Complaints handling

We are starting to see a more parent-focused complaints process at the Education Directorate in response to our feedback.

Teacher-librarians

We put pressure on the Government to create scholarships to train additional teacher-librarians.

Lead and asbestos

In 2020 we called for expert-led management of hazardous materials in schools, which is now happening, giving parents reassurance. We also assisted in getting more information to parents which was clear and honest. In addition, more funding has been promised by the ACT Government for removing these hazards.

COVID-19 

Council brought parent views to Government, leading to changes in schooling arrangements during the pandemic shutdown which better suited parents, and to much improved communications.

High school Chromebooks

Our lobbying of ACT election candidates and voicing of parent frustration with the BYOD (bring Your Own Device) policy, then active in ACT schools, led to the promise of a school-issued chromebook for every secondary student - now a reality at our public schools.

School Crossing supervisors

We, along with volunteers from one P&C, successfully pushed for supervisors to keep our kids safe around a growing number of schools.

Parent Engagement grants

In response to requests to increase P&C capacity to engage and upskill parents, the Education Directorate announced grants worth $800,000 for P&Cs in 2020.

Access to school Psychologists

Council was instrumental in the government decision to employ 20 additional school psychologists in public schools, following complaints by school P&Cs.

Year 7 Health Checks

Council voiced parent opposition to the way Year 7 school health checks were to be conducted. This resulted in a change to the checks which satisfied parent concerns.

Addressing violence in schools

By taking parent concerns repeatedly to the Education Directorate, we were able to drive the creation of a joint project aimed at reducing and better managing violence in schools. This work is ongoing and we expect changes to be implemented in schools.

Better bus/tram services for schools

We secured improvements for school travel in the ACT's new (2019) Bus Network, compared to Transport Canberra's (TC) draft network, and have continued to gain improvements based on parent feedback, including TC now treating 3-4pm as a peak travel time, as requested by Council.

Specific school issues

Council successfully helped parents push for the expansion of year levels at Franklin Early Childhood School; and more recently helped resolve parent concerns about classroom use (and capacity) at Majura school.

Help for canteens

In response to ongoing concerns from delegates about canteen viability and workload, we initiated a major project to help school canteens. The result has been a greater focus from government on assistance to canteens, especially from ACT Health, and Nutrition Australia, better information and new resources to help school canteens thrive on healthier menus. We continue to meet to regularly discuss canteen difficulties with government representatives and are constantly voicing P&C concerns and seeing efforts to help canteens.

Disability awareness for bus drivers

We worked with the Education Directorate and bus companies to ensure drivers of special transport services receive disability awareness training.

We also represent parent views in formal submissions.

Learn more about how Council acts as a voice for parents.