December 2023 Principals Bulletin

Hi,
 

Welcome to the December edition of the Higgins Principals Bulletin, a platform designed to keep you abreast of the various federal government initiatives that are shaping the future of education.

I welcome feedback from our educators, whose attention and care turn children into scholars, sportspeople, and creatives, or a touch of all three.

Congratulations on successfully completing yet another school year! It is a remarkable achievement for both students and educators alike. Here’s to the collective success of our school communities and the promise of new beginnings in the upcoming year. Wishing you a joyous holiday season filled with warmth and laughter.

Please get in touch if you have any questions.  

‘…children are balls of energy, curiosity and wisdom. Not far, standing like sentinels, are their devoted teachers, skilfully marshalling the life force in children towards purpose and self-exploration.’

Dr. Michelle Ananda-Rajah MP, Speech to Parliament, 20 March 2023.

Sincerely,

New Upgrade Funding for Government Schools

In an exciting development, Australian government schools can now apply for funding of at least $250,000 to build or upgrade vital infrastructure. Round 2 of the Albanese Government’s Schools Upgrade Fund will provide $215.8 million in funding, specifically directed towards schools with the most pressing infrastructure needs.

The grants offered under this program can be utilised for large scale capital works projects such as:

· building or upgrading facilities, such as art facilities, music rooms, technical and applied studies facilities, sporting facilities.

· upgrading playground and outdoor learning facilities; and

· replacing ageing demountable buildings with permanent structures or modern modular teaching spaces.

Applications are open here. Applications close 29 February 2024.

Be That Teacher Campaign

Be that Teacher is a joint initiative of the Albanese Government and State and Territory Governments. The campaign is designed to encourage more Australians to want to be that teacher, and will feature the stories of eight real schoolteachers.

As part of this campaign, teachers are encouraged to share their unique stories, experiences, and the profound connections they have forged in their classrooms.  Australians are being encouraged to share their stories about the teacher that transformed their lives.

Every teacher has a story to share, and everyone has a story to share about a special teacher. To share yours, or find out more about becoming a teacher, visit bethatteacher.gov.au.

Explore our campaign videos here.

‘…Teachers do the most important job in the world… and the truth is we don’t have enough of them. Over the course of the last 10 years, we’ve seen about a 12 per cent drop in the number of young people going to university to become a teacher. Only about one in two people who start a teaching degree finish it. And about 20 per cent quit being a teacher in the first three years. And all of that’s led to a teaching shortage crisis.’

The Hon. Jason Clare MP, Afternoon Briefing, 31 October 2023

SUBS in Schools, a K-12 STEM program, is critical to our education system. It provides valuable support to teachers and students, fostering an environment where STEM education thrives. This initiative enhances academic outcomes and addresses the need to inspire more students to pursue engineering careers.

As we embark on projects like AUKUS, which rely on a skilled workforce for nuclear submarines, and with the growing importance of renewable energy development, "SUBS in Schools" becomes instrumental in nurturing young talents and fuelling interest in engineering fields, ensuring a sustainable and innovative future for our electorate and beyond.

Watch this video for a teacher’s perspective on STEM initiatives at school: Life Changing STEM - YouTube

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence commenced on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and concludes on December 10, Human Rights Day. During the 16 Days of Activism, communities around the world join the call to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls: https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/unite/16-days-of-activism
 

Employees now have access to ten days paid family and domestic violence leave. Understand your obligations at: Family & Domestic Violence 10 Days Paid Leave

Recognising the signs of family violence in adults can be challenging. Here are some clues, which I discussed in my speech to Parliament here:

- Having trouble concentrating.

- Making uncharacteristic mistakes.

- Changes to the quality or quantity of work.

- Injuries such as bruises, black eyes and broken bones. Changes to dress or makeup to hide injuries.  

- Unconvincing explanations for how the injuries occurred.

- Showing signs of emotional distress, such as:

- Withdrawal

- increased isolation from coworkers

- Unusual or repeated emotional upset during or following contact with the perpetrator.

- Jumpiness or tearfulness.

- Making suggestions that a former or current partner is making unwanted contact with them.

- Receiving an unusual number of emails, texts or phone calls.

- An abrupt change of address.

- Unwelcome visits or frequent visits to the workplace by the perpetrator.

- A strong negative reaction if the partner visits the workplace.

- Limited access to money (e.g., no ATM card, or a tight financial allowance).

- Restrictions on travel or socialising (e.g., after hours work events).

If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, family, domestic, or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.

Free NBN to Students 

The School Student Broadband Initiative aims to provide complimentary internet access to support underprivileged students. The government will be offering free broadband to approximately 30,000 families for a duration of 12 months.  

For more information on this initiative, visit: School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) | Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts