NTCOGSO partners with School Representative Bodies
to advance public education.

Your Feedback is Crucial! | Budget Impacts at Your School

The Northern Territory public education system has received a transformational injection of funding, offering a rare opportunity to improve student outcomes. However, we are increasingly concerned about cost shifting from the Department to schools, potentially jeopardising this funding and its intended impact. School Council/Board budgets should not be forced to cover business-as-usual (BAU) expenses at the cost of student learning.

• Annual Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) increases
• *ICT (laptops, desktops and tablets for school staff) (funded by the department budget up to 2024)
• *School vehicles (funded by the department budget up to 2024)
• *Phonics programs (funded by the department budget up to 2024)
• 2024 school budget deficits (many from the Oct 2024 teacher salary increase – not funded)

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

To advocate effectively, we need information from you about how their 2025 budgets have been affected, including whether deficits have been carried forward from 2024, and what additional costs have been shifted onto your school budget.

Your responses will be critical in highlighting these concerns. All information provided is confidential and identifiable information is only available to the Executive Officer and President.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/C9GQCRJ

Alice Springs School of the Air

Alice Springs Schools of the Air (ASSOA) recently held a successful AGM and general meeting. In addition they scheduled Governance & Financial Governance Training with NTCOGSO and the department, immediately following.

Pictured: Di Scannell, Director of Business Services, presenting Financial Governance training to members.

Watch this space!

NTCOGSO and the Department of Education will soon be launching regional 'Financial Governance' training session for members.

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 has received feedback from a few schools regarding their concerns around student safety on school bus transport.

If any schools have not submitted feedback but would like to do so, please get in touch via email below.

Your Regional Meeting is coming up!

These meetings are a great opportunity to:

• Learn more to strengthen your school governance
• Connect with members from other schools.
• Swap strategies – share and learn from each other's experiences.
• Be a voice – advocate for your families, school and region.
• Get informed – find out about NTCOGSO & NT Full Council.

Top End | Tuesday 25 March

Goyder Electorate Office, Coolalinga

To RSVP: https://ntcogso1.wufoo.com/forms/r1lbi7vz1btuuuw/

Darwin | Tuesday 1 April

Online via Microsoft Teams

To RSVP: https://ntcogso1.wufoo.com/forms/s14pwdfi1aet3g5/

Central | Monday 12 May

Gillen Club, Alice Springs

To RSVP: https://ntcogso1.wufoo.com/forms/rexweg11tytxwa/

Big Rivers | Wednesday 4 June

To RSVP: Coming soon

Barkly | Date coming soon

East Arnhem | Date coming soon

Book Term 2 Training!

In-Person and Online Options:

We offer training sessions, tailored to your member's needs. Whether you prefer in-person or online learning, we've got you covered.

Our goal is to equip parents, community members, staff, and students with the knowledge and skills to thrive. So, don't hesitate to reach out! The NTCOGSO team is always here to answer your questions and offer support.

Call or email us anytime.

Our Training team had a successful term 1 supporting our school AGM's both in-person and online across the Northern Territory.

The team is looking forward to supporting the new school council/board members.

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!

Sun Safety Resource for NT School Communities

The Cancer Council are introducing Conquering Skin Cancer, an Australian documentary educational resource designed to make sun safety a more engaging and accessible conversation.

Sun safety is particularly relevant in our NT climate, where high UV exposure makes proactive sun safety education even more critical.

Schools across Australia have been using this resource in different ways - as a short classroom discussion piece (5 to 30 minutes), in wellbeing programs, and even in school-wide screenings of the full documentary (90 minutes), making it a flexible, ready-to-use tool for schools and families alike.

These are important conversations - not just for students, but for parents, communities, and decision-makers who shape school environments.

Young Courage Award - let's see our young Territorian's nominated!

Nominations close 31 March

The Young Courage Award is a non-political recognition that honours people between the ages of 13 and 20 who have made a difference in other people’s lives and shown evidence of moral courage and commitment.

This is the first time Australia has been invited to participate in the international prize. If you know a young person who fits the description above, nominate them now by sending their name and a short motivation to ambassaden.canberra-events@gov.se. Nominations close Monday 31 March 2025.

The Young Courage Award winner will receive official diplomas and the potential to be invited to the official ceremony in Stockholm on the Raoul Wallenberg Remembrance Day, 27 August 2025.

Nominate an Educator

About the Teaching Awards
Each year, national education non-profit Schools Plus with the support of some of Australia’s leading philanthropists chaired by David Gonski AC and in partnership with Commonwealth Bank, celebrates inspirational teachers who are making a transformative impact on children and school communities across Australia.

Twelve outstanding teachers or school leaders receive a prestigious $20,000 award, including $10,000 to plan a high impact school visit program as well as participation in a 12-month Teaching Fellowship.

Together, let’s celebrate lifechanging teachers!
Please share this great opportunity with your colleagues, network and school community by:

• publishing a story about the Awards in your next EDM or newsletter
• sharing a post on your social media channels
• forwarding this email to your education network
• and, of course, nominating an outstanding educator

Nominations are open between 3 March and 8 April 2025. For more information, visit www.schoolsplus.org.au/awards or contact us on awards@schoolsplus.org.au

Artificial Intelligence and Copyright free webinars for Educators

The National Copyright Unit is delivering free webinars on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Copyright for school educators.

These webinars cover:

• what generative AI is
• the uses of AI in education
• copyright issues when using AI
• copyright ownership in AI generated works
• labelling and attributing.

To register for a session, click on the below links:

• Monday 24 March 2025
• Wednesday 2 April 2025
• Tuesday 27 May 2025
• Tuesday 12 August 2025
• Tuesday 21 October 2025

Webinars are also available throughout the year on a variety of topics, including copyright basics, copyright and music, using TV and film and using text and artistic works.

In the News

Maggie Dent reacts to popular parenting advice - ABC News (published 05/03/2025)

Prime minister promises new education funding not a 'bank cheque' - ABC News (published 04/03/2025)

What can you do if your child is being bullied? - The Conversation (published 12/03/2025)

Underfunded? Overfunded? How school funding works in Australia - The Conversation (published 07/03/2025)