❓ A WA parliamentary question explores the government's support for international school partnerships and the Department of Education's involvement. The Minister's response acknowledges the value of such partnerships and emphasizes school autonomy in establishing them.
AnsweredQoN 7309Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Does the State Government have a policy position that supports initiatives that link or partner schools across the globe or Commonwealth?
(2) Is the Minister aware that international experience indicates that such partnerships aim at providing a vital opportunity for young people to understand the global (and Commonwealth) context in which they live and in which they will ultimately work?
(3) Is the Minister aware that international experience of these school partnerships, backed up by research, indicates that they provide opportunities for teacher professional development and joint curriculum work for students in different countries around a whole range of global issues, ultimately contributing to the ambition for global peace, prosperity and justice?
(4) Is the Minister aware that the Commonwealth is setting out on a new initiative called Connecting Cultures into which agenda such school partnerships fit neatly?
(5) Does the Department for Education have any educationalists engaged in supporting such school partnerships, and if yes, what are the contact details for the relevant office or officer?
(2) Is the Minister aware that international experience indicates that such partnerships aim at providing a vital opportunity for young people to understand the global (and Commonwealth) context in which they live and in which they will ultimately work?
(3) Is the Minister aware that international experience of these school partnerships, backed up by research, indicates that they provide opportunities for teacher professional development and joint curriculum work for students in different countries around a whole range of global issues, ultimately contributing to the ambition for global peace, prosperity and justice?
(4) Is the Minister aware that the Commonwealth is setting out on a new initiative called Connecting Cultures into which agenda such school partnerships fit neatly?
(5) Does the Department for Education have any educationalists engaged in supporting such school partnerships, and if yes, what are the contact details for the relevant office or officer?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
19 March 2012
Responded by
Minister for Education
Response time
26 days
(1) Schools and networks of schools are increasingly being provided greater autonomy to determine how best to meet the educational needs of their students. In this respect, decisions regarding establishment and operation of partner school programs within Western Australia (for example, schools collaborating in networks), within Australia and across the globe, are the responsibility of individual school communities.
(2) I am aware that such partnerships aim to provide young people with opportunities to understand other cultures and the global community. The sister school partnerships in which many Western Australian schools are already involved provide these types of opportunities.
(3) Sister school relationships are important adjuncts to the schools' programs in providing both teachers and students with valuable opportunities to participate in study and home stay programs abroad, as well as hosting teachers and students during reciprocal study and home stay programs in Western Australia. These opportunities assist to strengthen intercultural understanding and linguistic skills while preparing students for active participation in an increasingly interdependent world.
(4) Yes. "Connecting Cultures - Celebrating our Commonwealth" is the Commonwealth theme for 2012. It is designed to celebrate the diversity of the 54 countries of the Commonwealth and the role of the Commonwealth in bringing together many different peoples on the basis of shared visions and values. I understand that there are opportunities for educational organisations, including schools, to access activities through the "Connecting Cultures" website. Principals can make decisions about use of these materials in consultation with their school communities.
(5) As stated above, schools make their own sister school arrangements.
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(2) I am aware that such partnerships aim to provide young people with opportunities to understand other cultures and the global community. The sister school partnerships in which many Western Australian schools are already involved provide these types of opportunities.
(3) Sister school relationships are important adjuncts to the schools' programs in providing both teachers and students with valuable opportunities to participate in study and home stay programs abroad, as well as hosting teachers and students during reciprocal study and home stay programs in Western Australia. These opportunities assist to strengthen intercultural understanding and linguistic skills while preparing students for active participation in an increasingly interdependent world.
(4) Yes. "Connecting Cultures - Celebrating our Commonwealth" is the Commonwealth theme for 2012. It is designed to celebrate the diversity of the 54 countries of the Commonwealth and the role of the Commonwealth in bringing together many different peoples on the basis of shared visions and values. I understand that there are opportunities for educational organisations, including schools, to access activities through the "Connecting Cultures" website. Principals can make decisions about use of these materials in consultation with their school communities.
(5) As stated above, schools make their own sister school arrangements.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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