Gemma Skipper

ARACY & UNICEF have released their Empowering Young Minds Report, with 5 key areas for action. Holistic Education Reform: Align with Reinventing Australian Schools principles. Tackle Inequality: Ensure all children, especially in disadvantaged communities, access quality education. Support Wellbeing: Strengthen connections between schools, health services, and communities. Address Cost-of-Living Impact: Provide targeted support to low-income families. Improve Early Childhood Education Access: Build universal access to quality early education. Well worth reading! Empowering Young Minds - Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) ARACY - What is wellbeing? (youtube.com)

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Insightful viewpoint about how the higher education sector needs to change to support lifelong learning - and bridge knowledge and skills for the needs of the nation's economic prosperity and the cascading (positive) impacts that this can represent. Not that this is the only role for universities - but it is an important one, particularly in our times of cost of living crisis and the continuing workplace changes due to issues such as global (digital transformation) or wicked problems (eg climate emergency, biodiversity loss). This viewpoint is provided by Alec Cameron, VC RMIT Unversity- as head of a large dual-sector university provider, it is no wonder he is thinking how to blur the boundaries between vocational education and universities. He also links these thoughts to the inspirational strategic directions and targets that are embedded in the Universities Accord's Final Report released earlier this year.

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Any presentation that starts with ‘some of the things I want to talk about today are a little bit depressing’ and reference to a 'funding cliff' are always going to get my attention. The Tertiary Education Commission's CE Tim Fowler's presentation at the Independent Tertiary Education NZ (ITENZ) conference today highlighted the significant changes taking place in the tertiary education sector - structural changes, the vet reform and how to make a 'group of polytechs' financially viable, the overarching economic and fiscal environment and the slow return of international students. Tim advised that this is putting a lot of pressure on the government's ability to fund the demand for tertiary education and training. Tim's proposition to us as Private Tertiary Establishments (PTEs) is that we deliver on these four things: 1. Deliver the EFTS that we have been provided. Massive over-delivery is just as problematic as under-delivery 2. Deliver those EFTS in government priority areas 3. Drive learner outcomes and in particular – qualification completions 4. Maintain high levels of financial viability In other words - lets keep doing what our Quality Tertiary Institutions (QTI) members have always been good at - setting and maintaining high standards in the tertiary education sector. Brijesh Sethi Anatole Bogatski Tim Fowler Tertiary Education Commission Ministry of Education New Zealand New Zealand Qualifications Authority | Mana Tohu Mātauranga o Aotearoa Darryn Melrose Scott Thompson-Whiteside Stephen Dorner Dan Cockerell

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A useful resource for those wanting to make sure the journal submission/review process is as quick, and painless, as possible. Worth a read!

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It's the final countdown, with just 2 weeks to go in this academic year! 🏫⌛️ Teachers and students are racing to wrap up lessons and projects before the summer break. But before we swap classrooms for beaches, it's crucial to reflect on the experiences and growth of the past year. For recent graduates pondering their career paths, this is a golden moment to consider teaching. Why not take this transitional period to make a tangible impact in young lives? 🍏 Step Into Teaching offers a paid, firsthand experience in education that goes beyond the traditional route - a step that could lead you to a rewarding career shaping future generations. If you're passionate about a subject, imagine imparting that enthusiasm to eager minds. Our programme pairs you with schools that not only complement your skills but also provide the perfect platform for your professional development. 📚 Mentorship, skill-building, making a positive impact - it's all part of the journey. Experience the thrill of teaching with Step Into Teaching. No detours, just a straight path to a purposeful career. 🎓 For those interested, don't hesitate to explore more at stepintoteaching.co.uk. The classroom awaits! #TeachingCareers #GraduateJobs #StepIntoTeaching

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The Department of Social Services is supporting not-for-profit organisations to develop a not-for-profit Blueprint – mapping out the vision for the sector for the next ten years, including key priorities and actions for both government and the sector. This process is being led by a group of representatives from the not-for-profit sector – referred to as the Blueprint Expert Reference Group (the BERG). A number of consultations have previously been undertaken, including a round of public submissions last year. You can read more about the BERG and the Blueprint process here: https://lnkd.in/gqT_2-qY   Synergistiq is hosting a series of consultations for not-for-profit organisations to share their vision for the sector, and provide feedback to inform the Blueprint. These consultations intend to build on the information already gathered. Any not-for-profit organisation interested is able to register to attend and there are several of face to face and virtual sessions happening around the country. The timeframe available for these consultations is unfortunately very short. All consultations will take place in June and early July. It is understood that this is a very busy period for not-for-profits and appreciate people taking time to participate in these important discussions.   In particular, they are hoping to hear from not-for-profit organisations which have been underrepresented in consultations up until this point. This includes: - Very small to medium sized organisations; - Not-for-profits that have not received government funding in the past; - Not-for-profits in the arts, community and sports areas; - Organisations that are focused on young people, rural and regional matters; - First Nations and culturally and linguistically diverse people   The Perth face-to-face focus group will take place on 2 July at a central venue to be determined shortly. Light refreshments will be provided. To register, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gtcR_6MD   Upcoming virtual sessions are also listed on that website.

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To Industry Stakerholders The new National Skills Taxonomy (NST) will replace the Australian Skills Classification, and this is your chance to shape its future. Your input is crucial in addressing the opportunities and challenges that a national skills taxonomy might bring.

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Charles Sturt University welcomes measures to enhance access and bolster support for higher education students included in the Federal Government’s Budget. The Government’s announcement of paid placements for teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work students is a good start to addressing the impact of placement poverty on students seeking to gain essential workforce skills. But more is needed. Students completing placements in regional areas away from their homes are having to meet high costs for accommodation and travel which will not be covered by the announced placement payments. We are also advocating that support for paid placements be extended to a broader base of courses that support critical workforce skill needs, especially in regional areas. Students in Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Podiatric Medicine, Speech Pathology, Pharmacy, Medical Radiation Science, Veterinary Science and Veterinary Technology have similar placement pressures that need alleviating. The reduction of HECS or HELP depts, via changes to manage the impact of indexation on these debts, is also welcome news for our students. Every dollar counts when it comes to giving our students the ability to focus on their education and build their future careers without worrying about mounting debt. We endorse the Government's commitment to implementing a needs-based funding model. Through the Accord process we advocated strongly for this model, which will address the unique needs of First Nations students, those from low socio-economic status backgrounds, students with disability, and students studying in regional, rural and remote Australia. Many more Australians must have the opportunity to succeed at university. Charles Sturt has been providing support and pathways for diverse student groups for many years; we understand how important it is for our students to succeed and that the extra investment in support delivers vital and long lasting benefits to the broader community. A needs-based funding model is good news for regional universities, as it recognises the real needs of our student cohorts and the costs of regional delivery. We urge the government to consult meaningfully with the sector and be prepared to commit the funding needed to make the new model effective. TEQSA PRV12018 (Australian University) CRICOS 00005F

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Can you help with this research?

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Check out the work of changemakers from the CCS Communication Design and Strategy program!

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Find out about the consultation process for the draft International Education and Skills Strategic Framework in The Koala News. #internationaleducation

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Danford Higher Education is pleased to announce its membership in the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA). ITECA is a staunch advocate for the independent tertiary education sector, boasting a proven track record of achieving legislative reform and sector improvement. On April 17, ITECA published the opinion piece titled 'Student Visa Settings Risk to Economic Growth.' The article warns the federal government that the policy is perceived as exhibiting a deep lack of transparency, inconsistency, and inequity in decision-making, particularly regarding the current increase in student visa refusals. To contextualize its economic impact, ITECA warns of 'the economic impact on a sector that recent ABS figures show generated $48 billion in export earnings in 2023 and accounted for nearly 60% of Australia’s GDP growth in the same year.' In economic terms, this policy does not benefit our Victorian economy. According to my estimates based on data provided by the Victorian State Government, in 2023-24, the current policy puts at risk a severe reduction of the 64,000 jobs created in the Victorian economy during this period. Simultaneously, the policy jeopardizes the welfare of many private tertiary institutions. This will not only have a negative impact on Melbourne but also on regional Victoria. Additionally, this poorly executed policy will negatively affect economic sectors such as hospitality, construction, and education, endangering Victoria’s share of 32 percent of our total Australian enrolments.  

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I am so pleased to announce I have been awarded finalist in the Designers Institute of New Zealand BEST Awards. I would like to thank all of my amazing lecturers for their guidance and support, this achievement would not have been possible without you. Sarah McCallum Tobias Danielmeier ‘The Intermission’ is a transformative vision for 260 Queen Street, where design converges to satisfy two intrinsic human desires; the yearning for a profound connection with nature and the essence of interpersonal relationships. Amidst the towering high rises of the cityscape, this adaptive reuse initiative embraces the challenge of blending natures embrace seamlessly into the urban fabric. In this architectural peice, every space is is a canvas artfully designed to resonate with the diverse dimensions of human existence, fostering connection, introspection, and a profound sense of wellbeing. In a society so accustomed to artificial stimulation, the need for community spaces which allow authentic human experiences is dire. The intermission acts as a haven, allowing freedom and choice in the urban environment while subtly pushing for chance encounters and connection to nature, grounding occupants in their fundamental human nature. This endeavour focuses on enhancing tactility and materiality by crafting captivating, interconnected atmospheres. Rooted in heritage, The Intermission lovingly restores the Italianate Victorian charm of the Former ASB bank building, along with two adjacent structures. The approach ensures occupants are not just spectators but active participants, deeply rooted in their surroundings. The intermission aims to redefine urban living, embracing the past while forging an inherently sustainable and enriching future. Functionality harmonises seamlessly with community cohesion. The spaces are a testament to versatility, intelligently crafted to operate in harmony or in splendid isolation. I have attached a link below if you would like to check out the project.

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NEW RESEARCH PAPER ALERT: Schools as inclusive workplaces: understanding the needs of a diverse teaching workforce in Australian schools As a former classroom teacher-of-colour, the racial diversity of Australia's teacher workforce is very close to my heart. Therefore, I'm very pleased to be addressing this issue with the dream team of Rachael Dwyer, Jiao Tuxworth, Jing Qi, Daniel X. Harris and Catherine Manathunga. This is the first of a series of papers discussing "the critical need to support CLRD (culturally and racially diverse) teachers, by ensuring that schools are culturally safe and inclusive workplaces for teachers, as a necessary precursor to ensuring the same for students. https://rdcu.be/dLdjo

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Kia ora koutou, I have a PhD student – Hansini Gunasekara – studying psychological safety at work, which refers to employees experiencing a work environment where they feel welcome to contribute their ideas in a timely and open manner. Hansini is conducting an anonymous survey asking about people’s experiences of work, including psychological safety, and with some questions focusing on leader behaviour and employee related outcomes such as engagement and belonginess. If you are working full-time in NZ, please consider participating – the link is below in the original post. We anticipate the survey will take 20 minutes to complete - so it does require a bit of a time commitment, but that’s what’s necessary to get a really good understanding of the issue using scales that are psychometrically robust. Participants can – in a separate collector – ask for a copy of the results once these are available. Thanks for considering it, ngā mihi, Helena

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Happy holidays teacher friends! This is such an important reminder from QTU about your right to disconnect. Our research on teachers’ time poverty is highlighting the extreme intensity of teachers’ and school leaders’ work. We see the complexity of the demands you’re working under and that this causes physical, mental and emotional exhaustion every single day. May you have the opportunity to put your wellbeing needs first for the next 2 weeks.

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Inclusion | Connection | Identity and Belonging Pillars of any successful multicultural society. It’s only when a migrant connects, belongs and has an identity is when we have an inclusive society.

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