School children from across NSW walked into the Legislative Council on Wednesday for a date with the Education Minister.
They sat down with Sarah Mitchell before the inaugural Minister’s Student Council to discuss an agenda that included mobile phones in schools, consent education, improving equity and resources for low-socioeconomic schools, and behaviour management.
NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell listens to members of the Minister’s Student Council inside the Legislative Council on Wednesday. Credit:Kate Geraghty
The newly formed council, also known as DOVES (Department of Student Voices in Education and Schools), comprises 24 students – three from each of the eight regions across NSW to reflect the diversity of the state.
Nirvana Prasad, 16, from Girraween High School in western Sydney wants to foster “more kindness in schooling” through peer support groups.
“In kindergarten, we’re taught sharing is caring, but as we grow up that kind of fades away,” Nirvana said. “We’re taught how to make a living but not how to live.”
Some of the younger members of the council.Credit:Kate Geraghty
Amelia Whyman, 13, attends Wilcannia Central School, in the state’s far west, and she wants First Nations voices from the country to be heard.
“Sometimes where I live we get blocked out, and they don’t listen to us,” Amelia, who gave an acknowledgement of country in Barkindji language, said.
That message was echoed by Rehannah Russell, 15, from Brewarrina Central School: “You don’t really get a say all the way out in the country. In this opportunity we do.”
Sixteen-year-old Sydney Secondary College student Ned Graham wants to improve behaviour management so his peers don’t fall through the cracks.
Ms Mitchell said the council was the first of its kind in Australia. Credit:Kate Geraghty
“Where I’m from, you’ve got kids from really well-off families rebelling and falling into these holes. They’re struggling to get out because support systems aren’t there [when they are] continually getting suspended,” Ned said.
“My main goal is getting the kids who need to be in school, in school. And making sure the behaviour management systems are getting in the way.”
Charli Grant, 15, from Brisbane Water Secondary College on the Central Coast wants educators to focus on low-socioeconomic areas.
“Having the resources for kids, no matter where they are, is really important,” Charli said.
The youngest council member, 11-year-old Tavish Kelly from Rutherford Public School in the Hunter, admits to feeling “pretty intimidated” surrounded by older peers. But he’s not shy to speak up.
“One of the main things I want to talk about is inequity across different schools,” Tavish said. “My brother’s school is only a few kilometres away from mine [but] has a vast difference of different technology.”
Ms Mitchell said she was thrilled with how the council has progressed, claiming it was the first initiative of its kind in Australia.
“I meet very regularly with our teachers’ federation [and] with the principals’ organisations in NSW and they’re really good sources of advice … but we’ve never had that student representative group in the same way,” she said.
“Where we’ve landed with this group of 24 is just beyond my expectations. I think they’re fabulous.”
The council will meet virtually twice a term with Ms Mitchell joining the final term meeting. Members will sit for a two-year term, with half the council re-appointed each year, so there are always students with some experience.
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