All students this year have had to face challenges, but for those in Year 12 this has been a final year of school like no other. We'd like to pay tribute to all of these young people, and their families, their teachers and their communities for simply getting to this point. They have had to endure so much uncertainty and disruption over the past few months that making it this far is an achievement worthy of recognition. With final exams almost over this is the home straight. But school leavers now need help to understand the post school opportunities available to them can help.

We already know there are more university places available next year for those who chose this path, and there are lots of other options being made available for 2020 school leavers.

And providing more training options is part of federal, state and territory governments' recovery plans.  A number of measures to provide more work-related opportunities for young people have already been announced and more were included in the Federal Budget - Treasurer's $1.2 billion plan in Federal Budget to help pay wages of new apprentices and trainees.

If you're looking for practical advice on what this means for your young person, the new National Careers Institute has launched its Your Career website, which has lots of information for students and parents, including a counselling service. We've included full details below.

Parents have a lot of misconceptions about work related education and training - formally known as Vocational Education and Training or VET for short. See how many myths we can bust for you with our new video.

For students in other years, Term 4 has meant face to face teaching for almost all. Our thoughts are especially with students, families and teachers in Victoria returning from lockdown. We all hope it lasts.

The issue of education equity has been thrown into sharp relief by both the challenges of remote learning, and by the Disability Royal Commission, which released a report on earlier hearings on inclusive education that highlighted 'equal access to schools, use of restrictive practices and lack of supports seen as key issues'. Kate de Bruin's analysis of the latest, deeply disturbing testimony of students and families says it illustrates 'systemic educational neglect.' (More details about the Disability Royal Commission and links are included below). It's been an uphill battle for these students and their families, who have advocated so hard for education opportunity, simply to be heard. And as a community we need to be listening so that things can change.

As we head back to something closer to normality in schools, our focus now needs to be on the wellbeing of our young people and achieving equity of opportunity for all students.

We need to work together and keep building on the closer relationships between home and school. COVID has really emphasised the importance of that relationship - one positive outcome of 2020.

As the Monash Lens explained this week in an analysis we've shared below: 'Schools cannot proceed as normal post-pandemic. Instead, they’re likely to...incorporate suggestions from their most powerful allies – parents.' 

But I'd like to finish by acknowledging the wonderful work of so many teachers ahead of World Teachers Day on Friday (we've included information on how to get involved). To all those who put so much into providing quality education and make a positive difference for our young people in especially difficult circumstances this year, thank you. 

Jenni Rickard
APC President