Community News

Local student ready to have his voice heard at Education HQ

The Education Department will benefit from the input of local student Levin Shillam after he was selected to take part in the annual Secretary for a Day initiative.

Levin, from South Grafton High School, was selected from more than 120 applications for the valuable two-day program.

Secretary for a Day brings students from across the state to the department’s offices in Parramatta, as part of Education Week activities in the first week of August.

This year’s participants will work with Education Department staff to action positive change for schools and student learning and have the opportunity to influence system development.

As part of the program Levin will also take part in creative and cultural advocacy and leadership workshops with industry and education experts.

Education Week is a statewide, annual event that aims to showcase and celebrate the achievements of NSW’s public school system, its students and staff.

Department of Education Executive Director, Lisa Alonso Love said the 2019 Education Week theme, ‘Every student, every voice’, provided the perfect opportunity for Secretary for a Day participants to make a real impact on decisions that affect their learning.

Ms Alonso Love said recent research, showed that valuing and acting on the ideas, opinions and expertise of all students and working together with students had significant positive impacts on student learning and wellbeing.  

“This partnership in learning and action helps build a better education system,” she said. “By inviting our students to share their perspectives, experiences and solutions, they can actively influence our decision-making and help shape our system to be the best education in Australia.”