Newsroom
The Newsroom is divided into two sections:
- News and updates - an archive of new items published on the Department of Employment, Education and Training home page.
- Media releases - media releases issued by the Department and links to media releases from the Minister for Employment, Education and Training.
News and updates 2008
May
Burning Issues for effective learning about fire management
(13 May) A new interactive multimedia website provides an absorbing learning environment where Middle Years students and teachers can explore the complex issues surrounding bush fire. More
What’s happening in Territory schools on Tuesday 13 May 2008
(8 May) The Department of Employment, Education and Training advises that the Australian Education Union NT (AEU-NT) Branch will conduct a four hour stop work meeting on Tuesday 13 May from 9.15am to 1.15pm. The proposed action may disrupt school programs during this time. A notice will be sent home to all parents advising the level of supervision available at their school. More
National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy
(7 May) The National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy will be conducted on 13-16 May. All Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students throughout Australia will be assessed. Students will be tested on their reading, writing, numeracy and language conventions (spelling and grammar), skills and knowledge. The National Assessment Program in Literacy and Numeracy replaces the NT Multilevel Assessment Program. More
Camp Quality Performance
(7 May) Gillen Primary School students were treated to a performance by McDonald’s Camp Quality Puppets today. The highly entertaining show was part of an educational programme which uses life size puppets to deliver a fun and positive message about supporting children living with cancer and other illnesses. Students learnt that “it’s not cool to be cruel” when someone looks different.
Football Academy kicks off at Sanderson
(1 May) The Top End Football Academy is ‘kicking goals’ for about 65 boys at Sanderson Middle School by channelling their passion for Aussie Rules into their education. The program is designed to improve school attendance, retention and results and to encourage participants to make positive choices about their future. More
April
March 2008 data published
(30 April) Enrolment and attendance data in NT Government Schools for March 2008 is now published for each school. Assement results (Multilevel Assessment Program - MAP) which enable a comparison of NT student achievement in 2007 with national 2006 results is also available.
Is your school reusing, recycling or reducing energy and water consumption?
(29 April) If so nominate your school today for the Power and Water Melaleuca Awards.
The Melaleuca Awards recognise outstanding achievement in environmental excellence in the Territory. The five categories are Schools, Community, Commercial/Industry, Small Business and Environment Grants. To nominate or for more information call Roz Flett on 8985 8541 or 1800 245 092 or visit www.powerwater.com.au. Entries close Friday 16 May.
What’s happening in Territory schools on Monday 28 April 2008
(27 April) The Department of Employment, Education and Training advises that the Australian Education Union NT (AEU-NT) Branch will conduct a four hour stop work meeting on Monday from 10.15am to 2.15pm. The proposed action may disrupt school programs during this time.
A notice was sent home to all parents on Thursday advising the level of supervision available at their school. More
Anzac Day Services in Schools
(23 April) Schools across the Territory are commemorating Anzac Day today. Palmerston High School marked the event with formal proceedings including a catafalque party of uniformed student cadets, an address by former student Corporal Cindy Bowden, placing of wreaths, odes, the national anthem and one minute’s silence.
Family reading night at Willowra School
(21 April) Families came out in force for a ‘reading night’ at Willowra School, 300km northwest of Alice Springs recently. Highlight of the evening was the launch of a new book written in Warlpiri that gives practical steps to encourage children with reading. More
What’s happening in Territory schools on Thursday 17 April 2008
(16 April) The Department of Employment, Education and Training advises that the Australian Education Union NT (AEU-NT) Branch will conduct a 24 hour Northern Territory wide industrial action with its members all day on Thursday 17 April 2008. The proposed action may disrupt school programs during this time. A notice was sent home to all parents yesterday advising the level of supervision available at their school. More
Remote achievement congratulated
(16 April) Former Kalkaringi Community Education Centre student, Lianna Brown, 21, is the Territory’s first Indigenous person to complete senior secondary education in a very remote community and graduate from university. Lianna, who graduated from South Australia’s Flinders University with a degree in Cultural Tourism, now works as a park ranger in Gregory National Park. More
New classrooms for remote schools
(14 April) Fifteen new 12x6m modular classrooms have been constructed by five local contractors under the Closing the Gap package. Eleven of the new classrooms are already in use in remote Northern Territory schools. The new classrooms include a verandah, internal and external wet areas and acoustic finishes to maximise learning for students with hearing loss. More
Bonuses for apprentices and trainees
(7 April) Two apprentices have recently received Workwear/Workgear bonuses to purchase work clothes and other items such as stationary supplies for their studies. More than 4000 one-off bonuses have been awarded since the initiative was launched in 2005. This includes 2650 bonuses of $300 and 1485 bonuses of $1000 for NT apprentices or trainees in an identified skill shortage area. Media Release
Young Bush Inventors
(4 April) Katherine School of the Air is encouraging students to create their own simple but surprising inventions. Teacher Kate Haddow says the young inventors class is a creative way to teach English, Science and Technology skills. More
Indigenous Education Council hosts community consultation (4 April)
Members of the Northern Territory Indigenous Education Council have returned from the Tiwi Islands where they conducted the first round of community consultations. Council Chairperson Mark Motlop said he was encouraged by the level of interaction and the quality of dialogue. More | Media Release
Call for entries at NT Training Awards
(3 April) The countdown to this year’s NT Training Awards began yesterday with a call to individuals, organisations and schools to prepare their nominations. The awards are an important way of officially recognising high standards in vocational education and training and also the merit of individual students. Workshops across the NT will provide applications with the best way to present a nomination that will get the judges’ attention. The 12 category winners will be announced at the 53rd annual NT Training Awards at the new Darwin Convention Centre on 13 September. More | Media Release
New resource for Indigenous Studies
(2 April) Indigenous studies teaching materials were launched today at Wagaman Primary School. Supporting the commitment to better deliver Indigenous cultural programs in schools, the Indigenous Studies: History and Identity modules provide teachers with quality resources to help students towards a deeper understanding and appreciation of Indigenous culture. Media Release
March
What’s happening in Territory schools on Monday 31 March 2008
(28 March) The Department of Employment, Education and Training advises that the Australian Education Union NT (AEU-NT) Branch will conduct a four hour stop work meeting on Monday from 10.15am to 2.15pm. The proposed action may disrupt school programs during this time.
A notice was sent home to all parents on Friday advising the level of supervision available at their school. More
Celebrate the Opening of the Darwin Convention Centre
(28 March) Darwin, Palmerston and rural schools are invited to help celebrate the opening of the Darwin Convention Centre. The convention centre is the first purpose built convention centre in Darwin and is the first major component of the Darwin Waterfront project.
Schools have been invited to participate in a range of activities from Wednesday 18 to Friday 20 June as part of the opening celebrations. More
Support for skilled workers and professionals
(26 March) Almost 90 scholarships, bursaries and study support packages were presented to new students training and studying across areas including: teaching, hospitality, health care and computer science. The 2008 award presentations today included higher education scholarships, VET Scholarships, Student Teacher Bursaries and study support packages under the More Indigenous Teacher Plan. A total of almost 270 students are currently receiving financial assistance towards their training or education through these programs. Media Release
Harmony Day Celebrations in Schools
(20 March) Schools across the Territory are celebrating Harmony Day with multicultural activities. The Multicultural Affairs Sponsorhip Program provided funding to 28 Schools for some of the exciting activities. Jingili Primary School held a Twilight International Market selling food and craft from countries around the world. Wulagi Primary School hosted 15 activities aimed at improving understanding and respect for other cultures. Dundee Beach School was congratulated by the NT Anti-Discrimination Commissioner for their project to paint a water tank with Harmony Day words, pictures and messages. Calendar of events
Workshop for film makers
(20 March) As part of the Connecting Through Film 2008 Schools Film Festival a number of workshops will be conducted for both Primary and Secondary teachers in Alice Springs and Darwin. More
Songbird Sara a big hit at Anula Primary
(19 March) Anula Primary School students had a special treat this week when Australian country music star Sara Storer popped in to say g’day, with guitar in hand. Sara had been a school teacher in Katherine and Kalkaringi in the 1990s until shooting to fame as a singer-songwriter. She has since released four albums and in 2004 won a record seven Golden Guitar awards at the Tamworth Country Music Festival. Sara, who also taught briefly at Anula Primary in 2001, is a member of the Songbirds trio, who performed in Darwin at the weekend.
Lights, camera, action
(11 March) Territory school students have been invited to enter the Connecting Through Film Schools Film Festival, which was launched today. Winning entries will be screened under the stars at Darwin’s Deckchair Cinema on 30 August. Media release | NT Schools Film Festival website
Support for more ‘home-grown’ teachers
(10 March) The Department is supporting more than 90 people to train as teachers this year with bursaries, scholarships and other study support packages. One of last year’s teaching graduates, Ms O’Connell was funded throughout her studies at Charles Darwin University with an Indigenous cadetship. She is now a Year 2/3 teacher at Ludmilla Primary School. Support for trainee teachers can be up to $12,000 per year. Ministerial media release
Indigenous youth show leadership potential
(7 March) A rising tennis star, talented musicians and aspiring doctors, lawyers and journalists are among a group of Territory students who have been welcomed into the Indigenous Students’ Leadership and Mentorship Program. Thirty promising young Territorians have been received into the program, which is designed to expand the educational experiences and leadership opportunities of Indigenous secondary students in the Territory. Media release
Trainees win apprenticeships
(3 March) Participants of a four week pre-employment training program have secured tiling apprenticeships for local contractors after learning basic tiling skills such as levelling, materials handling, surface preparation, and concreting. Pre-employment courses in block laying, carpentry skills and bus driving are also underway or commencing soon, with each course offering places for 15 people. Media release
February
Students present ideas to DEET executives
(28 February) Fifteen senior secondary school students from across the Territory have met with DEET senior executives to express their views on educational issues and present their ideas about the future of education. This year’s first meeting of the Chief Executive’s Student Forum discussed Middle Yeas transition and heard reports on the Chief Minister’s Youth Round Table and on Closing the Gap. More
Exit Art open to public
(15 February)
The best works of art from last year’s Year 12 visual art and design students are on display in the 14th annual Exit Art Exhibition at the Museum and Art Gallery of the NT. The exhibition features many outstanding and thought-provoking works, including sculptures, ceramics, oil paintings, jewellery, textiles, digital photos and short films. More | Media release
Top NTCE students recognised at awards ceremony
(11 February) Top students for 2007 were honoured at Northern Territory Board of Studies presentations in Alice Springs and Darwin. The ceremonies recognise academic excellence among 2007 school leavers including students who achieved a top 20 score in the Northern Territory Certificate of Education, students with perfect or outstanding achievement scores and recipients of industry-sponsored awards for particular subjects. Media release
Vocational education and training programs in schools
(8 February) Two new tractors for the agricultural training program at Taminmin High School were unveiled yesterday. This year more than 1700 school students will undertake training in a wide range of areas including conservation and land management, retail, metalwork, hospitality and automotive. Media release
Top NTCE students recognised
(1 February) Top students for 2007 are being honoured in Alice Springs and Darwin at Northern Territory Board of Studies (NTBOS) presentations. The ceremonies recognise academic excellence among 2007 school leavers including students who have achieved a top 20 score in the Northern Territory Certificate of Education (NTCE), students with perfect or Outstanding Achievement scores and recipients of industry-sponsored awards for particular subjects. The Alice Springs ceremony was held on 1 February and Top End awards will be presented on 8 February at Parliament House in Darwin. Media release
Back to School
(30 January) About 42,000 young Territorians are starting, or returning to, school this week. Some 25,700 preschool and primary, 9500 middle school and 7000 secondary students are expected to attend the Territory’s 191 public and independent schools this year. 2008 also marks the start of the full Middle Years and Senior Years program in NT government schools. Media release
January 2008
International Woman’s Day VET Study Grant 2008
(24 January) To celebrate International Women’s Day, four $1000 study grants are being offered to Territory women to help them return to work after a period of leave. More
Back to School payments
(10 January) Back to School payments to help parents offset the cost of essential schooling items will be sent to schools across the Territory this month, before the start of Term 1. Parents of students from Year 1 to Year 12, and first term enrolled Transition students, will receive one $50 voucher per student, regardless of whether they attend a government or private school. More | Media release