ACT Schools join together to strengthen Student Voice


Released 25/07/2017

Minister for Education, Shane Rattenbury, today joined ACT students from public, Catholic and Independent schools to hear their views on student and school matters that are important to them at the Ask Us Student Voice Forum.

“I was really pleased to attend the first ‘Ask Us’ Student Voice Forum today, because we recognise that all students have something to say in regards to their school and education,” Mr Rattenbury said.

The purpose of the ‘Ask Us’ Student Voice Forum is for students from different education sectors to come together and promote ‘student voice’. Students had the opportunity to raise matters they were passionate about, including what schools do well and what they could do to improve.

“Research shows that whenever any change is made in a school, the outcome will be mostly positive when all members of the school community have been consulted and can have their say. Students are our most important stakeholders because they are the group most affected by how schools operate, so it is vital we hear from them about their own education and learning environment.”

The cross-sectoral forum was in response to a recommendation from the Schools For All Report, which stated that each school develop and promote tools to assist all schools to meaningfully and regularly consult with students about their experiences at school, decisions that affect them at school, and the operation of their school.

The Student Voice Forum is being facilitated by the Youth Coalition of the ACT. There are 55 schools attending across the three sectors and the Youth Coalition has trained student facilitators to help run a range of idea-sharing workshops. Students are also being surveyed over a four week period to collect their views.

“The ideas and thoughts that come out of this forum will be combined with national and international research on student voice to produce a resource booklet for Canberra school staff and students to develop more embedded and long lasting support for students to be heard.

“I want students to know that what they have to say is important and valued by their teachers, schools and the ACT Government, and forums such as this are a great avenue for hearing that voice,” Mr Rattenbury said.

- Statement ends -

Shane Rattenbury, MLA | Media Releases

Media Contacts

Name Phone Mobile Email


«ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases