The National Voice for All Primary School Principals

Support for Schools Leading Up to the Launch of My School Website

The following media release was issued today by the office of Julia Gillard, Minister for Education.

Click here to download the media release in a pdf file.

All Australian schools will today receive a comprehensive support package from the Australian Curriculum and Reporting Authority (ACARA) in the lead-up to the launch of the My School website on 28 January 2010. 

Principals will also have the opportunity to preview their school’s report card the day before the My School website goes live on 28 January.

While schools leaders are already familiar with their school’s results, this will be the first time that parents and the public will be able to access useful, rich information about how their school is performing.

My School will contain important information about almost 10 000 Australian Schools, including:
  • the number of students at each school;
  • the number of teachers and other staff at each school;
  • the socio-economic status of the students attending each school;
  • school attendance rates; and
  • Year 12 attainment rates.

Importantly, parents will also be able to see how their child’s school is performing in the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN), compared with similar schools.

The Rudd Government believes it is important that parents, teachers and the community can see how all our schools are performing, particularly in the foundation skills of reading, writing and numeracy.

Rather than abandon schools which are found to be struggling as recommended by Christopher Pyne, the Rudd Government is standing ready with support and new funding to drive improvement in literacy and numeracy.

Principals will today receive an e-letter from the CEO of ACARA, Peter Hill outlining important information about the launch of My School including how principals can access their school's report card on 27 January and how to access additional support. The support package will also include:

  • A series of fact sheets about the information on My School
  • Answers to frequently asked questions on My School
  • A technical report on the development of the new Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICES)
  • My School brochure for parents and other school community members