The Toowoomba Education Coalition is a commitment to act by regional Schools, University of Southern Queensland, Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE.

Vision

Toowoomba is a regional centre for educational excellence in Australia connecting educating partners to maximise community potential.

Principles

1. Interdependent relationships of Schools engaged in the participation phase of education, Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE, University of Southern Queensland and Industry
2. Clear and functioning pathways for the young people of Toowoomba from School to professions or trades;
3. The facilitation of innovative educational programs as a regional education community;
4. Opportunities for professional learning of Coalition partners and improved preparation of new educators;
5. Quality opportunities for the development of student leadership;
6. The creation and promotion of the concept of Toowoomba as a centre of education excellence.

Background

Since mid 2004, Toowoomba Principals from Education Queensland, Catholic and Independent Schools have been working together with the University of Southern Queensland, Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE and South West Commerce Queensland to develop the concept of Toowoomba as a regional centre of education excellence.

Several milestones have been achieved along the way as the partners began to see that something quite special was happening in Toowoomba.

The Queensland government's Education and Training Reforms for the Future reform agenda stimulated action by a rich variety of government and industry agencies across the city, which had commenced activity as a trial region. The management committee developed of the working party structure and the groups enlisted high levels of support. The University of Southern Queensland also commenced discussions with schools in a concerted effort to coordinate development of school/university linkages and developed a focus on student leadership as well as participation in courses. Schools reached significant common agreements with TAFE to develop school-TAFE learning programs in 2003 signifying willingness to seek a common goal. As a result, in 2004 hundreds of Toowoomba students participated in short courses, full certificate courses or diploma courses while still at school. Similarly, TAFE and USQ held discussions to develop closer relationships for students moving between the institutions.

By the start of 2005 it became clear that the numerous agencies concerned with the education of young people in Toowoomba would come together to work smarter. We call the concept the Toowoomba Education Coalition.

The Toowoomba Education Coalition was launched on Friday 2 September, 2005. The partners signed a memorandum that committed them to act together to achieve the agreed priorities. The work of the future will continue to see the Coalition to reach out to the remote and rural schools, TAFE and industry in the region.

Current Structure

The initiatives initially centred around Education Queensland's Toowoomba District and Catholic and Independent Schools in Toowoomba city. As the coalition formed and grew, partners made the commitment to extend the arrangements and work to meet the needs of young people in the wider regional area. An executive group is managing the strategies for implementation and a broader group consisting of all of the Coalition core members. The executive group meets at least once per term and the whole Coalition meets at least twice per year. In many ways, the Coalition has become a reference group for community agencies seeking the input of a wide range of education partners. TEC members have agreed to develop initiatives together and/or individually in order to action the priorities.

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2007 Priorities

Priority #1: Interdependent relationships between members

Area	Current Activities
Communication	Open and efficient communication Celebration focus
Conversation	Regular meetings with specific focus

Priority #2: Pathways for young people

Area	Current Activities
Incentives for High Achievers	Scholarships and mentoring are being implemented to motivate young people to remain in Toowoomba.
Exploring QCE	What is the implication for Schools in 2008? Who is the audience? What practice can we share?
Pathway planning	Schools develop strategies to integrate career planning (SETP).
Experience	Student transition activities focusing on experiences: USQ Faculty open days & TAFE taster courses.
Early entry	Students gain principal's recommendations
Early commencement:	USQ Headstart and TAFE School Programs provide young people with the chance to start tertiary qualifications while at School.
Encouraging innovation: Cooperative learning and delivery – sharing the practice.	Schools will work with USQ and TAFE to develop examples of good practice to share as a coalition.
Special measures: acknowledging that young people lead complex lives and providing greater support systems.	Principals will work more closely with USQ and TAFE to ensure that young people who are experiencing difficulties can access tertiary options. Refugee Student intiatives.
Mentoring- accessing success	A structured program for mentoring school students by tertiary students and industry members.
Credit arrangements: RPL for TAFE studies at USQ	TAFE and USQ have agreed to RPL course achievement in some courses in each other's insitutions.
Work practices: work placements and internship	Strengthening the SATS and work experience programs in the region.
Network development	Support for the existing networks in Toowoomba: VET Network, Career Educators Network
Student Well being	Developing whole school approaches to social and emotional wellbeing: Mind Matters support

Priority #3: Innovative curriculum

Area	Current Activities
Common Subjects	Bio-medical science course for Year 11 and 12 across the District. Range of School based learning options at TAFE being explored.
TEC: Science & Maths Education Network	Supporting curriculum initiatives for Science and Maths

Priority #4: Professional Learning for teachers

Area	Current Activities
Southern Queensland Science Centre of Innovation and Professional Practice	Science PD to regional schools.
Teacher KLA network development	Working with USQ on a coordinated suite of PD for teachers led by teachers focusing on subject areas.
Ongoing teacher development	Science Education Forum: Oct 22, 2007
Teacher preparation and recruitment	Establishing a working party with USQ and Schools to improve workforce preparation and recruitment to School position recruitment.

Priority #5: Student Community Leadership

Area	Current Activities
Community leadership	Senior student leadership activity in 2007.
Student Leadership & Engagement	Cupporting StepUp as an annual event targeting year level groups in Toowoomba schools.

Priority #6: Promotion of Toowoomba as a regional centre of educational excellence

Area	Current Activities
Visioning activies on strategic level.	Advocate for Educational focusToowoomba 2050
Marketing message	Work with the Tmba Interagency Ed and Support Forum (ETRF) to develop a plan and promote the work of TEC and Education in Toowoomba.

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TEC working party activities

Incentives for High Achievers	Examining scholarships for city and rural young people, work connections and support as well as access to experiences.	Margo Baas, USQ Fenella Gesch, SQIT
Disadvantaged students (Sudanese)	Formulating a cohesive approach across Toowoomba by working with the range of agencies on behalf of schools.	Gillian Smith, Deputy Principal, Downlands College
School Subjects: Common Subjects, School Credit	TEC Science and Maths Education Network (Engineering and Bio Medical Science) Curriculum writing and delivery model development	Kay Lembo, Coordinator, Maths & Science Education Network
Teacher preparation, recruitment and ongoing development	Changing nature of teaching being reflected by the USQ models of teacher internships and placements.	Prof. Nita Timmerman, Dean of Education, USQ Christopher Zilm, Principal, Toowoomba SHS
Community Leadership	Student leadership activities	Prof. Bill Lovegrove, Vice Chancellor, USQ

Date:
Venue:

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Last Meeting

AGENDA