News

Flexible Child Care

A new child care centre to be opened by Centacare in Hobart's Northern Suburbs will offer flexible casual care to suit the needs of modern families. Centacare Tasmania Executive Director Tim Gourlay said the new centre at 35 Tower Road, New Town, will cater specifically for families who need flexible rather than full time care when it opens on November 19. “This might be for casual or part-time work, shiftwork, studying, shopping, respite or to attend appointments,” Mr Gourlay said. “Bookings can be made at short notice and families will be charged only for the hours they book – which could be by the hour, session or day.” The centre, which will be run by Centrecare Tasmania Child Care Services, will open from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday and will cater for children up to the age of 12. Mr Gourlay said it will offer both permanent and casual bookings. “Casual bookings are especially valuable to parents who work on a casual basis and might not be able to afford to pay for child care when they don’t have work. “Flexible hours will also allow parents to introduce their children to care by enrolling them for short periods. The centre’s small size means that brothers and sisters will be able to stay together because there will not need to be age group separation.” The new service has Commonwealth Government approval so that families will be able to access their entitlements under the Child Care Benefit and Rebate Scheme. For more information phone 1300 119 455 or email

 

AUSTRALIAN PARENTS COUNCIL (APC) TURNS 50

Saturday 25th August 2012, marks the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Australian Parents Council. 50 years since the Goulburn incident In 1962, where the focus of the fight for state aid to Catholic and Independent schools. An education strike was called in response to a demand for installation of three extra toilets at a local Catholic primary school, St Brigid's. The local Catholic archdiocese closed down all local Catholic primary schools and sent the children to the government schools. The Catholic authorities declared that they had no money to install the extra toilets. Nearly 1,000 children turned up to be enrolled locally and the state schools were unable to accommodate them. The strike lasted only a week but generated national debate. In 1963 the prime minister, Robert Menzies, made state aid for science blocks part of his party's platform.

To make this special occasion APC Annual Conference was held over the 24-26 August 2012 in Sydney, NSW. An opening cocktail function was held to mark this event with the Hon Peter Garrett Minister for Education and Senator Brett Mason in attendance. The Minister Hon Peter Garrett and the Opposition Leader Hon Tony Abbott have issued the statements congratulating APC on this milestone.

 Hon Peter Garrett

 Hon Tony Abbott

 Senator Jacinta Collins address the APC Conference on Saturday and congratulated APC on its milestone and extensive work in parental engagement. Senator Collins release can be read by clicking the following link. https://www.ministers.deewr.gov.au/collins/australian-parents-council-celebrates-50-years-advocacy

Catholic schools budget cut by more than 5%

The Tasmanian Catholic School Parents & Friends Federation (TCSPFF), Tasmanian Catholic Education Commission (TCEC), together with Independent Schools Tasmania (IST), have met with Education Minister, Nick McKim, to express extreme concern at the budget cut of more than 5% State funding to our schools. The Minister has informed us that the decision is irrevocable. This will directly impact on our capacity to appropriately fund our Catholic schools.

We already operate at a lower funding level than Government schools.

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT PARENTS BECOME INVOLVED IN PUBLIC PROTEST.

Please take time to sign of the Tasmanian Catholic School Parents and Friends Federations Petition available at School Offices, Parishes, Education Offices or go online to sign at:

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/stop-tasmanian-catholic-school-funding-cuts.html

YOUR INVOLVEMENT IS VITAL FOR THE HEALTH AND FUTURE OF TASMANIAN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS.

State Budget 5% reduction in State funding to Catholic schools

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT SCHOOLS NOW STEP UP THE INVOLVEMENT OF PARENTS IN PUBLIC PROTEST.

Please vigorously make opportunities to meet with your State Members of Parliament and Members of the Legislative Council by contacting their electorate offices to discuss your objection to the changes to funding.

Attached via the following links are the relevant Members contact details.

Your cooperation in this matter is vital for the future funding security of our schools and is greatly appreciated in the midst of all you have to do each day. Our visible unity and united voice in this matter will be our strength.

House of Assembly Members House of Assembly Members

Legislative Council Members Legislative Council Members

Pages

more