Teach in Canberra
Teach In Canberra – for the Career of a Lifetime
Message from the CEO
Canberra’s public schooling system has long set the national standard for providing high quality education. Underpinning this success is investment from the ACT Government through the Department of Education and Training in our schools – and in our teachers and their ongoing professional development.
New schooling models offer students, parents and teachers a broad range of education options and learning pathways choices. From 2008, Canberra’s preschools are integrated within our primary schools. We also offer a range of preschool to year 10 schools, to provide a seamless learning transition from early childhood to middle years. A major new approach to early years learning will see the establishment in 2009 of four new early childhood schools, offering services to children from birth to eight years.
Our high schools and colleges provide a range of innovative pathways to higher education, further training and vocational options including school-based apprenticeships and guaranteed entry to the Canberra Institute of Technology for students who successfully undertake vocational courses.
The ACT’s 11-12 college system sets a national standard in senior secondary education and includes tertiary pre-entry curriculum from our two major universities, the Australian National University and the University of Canberra.
We hold great store in quality teaching. We recognise that excellence in teaching is the single most powerful influence on student achievement. If the learning achievements of students are to be enhanced, then the knowledge, skills, experience and professional value of teachers have to be recognised, prioritised and supported.
The Department highly values the importance of teacher professional learning. The Teachers Professional Learning Fund supports teacher access to high quality professional learning activities through a centrally located Centre for Teaching and Learning. I am personally committed to providing an environment for teachers that will increasingly support them in focusing on the core business of teaching and learning.
The ACT now has a contemporary curriculum framework for all P-10 schools, with our public schools able to adapt and tailor curriculum appropriate to the needs of their school community.
A range of specific integrated ICT programs through the Smart Schools, Smart Students initiative supports the provision of high-speed broadband to every public school. Interactive whiteboards and wireless lap top trolleys are just two of the technologies which feature in our schools. Other programs support Indigenous education, physical education, languages and students with disability.
Our public school infrastructure resources and grounds are of very high quality. Add the appeal of Canberra and its cosmopolitan lifestyle, and its proximity to the Australian countryside, the coast and major cities like Sydney, and you’ll appreciate why I have great pleasure and believe it an honour to lead the public education system in Canberra.
I invite you to Canberra to make teaching in Canberra your career – and Canberra your home.
Michele Bruniges
Chief Executive
Department of Education and Training
