesses are invited to the school

o Personal presentation workshops

New for 2009 - 10 skills relating to grounds maintenance including lawn mowing, whipper snipping and blower vacuuming as well as pruning and weeding.

Mian School Targets for 2010

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 22:01:42 AEST

Mian School Targets for 2010

Targeted students will achieve a level of growth in Literacy as measured by school based assessment tools.

Targeted students will achieve a level of growth in Numeracy as measured by school based assessment tools.

To increase professional learning meetings from 3 per year to 2 per term focusing on the Quality Teaching Framework

To negotiate, plan, develop and implement teaching and learning programs with Western Institute of TAFE to provide tailored learning opportunities in work readiness skills