Providing public education

Public school reviews provide feedback to school leaders, staff and the community in all school contexts, to guide improvement efforts for the benefit of all students. They provide information to school communities about the performance of public schools in delivering high quality education. In 2023–24, we conducted 277 public school reviews.

The ongoing improvement of the public school review process continued to be informed by the findings and recommendations of the 2023 Office of the Auditor General performance audit report on the Effectiveness of public school reviews.

The Funding Agreement for Schools continued to articulate accountability mechanisms for principals in managing their school budget to meet the learning and wellbeing needs of students.

Schools with students from Kindergarten to Year 2 must complete an annual internal audit against the National Quality Standard (NQS) and may request verification of their audit to ensure consistent interpretation of the standard. In 2023, we verified the audits of 47 public schools.

We continued to support school council and board members to fulfil their functions through the Linking Schools and Communities Program, with 101 attendees at 11 workshops in 2023. The workshop is designed to assist principals and chairs to understand the roles and responsibilities of council or board members, and how councils and boards contribute to the success of schools.

In addition, 409 newly appointed public school council and board members attended 42 workshops, delivered by a principal, covering the essentials for a new council or board member.

At the start of the 2024 school year, slightly over three‑quarters (639) of public schools were operating as independent public schools, including 2 new schools that opened in 2024.

We continued to allocate funding to public schools through the student‑centred funding model. The model provides a one‑line budget to schools based on the learning needs of their students and the school’s characteristics.

Our School Budget Review Committee provides a mechanism for public schools to seek additional funding during the school year. In 2023–24, we approved 13 requests for additional funding from schools, with over $1.7 million in additional funding allocated.

We provided 101 workshop and training sessions to 1,458 staff as part of a comprehensive professional learning program on planning, managing and monitoring school budgets. We also provided individual support for schools through online and in‑school sessions.

In 2023–24, substantial content enhancements were made and maintained on Ikon (Information and knowledge online), our dedicated intranet platform designed to cater to the specific requirements of our staff. Serving as a centralised hub, Ikon continued to facilitate streamlined access to necessary information and services essential for staff productivity.

​​​​​Program Kaartdijin has commenced the deployment of a cloud‑based, contemporary and efficient system to replace the aging Student Information System currently used by most schools. The program is an integrated solution, provided by 2 vendors: Compass Education and TechnologyOne Limited. Compass Education will deliver school and student administration, parent billing and timetabling, while TechnologyOne will provide budget and financial management functions.

The solution will be deployed to public schools in phases, with guidance, training and support provided as they implement the new system. In 2023–24, phase 1 was deployed after the completion of a successful pilot.

In 2023–24, we commenced an additional upgrade project to further enhance bandwidth for over 700 schools. This additional capacity builds on the bandwidth upgrades already rolled out to public schools in 2022–23 and will result in some schools receiving up to 200% uplift. The upgrades will enable staff and students to participate in online classes, access educational resources and collaborate with their peers more effectively through faster internet speeds, better videoconferencing capabilities and more reliable connections.

These upgrades will also bring substantial benefits to regional communities surrounding the schools.

In 2023–24, we provided 2,895 new notebook computers to teachers through the Notebooks for Teachers program. Additionally, we offered ongoing technical support services, access to various software applications, and insurance and warranty coverage to 7,342 teachers using notebook computers provided by the program.

Our specialist cybersecurity team remains dedicated to protecting our data, assets and corporate systems. We successfully increased our level of maturity against the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s Essential Eight mitigation strategies. We also continued to work closely with the Office of Digital Government to elevate nominated critical cybersecurity controls and ensure we apply a risk‑centric lens to cybersecurity processes, governance and technologies.

In 2023–24, more than 307,000 teachers, students and parents used Connect, our integrated teaching and learning online environment. In Semester 1, 2024, we provided more than 36,000 online classrooms for students and more than 480 schools provided parents with access to electronic versions of their children’s school reports through Connect. In Term 4, 2023, Connect transitioned to the cloud, enhancing the scalability, security and flexibility of the system in line with the Whole of Government Cloud policy.

Our asset investment program expenditure was $566.7 million in 2023–24.

This included completing construction on:

• the new Henley Brook Primary School and Jilbup Primary School, which opened for the 2024 school year
• the redevelopment of John Forrest Secondary College
• stage 1 of the offsite early childhood education centre at Brabham Primary School
• the final stages at Madora Bay Primary School and Wellard Village Primary School, which opened for the 2023 school year.

Construction continued on:

• additional student accommodation at Anne Hamersley Primary School, Brabham Primary School, Caversham Valley Primary School and Harrisdale Primary School
• major upgrades and additions at Derby District High School
• upgrades to the administration and library at Fremantle Primary School
• the rebuild of Hillarys Primary School
• a 2‑storey modular building to provide additional student accommodation at Shenton College.

Construction commenced on new primary schools in Brabham and Eglinton to open for the 2025 school year.

Planning and design continued or commenced on:

• additional student accommodation, including STEM facilities, at Ashdale Secondary College
• a 2‑storey modular classroom at Highgate Primary School
• the redevelopment, including STEM facilities, of Rockingham Senior High School, Rockingham Senior High School Education Support Centre and Safety Bay Senior High School
• new education support facilities at Waggrakine Primary School and Wanneroo Secondary College
• new primary schools in Wellard and Wungong to open in 2026.

Work continues to deliver projects across 67 schools as part of the WA Recovery Plan’s $492 million allocation over the 2020–21 to 2024–25 financial years. This allocation has subsequently been adjusted as required. The following information details progress on the larger projects.

Construction was completed on:

• stage 2 of Bob Hawke College
• additional classroom accommodation at Carine Senior High School, Joseph Banks Secondary College, Karratha Senior High School and Willetton Senior High School
• upgrades to the performing arts centre and sports hall at Lakeland Senior High School
• the redevelopment of Lesmurdie Primary School
• additional classroom accommodation and a performing arts centre at Lynwood Senior High School
• stage 1 of the new Piara Waters Senior High School, which opened for the 2023 school year
• a performing arts centre with sports hall at Pinjarra Senior High School.

Construction continued on:

• additional classroom accommodation and education support centre at Kalamunda Senior High School
• a sports hall at Ocean Reef Senior High School
• the redevelopment of Roebourne District High School and Westminster Primary School.

An investment of $424.4 million was allocated over the 2021–22 to 2024–25 financial years to deliver the 2021 election commitments. This funding was subsequently adjusted as required. The projects are across the following key programs: major build projects, STEM program, Secondary Science program, Primary School Science program and the Schools Clean Energy Technology Fund. The following information details progress on the larger projects and programs.

Projects completed included:

• major upgrades at Beldon Primary School, Clifton Hills Primary School, Donnybrook District High School, Gooseberry Hill Primary School and Redcliffe Primary School
• new pool changerooms and associated access for students with disability at West Coast Secondary Education Support Centre
• a refurbished health and wellbeing hub, canteen and chaplain’s office at Bull Creek Primary School
• a refurbished home economics classroom at Kellerberrin District High School
• science classroom conversions at 17 schools under tranche 2 of the Primary School Science program
• science classroom conversions at 42 schools under tranche 3 of the Primary School Science program
• science classroom conversions at the remaining 2 schools under tranche 1 of the Secondary Science program
• laboratory upgrades at 14 schools under tranche 1 of the STEM program
• laboratory upgrades at 1 school under tranche 2 of the STEM program
• solar system installations at a further 35 of the 84 schools in round 1 and 47 of the 96 schools in round 2 of the Schools Clean Energy Technology Fund.

Projects that commenced or continued included:

• the stage 2 build of Alkimos College
• additional student accommodation or major upgrades at Albany Senior High School, Ballajura Primary School, Duncraig Senior High School, Illawarra Primary School, John Curtin College of the Arts, Edney Primary School, Huntingdale Primary School and Kewdale Primary School
• a performing arts centre at Balga Senior High School
• sports hall with upgrades and a STEM laboratory at Kelmscott Senior High School
• science classroom conversions at the 8 remaining schools under tranche 3 of the Primary School Science program
• science classroom conversions at 5 schools under the Secondary Science program
• laboratory upgrades at 29 schools under the STEM program
• solar system installations at the remaining 2 schools in round 1 and a further 33 of the 96 schools in round 2 of the Schools Clean Energy Technology Fund
• installation of LED lighting at 57 of the 60 schools in round 3 of the Schools Clean Energy Technology Fund.

Planning commenced or continued for:

• a home economics room upgrade at Exmouth District High School
• major upgrades and refurbishments at Byford Secondary College, Darling Range Sports College, Roleystone Community College and Springfield Primary School
• sports halls with upgrades and a STEM laboratory at Greenwood College and Melville Senior High School
• a performing arts centre at Warwick Senior High School
• science classroom conversions at the remaining 3 schools of the Secondary Science program
• laboratory upgrades at the remaining 29 schools of the STEM program
• solar system installations at the remaining 16 schools in round 2 and installation of LED lighting at the remaining 3 schools in round 3 of the Schools Clean Energy Technology Fund.

Under Royalties for Regions funding:

• additional student accommodation was completed at Baynton West Primary School and South Bunbury Education Support Centre
• refurbishments were completed at Donnybrook District High School
• upgrades were completed at Tambrey Primary School
• additions and improvements, including a new STEM laboratory, commenced at Albany Senior High School
• upgrades and a new STEM laboratory commenced at Broome Senior High School
• additional student accommodation commenced construction at Eaton Community College and Halls Creek District High School
• planning for refurbishments at Baler Primary School, Cassia Primary School and Dampier Primary School continued
• stage 2 of the Solar Schools Program, in partnership with Horizon Power, saw the installation of photovoltaic solar systems at a further 2 schools in the Pilbara and 9 schools in the Kimberley, with the remaining 3 schools under construction.

In 2023–24, our response to climate change accelerated, with many climate action initiatives underway across the 3 focus areas of curriculum, infrastructure and operations identified in Caring for Country together: our sustainability framework.

In July 2023, we formed a Sustainability Program Board to oversee projects and strategies related to climate action and sustainability. Work overseen by the Board aligns our actions with our sustainability framework and state government priorities such as the:

• Climate Adaptation Strategy: building WA’s climate resilient future
• Kep Katitjin – Gabi Kaadadjan: Waterwise Perth action plan 2
• statewide target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The $44.6 million Schools Clean Energy Technology Fund continued reducing emissions, with more schools receiving solar systems and LED lighting upgrades during 2023–24.

Work has also commenced on a climate adaptation roadmap with the first step, a strategic agency‑wide climate risk assessment, completed. The second step, an assessment to understand our vulnerability, including financial vulnerability, to climate change has commenced. Both assessments will inform a climate adaptation strategy to improve the climate resilience of education facilities and operations.

Education for sustainability is embedded within the Western Australian curriculum and is a key driver of sustainability outcomes, including energy and water conservation, effective waste management and biodiversity enhancement.

In 2023–24, Sustainable Schools WA supported 40 schools to develop sustainability action plans. Additional professional learning supported schools to engage with our sustainability framework and provided students with ongoing opportunities to learn about, and take action for, sustainability.

The Bush Classrooms initiative continued to provide professional learning to support schools in creating culturally responsive outdoor teaching and learning spaces. Participating schools, in partnership with local Aboriginal communities, protected or created areas of natural bushland on school grounds to heal and care for Country together.

The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability released its final report in September 2023. There are 15 recommendations with multiple actions relating directly to education. Since February 2024, we have been working with the Department of Communities, the lead agency, to respond to each recommendation as part of a whole‑of‑government response.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse made recommendations in 2017 that are directly or indirectly relevant to, or impact on, the operations of schools and the Department. In 2023–24, we:

• supported schools to embed the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations (the National Principles) and drive positive cultural change in child safety
• provided a range of resources and advice, including professional learning to support school staff to meet their responsibilities for the care, safety and protection of children.

The National Principles are embedded in our Student Behaviour in Public Schools policy and procedures.

We provide ongoing support to schools to ensure a seamless interface with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), including consultancy for therapy provider access to students with disability on school sites. Following consultation with schools and other relevant stakeholders, guidelines and additional resources to enhance the connection between therapy approaches out of school and at school are reviewed and updated annually.

Nationally agreed reforms continued to be advanced through the Education Ministers Meeting and subcommittees. Western Australia, along with the Australian Government and other state and territory governments, continued progressing initiatives to support teachers under the National Teacher Workforce Action Plan.

In 2023, we contributed to the consultation and made a submission to the national Review to Inform a Better and Fairer Education System, to inform the next National School Reform Agreement. Following the completion of this national review, Australia’s education ministers collectively agreed that the next National School Reform Agreement, to be called the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, will deliver on the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration. The declaration sets a joint vision for a world‑class education system that encourages and supports every student to be the very best they can be, no matter where they live or what learning challenges they may face.

On 31 January 2024, the Australian Government and state government signed a statement of intent to increase funding for Western Australia’s public school system from 95% of the Schooling Resource Standard to 100% by 2026.

We negotiated a range of new agreements and programs with the Australian Government:

• the 2024 Australian Early Development Census (July 2023 to June 2026), conducted every 3 years to examine how children have developed by the time they start school
• Consent and Respectful Relationships Education to provide additional investment for age‑appropriate, expert‑developed and evidence‑based instruction across public and non‑government schools in primary and secondary settings (May 2024 to June 2029)
• Sponsorship Grants for Student Science Engagement and International Competitions 2024 for 21 STEM projects across 12 public schools (expiry dates spanning August 2024 to July 2025)
• a variation to the Student Wellbeing Boost (May 2023 to June 2024) to provide one‑off social cohesion student wellbeing support through funding for schools with significant cohorts of Jewish or Islamic students, to respond to the impact of the October 2023 events in Israel and Gaza
• Schools Pathways Program (March 2024 to June 2026) to enhance work and career pathways for students into the Australian defence industry
• a variation to the Workload Reduction Fund (June 2023 to June 2027) to continue piloting initiatives to address teacher workload reduction
• round 2 of the Schools Upgrade Fund (November 2023 to December 2027) to provide for public schools to enable capital investments in new classrooms, buildings, or other major refurbishments and upgrades.

Grant agreements were also signed with the Australian Government for various other projects and initiatives in specific schools, such as for the Sporting Schools program, round one of the Schools Upgrade Fund and the NAIDOC grants program.

We are dedicated to supporting cultural and linguistic diversity in the workplace and our school communities. In our Multicultural Plan 2021–2025 we have committed to 26 actions.

Of these, 7 have been completed and 19 represent ongoing activities. We continued to provide the Office of Multicultural Interests with progress on our actions as part of our reporting requirements.

We continued to prioritise accuracy and timely turnaround of briefings and responses to ministerial correspondence, parliamentary questions and Cabinet comments (refer to Table 3).

Table 3: Ministerial requests processed 2021–22 to 2023–24

Type	2021–22	2022–23	2023–24
Letters	1,741	1,437	1,306
Briefing notes/advice	1,990(a)	1,949(b)	1,750
Answers to parliamentary questions	198	147	132
Cabinet comments	70	45	56
Total	3,999	3,578	3,244
Percentage processed on time	85	87	93

_{(a) This figure includes briefings relating to both the 2021–22 and 2022–23 Budget Estimates Hearings, and COVID-19 Situation Reports.
(b) This figure includes briefings for incoming ministers in December 2022.
Source: Strategy and Policy}