Small Schools Committee members Karen Conte, Mick Collins, Jo-anne Jones, Kim Taylor and Michael Wood with a map showing all the small schools in NSW.

Politicians to address Small Schools Conference

By Owen Hasler

Education Minister Carmel Tebbutt, Coalition education spokesperson Brad Hazzard and Greens leader Lee Rhiannon will address the Small Schools Conference on June 17.

Small Schools Committee member Kim Taylor said: "The presence of the politicians at the Small Schools Conference will provide an excellent opportunity to raise issues of concern to small schoolies.

"Small schoolies represent approximately 600 schools statewide and are, therefore, a significant section of the public school system in NSW and we have a number of matters that need urgent attention," he said.

Committee member Mick Collins said: "The Conference should be an excellent vehicle for receiving valuable information relating to small schools, questioning the politicians and senior Department of Education and Training officials about policies relating to our school communities, as well as increasing our network of contacts."

"It will be a very worthwhile event and I look forward to meeting many of the teachers working in small schools statewide," Mr Collins said.

Committee member Karen Conte said: "We have an interesting and varied agenda for the day."

This includes addresses by Department of Education and Training general manager Trish Kelly, who will be accompanied by DET Staffing director Peter Johnson and Casual and Local Relief Programs assistant director John Durrington. These officers will provide information and responses relating to staffing matters.

There will be three seminar sessions. Subjects to be covered by different sessions include school financial management, staff welfare, technology in the classroom, REACH (Respect Ethnic and Cultural Heritage), Centre for Learning Innovation programs and how industrial relations changes could affect small schools.

"The Teachers Federation is providing funding for one member to attend from each Association, while some Associations may wish to send extra delegates to the Conference," Ms Conte said.

"Many schools are also using professional development funds in order to allow staff members to attend and we are also receiving applications from individual teachers who wish to attend. This is particularly the case in city based schools where the cost of accommodation and travel is minimal," she said.

Any interested small schoolie is encouraged to contact the Federation's Tamworth office by phone (02) 6766 9882, fax (02) 6766 9887 or by email to Owen Hasler on owen@nswtf.org.au

. The conference will be held in Federation's auditorium at 39-41 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills (at the back of Teachers Federation House, 23-33 Mary Street). Ensure that your school (PP5 or PP6) is represented.

Owen Hasler is a Country Organiser.

For further information

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