A message from the Chair

This is my first year as Chair of the Association and, as has been stated by my predecessors in past years, it has been a year to rival the busyness of previous years.

The Association can again consider its achievements in 2017 with some degree of satisfaction. The AISACT Leadership Breakfast series continues to provide a forum for leaders in ACT education to come together to hear from thought-provoking leaders and innovators from across a wide range of backgrounds and, despite the final breakfast for the year having to be cancelled, the events still drew together over 300 attendees from the education community across Canberra and the region to hear and be challenged by a range of high quality speakers.

This year’s Colloquium, titled Leading Improved Student Engagement, for the first time drew together teachers from across all sectors of education. The event challenged participants both on the day, and in what they took back to their schools.

The Emerging Leaders Program continued this year, as did the Literacy & Numeracy Coaching Academy, Learning Frontiers, and subject specific Communities of Practice, and the Curriculum Differentiation for Gifted and Talented Students program.

Articulating the views of the ACT Independent School sector, and advocating on its behalf, remains a large part of the Association’s work. Beyond this, its core business is to support the work of the 18 schools in Canberra which educate over 14,000 students.

There are many opportunities to enhance education in the ACT and the Association remains committed to making meaningful contributions to the government’s education policies, with our focus always being on ensuring high quality education throughout the Territory, irrespective of schooling sector. The Association has a proven track record of working with Member schools in the advancement of education outcomes, both in each Member school, and across the jurisdiction. As always, Members can be assured, and Government can expect, that the Association will continue to advocate for Independent schools and the excellent education they provide to the Canberra community.

The continued dialogue over school funding is vitally important as it will have a significant impact in different ways on each Independent school here in the ACT.

As an Association, we always strive to work in close collaboration with both the Education Directorate and Catholic Education to enhance educational outcomes in the ACT– and we will continue to work with others to build upon this collaboration.

As we know, the Association’s Board is a large one, and this remains our Association’s great opportunity and strength. Our great opportunity is that we can get everyone in the same room at the same time. Our great strength is that we can energetically explore the sometimes different views of Members - that everyone is able to express their view and explore options, and we can focus on the best outcomes for the Association and the Independent sector.

I extend my appreciation and thanks to the AISACT Board for the rigorous and collegial way in which it has approached the governance of the Association throughout the year, and to the AISACT Executive; Deputy Chair Justin Garrick, Steven Bowers, Bruce Handley, Heather Walsh, Christine Worth, Samantha Brady and Erik Hofsink – whose commitment to the work of the Association is to be acknowledged and congratulated. I also thank the work of the Executive Subcommittees, and the expert staff from schools who volunteer their time to advance the work of these Subcommittees.

I also take this opportunity to acknowledge the staff of the Association and thank them for the work they do on our behalf and the support they provide on many levels to our schools. They are a small team which is very ably led by the Executive Director Andrew Wrigley who is tireless in his advocacy and representation on behalf of all independent schools in the ACT.

AISACT staff in 2017 comprised:

• Executive Director: Andrew Wrigley
• Senior Manager Curriculum and Professional Learning: Kath Morwitch
• Office Manager/Bookkeeper: Serita Cordeiro
• Administration and Project Officer: Louise Avent
• Senior Manager Strategic Programs: Joanne Garrisson

As Chair, I also take the opportunity here to farewell some of our Board Members, and to sincerely thank them for their work and contributions to the Association and, of course, to their schools. Leaving us this year are Bruce Handley and Phil Mewett from Brindabella Christian College, Daniel Lawler from St Edmund’s College, David Evans from Canberra Grammar School, and Richard Sidorko from Marist College Canberra.

While it has been a very busy year once again and the coming year will be equally as challenging, we look forward to meeting those challenges both as an Association and as individual schools.

A message from the Executive Director

2017 will surely be noted as a very meaningful year for the Association. Programs which had been built and developed over the past several years were further refined and expanded.

Professional networks, communities of practice and specialist committees all flourished and strengthened the collaboration amongst Member schools, as well as through the many cross‑sectoral committees and events which are such a feature of the education landscape in the ACT. Independent schools in the ACT have a strong history and place, and with nearly twenty percent of ACT students attending an independent school, the significance of their place in the ACT is well recognised.

2017 also saw the completion of the Students First Support Fund (SFSF) with the Commonwealth Government, a program which has enabled AISACT to considerably expand its direct support to Member schools, and to offer programs and events not previously possible. There has been considerable focus on working with schools to provide professional learning opportunities which complement both the direction of schools, and national education priorities as described in the SFSF agreement. The veracity of this work to and for schools has been verified and authenticated through feedback derived from the annual Member Survey. This feedback provides the office with pertinent data through which to better develop programs to support Member schools.

Unsurprisingly, the announcement by the Commonwealth government of a new model for school funding became a central focus for advocacy on behalf of Member schools. The unique and recognised circumstance of the ACT, and decisions of previous governments over the past several decades, resulted in a majority of ACT Independent schools forecast to receive a reduction in government funding over the next decade. For many schools, this was calculated to be a significant reduction.

Schools and the communities they serve naturally expect and deserve some degree of certainty with respect to the level of government funding they would expect to receive in future years. They would also expect that the impact of any external decisions should not be sudden, and therefore vested upon a small cohort of parents. Following advocacy from AISACT, in conjunction with the national body ISCA, schools so affected are now in a position to receive Transition Adjustment support for the first four years of the new funding model. At the same time, those schools which were to ‘transition up’ in their level of funding will now do so over six years. The Commonwealth Government is to be commended for this support.

I thank the team in the office of AISACT for their outstanding work. While small in number, the focus of the team in providing the highest level of support possible to Member schools, of representing independent education across the many forums attended by staff, and being advocates for improving the educational prospects for students in the ACT, is to be commended.

The Association

Key Functions

The Association of Independent Schools of the ACT (AISACT) represents and advocates for the interests of all independent schools in the ACT, consulting with governments, statutory authorities and a wide range of other educational stakeholders.

The Association also provides a number of professional learning opportunities throughout the year to Member schools. The professional learning covers a number of areas including curriculum, coaching, leadership, student wellbeing and support, governance and innovation.

In representing the views of the diverse group of Member schools, AISACT adheres to the following key principles:

• Parents are entitled to exercise choice in selecting the most suitable school and education philosophy for the education of their child(ren).
• The Association advocates for and represents the issues of the independent school sector.
• All students, irrespective of where they are educated, are entitled to a high quality education.
• Governments have a responsibility to provide a suitable level of funding for all students to achieve high quality education outcomes, regardless of where they go to school.
• All independent schools in the ACT are Members of the Association of Independent Schools of the ACT.
• Each ACT independent school is a separate and autonomous entity.
• Independent schools are not-for profit entities with an independent governing body.
• As independent entities and self-governing organisations, independent schools have the right to select and employ their staff.
• While all schools are required to comply with relevant legislation with regard to alignment with the Australian Curriculum, individual schools will make choices about the breadth of the curriculum offered and the subject choices provided within their context.
• Independent schools vary in size, educational philosophy and ethos.
• The work of the Association is focussed on its Mission: The advancement of educational excellence through the promotion of a strong independent school sector in the ACT.
• The Association is governed by a Board whose membership includes all Independent Schools in the ACT.

The Association

Membership

The Association has 18 Member Schools, they are a diverse group of non-government schools serving a range of communities. The Schools are of different types, sizes, religious affiliations and educational philosophies and are a vital part of the ACT education system.

In 2017 Member Schools educated over 14,300 students with enrolments ranging from 25 to over 1800 students. In 2017 students in Member Schools made up 19% of the total student population in the ACT, with 27% of ACT Secondary Students attending an Independent School.

The Association also provided its two Associate Members with support and opportunities in 2017. These schools have been able to access professional learning in addition to other services that the Association offered. They will continue to be a vital part of the Association and its strategic direction.

Advocacy and Representation

The Association, through Principals, Board Members, office staff, and teachers from Member schools, represents the interests of Independent Schools, Independent Education, and the Association on a wide variety of committees, consultative groups and boards.

In 2017 the Association of Independent schools was invited to have a representative on the Schools for All Evaluation Committee and the Minister’s Early Childhood Advisory Committee. Association involvement on committees and groups includes:

National Representation

• ACARA Curriculum Directors’ Group
• Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) Professional Growth Network
• Association for Learning Environments
• Independent Schools Council of Australia (ISCA) Board
• ISCA Executive Directors Council (EDCO)

ACT Representation

ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies (BSSS)

• BSSS Board
• BSSS Curriculum Advisory Group
• BSSS Accreditation Advisory Group
• BSSS Vocational Education and Training (VET) Group

Curriculum

• ACT Cross Sectoral Education Committee
• ACT Curriculum Implementation Committee (ACIC)
• ACT Curriculum Advisory Group
• ACT ACIC Professional Learning Committee
• Communities of Practice (various)
• ANU Secondary College
• NAPLAN Online Project Board
• NAPLAN Online Cross Sector working group

Schools for All

• Cross sectoral Everyone Everyday Committee
• Improving Education Outcomes for Students in Out of Home Care Committee
• Schools for All Project Board
• Schools for All Program Working Group
• Schools for All Working Group – Project 5: Professional Learning and Support for Staff
• Student Voice Forum Committee

Teacher Quality Institute

• TQI Board
• TQI Initial Teacher Education Committee (ITEC)
• TQI Professional Learning Advisory Committee (PLAD)

Other

• ACT Animal Ethics Committee
• ACT Block Grant Authority (BGA) Board
• ACT BGA Priorities Committees
• ACT Kidsmatter Committee
• ACT Mind Matters Committee
• ACT Positive Partnership Reference Group
• Canberra Business Chamber Education Taskforce
• CBR Innovation Network
• NDIS Education and Employment Working Group
• PE Pulse Leadership Group
• School Sport ACT Board
• School Transport Liaison Committee
• Sector Leaders group (ACT ED, CE, AISACT)

Programs and Initiatives

Australian Curriculum

The ACT Curriculum Task-force, now known as the ACT Curriculum Advisory Group (ACT CAG), publishes an update of the Australian Curriculum Implementation Schedule each year. The Schedule is informed by the availability of learning areas and subjects and current information from the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). A representative from AISACT attends ACARA’s Curriculum Directors’ quarterly meetings and disseminates relevant updates to Member schools, in addition to providing cross-sectoral input from the ACT to ACARA. At the conclusion of 2017, the ACT CAG’s Terms of Reference were revised resulting in the formation of the ACT Cross-sectoral Curriculum Group (ACTCCG), effective January 2018.

The 2016 Australian Curriculum Implementation Schedule for ACT Schools outlines the requirements for implementing the K-12 Australian Curriculum into the future. The schedule remained unchanged for 2017. The Association supports schools to ensure that the Australian Curriculum content taught is the most current curriculum published by ACARA on the Australian Curriculum website. Cross-sectoral Communities of Practice (CoP) in subject specific areas continue to flourish to build shared understanding and enhance teaching practice in specific subject areas.

Programs and Initiatives

Early Childhood Education

In 2017 the Association continued its services to Member schools in the area of Early Childhood Education. Twelve Member schools have Early Learning Centres with 711 enrolments in preschool across the sector.

The Association sponsored two members of staff from Member schools to attend training in STEM, called Little Scientists (an initiative of FROEBEL). The two members of staff then provided a professional learning day to an additional 7 members of staff from Member schools on the topic of WATER. The newly established Early Years Network, which the staff assisted in developing, met quarterly in 2017 and each meeting was well attended.

Programs and Initiatives

Educational Data

National Assessment Program -
Literacy and Numeracy

Two National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) analysis modules are available on the AISACT website to assist Member schools to analyse NAPLAN results at both a school leadership and teacher level. The first module is designed for Principals and School Leadership Teams to lead the analysis of data on the cohort and skills development at the whole-school level and develop strategies to promote staff engagement with the data and ask questions of the data throughout the school. The second module is designed to assist teachers to analyse skill/item strengths and weaknesses for the cohort and individual students and investigate relevant SMARTS2’s Teaching Strategies into classroom pedagogy.

Programs and Initiatives

Governance

AISACT has partnered with Duesburys Nexia to develop and deliver a School Business Managers Forum series. These twice yearly forums provide Business Managers, Finance Managers, school leaders and other staff from Member schools the opportunity to hear from high-quality speakers on topics of relevance and interest to school operations.

Highly experienced and influential presenters from Duesburys Nexia, JBWere, Access Consulting, NAB and CompliSpace delivered topics covering recent changes to FBT, low-risk investment strategies for schools, making the best use of data in finance systems, and non-financial control issues in schools. The delivery was done with authority and provided great insight for the twenty participants. There was an opportunity to network at the end of the event and canvas possible topics for future forums.

These events will continue in 2018 and will provide opportunities for connection, sharing and networking between Member schools and with the organisations and individuals presenting at these forums.

Programs and Initiatives

Leadership

AISACT again engaged the services of the Australian Institute of Management (AIM) to develop a program targeted at middle management staff in response to an identified need by Member schools through a variety of channels, including the Annual Member Survey.

The program aligns with contemporary adult learning methodology, and as a consequence blended learning underpins the delivery approach.

While customised for AISACT Member schools within the ACT and Australian education context, the learning outcomes are aligned with the nationally recognised Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management. Participants in the program are supported by the use of eLearning, peer networks, guest speakers and mentoring as required.

In 2017, 19 staff from 11 Member schools participated in the program. Each participant presented an action research project at the 2017 Celebrating Teaching and Learning event. The participants will be invited to act as alumni for the 2018 cohort of participants and guide them through their experience.

Programs and Initiatives

Students with Disability (SWD)

Students with Disability Network

In 2017 the Students with Disability Network continued to provide an opportunity for teachers and learning support staff within AISACT Member schools to discuss a range of topics and make vital connections to assist in the education of students who have a disability. Topics discussed focussed on a whole school approach to the administration and compliance requirements of supporting SWD including: the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data, Assistive Technology, Schools for All report, Individual Learning Plans, Professional Learning and standardised testing. At the end of 2017 the Students with Disability Network hosted a celebration afternoon tea for learning assistants in schools and sought feedback on areas of development that could be provided in 2018.

In addition to the SWD network, a junior school learning support community of practice was initiated. The community of practice was developed by representatives from Canberra Girls Grammar School – Junior School, to provide learning support staff and learning support assistants with an opportunity to have professional conversations around SWD in a Junior School context. Each meeting had a key theme:

• administration,
• literacy,
• numeracy and
• transitioning students to the next year level.

In 2018 The SWD Network will continue to focus on supporting student learning, inclusive practices and NCCD processes.

National Disability of Insurance Scheme

AISACT continued to work with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to assist Member schools in their understanding of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

AISACT will continue to support parents through its partnership with APFACTS.

AISACT continues to represent Member schools on the NDIS Education and Employment Working Group; this work will continue into 2018.

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD)

In 2017 all Member schools participated in the NCCD, requiring schools to collect and report on the adjustment levels and the category of disability for identified students within the school. The Association provided individual school support through meetings and telephone conversations, an information package outlining the key aspects of the NCCD, and co-hosted an NCCD Cross-Sectoral Moderation Session.

The Moderation Session was well attended by our Member schools. Each attendee provided de-identified case studies of students to be included in the data collection. In small groups, attendees discussed each case study to support enhanced understanding of decision-making processes of the adjustment level and the disability category. The cross-sectoral moderation session will be held again in 2018 and supported by a series of focussed workshops for Member schools prior to NCC data entry date.

Programs and Initiatives

Teaching and Learning

The AISACT Literacy and Numeracy Coaching Academy (LNCA): Expansion Program

The AISACT Literacy and Numeracy Coaching Academy (LNCA): Expansion Program 2017 provided the opportunity for AISACT Member schools to further embed coaching as an approach to professional learning and instructional change. Through the provision of professional learning for an additional or replacement coach from the school site, and ongoing support from an AISACT mentor, (twelve) schools expanded their coaching approach for school change and selected a second focus for coaching aligned to the school strategic plan and contextual goals.

Through the expansion and embedding of the coaching process, and the collection of instructional data, schools developed the capacity to measure improvements in current instructional focus areas, while identifying future needs of students and teachers. This Program Expansion model is based on a similar program successfully implemented by ISQ in 2016.

Each nominating school identified an Instructional Focus Area (either reading, writing or numeracy) based on each school’s current education data and plans. Schools were also asked to indicate the year groups that would be the initial focus for the coaching process (either P-2, 3-6, 7-9, 10-12). Participants provided an overview of this work at the 2017 Celebrating Teaching and Learning event.

Learning Frontiers

Throughout 2015 and 2016, via a program of targeted professional learning and engagement with some key strategic partners, the AISACT Learning Frontiers cohort established solid foundations for exploring innovative practices in teaching and learning.

In 2017, this journey of innovation continued through its next iteration: AISACT Learning Frontiers Conversation Series. This series provided opportunities for teachers from all AISACT Member schools to come together and consider opportunities to apply new approaches to teaching and learning, in response to specific provocations provided by leading practitioners in innovative practices such as:

• Professor Rob Fitzgerald, Associate Dean (innovation), University of Canberra
• Ingrid McCarthy, Program Manager, Inspiring Australia ACT
• Luke Kerr - Program Director, Real Time Learning
• Craig Edwards, Principal, Dickson College – ArtPreneurs

Special thanks are extended to Galilee School for providing the venue for the 2017 Conversation Series.

Gifted and Talented

AISACT engaged Gateways Education to provide a program of comprehensive and well-structured professional learning opportunities for teachers, coordinators of Gifted & Talented learning, and Executive staff of AISACT Member schools. Gateways Education has extensive experience in educational training, research and academic mentoring in the ACT, across Australia and internationally. All members of the Gateways Education team have been classroom teachers and have an acute understanding of the day to day needs and constraints of both classroom teachers and educators in leadership positions in schools.

The program will run for three years (2016 - 2018). During this time, the Gateways Education team provides a differentiated teacher professional learning program to optimise the educational opportunities for gifted students attending independent schools within the ACT. This professional learning program promotes the development, implementation and evaluation of appropriate identification and educational programs for gifted students and effective classroom pedagogies, including those of problem-solving skills, critical and creative thinking skills.

Communities of Practice

Communities of Practice (COP) continue to operate across AISACT Member schools. These COPs facilitate collaboration among subject area teachers to share effective practice and refine pedagogical approaches. Eight COPs continued in 2017 in the Australian Curriculum areas.

Significant Projects

Schools for All

On 18th November 2015, former Minister for Education and Training, Ms Joy Burch MLA, released the ‘Schools for all Children and Young People’ Report, reflecting the findings of the Expert Panel to review complex needs and challenging behaviours in ACT schools. The Expert Panel, chaired by Professor Tony Shaddock, along with Dr Sue Packer and Mr Alasdair Roy, undertook extensive consultation with schools from all sectors in the ACT. The review highlighted the great work currently being done in schools for students with complex needs and challenging behaviours and made a number of recommendations to further enhance this work and address difficulties.

As noted in the Preamble of the ACT Government Response to the Expert Panel recommendations,
“…AIS (has) considered each recommendation and acknowledges a strong desire to build on existing reforms, improvements and initiatives in so far as it is practical and possible. As an independent governing body representing 18 independent schools that are separate and autonomous entities, AIS notes all the recommendations and the ACT Government response.”

A precise indication of this commitment is evidenced in the agenda of both AISACT Board and Executive Committee meetings. Further, the Executive Committee has established a Schools for All Subcommittee to provide it with advice on strategies, opportunities and approaches in direct reference to the Schools for All Report, and the responses to the recommendations from the Association. The establishment of this Subcommittee was noted and endorsed by the full Board of AISACT.

Significant Projects

NAPLAN Online

Throughout 2017 staff from the Association’s Office continued to work with representatives from both the ACT Education Directorate (EDU) and Catholic Education to advance the level and degree of readiness such that a large number of ACT schools were able to move to online delivery of NAPLAN in 2017.

The Platform Trial and Readiness Test (PTRT) was a ‘practice run’ of the NAPLAN online platform and provided the opportunity for schools and their students to engage with the online test, the new test administration processes and practice classroom procedures.

While a decision was made by Education Ministers to defer the implementation of NAPLAN Online, the Association continues to represent the interests of ACT Independent Schools as the jurisdiction, as a whole, plans for the transition to NAPLAN Online in 2018.

Significant Events

AISACT Leadership Breakfast Series

In 2017 the Association continued its successful Leadership Breakfast series. The series seeks to bring together the wider ACT education community to hear from pertinent leaders and speakers from around Australia and the world.

The speakers in this year’s series included:

Dr Justin Coulson

One of Australia’s leading parenting experts and a highly sought-after international speaker and author. Justin is an Honorary Fellow at the Centre for Positive Psychology in the Graduate School of Education at the University of Melbourne. He is a consultant to the Federal Government’s Office of the Children’s e-Safety Commissioner, and has acted (and continues to act) in an advisory capacity to well-known organisations including Beyond Blue, the Raising Children Network, Life Education, Intel Security, and the Alannah and Madeline Foundation.

Steven Persson

A Social Entrepreneur, Steven joined The Big Issue, Australia’s largest social enterprise, as CEO in 2005, saying “It was a happy hybrid between helping people but with a business solution that allowed us to be truly independent of funding.

The Hon Dr Brendan Nelson AO BMBS FRACP (HON) FAMA

Dr Brendan Nelson commenced as Director of the Australian War Memorial on 17 December 2012. Prior to this, he was the Australian Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, the European Union and NATO (2009-12).

In addition to being Director of the Australian War Memorial Dr Nelson is a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at ANU; a member of the Chief Scientist’s Advisory Council; Patron of Lifeline ACT; Patron of Trish MS Research; Patron of the Weary Dunlop Foundation; Patron of the NSW RSL and Services Clubs; Ambassador for Legacy Australia; Patron of Soldier On and ambassador for the Reserve Defence Forces.

With a range of backgrounds and interests, each speaker provided key insights on important aspects of leadership, and how these transfer to leadership structure and practices in schools.

The Leadership Breakfast Series was once again supported by School Governance.

The AISACT Leadership Breakfast series will continue in 2018.

Significant Events

AISACT Colloquium

The AISACT 2017 Colloquium: Leading Improved Student Engagement held on the 24th August 2017 at the Vibe Hotel Canberra Airport, was a resounding success. This was a cross-sectoral event with educators from across the ACT attending and began with a panel of students from two of our Independent schools to hear their insightful student voice.

The keynote speakers were Claire Madden on GEN Z, and Patrick Griffin who presented around future competencies and their assessment. This was also supported by a range of workshops which challenged, affirmed and inspired thinking around what it means to improve student engagement.

AISACT thanks Member schools for supporting this event and looks forward to presenting the next Colloquium in 2018.

Significant Events

Celebrating Teaching and Learning

The AISACT Celebrating Teaching and Learning event was held at the East Hotel, Kingston, on Wednesday 8th November 2017. The event showcased 42 presentations highlighting some of the unique teaching and learning projects and programs that have occurred in AISACT Member schools in 2017.

Over 100 attendees from all Member schools heard about and discussed projects and programs introduced by schools covering areas such as technology, data tracking, a pedagogy of listening, learning support, leadership, STEM for ELC and whole school approaches to teaching, learning and engagement.

Additionally, attendees heard from participants who took part in the second year of the AIM Emerging Leaders Program and the Literacy and Numeracy Coaching Academy: Expansion program. Students from Canberra Grammar School showcased an experiment in full-immersion virtual reality, which engages students using Microsoft’s HoloLens.

Displayed around each room and in the foyer was artwork produced by students at Brindabella Christian College, Charnwood Campus. The artwork had been completed under the direction of specialist art teacher, Katie Thirkill, and was the result of intensive teacher collaboration and student involvement.

This is an annual event in the Association’s calendar, and AISACT looks forward to showcasing the projects and programs schools will undertake throughout next year at the 2018 Celebrating Teaching and Learning event.

Thoughts about the day from attendees:

Well done – exceeded expectations

Thanks for a great afternoon – inspired by so many dedicated teachers

Some fascinating presentations. I look forward to next year’s event

The inspirational opportunities for staff attending this event are fabulous

Encourage all staff to attend next year

Significant Events

AISACT Annual Cocktail Function

The Association welcomed guests, Board Members and staff from Member schools to the AISACT Annual Cocktail Event held at the Royal Canberra Golf Club on Friday 10 November 2017. The event provided attendees with the opportunity to celebrate the work of the Association in 2017.

Guests included the ACT Minister for Education and Early Childhood, Yvette Berry MLA, the Shadow Minister for Education and Training, Andrew Wall, and key staff from the ACT Education Directorate and Catholic Education.

During the evening, departing Board Members of AISACT were farewelled and thanked for their work and contributions to the Association, and of course, to their schools. Leaving us this year are Bruce Handley and Phil Mewett from Brindabella Christian College, Daniel Lawler from St Edmund’s College, David Evans from Canberra Grammar School, and Richard Sidorko from Marist College Canberra.

Each year at this event the Carl Palmer Award for Leadership and Excellence in ACT Independent Education is awarded. This year’s recipient of the award is David Evans, Business Director at Canberra Grammar School.

The citation for the award reads:

David retires as Business Director at Canberra Grammar School after 12 years service to the School and to the independent sector in the ACT. He has given tirelessly and selflessly to ensure the prosperity of the School, and in so doing he has secured and enhanced the educational opportunities of thousands of students, as well as the professional opportunities of hundreds of staff members.

One of Canberra’s largest and most prominent independent schools is thriving in no small part as a consequence of David’s skill and phenomenal personal commitment to all that the School stands for.

He has also been a Board Member of the AIS ACT and a significant contributor to its deliberations and planning, not least as a critical friend to the Finance Committee.

Few are so deeply and personally committed to their school as David is.

The Association congratulates David on receiving the award and looks forward to next year’s event to celebrate the work and achievements of the Association.