WACSSO: Representing P&Cs in WA

This year, the Public Education Foundation have launched their greeting card competition much earlier than usual. The theme is “Respect” and they are hoping the timing will encourage more students to participate. Maybe teachers could use the theme as a topic in their class or families in an impromptu discussion.

Start creating with you child today! Entries close September 30.

For more information here's the link on their website: https://buff.ly/3X9ymoc

2025 AVCAT Scholarships are Now Open!

AVCAT scholarships are tertiary scholarships for the children and grandchildren of Australian ex-serving veterans. Scholarships are $4000–$6000 per year, for up to three years.

Applications close at midnight AEDT on 31 October 2024.

Apply online at avcat.org.au

Do you want more opportunities to learn about AI and Education? The keynote and workshop that addressed this topic at Conference was very well received - it is clearly a topic of interest for parents and P&Cs! Here is another opportunity to engage in more learning and development in this space, this time from the team at ARACY. Their online event, A deeper look at AI in education, will run from 1-2pm (AEST) on Sept 24.
Details and registration: https://buff.ly/3ANqqQI

There is still time to register for this Foodcore Nutrition Services Inc. workshop tomorrow! Take a look! 👀

This training session is TOMORROW, but there is still time to register. Join us from the comfort of your own home for this VIRTUAL session.

Email [email protected] for the link to join and supporting workbook.
Discounted fees apply for Foodcore members.

Happy Father's Day from WACSSO to all the dads and father figures in our community! Wishing you a wonderfully relaxing day with your families and special people. 😍

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. ❤️

WACSSO Conference is underway! Our panellists, Education Minister the Hon Dr Tony Buti MLA, Director General, Lisa Rodgers PSM and WACSSO President, Pania Turner are currently responding to P&C questions. Great audience!
Education WA

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.

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!

👉

Review of the School Education Act 1999: message from the Minister for Education

Shout out to the team at School Banners who have again gifted us vouchers to give away as prizes at Conference! Not long to go now! We can't wait to see everyone on the weekend!

🎉Conference HQ!!🎉
We’re flat out today checking lists, packing bags and generally having a fabulous time making sure everything is set for
Who else CAN’T WAIT?!

The team at myfuture have a range of free webinars to support the career development of your children. Take a look!

Navigating your post-school plans with confidence | Wednesday 28 August, 7:00pm AEST
Presented by Dr Michael Healy

Coping with emotional challenges in career development - R U OK? Day 2024 | Thursday 12 September, 1:00pm AEST
Presented by Dr Michael Healy and Jill Wilson from the Student Wellbeing Hub

The many ingredients of employability: The Employability Capital Growth Model | Tuesday 19 November, 12:00pm AEDT
Presented by Associate Professor William E. Donald

We hope that you can join us for any/all of the above events: https://buff.ly/3McGVs8

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 the Triple P - Positive Parenting Program 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

Great news!

WACSSO Conference partner Gold4good® can assist your P&C with funding to support facilities upgrades, innovation and new resources for students to thrive at school. Plus, they have a bonus offer for P&Cs attending Conference!

You will love the results of your P&C Gold4good® School Fundraiser. There are no rosters required, just a fun hand out activity, plus parents welcome this sustainable fundraiser that doesn’t affect their wallets. P&Cs will discover that Gold4good® school fundraisers are one of the easiest and highest revenue raisers on the calendar! An Australian owned award-winning company. Gold4good® also offer a friendly school fundraising team who looks after everything from social media posts to editorial for newsletters.

Spring to action
Register your P&C today to participate in a Gold4good® school fundraiser and to secure a priority placement for Term 3. And those P&Cs attending WACSSO Conference, make sure you come and chat to us in the Exhibition Hall!

👉 Register: https://buff.ly/4dgKucu
♻️ All materials supplied & No costs!
⭐️ Great Prizes
📧 Email us at [email protected]



# education Australia

Our 2024 Conference Guide and Annual Report has been sent to print! We've added it to our website so everyone coming to Conference can have a sneak peek! We're SO EXCITED about this year's event which is a SELL OUT!
See you all in 10 days!



👉 https://buff.ly/3X2N7ce

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

WA public schools are invited to apply for the fourth 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

🎶 It's beginning to look a lot like Conference 🎶
WACSSO HQ is bursting at the seams with Conference swag at the moment! A big thank you to Bunnings Warehouse Australia for supporting Conference again this year, with the donation of some fantastic prizes. What will you choose?

Fantastic to see this from Swanbourne Primary School P&C! No doubt the kids are thrilled to have all this amazing new play equipment and outdoor classroom! Well done to all involved.

Much-needed changed unveiled at Perth primary school The improvements are aimed at combatting the soaring temperatures recorded in the school grounds.

📣 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

We are grateful to our Major Supporter, Rural, Regional & Remote, Lotterywest, for again supporting WACSSO Conference. Lotterywest is committed to supporting Western Australia through impactful community grants. This includes events like the 2024 WACSSO Conference, which will support training and educational awareness, and community connectiveness for parents and citizens groups across our great State.
Lotterywest

We could not be more excited about our Sunday keynote speakers at Conference - Judy and Tim Sharp.

Mother and son, Judy and Tim have a life and story like no other. Tim is the creator of Laser Beak Man and an international artist who has Autism. Judy was told that Tim would never be able to speak or communicate. Fast Forward to today and they are speaking on stages all over the country and Tim's original artworks have taken them places never thought possible.

Their best-selling book and keynote called: A Double Shot of Happiness will take you to every station. From adversity, to hope, resilience with laughter and tears and then onto the best destination of all...Happiness. You won't want to miss this inspirational story of two incredible Australians.

Last minute conference registrations: https://buff.ly/3SAVNUt

Have you signed up for the Minister's Running Challenge? Whether you’re a student or education staff member, the Education Minister wants you to get up, get moving, and get running from Monday 15 July to Friday 13 September!

The mission is for primary school students to run, walk or wheel for 20 minutes per week, while secondary students and education staff complete 30 minutes per week.

Any running, walking, or wheeling counts toward the challenge.

It’s a great excuse to get together, have fun with friends, and get active at the same time. Plus there are some great prizes up for grabs!

Check out all the info here: https://buff.ly/46KCuyd