Western Australian Council of State School Organisations

As part of National Child Protection Week, eSafety is teaming up with leading voices in the child protection space for a webinar: The Digital Playground: Safeguard Young People’s Future 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM (AWST), Friday 6 September 2024 This webinar will discuss the role of Artificial Intelligence in preventing cyberbullying, grooming, and exploitation, alongside the challenge posed by technologies, including deep fakes. It will also raise awareness about the intersection of the rise of digital technology and child prevention and protection efforts. Additionally, the session will highlight the role of media, campaigns, and educational programs in fostering a safer digital environment for young people. 👉 Register now: https://buff.ly/4dwZNxP

Phenomenal closing keynote from Judy and Tim Sharp. So inspiring. ❤️ #laserbeakman

It's Conference Eve!! Your WACSSO team are at Crown today setting up the venue, ready for all our fabulous delegates. The office phones are diverted, so please leave a message if you have a question for us and we'll get back to you next week. We'll be back in the office again on Tuesday. #wacssoconference2024

Some of the most treasured moments at Conference come from when our delegates get to see school students perform and present. This year, our student panellists are from Mount Hawthorn Primary School, Ashdale Secondary College and John Curtin College of the Arts. Also joining us are two members of the Department of Education Student Council, with one student at Central Midlands Senior High and one from Tom Price Senior High. We're also looking forward to the opening performance from Bayswater Primary Senior Choir and closing performance from soloist Chelita from Churchlands Senior High School. Our Sundowner will feature bands from Perth Kidz Rock, which has its homebase at Hollywood Primary School. Plus, our student spotlight section will feature a presentation from Bob Hawke College. We can't wait!!

Late last year, the Minister for Education, Hon Dr Tony Buti MLA announced a review of the School Education Act 1999 (WA) to identify opportunities to strengthen access and inclusion for students with disability. The consultation phase has now commenced, and the Department of Education wants to hear from you! The consultation period will run from 20 August to 4 October 2024. WACSSO Conference delegates may wish to ask the Minister more about the review at the weekend! 👉

You asked for it, you got it! Feedback from previous conferences has been that delegates would like more networking opportunities with like-minded, nearby delegates. So, we have implemented a trial of chat groups! The chat option, called Networking Chat, has been limited to three groups this year to test functionality. These groups are Regional, North Metro and South Metro and we have allocated delegates to their chat group. Please feel free to use this option if you plan to go out to dinner and want to welcome others, particularly for those in regional areas who arrive on the Friday night! Over the Conference weekend, we encourage you to use these chat rooms outside of Conference hours to connect with delegates. Check out our app demonstration here https://buff.ly/3WJ6WUs

During this National Week of Action Against Bullying and Violence, the research coming from Triple P Parenting provides really great insight into parent views when it comes to online child safety. In the research, Carol Markie-Dadds, Triple P International Country Director (pictured), highlighted the urgency of online safety, noting Triple P's largest-ever survey of parents and carers found that 8 out of 10 parents are concerned about keeping their children safe from online dangers like cyberbullying. Of further concern, parents with children aged 6−11 years are the least confident in their ability to know what to do if their child is getting bullied. According to Markie-Dadds, this national week of action is a timely reminder that parents and carers play a key role in preventing and helping their children respond to bullying in all its forms. With the increasing prevalence of bullying online, parents can help kids develop the knowledge, skills, and awareness they need to navigate the online world confidently and safely. 👉 Survey results: https://buff.ly/3YHk8vX 👉 Triple P resources: https://buff.ly/3MdwoMZ

This week is Bullying No Way: National week of action (12 to 16 August). At WACSSO, we believe that when #EveryoneBelongs, bullying has no place. What could you do to help someone feel like they belong? #BullyingNoWay #2024BNWWeek

WA public schools are invited to apply for the forth and final round of the Schools Clean Energy Technology Fund. Funding is for the installation of new energy technologies in public schools over the next 4 years, including more rooftop solar systems. The Schools Clean Energy Technology Fund (SCETF) will also provide STEM learning opportunities for students and teachers to gain new skills and understand the benefits of renewable energy and technologies. Applications will close on Thursday 29 August. 👉 https://buff.ly/4duLTM8

📣 Reminder📣 Is there a program or person at your school who is amazing? Nominations for the WA Education Awards, which celebrate the achievements of public schools in Western Australia, delivering positive outcomes for all students, close August 16. Writing assistance for schools needing help with their award nominations is available - requests for assistance are due by 5pm Friday 9 August. Public school staff (including principals), school council and board chairs and P&C presidents can nominate their own school for an award. 👉 https://buff.ly/3WE10gZ