May 2006
Let me start by asking a couple of questions – Does every P&C have their Smart Choices Toolkit yet? Do you know about the QCPCA/QAST seminars that are being held around the State and coming to a Region near you? If not please let us know ASAP so we can rectify the situation.
Since the announcement of the Smart Choices Healthy food and drink supply strategy in July last year, QCPCA has been participating, on your behalf, on the Implementation Committee to ensure that the introduction of this strategy will be as stress free as possible. QCPCA has been pushing for the Toolkit to be made available since then, as we believed that its distribution would alleviate the bulk of concerns and confusion that exists about the policy's implementation.
It is important to note that P&C Executives play a very important role in the implementation of the ‘Smart Choices’ strategy. The P&C, as the employer MUST ensure that their employees and volunteers have the information and training they need to comply with the new policy.
While the Toolkit focuses primarily on the tuck shop, it is not the only focus of information, and
P&C’s and Principals need to read the document carefully. Information has been included on camps, sporting events, breakfast clubs, excursions, vending machines, fundraising events focused on students and those focused on the wider community, student rewards and curriculum activities. This will answer many questions P&C’s have been asking since the release of the policy.
QCPCA’s focus from the start has been that this is an important step for all of us to make towards the overall health of our children. Healthy eating/access to healthy foods is only one aspect of promoting a healthy lifestyle. QCPCA has long advocated for a balanced approach to health, encompassing nutritious eating and physical exercise (using sun smart strategies of course!!) What a great opportunity though for us all to participate in this focus on a healthy lifestyle and stretch it to include all the family! Nothing influences change for children like a “do as I do as well as I say” example.
It was also a very positive step from one company (suppliers of products to schools) to play their part in improving the health of our students by taking their corporate responsibility seriously and making the effort to adapt a product to the guidelines. If they can do it so can others. There’s a challenge for them!!
On a completely different subject - I am sure that you all would have seen the long awaited publishing, in the Courier Mail, of the snapshot of Year 12 outcomes from 2005, prepared by the Queensland Studies Authority. I know there are many and varied reasons that parents choose schools for their children based on location, tradition, economics, subject choices etc etc. But when asked our opinion of the use of these statistics I would urge you to consider the following: -
* The measure of a school is more than just statistics - they are one part of a big picture
* Statistics can be manipulated, misinterpreted and misunderstood and can vary widely from year to year depending on the cohort of students
* Recognize that there are other valid pathways for students to pursue like VET - not every student wants an academic pathway. Look at all columns of the report - not just the OP column in isolation.
* Parents need to take into account many things when deciding on a school - school community, teachers, facilities, school environment etc.
Find a balance between what you read and what you see. Attend an orientation day and pick up a prospectus that outlines all of the schools attributes. Talk with students, teachers and other parents and above all talk to your child about the school - after all they will be the one spending the most time there, choosing subjects that may or may not be relevant to their chosen career, making friends and creating memories of a time in their life that should be pleasant.
Recently I had the pleasure of attending (along with approx 140 other delegates from all around Australia) a very informative national forum in Melbourne. The topic was ‘Engaging Young Australians With Asia’. Now you may ask what is the relevance of this?? Well as I see it - it is about choice, about the future and about change. What resonated with me was not just the subject matter but also the bigger picture, in terms of what lies ahead for our children. Now I know we don’t have a crystal ball but we do have experts out there who look to the future about all aspects of our lives e.g. political, social, economical, security, education etc. This forum is just an example of how we need to consider the world in which our children now live and will live, what their jobs may look like and what skills they may need to achieve and participate in that future world.
A National Statement has been developed on this topic and following are a couple of excerpts from it. In terms of Educating Australians for the 21st century all- “Ministers of Education are committed to the vision that the people of Australia have the knowledge, skills, values and understanding they need to fulfill themselves, to live in and contribute effectively to a global society and to work in a global economy.”
“The Adelaide Declaration on National Goals for Schooling in the Twenty-First Century affirms that young people can only make sense of their world and be active and informed citizens when they develop a sound understanding of the wider global context in which they are operating. The Asian region and Australia’s engagement with Asia are central to that context for all Australians.”
In this context the study of languages and cultures may be very pertinent for our children’s education for future careers. Think back to when the discussion was first had about computer technology and learning in classrooms?? There were a few cynics back then I can guarantee you who have probably since, not only changed their minds about the relevance of this technology in the classroom, but in their lives in general (personally I know some people who had to be dragged kicking and screaming into the world of Windows and leave DOS behind for good!) But who makes these decisions anyway about what is relevant and what is not? Do they consult and see what is already happening out there and ask questions like – Is it adequate? Is it relevant? Is it funded sufficiently? Is it made by consultation about what we as parents deem important for the education of our children?
I heard a very pertinent saying over the course of the forum in relation to modes of learning – “Do not confine children to your own learning for they were born in another time”. Comments were also made about the fact that children today are at ease with the surrounding technology and are skilled in its use. It is important to use innovative ways to set up classroom activities to teach the students what they want to know and the result will be an engagement and connectedness to the learning process that is very different to what we experienced (well depends on how far we go back doesn't it!!)
Whether it is new ways of learning, subjects, careers – it is a given that some things in education should remain the same BUT we have to open our eyes and horizons and look to the future and if we see the need, as parents making decisions that will affect our children’s future – then stand up and ask the questions, create the demand that will result in our children being equipped and educated for those choices of the future.
