Empowering Communities in 2008

Following the adoption of the new vision for the Federation - Empowering Catholic School Communities through Authentic Partnerships, the State Committee presented one of the major highlights of 2008, the successful biennial conference conducted in Townsville using open space technology. The conference delegates identified those areas of importance for the future of parent involvement in Catholic education and resolved to continue the conversations and initiate action.

2008 ushered in a new federal government which began the process of implementing its educational ‘revolution’. Already there have been  identified  far reaching reforms which will significantly change the way education  operates throughout Australia. There is an obvious shift in influence from the state to the federal government though  it has been disappointing to note that the education portfolio has been subsumed  under the productivity banner. It is important that the parents are represented in the debates on the kind of education the country needs for ‘success’ in the future.

The state election will be held before the end of 2009 and already material has been sent to the parent associations so that they can communicate the needs of the Catholic sector to candidates for election. Again we have joined with the Queensland Catholic Education Commission(QCEC) in developing and distributing the election materials.

The Federation has continued its close relationship with the other parent bodies in the state. This year, a Memorandum of Understanding on the operation of the Joint Parent Committee was signed by the leaders of the parent organisations.

At the national level, the parent committee of the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) has continued to provide timely advice to the Commission in areas of particular concern to parents.

The renewal of our website at: www.pandf.org.au has provided a more user friendly resource for our parents. We urge you to access the website and to contribute your thoughts and views.

In order to continue to maintain an effective service to our communities and to promote the interests of parents in the wider educational environment, the State committee has determined to marginally  increase the levy for 2009 by 1.7%. Thanks to our communities who continue to strongly support the activities of the Federation.

The members of the State Committee, under the new Chair, Trish Nash wish to thank those generous parents throughout the state who have worked tirelessly in the interests of their children and in the promotion of Catholic education Thanks also to the school communities, including priests, religious, principals, staff and students who continue to be very supportive of the Federation’s objectives.

As this will be the final News in Brief for the year, the State Committee and the staff at the Secretariat wish everyone in our communities God’s peace and joy during the coming Christmas season.