Student Services Directorate Update – June 2007
Welcome
Welcome to the Student Services Directorate June Update. The monthly update has been designed to
assist district, regional staff and other interested stakeholders to keep up to date on the range of activities
currently underway within Student Services and related areas.
The update is a means of complementing a range of other informal and formal links. You are encouraged to
contribute to and help shape future editions in order to make this a truly useful and productive medium.
Contributions can be forwarded to: [email protected]
Sharing of Personal Student Information with Queensland Police Service
The Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 allows for the sharing of personal information of students to
other agencies, including the Queensland Police Service, without breaching Section 426 of the EGPA under
the following circumstances:
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where there is the consent of the student or the student’s parent where the student is a child unable to
give consent [s.426(3)(b)];
a court issued warrant, subpoena or a notice-to-produce is served upon the school [s.426(3)(c)];
a section of another Act that compels the principal or EQ employee to disclose the information
[s.426(3)(d)];
or where a principal seeks the consent of their Executive Director (Schools) or their Regional Executive
Director [s.426(3)(e)(ii)].
The power of the Director-General to release personal information under s.426(3)(e)(ii) has been delegated
to Regional Executive Directors and Executive Directors (Schools) and only applies to requests from the
QPS and not other agencies. The delegation has been limited to the provision of information to the QPS in
connection with the actual or suspected commission of a criminal offence on schools grounds or against
school property, and if it is in the public interest.
A breach of Section 426 constitutes a criminal offence, and accordingly, a decision by a principal to
cooperate with a request from QPS by providing personal information of students to the QPS without
obtaining the consent of the EDS or RED will constitute the commission of a criminal offence by the
principal. Principals will not be indemnified by the Crown for a criminal act as they would be for a civil
matter.
In order to abide by s.426(3)(e)(ii) principals are advised to take the following action:
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The principal should ensure that the QPS makes its request in writing with respect to the criminal
offence they are investigating;
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The request should be restricted to a student or small group of students with specific identifying
characteristics;
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The principal should then identify only those students relevant to the request and set out the information
in a report;
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The principal should provide the report to their Executive Director (Schools) or Regional Executive
Director and inform the EDS or RED of all information necessary for the EDS or RED to make an
informed decision about whether to permit disclosure of the information to the QPS;
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If the EDS or RED decides to permit the disclosure they must provide the consent to the principal in
writing.
A form is currently being developed for principals to use when seeking the consent of the EDS or RED to
disclose the personal student information to the QPS. Principals will be advised via Student Services
Update when it is available for use.
With respect to the sharing of information with other government agencies in relation to child safety
concerns, the Child Protection Act 1999 enables DETA to give information to, and receive information from,
other government departments, non-government entities and service providers.
The Director-General of Education, Training and the Arts authorises specific departmental officers within
Education Queensland to give or receive relevant information relating to child protection to assist in
contributing to a whole-of-government response to child protection issues.
The relevant policy and form, which is to be used when sharing information with other agencies, is located
at SMS-PR-018: Information Sharing under the Child Protection Act 1999.
Religious Instruction in School Hours
Principals are reminded of the item in Schools Update distributed on 29 January regarding religious
instruction in schools. The item is reproduced below for your convenience.
Changes to religious instruction forms
RIS Forms C1 and C2 are only used as part of the process of enrolling a new student to the school.
Parents of continuing students are not required to advise the school of anything unless they wish to change
their child’s religion details on the enrolment form, request their child attend a religious instruction program
although the child may not be a member of that faith group, or withdraw their child from religious instruction.
This advice should be provided in writing.
Principals do not need to issue continuing students with Forms C1, C2 or parent notices.
The policy is located on EPPR at SCM-PR-021: Religious Instruction in School Hours
For more information, contact Kym Amor on telephone 3237 1195.
Better Behaviour Better Learning Professional Development Suite
The Better Behaviour Better Learning Professional Development Suite (BBBL PD Suite) is a professional
development package which will be in all regions by the beginning of Term 3 2007.
The BBBL PD Suite is a series of practical PD activities and workshops aligned to the six modules of the
Better Behaviour Better Learning Online Course. It begins with whole school approaches and strategies,
moving through to coping with high level, challenging behaviours.
The PD Suite is designed to be accessed by all school personnel as both a reference for behaviour support
and as a bank of practical strategies. The PD Suite contains a range of materials to suit a variety of
audiences, including parents. It is a source of readily adaptable professional development workshops which
can be delivered according to school and district needs.
Better Behaviour Better Learning Online Course
The Better Behaviour Better Learning Online Course will run for a second time in Semester 2 2007.
Participants need to register through the Learning Place via Blackboard. Registration will open on 13
August, with the course commencing on 27 August. The course has more than twenty facilitators statewide so can accommodate 100 participants.
There are six modules in the course:
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Understanding Behaviour in Context;
Supporting Whole School Behaviour;
Success in the Classroom;
Individual Student Support;
Intensive Intervention & Support; and
Developing Sustainable Practice.
These modules run over twelve weeks and involve participation in tasks, discussions and readings in an
interactive forum. The online course blends theory and practice in behaviour.
This course may be used for personal professional development or it can be undertaken at a university level
and will attract credit for one subject of post-graduate study. Those undertaking the university strand must
contact the university to ensure they have arranged a supervisor. Contact Gary Francis, Principal Project
Officer, Professional Development Branch for any information regarding the university requirements.
Contact Jo Calvert on 3237 0061 or Marnie Carrison on 3237 1990 at the Centre for Behaviour Support for
any information regarding the course.
Bullying. No way! – cyber bullying
The Bullying. No way! website is currently featuring a spotlight on cyber bullying, and includes original anti
cyber bullying mobile phone movies produced by teams of students in conjunction with National Safe
Schools Week. Just released, these creative works can be downloaded onto computers, and
transferred/bluetoothed to mobile phones.
NetAlert CyberSafe Schools, developed in conjunction with State and Territory educational bodies and
national curriculum developers, provides practical materials and strategies for school communities to
combat cyber-bullying.
For further information, please contact Angela Kitzelman on telephone (07) 3237 1031 or by email
[email protected]
Schoolwide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS)
Schoolwide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) is a structured, long-term, whole-school professional
development program that guides school teams through the development of proactive schoolwide systems
of support for defining, teaching and supporting appropriate student behaviours to create positive school
environments. It provides a framework to assist schools to assess what behaviour systems and
expectations are currently in place, whether they are effective, and what needs to be added or improved.
The SWPBS statewide program is being transitioned from Disability Services Support Unit, where it began
in 2004, to the Centre for Behaviour Support. Training has commenced for the 44 schools who applied to be
part of the 2007 SWPBS program. Of the 44 schools, 23 schools are being supported by the regional teams
in Far North Queensland and Sunshine Coast regions. Both of these regions have implemented SWPBS as
a regional initiative with ongoing support from the Statewide SWPBS Leadership Team. The other 21
schools are being supported and trained through the statewide program.
There are currently 113 State schools in the Queensland program which is the highest participation rate in
Australia.
For further information about the Schoolwide Positive Behaviour Support program please contact Suzanne
Rothwell, Statewide Coordinator, SWPBS at [email protected] or on 0408 750 419.
“Red Card” Racism Today!
The first major event of the Queensland Roars Against Racism campaign kicks off on Sunday 1 July 2007,
when Queensland Roar Football Club hosts South African premier league team SuperSport United in a
match at Suncorp Stadium.
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A family friendly program of entertainment will begin at Suncorp Stadium at 1.00pm on 1 July with music,
dance and give-aways. Catherine Freeman, James Blundell, William McInnes and other celebrities will play
in a curtain raiser match to personally support the campaign, before the main game starts at 3.00pm.
The campaign is a three year partnership between Multicultural Affairs Queensland and the Queensland
Roar Football Club that aims to send positive messages in support of harmony and social cohesion and to
make it clear – there is no room for racism in Queensland.
Over the course of the next three years there will be a range of events and activities in support of the antiracism message, targeting the whole community and especially young people to challenge racist attitudes
and stamp out racial intolerance. Together we all have a responsibility to “red card” racism.
Tickets are available through Ticketek and more information can be found at www.multicultural.qld.gov.au or
by calling 1800 053 739.
Child Protection Queensland 2005-06 Performance Report
The Department of Child Safety recently released the Child Protection Queensland 2005-06 Performance
Report. This report is available at http://www.childsafety.qld.gov.au/publications/documents/cpqperformance-2005-06.pdf
The report reflects the significant changes that have occurred to the Queensland child protection system in
terms of its procedures, systems, staffing and services since the release of the Crime and Misconduct
Commission (CMC) report, Protecting Children: An Inquiry into Abuse of Children in Foster Care.
Of particular interest is the report on the Education Support Funding Program and the percentage of
children in the care of the State compared to all Queensland school students achieving the Year Three, Five
and Seven national benchmarks. (Pages 90 – 95)
The initiatives and achievements of the Department of Education, Training and the Arts in relation to child
protection are outlined on pages 107 – 109. The Child Safety Directors Network (CSDN) has proven to be a
useful resource in solving cross-agency service delivery issues for individual children and at a strategic
level. It has developed information sharing guidelines for use by government and non-government agencies
to enhance the sharing of case information and has overseen the review of the SCAN System policy and
procedures. (More information about the CSDN is available on Page 104 of the report)
Youth Support Coordinators Practice Development Conference: 19 – 21 September 2007
The Youth Support Coordinator (YSC) Conference Reference Group is currently calling for abstracts from
YSCs and their collaborative partners in preparation for the YSC Practice Development Conference at the
State Library of Queensland (Brisbane) from 19 - 21 September 2007.
The conference, which will explore YSC work and partnerships, is designed to enhance the practice of
school staff and school focused youth workers across the state. It will provide an opportunity to influence
and share school-based practice through keynote addresses, forums, panels and workshops. It is
anticipated that the majority of conference presenters and participants will be YSCs, school staff and school
focused youth workers.
The YSC Conference Reference Group is seeking abstracts that explore issues directly related to the work
of school staff and school focused youth workers and which have a focus on practice development for these
workers. Abstracts that model creative, interactive, experiential and inclusive working practices are strongly
encouraged.
The YSC Conference Reference Group will be accepting abstracts until 20 July 2007. For further
information, please contact Angie Dunbavan, YSC Conference Convenor on 3342 6996 or
[email protected]
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Carer Services and Support
Within Queensland there is a range of services tailored toward assisting young people who have caring
responsibilities. These services are offered by a number of different service providers across the state.
Accessing these services is free and is simply a phone call away.
The three organisations listed are working to promote referrals and increased collaboration between service
providers. They offer the following:
Commonwealth Carer Respite Centres
Commonwealth Respite Centres have specific projects to assist young people who are studying and who
are the main carer for a friend or relative. Support is flexible and is based on the needs of the young carer.
Assistance can include housework, cooking, cleaning, tutoring and fun activities with other young carers.
Emergency support is available 24 hours a day. Access is via Free call – 1800 059 059.
Carelink
Carelink provides a free information service to anyone in the community on Community Care services and
resources available locally. Access is via Free call – 1800 052 222.
Carers Queensland
Carers Queensland offers assistance to young carers in three broad service areas: counselling, information
support, and referral.
1. Free Counselling services are provided daily from 4 to 7pm. Group counselling may also be
available. Call Elaine on 1800 242 636 for details.
2. Info-Support: Carers Queensland also offers a free Young Carers Pack full of information for young
carers.
3. Referral: Carers Queensland has a database of over 4,800 service providers throughout
Queensland. Young carers can call the info-support line and be referred to an extensive range of
services in their area.
For more information, contact the information hotline on Free call -1800 242 636 or email a counsellor at
[email protected]
Sound System for Primary Schools
A limited number of Classroom Sound Systems are made available through Lions Hearing Dogs Inc to
assist the learning of hearing impaired children in the community. The sound system is aimed at Primary
schools since these students spend most of their day in a ‘home’ classroom. The sound system consists of
a wireless infrared active learning system from Phonic Ear known as Front Row Pro. The system is
designed to ensure that every student is able to hear the teacher’s voice more clearly above the ambient
noise that exists in classrooms.
For further information concerning this system, please contact your local Lions Club or Lions Hearing Dogs
Inc. at (08) 8388 7836 or www.hearingdogs.asn.au
Student Services Directorate Website
A reminder about the new website recently launched by Student Services Directorate. The website is being
released in two stages. The initial stage, which is now live, provides content relating to inclusive education,
behaviour support and professional development. The second stage, which is scheduled for release by the
end of June, will focus on child safety and wellbeing and learning and disability support.
The website presents an overview of the services provided by the directorate as well as providing a gateway
to relevant policies and links. A useful page within the website is the forms page which provides a list of
quick links to all forms and policies applicable to student services.
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The behaviour support area of the website contains information about the code of school behaviour,
school disciplinary absences and essential skills in classroom management.
The inclusive education area of the site focuses on cultural and linguistic diversity, English as a Second
Language (ESL), exemptions and gender issues.
The professional development area of the site provides links to the Professional Learning Communities as
well as resources and services available to staff in relation to inclusive education and disability support.
Contact details of members of the Student Services Directorate team are available on the website at:
http://education.qld.gov.au/studentservices/index.html
For more information about Student Services contact the relevant Student Services Team:
A/Assistant Director-General, Student Services: Clare Gardiner-Barnes
A/ Director, Student Services: Nello Raciti
Centre for Behaviour Support: Ray Ashford Director, 3237 0699
Student Services Policy Team: Sue Howard Principal Advisor, 3237 0510
Disability Services Support Unit: Leith Sterling Assistant Director, 3240 9337
Student Services Implementation Team: Abigail Sawyer A/Principal Advisor, 3237 0055
Staff College, Inclusive Education Clare Grant, Manager 3237 0982
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