Background
The SSTUWA has commissioned an independent review of public education in WA and is seeking submissions from members.
The review is chaired by Dr Carmen Lawrence. Dr Lawrence served as WA Education Minister in the late 80s and in February 1990 became the first female Premier of an Australian state when she became WA Premier.
Subsequently, Dr Lawrence served in the Keating Federal Cabinet. Dr Lawrence was also a member of the original Gonski panel which established the Schooling Resource Standard as a fairer basis for funding school education in Australia.
In 2022 Dr Lawrence was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for “distinguished service to the people and Parliaments of Australia and Western Australia, to conservation and to arts administration”.
Dr Lawrence is joined in the review process by fellow panel members Dr Scott Fitzgerald of Curtin University, Colin Pettit, former Commissioner for Children and Young People and Robyn White, former principal of Perth Modern School. Pamela Pollard, former principal of Victoria Park Primary School, is the executive officer to the panel.
Submission process
We invite written submissions using the links at the bottom of this page.
All identifying information will remain confidential but is essential to ensuring these are bona fide views.
The review encourages submissions that include realistic and practical solutions to issues identified.
Other stakeholder groups both within and outside the SSTUWA will also be invited to make submissions.
Submissions will be accepted until 21 April 2023.
Consultation sessions
A number of consultation sessions will be held around the state. Members and stakeholders are invited to attend. Registrations are essential, via the links below.
| Location | Date | Venue | Registration link |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Northam |
Tues 7 Feb, |
Farmers Home Hotel |
Event completed |
|
New Norcia |
Wed 8 Feb, |
New Norcia Hostel dining room |
Event completed |
|
Esperance |
Wed 8 Feb, |
Lotteries House |
Event completed |
|
South Metro East – |
Tues 14 Feb, |
Armadale District Hall, North Gallery |
Event completed |
|
North Metro – |
Thurs 16 Feb, |
Yhub Coworking (upstairs room) |
Event completed |
|
Kalgoorlie |
Tues 28 Feb, |
Kalgoorlie Overland Motel |
Event completed |
|
Katanning |
Thurs 2 March, |
Premier Mill |
Event completed |
|
South Metro West – |
Fri 3 March, |
Fremantle Sailing Club |
Event completed |
|
North Metro East – |
Tues 7 March, |
Belmont Sport and Recreation Club |
Event completed |
|
South Metro East – |
Wed 8 March, |
Meadow Springs Golf Club |
Event completed |
|
North Metro West - Perth |
Thurs 9 March, |
Perth Modern School |
Event completed |
|
Albany |
Tues 14 March, |
Albany Golf Club |
Event completed |
|
North Metro - Morley |
Thurs 23 March, |
Morley Senior High School |
|
|
Geraldton |
Thurs 23 March, |
Pollinators |
|
|
Broome |
Fri 24 March, |
Mangrove Hotel |
|
|
State-wide (virtual) |
Mon 27 March, |
Online via Zoom |
|
|
North Metro West – |
Mon 27 March, |
Hillarys Yacht Club |
|
|
South Metro - Atwell |
Tues 28 March, |
Atwell Primary School |
|
|
South Metro - Rockingham/Warnbro |
Wed 29 March, |
Safety Bay Senior High School |
|
|
Bunbury |
Event merged with Busselton session - please register at the link below. |
||
|
Busselton |
Fri 31 March, |
Busselton Library and CRC |
|
|
Karratha |
Mon 3 April, |
Karratha International Hotel |
|
|
North Metro - Darch |
Tues 4 April, |
Ashdale Primary School |
|
|
Manjimup |
Tues 4 April, |
Wellness and Respite Community Centre |
|
|
State-wide (virtual) |
Wed 12 April, |
Online via Zoom |
|
The review’s terms of reference
1. What is the state of public education in WA currently?
Focus issues:
a. How have state government policies regarding the structure of public education since 2010 affected the operation of government schools in WA?
b. How have curriculum content, pedagogical expectations and reporting and accountability processes changed during this time?
c. What changes have occurred to the community expectations of our school leaders and teachers?
d. What has been the impact of COVID-19?
2. What has been the effect of these changes on school leaders and teachers in WA?
For example:
a. Attraction and retention challenges:
· The recruitment of new teachers to the profession.
· Appropriate career opportunities.
· The development and selection of school leaders.
· Principal and teacher morale and well-being.
· The changes to teacher and principal workloads.
b. Respect for teacher professionalism:
· The effect of current accountability mechanisms.
· The ability to apply professional judgement.
· The commercialisation of curriculum products.
· The impact of technology.
c. The impact on schools’/teachers’ capacity to deliver:
· The core curriculum; and
· An equitable education provision across diverse student populations and regions.
3. How do we best respond to the needs of teachers and school leaders in addressing these issues?
