Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration

The Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration was launched on 12 December 2019 by all Australian Education Ministers in the Northern Territory.

The Declaration sets out the collective vision for education in Australia and a commitment to improving educational outcomes for each and every individual across the country.

The declaration’s vision is for a world class education system that encourages and supports every student to be the very best they can be, no matter where they live or what kind of learning challenges they may face.

The Declaration has two distinct but interconnected goals:

Goal 1: The Australian education system promotes excellence and equity.

Goal 2: All young Australians become:

• confident and creative individuals
• successful lifelong learners
• active and informed members of the community.

All Australian Governments commit to working with the education community and in partnership with young Australians, their families and the broader community to achieve the educational goals for young Australians.

This commitment will be supported by a range of inter-related areas for action:

• developing stronger partnerships
• supporting quality teaching and leadership
• strengthening early childhood education
• building foundational skills in the primary school years
• enhancing middle years development
• supporting senior years of schooling
• embedding pathways for learning throughout life and supporting effective transitions
• promoting world-class curriculum and assessment
• supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners to reach their full potential
• supporting all young Australians at risk of educational disadvantage
• strengthen responsibility mechanisms with strong, meaningful, accountable and transparent measures. 

Click Here to see the full declaration.

Importantly, we believe that working closely with parents, carers and families is essential for the success of our students.

Parents, carers and families are the first and most important educational influence in a child’s life. They have a critical role in early development, including social, emotional, intellectual, spiritual and physical wellbeing. They instil attitudes and values that support young people to access and participate in education and training, and contribute to local and global communities. It is critical for the education community to work in partnership with parents, carers and families to support a child’s progress through early learning and school.

The Toowoomba Catholic Schools Parent Engagement Charter provides the following useful advice on how parents can help everyday with their children’s’ learning and school life.

 ‘At home’ Parenting

While many parents strive to be involved in school-based activities the opportunities to do so do not always balance with many other demands of work and family. Parents should not underestimate the powerful influence of ‘at home’ parenting behaviours on their child’s educational outcomes.

Parents are highly influential when they:

• have high expectations for their children’s conduct and courtesy, punctuality, sense of responsibility and involvement in family activities.
• show interest in their children’s learning by:
  • helping them relate what they are learning in school to the world beyond school
  • being supportive of the work of teachers
  • modelling the behaviours of successful learners
• talk to children about things that interest them and provide opportunities for children to extend their engagement in these areas
• discuss their children’s educational and career aspirations and encourage children to set goals for their progress.

We look forward to fulfilling our ongoing commitment to work with you to help your child be the best they can be.

The full Parent Engagement Charter can be downloaded below.

God Bless