NT COGSO partners with School Representative Bodies
to advance public education.

School Budgets

How Much More Can School Budgets Withstand?

NTCOGSO is deeply concerned about the growing financial pressure on school budgets. While the federal and NT government announced additional funding for 2025-29, School Councils and Boards are facing a wave of new costs proposed to now be deducted from school budgets, including:

• Annual Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) increases
• *ICT (laptops, desktops and tablets for school staff)
• *School vehicles (excluding principal contract cars)
• 2024 school budget deficits (expected to be covered by 2025 funding)

We are now hearing from schools that there is a proposal to add:

• *Ochre cards for workers directly employed by the department in schools

*These expenses are currently department responsibilities, proposed to be moved to school budgets.

In addition, schools operating with a budget loss last year were told that loss would be carried over into 2025 and recouped from 2025’s student funding.

You are also telling us that rising school power and water expenses are not covered by their funding.

We will continue to work collaboratively to raise awareness and the need for action on the pressures school budgets face with the Chief Executive.

We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts and concerns by clicking the Feedback Button below.

We want to hear from you!

On the 9 November, the NTCOGSO Annual Full Council passed the following motion on urgency:

“THAT NTCOGSO urgently calls on the Education Minister to ensure that school bus transport services prioritise and improve student safety, provide adequate supervision and a secure environment for all Northern Territory students on their journeys to and from school.”

NTCOGSO is continuing to advocate for schools. To support us, we want to know about any concerns or insights you have regarding student safety on school bus transport at your school.

Are you prepared for your General Meeting directly after your AGM?

*NEW* Agenda template available for download: School Representative Bodies | NT COGSO

To make sure you have all the information you need at your first meeting after the AGM (which is required to be held by March 15) we have included additional information under item 10. Treasurer Report to support Council/Board members to make informed financial governance decisions.

Supporting information on the additional items can also be found in the Finance and Resource Management for Schools Manual | FARMS https://www.ntcogso.org.au/school-representative-bodies/resources/financial-governance.

3.2.4. Debit cards (pg.36)

3.2.5. Term deposits (pg.36)

New Simplified Guide for School Representative Bodies

The FARMS manual is your go-to resource for managing school finances and resources.

School Representative Bodies (SRB’s) must comply with all legislation, regulations, and guidelines—including FARMS. There’s no wiggle room on this.

At the request of school council and board members, we’ve created a streamlined version focusing on School Representative Body responsibilities.

This simplified guide includes:

• Introduction to Governance
• Key sections from 1. Accounting to 17. Infrastructure
• A refined structure for each section, featuring:
• Title
• Overview
• School Representative Body responsibilities

For full details, always refer to the complete FARMS manual before making financial or resource management decisions.

Click below to access the summary guide!

Governance Officers | Multiple positions

We are seeking Governance Officers to join our team to provide advice and support on school governance, ensuring timely and accurate information is shared.

You will maintain records, manage communications, and strengthen partnerships with families, communities, and schools. Additionally, you will deliver governance training, support decision-making, and promote best practices within school communities.

If you're passionate about parent and school partnerships, apply today!

That's My Water!

Educating the next generation is key to ensuring we have enough water for our future.

Since 2016, Power and Water has partnered with the Department of Education to deliver That’s My Water! – providing schools and students with water sustainability learning programs aligned to the Australian Curriculum.

A range of programs are available, tailored to different year levels (Years 3 to 8) and locations. 

The programs also include whole of school water efficiency, identifying ways to save water and detect leaks. Past participants have cut water use by nearly 50%, leading to substantial savings.

By taking part you can engage your students and position your school as a leader in sustainability.

MyFuture

Activities and resources to support children’s career exploration

Encourage your child to expand their horizons and develop skills and knowledge to succeed in whatever career path they pursue.

Myfuture’s new infographics, aligned with the DOTS Model of Career Development (Law & Watts, 1977), can help children learn more about themselves and their interests, explore opportunities and make strong career decisions.

The focus for term 1 is self-awareness. Check out the infographic highlighting 6 ways for parents and carers to support children’s career exploration.

https://myfuture.edu.au/assist-your-child/dots-infographics

MoneyTime App

132 schools used MoneyTime in it’s first year in Australia last year and 45 new schools have already signed up in the first 2 weeks of this year.

Why? Because MoneyTime is easy to use for teachers. It is online and self-directed, which means no teacher training, prep work or marking.

It’s also fun for students. Alongside 30 digital lessons and automatically marked quizzes is a money management game that allows students to make regular financial decisions spending, saving, donating and investing – just like they will have to do in real life. This builds confidence around personal finance and sets them up to make good decisions as they get older.

All classes using MoneyTime are automatically entered in a nationwide interclass competition – a great way for students to enjoy some interclass rivalry within their school and with other classes around the country.

The program is free for year 5 & 6 students and only $25 pp for year 7 & 8 due to sponsorship.

It’s also available to families at home, via subscription.

MoneyTime has achieved an average 40% improvement in students’ financial knowledge across 90,000 students. The program is 100% localised for Australia and aligns with the National curriculum. This video shows how it works and our website has further information including some of many teacher testimonials we’ve received.

For more information email MoneyTime support via the button below.