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1. Introduction |
5.1 Advice for Schools |
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2. Handbook 2.1 Advice for Schools |
6. LOTE 6.1 Advice for Schools |
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3.1 Advice for Schools |
7. Re-registration Review Reports 7.1 Advice for Schools |
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4. Occupational Health & Safety 4.1 Advice for Schools |
In recent years, the Schools Registration Board has been proactive in circulating to registered schools, on an annual basis, general information which it believes will support them in meeting the requirements for on-going registration and facilitate the re-registration review process. In an examination of the Board’s review procedures at its November meeting, members confirmed its practice of working co-operatively with schools and supporting them in ensuring that they are able to achieve compliance with its Standards.
Before moving on to specific matters, I must again thank school personnel for the many ways in which they have assisted the Board in its role. During 2007, there was a greater than average number of school re-registrations requiring review visits by panels. It was also a year in which more than half the Board were new members. These two factors combined to make the review task quite demanding. I am pleased to be able to report to you that, without exception, school personnel went out of their way to facilitate the work of panels and this was greatly appreciated.
A new and updated handbook was distributed to all schools in November 2006. Along with the Board website (www.srb.tas.gov.au), the handbook should provide schools with all the information required for the registration process and to keep them up-to-date with requirements for ongoing registration.
A 2.1 Advice for Schools
For those school personnel who are new to the process and especially those whose schools will be considered for re-registration in 2008, I would recommend that they take into account not only the Standards in Section 3 but also the additional materials that have been included in the appendices.
The appendices have been provided by the Board to assist schools to interpret the Standards and should be particularly useful in dealing with the newer aspects of the Standards, especially in the areas of Review and Development (Appendix C) and Code of Conduct (Appendix E).
As I have advised previously, the Board has held a consistent view that processes for the resolution of grievances against a non-government school reside within the school itself. Complainants who approach the Board are referred back to schools and their grievance policies and processes which should comply with Standard 3.10.
A 3.1 Advice for Schools
However, during registration reviews in 2007, panels have found that the policies and processes in a number of schools have not fully complied with the Standard.
This particularly applies to:
a) the need to ensure that the policy and processes cover students, parents, staff and the general community.
b) the need to have mediation available as part of the process.
c) a statement which acknowledges to a complainant that the school recognizes “the right of aggrieved parties to have ultimate recourse to resolution through legal processes”.
4. Occupational Health & Safety (Facilities Standard (3.3)
The Board’s interest in this matter refers particularly to the Facilities Standard for which each school is required to certify in its Statement of Compliance that it “understands and meets its obligations under the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995” and to name its Responsible Officer. Following discussions with school personnel during review visits, the Board is concerned that schools may not, in fact, be fully aware of their obligations in relation to this Act and has appointed a subcommittee to further examine the Act and its implications for the Board and for schools.
A 4.1 Advice for Schools
In the meantime, the Board recommends that schools:
a) ensure that their Responsible Officers are trained and demonstrate understanding of their roles and responsibilities relating to occupational health and safety;
b) provide the opportunity to develop an employee OH&S committee, and to be compliant with OH&S legislation.
In 2008, school the review panel will be required to meet with the Responsible Officer during the review visit.
5. Review & Development (Standard 3.1.4)
This Standard has now been implemented fully for all schools. In essence, it requires schools to now have in place a documented process for cyclic school review and development and annual reporting.
Generally, the pilot schools have reported that they found their reviews extremely informative and the improvement planning very valuable in setting long term priorities for their schools. In particular, they found the various surveys for staff, students and parents contributed greatly to their understandings about school performance especially where they are able to collect longitudinal data or to compare their performance with other like schools. They also found that they already collect student performance data (e.g. in Literacy and Numeracy) that can be used on an on-going basis to monitor performance
A 5.1 Advice for Schools
The Board therefore recommends that schools develop processes which will provide them with such data by which they can determine, in an objective way, the level of their success in achieving their improvement priorities.
The Board is aware that schools are required to report annually to the Australian Government and believes that this report and the annual reporting required under Standard 3.1.4 are generally compatible.
School reviews over recent years have indicated that some schools, especially smaller and more remote schools, have some difficulty in providing LOTE. The curriculum Standard requires schools to implement a curriculum broadly based on the Adelaide Declaration which includes LOTE.
A 6.1 Advice for Schools
At its meeting in November, the Board considered this issue but reiterated its intention to continue to expect that LOTE remain as part of the Standard. However, where difficulties arise in LOTE, the Board reminds schools that they may be able to examine flexible ways in which LOTE can be offered including block teaching and teaching in alternate terms or years.
7.1 Re-Registration Review Reports
The Board is aware that, across Australia, reports vary considerably in their content and format. They range from very brief acknowledgements that the school either complies with the requirements for registration, or does not, to the comprehensive report provided by panels in Tasmania. At its November meeting, the Board decided to continue to provide its current style of report which covers all Standards and which has the potential and opportunity to acknowledge and affirm the many very positive aspects of the operation of registered schools in this state.
A 7.1 Advice for Schools
The Board also reminds schools that the reports are not to be used for promotional and marketing purposes but recommends that they be shared with staff and governing authorities.
8. SRB Re-Location & Changes to Contact Details
The office of the Registrar, Janine Romaszko, was relocated early in 2007.
The location of the office is now:
5th Floor
Kirksway House
Kirksway Place
Battery Point
The postal address is now
The Registrar
Schools Registration Board
PO Box 473
SANDY BAY Tas 7006
The contact telephone number (03 6233 7104) has been retained.
Other contact details that have changed include:
Fax: 6224 0175
Email: Janine.Romaszko@tqa.tas.gov.au
Arnold McShane
Chairman
Schools Registration Board
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