The South Australian Education and Early Childhood Services (Registration & Standards) Bill is the subject of ongoing significant negotiations between the AISSA, Catholic Education South Australia (CESA) and the State government.

The State Minister for Education develops plans to establish an Office for Non-government Schools and Services. The AISSA emphasises its concern that this would limit direct access to the Minister, which would reduce the Association’s capacity to advocate on behalf of member schools.

Due to the increase in staffing, expansion of Federal programs, and the desire for member schools to meet collectively, the addition of 277 Unley Rd via a lease arrangement enables the AISSA to provide a number of additional offices and a meeting space able to support medium-sized meetings, including professional development activities.

Larger meetings are still required to be conducted offsite.

Floor plan of 277 Unley Road

The Bill proposes wide ranging and complex procedures for investigation of complaints and the imposition of disciplinary action against a school or individuals, including Board members. It raises the potential risk that Independent schools would become embedded in centralised government administration.

The Bill is a very significant legislation for the future of Independent schools. The AISSA successfully undertakes significant lobbying activity to address the fundamental concerns of member schools, particularly regarding the extensive powers of the new regulatory board beyond the registration of schools and early childhood services.

The Education and Early Childhood Services (Registration and Standards) Bill passes in 2011, establishing new school and early childhood regulatory arrangements. Prior to the passage of the legislation, the AISSA continues to seek improvements to the proposed Bill by collaborating with government representatives.

In response to the Global Financial Crisis in the late 2000s, schools receive funding for two initiatives: Building the Education Revolution (BER) and the Digital Education Revolution (DER).

Under the BER initiative, every primary school in Australia receives a capital grant based on enrolment numbers. This naturally creates an intensive period of building development in schools. Although it is a competitive process, 13 out of the 30 member schools that apply for the Science and Learning Centres (SLC) for Secondary Schools Program receive a total of $14,982,023 in funding.

The DER totals $900 million allocated to improve secondary school students’ access to Information and Communications Technologies.

Trade Training Centres, which enhance school retention and reduce industry skills shortages, also receive funding from the Commonwealth Government.

Summary of SLC Projects

Summary of DER Funding (Rounds 1 and 2)

(Source: AISSA Annual Report 2009)

The Melbourne Declaration on Education Goals for Young Australians is published by the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA).

The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) is established in 2008.

Compulsory National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) testing is introduced for students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 in May 2008.

The AISSA plays a significant role in the consultation and development of these government initiatives and proactively responds to assist member schools meet the challenges posed by the introduction of NAPLAN testing and the new Australian Curriculum.

The AISSA develops a communication strategy for the Federal Election in November 2007, which includes:

• meeting with Parliament members and candidates to educate them about the needs of the Independent school sector;
• producing informational materials that are distributed to the school communities, and local Parliament members and candidates;
• placing advertisements in news publications like The Advertiser and The Independent Weekly, as well as regional and rural newspapers; and
• developing a separate web page on the AISSA website with information on the Independent sector and its key issues.

The election is won by the Australian Labor Party under the leadership of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Deputy Julia Gillard.

In 2008, the Rudd Federal Government honours its first budget commitments to Independent schools and early childhood services. The AISSA Executive Director, Garry Le Duff says this “is a step in the right direction.”

“Now we are ready to work in partnership with the Federal Government to consult on and implement the Government’s initiatives. There needs to be more consultation with the Independent school sector in planning and implementing its initiatives, particularly in early childhood services.” (Garry Le Duff, Media Statement, May 2008)

The AISSA launches an advocacy campaign through communication materials and media advertising

The Social Development Committee of the South Australian Parliament conducts an inquiry into the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), with the AISSA representing the Future SACE Implementation Steering Committee through its Executive Director and the Assistance Director of Educational Services.

The AISSA’s submission addresses the following matters:

• legislative and governance arrangements of the new SACE Board;
• resolution of higher and further education entry requirements;
• ensuring excellence, rigour and credibility;
• ability of a single qualification to provide the range of pathways required to meet the needs of all students and stakeholders;
• national curriculum initiatives;
• provision of adequate (and ongoing) resources for infrastructure development and for professional learning for school leaders and teachers; and
• engagement of, and communication with stakeholders.

Supporting member schools throughout the SACE review becomes a major undertaking for the AISSA from 2007 to 2010.

(AISSA Annual Report 2007 and SACE Inquiry, September 2007)

AISSA publishes a document under its website’s ‘Current Issues’ to inform its members of the ongoing inquiry into SACE

Guided by the values outlined in the 2003-2007 Strategic Plan, the AISSA Centre of Excellence & Innovation in Teaching and Learning is created to ensure Independent schools in South Australia will be leaders in innovative approaches to education, both in Australia and internationally. This initiative targets school leaders and teachers who are eager to develop creative and innovative approaches to teaching and learning.

The Centre for Innovation, formerly known as the Centre of Excellence & Innovation in Teaching & Learning, continues to develop current and aspiring leaders up to this day. The AISSA Centre for Innovation’s current initiatives can be found on the AISSA website (requires member login)

In early 2006, the Association celebrates the achievement of 100% membership of South Australian Independent schools.

This milestone highlights the strong partnership between member schools and the AISSA, enabling the AISSA office to gather valuable insights from a diverse range of schools within the membership.

AISSA achieves its target of 100% membership when Craigmore Christian School is endorsed as a member by the AISSA Board (AISSA Annual Report 2006)

Funding by the South Australian government for recurrent needs is amongst the lowest in the nation and no direct State capital grants exist.

In seeking additional State funds for non-government schools, the AISSA and the South Australian Catholic Schools Commission establish a closer level of cooperation through a meeting of school Principals from the two sectors. Teams of school leaders and parents from both non-government sectors in each state electorate meet with local candidates to outline the necessity of full and fair funding for all schools.

State Governments are the major source of funding for Government schools. 94% of South Australian State Government funding is allocated to South Australian Government schools (Productivity Commission Report on Government Services, 2007)