1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:02,720 Speaker 1: Now we know that yesterday obviously we spoke about the 2 00:00:02,800 --> 00:00:07,160 Speaker 1: rolloush of well the phasing out of middle school and 3 00:00:07,480 --> 00:00:09,959 Speaker 1: the Education Department had joined us on the show and 4 00:00:10,039 --> 00:00:12,280 Speaker 1: told us more about how it was all going to happen. 5 00:00:12,720 --> 00:00:16,639 Speaker 1: We know that nt COGSO have indeed welcomed the government's 6 00:00:16,680 --> 00:00:19,280 Speaker 1: move to phase out those well the middle years schooling, 7 00:00:19,320 --> 00:00:23,280 Speaker 1: delivering on that key recommendation from the Secondary Education Reviews. 8 00:00:23,360 --> 00:00:26,640 Speaker 1: Long support it well, it has been this has been 9 00:00:26,680 --> 00:00:31,200 Speaker 1: long supported by Northern Territory families and joining us on 10 00:00:31,240 --> 00:00:35,440 Speaker 1: the line right now well from the nt Council of 11 00:00:35,479 --> 00:00:39,600 Speaker 1: Government School Organizations, the President Ruth Myram's good morning to 12 00:00:39,680 --> 00:00:40,520 Speaker 1: your Ruth. 13 00:00:41,040 --> 00:00:43,199 Speaker 2: Good morning Kati, good morning to your listeners. Lovely to 14 00:00:43,200 --> 00:00:43,640 Speaker 2: be with you. 15 00:00:43,760 --> 00:00:45,960 Speaker 1: Yeah, lovely to have you on the show, Ruth. I 16 00:00:46,040 --> 00:00:49,040 Speaker 1: know that nt COGSO was a key stakeholder in the 17 00:00:49,080 --> 00:00:53,320 Speaker 1: consultation process. What are some of the inclusions that you 18 00:00:53,360 --> 00:00:56,320 Speaker 1: guys really wanted to see and continue to want to 19 00:00:56,320 --> 00:00:58,040 Speaker 1: see as this role out occurs. 20 00:00:59,200 --> 00:01:02,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, we're really the key thing we're supporting here is 21 00:01:02,840 --> 00:01:05,840 Speaker 2: reducing transitions so that you know that change and that 22 00:01:05,920 --> 00:01:09,959 Speaker 2: disruption for our kids across their schooling is reduced and 23 00:01:10,040 --> 00:01:11,679 Speaker 2: at the same time, we want to see that they 24 00:01:11,720 --> 00:01:14,800 Speaker 2: have a really quality education with the pathway that they 25 00:01:14,920 --> 00:01:19,760 Speaker 2: choose into their secondary education. So we really, as you said, 26 00:01:19,800 --> 00:01:22,399 Speaker 2: we really welcome the change, but we're keeping our eyes 27 00:01:22,400 --> 00:01:25,240 Speaker 2: on what's happening and making sure that it's really gives 28 00:01:25,280 --> 00:01:27,800 Speaker 2: parents that choice and that children can thrive. 29 00:01:28,360 --> 00:01:31,760 Speaker 1: Now, you guys did have quite a bit of you know, 30 00:01:31,840 --> 00:01:35,160 Speaker 1: of consultation, and you were involved in that consultation process. 31 00:01:35,400 --> 00:01:38,240 Speaker 1: What do parents say to you when the question was 32 00:01:38,280 --> 00:01:40,639 Speaker 1: asked about the phasing out of middle school? 33 00:01:41,720 --> 00:01:44,560 Speaker 2: Well, in general, parents are supportive and it's it's obviously 34 00:01:44,560 --> 00:01:47,039 Speaker 2: going to look different in each location as well. So 35 00:01:48,040 --> 00:01:50,120 Speaker 2: you know, parents, I think in general want what's best 36 00:01:50,120 --> 00:01:52,320 Speaker 2: for their kids, and so what they want to see 37 00:01:52,400 --> 00:01:54,000 Speaker 2: is they were saying, you know, some of them saying, this, 38 00:01:54,120 --> 00:01:57,760 Speaker 2: really is it working. It's disruptive this middle school, you know, 39 00:01:57,960 --> 00:02:01,800 Speaker 2: experiments that we conducted, and now they're concerned that, you know, 40 00:02:01,800 --> 00:02:03,480 Speaker 2: what's it going to look like for my kids? What's 41 00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:05,360 Speaker 2: it going to look like in my location? You know, 42 00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:07,240 Speaker 2: what does it mean if my child's in year six 43 00:02:07,320 --> 00:02:09,359 Speaker 2: this year and they're going to year seven next year? 44 00:02:09,400 --> 00:02:11,920 Speaker 2: Can I be sure what I'm sending them to. So 45 00:02:11,960 --> 00:02:14,200 Speaker 2: we're really looking to the department and to the school 46 00:02:14,280 --> 00:02:17,000 Speaker 2: for that communication and to make sure you know that 47 00:02:17,080 --> 00:02:19,160 Speaker 2: parents have that choice, that they're informed and they can 48 00:02:19,240 --> 00:02:21,480 Speaker 2: be confident as they send their kids to school next year. 49 00:02:21,919 --> 00:02:24,840 Speaker 1: Now we know that middle schools, obviously in Darwin, Palmerston 50 00:02:24,960 --> 00:02:27,639 Speaker 1: Alice Springs, some of them are going to be phased 51 00:02:27,639 --> 00:02:29,680 Speaker 1: out from next year as you've touched on to become 52 00:02:29,720 --> 00:02:33,520 Speaker 1: those comprehensive high schools. There are others that it's going 53 00:02:33,560 --> 00:02:36,080 Speaker 1: to take a little bit longer. But there's also I 54 00:02:36,080 --> 00:02:39,080 Speaker 1: mean with those the ones that have been announced, some 55 00:02:39,160 --> 00:02:42,959 Speaker 1: of them are set to become specialized campuses. Is that 56 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:45,440 Speaker 1: sort of a good move in the first instance, doing 57 00:02:45,480 --> 00:02:47,160 Speaker 1: it in this phased way? 58 00:02:48,520 --> 00:02:51,000 Speaker 2: Well, I think it's you know, in general, you want 59 00:02:51,040 --> 00:02:54,280 Speaker 2: what's right for each location. So where am I understanding 60 00:02:54,320 --> 00:02:56,840 Speaker 2: from the school councils in Darwen and in Central As 61 00:02:56,880 --> 00:02:58,960 Speaker 2: they did want a bit longer, So you know, we 62 00:02:58,960 --> 00:03:01,120 Speaker 2: welcome that and that refort that we're not going to 63 00:03:01,200 --> 00:03:05,000 Speaker 2: rush this. In terms of the specialized campuses, I think 64 00:03:05,040 --> 00:03:07,919 Speaker 2: it's great that our children have choice, but we would 65 00:03:07,919 --> 00:03:10,280 Speaker 2: really be looking that you know, they can have that 66 00:03:10,360 --> 00:03:13,280 Speaker 2: choice wherever they're located, and they're not having, you know, 67 00:03:13,800 --> 00:03:15,960 Speaker 2: to go to a different location or maybe leave their 68 00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:18,760 Speaker 2: friends to follow the pathway that they want to. So 69 00:03:18,800 --> 00:03:21,639 Speaker 2: we'd we're keeping our eyes on and are really interested 70 00:03:21,680 --> 00:03:24,080 Speaker 2: in how that choice is being offered to students wherever 71 00:03:24,120 --> 00:03:24,519 Speaker 2: they are. 72 00:03:24,720 --> 00:03:29,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, so in terms of the more regional and remote areas, 73 00:03:30,480 --> 00:03:33,240 Speaker 1: is that planned for what year? Is that planned for 74 00:03:33,240 --> 00:03:35,640 Speaker 1: twenty twenty seven or when's that going to happen? 75 00:03:35,680 --> 00:03:39,000 Speaker 2: From your understanding, so form mindus saying So I'm actually 76 00:03:39,040 --> 00:03:41,200 Speaker 2: in remote, I'm down Intent and Creek, Katie. They're joining 77 00:03:41,200 --> 00:03:45,520 Speaker 2: you from down the track, so we don't yeah, Chilli 78 00:03:45,560 --> 00:03:48,640 Speaker 2: day down here, but we're enjoying a reprieve from the flyers. 79 00:03:48,720 --> 00:03:50,840 Speaker 2: Let me tell you this. So we don't have a 80 00:03:51,360 --> 00:03:54,200 Speaker 2: middle school here, so and I minders setting is that's 81 00:03:54,200 --> 00:03:56,760 Speaker 2: the case in a number of the regional locations. So 82 00:03:56,920 --> 00:04:00,160 Speaker 2: for us locally, it's not such a big deal. Our 83 00:04:00,240 --> 00:04:02,720 Speaker 2: kids finish their hips at the primary school that's where 84 00:04:02,720 --> 00:04:04,640 Speaker 2: my kids are, and then they go to the high 85 00:04:04,680 --> 00:04:10,080 Speaker 2: school and it's you know, as the change is happening, 86 00:04:10,160 --> 00:04:12,880 Speaker 2: So not so much efficting. Obviously, we've got our own 87 00:04:12,920 --> 00:04:15,960 Speaker 2: challenges in remoteness things we're advocating for, but this change 88 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:19,400 Speaker 2: is not impacting us so much outside Dullin and our way. 89 00:04:19,279 --> 00:04:22,720 Speaker 1: We're right now. Was there a session held overnight as 90 00:04:22,720 --> 00:04:24,920 Speaker 1: well or a further discussion held overnight? 91 00:04:25,960 --> 00:04:28,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, so there's been a number. We've been holding sessions 92 00:04:28,600 --> 00:04:30,039 Speaker 2: as soon as we've sort of got wind of this. 93 00:04:30,080 --> 00:04:32,240 Speaker 2: We want to make sure parents are informed and that 94 00:04:32,279 --> 00:04:34,720 Speaker 2: they can you know, have that confidence and that reassurance 95 00:04:34,760 --> 00:04:38,599 Speaker 2: about what's happening. So we've been holding sessions for parents ourselves, 96 00:04:39,040 --> 00:04:41,880 Speaker 2: and there was a session on Monday night with the 97 00:04:41,920 --> 00:04:46,120 Speaker 2: department which we facilitated parents to come along to where 98 00:04:46,120 --> 00:04:47,599 Speaker 2: they could get a bit of a briefing and a 99 00:04:47,600 --> 00:04:51,080 Speaker 2: bit of information. But I think in general, you know, 100 00:04:51,120 --> 00:04:53,839 Speaker 2: i'd encourage parents if they're concerned, if they're worried, you know, 101 00:04:53,839 --> 00:04:55,640 Speaker 2: they can obviously go to their school, they can come 102 00:04:55,680 --> 00:04:59,159 Speaker 2: to Cogso we will always help them. Their school counsel 103 00:04:59,240 --> 00:05:01,520 Speaker 2: is probably the best board of call because they should 104 00:05:01,520 --> 00:05:03,520 Speaker 2: be being briefed and if they don't feel they are, 105 00:05:03,560 --> 00:05:06,839 Speaker 2: they should come to us. But you know, there's any 106 00:05:06,960 --> 00:05:10,080 Speaker 2: change for our kids is always you know, as a parent, 107 00:05:10,120 --> 00:05:11,120 Speaker 2: you want what's best of them. 108 00:05:11,200 --> 00:05:11,640 Speaker 1: You worry. 109 00:05:11,680 --> 00:05:14,279 Speaker 2: You want to know what you're walking into. So there 110 00:05:14,360 --> 00:05:16,160 Speaker 2: was a session, But if parents are feeling like they 111 00:05:16,200 --> 00:05:18,360 Speaker 2: need more, they can always reach out and I'd encourage 112 00:05:18,400 --> 00:05:20,479 Speaker 2: them to be asking those questions of their school and 113 00:05:20,520 --> 00:05:22,280 Speaker 2: if they feel like they're not getting it, to come 114 00:05:22,320 --> 00:05:22,640 Speaker 2: to us. 115 00:05:22,800 --> 00:05:25,400 Speaker 1: Yeah, I agree, And look, it does seem as though 116 00:05:25,440 --> 00:05:28,320 Speaker 1: the Department of Education is pretty forthcoming with information and 117 00:05:28,920 --> 00:05:32,000 Speaker 1: really wanting to make sure that that information is provided 118 00:05:32,040 --> 00:05:34,440 Speaker 1: to parents, because, as you've touched on, I think as 119 00:05:34,480 --> 00:05:37,720 Speaker 1: this change happens, you just want to make sure that 120 00:05:38,480 --> 00:05:41,000 Speaker 1: kids know what's going on, that parents understand it, and 121 00:05:41,040 --> 00:05:42,839 Speaker 1: that it's as seamless as possible. 122 00:05:43,880 --> 00:05:46,320 Speaker 2: Exactly. We've got enough things to worry about with our kids. 123 00:05:46,360 --> 00:05:49,640 Speaker 2: We don't need this as well. So yeah, you know 124 00:05:49,680 --> 00:05:52,200 Speaker 2: we've been so far, we've been included, and we've been 125 00:05:52,240 --> 00:05:54,400 Speaker 2: asking lots of questions of the department tool and passing 126 00:05:54,400 --> 00:05:57,039 Speaker 2: them on through our newsletter that parents can sign up 127 00:05:57,080 --> 00:06:01,240 Speaker 2: for us then ordery on it and yeah, asking their 128 00:06:01,320 --> 00:06:03,120 Speaker 2: school what is and their school counsel what does it 129 00:06:03,120 --> 00:06:05,320 Speaker 2: look like in our location? What's the plan? What can 130 00:06:05,360 --> 00:06:07,599 Speaker 2: we expect next year? What can we expect the year after? 131 00:06:07,680 --> 00:06:10,719 Speaker 2: What does it mean for my kids. Yeah, yeah, we'd 132 00:06:10,760 --> 00:06:11,520 Speaker 2: really encourage that. 133 00:06:12,000 --> 00:06:14,359 Speaker 1: Well, Ruth, lovely to speak to you this morning. Just 134 00:06:14,440 --> 00:06:16,600 Speaker 1: how cool is it in Tenant Creig today. 135 00:06:17,520 --> 00:06:20,040 Speaker 2: I think we're about sixteen. At the moment it looked 136 00:06:20,040 --> 00:06:22,040 Speaker 2: like it was going to rain, but which my kids 137 00:06:22,040 --> 00:06:24,400 Speaker 2: were very excited about, because you know, school's much more 138 00:06:24,440 --> 00:06:27,479 Speaker 2: fun in the rain. But it's signed up and we're 139 00:06:27,480 --> 00:06:29,160 Speaker 2: looking like a lovely Barkley day today. 140 00:06:29,360 --> 00:06:32,039 Speaker 1: Ah, good stuff. Well, Ruth lovely to speak to you 141 00:06:32,080 --> 00:06:33,880 Speaker 1: this morning. I really appreciate your time. 142 00:06:34,520 --> 00:06:36,200 Speaker 2: Thank you so much, Chattie, you and your listeners have 143 00:06:36,240 --> 00:06:37,279 Speaker 2: a lovely day you too. 144 00:06:37,400 --> 00:06:38,160 Speaker 1: Thank you.