Department of Education and Training

NT's best in running for national training awards 13 Nov 2009
The Territory will be well represented at the Australian Training Awards in Canberra on 19 November with several student finalists and Taminmin High School in the running for national awards. Each Territory representative has already won their category at this year's Territory Training awards, which highlighted business best practice and personal excellence. The Australian Training Awards are the peak, national awards for vocational education and training, recognising innovation and excellence in the training sector. As a testament to the calibre and quality of vocational education and training in the NT, we were successful in winning three Australian Training awards last year. Territorians extend best wishes to our finalists at this year's awards.

Night of nights for our quality teachers 02 Nov 2009
Teachers were the toast of the Territory with celebrations in staff rooms and at functions across the Territory on World Teachers' Day, Friday 30 October. The highlight was the announcement of the Teaching Excellence Awards. A record 331 nominations were received this year across the six categories, reflecting the esteem and value that Territorians place on teachers as individuals and professionals. Dorothy Carmichael of Casuarina Senior College is the 2009 Teacher of the Year. Congratulations to all nominees and all winners. More | Media release - Territory Teachers Honoured on World Teachers' Day

Medal ceremony for skilled Territorians 30 Oct 2009
Nine Territorians have received gold medals at the WorldSkills regional awards ceremony. Almost 100 skilled young Territorians from nine disciplines competed in both open or Vocational Education and Training in Schools (VETiS) categories this year. Each of the nine winners have earned the right to represent the Territory at the national WorldSkills final in Brisbane next year. More

$1.3 million for Families as First Teachers 23 Oct 2009
More than $1.3 million has been awarded to community groups, service providers and schools across the Territory under the Families as First Teachers program. Recipients gathered at a forum in Darwin today where they presented their proposals and explained how they would assist in giving remote Indigenous children up to the age of 3 years the best start in life. The funding will support resources for play groups, play equipment, outdoor learning areas, parent support programs and literacy resources in the Territory's 20 growth towns and regional areas. Media Release - Families as First Teachers

Building projects begin to take shape 15 Oct 2009
Teams of tradesmen, apprentices and other workers are on site at Ludmilla Primary School and 31 other schools as projects funded under the Building the Education Revolution begin to take shape. A further 35 projects in government schools are either being designed or going through tender or procurement processes. Seven projects have already been completed. Some $267 million has been allocated to 184 primary, secondary, government and non-government schools in the NT over three years. Media release - Delivering for Territory students

NTOEC meets Energy Challenge 13 Oct 2009
Congratulations to the NT Open Education Centre (NTOEC) for its continued success in the ConocoPhillips Energy Challenge. The school won last year's challenge and was the runner up in this year. This year's team of four NTOEC Year 10 students from Yulara, Elcho Island, Mary River Station and Jabiru were in Darwin for the award presentation. As part of the Energy Challenge, students explored the LNG industry from exploration through to refining and sustainable development issues. This project increases student awareness of the variety of career opportunities available in the oil and gas industry, which directly employs 20,000 Australians.

Arlparra High School opening 07 Oct 2009
The Northern Territory's newest school is being officially opened today by Chief Minister Paul Henderson. The $3.2 million complex at Arlparra, 250km north east of Alice Springs, can cater for 120 students. Over 75 students are already enrolled and have been attending since the school started operating in Term 3 this year. The new school includes modern learning areas fitted with interactive whiteboards and wireless computer networks, a specialised science laboratory, two home economics areas, computer pods in the library and a teacher resource centre.

Student leaders meet with Executive 05 Oct 2009
Students on the Chief Executive's Student Forum (CESF) came into the office during their school holidays to meet with the Department's Executive. The group included representatives from Jabiru Area School, Tennant Creek High School, Centralian Senior Secondary College, Casuarina Senior College and Darwin High School. The CESF provides opportunities for young people to assume leadership roles in education forums and participate in decision-making. The students provide direct input to the Department on educational matters. More

Elcho art on display in Darwin 02 Oct 2009
Students from Elcho Island travelled to Darwin during their school holidays to launch 'Miny'tji 2009' - an exhibition of their art at the Darwin Entertainment Centre. The exhibition will be on display until Saturday 3 October. The senior secondary students have been working with two senior traditional artists Peter Datjing Burarrwanga and David Lakarriny to learn traditional techniques and designs. The art exhibition is will count towards the students completing their NT Certificate of Education. Media release

Indigenous Students' Leadership and Mentorship Program 30 Sep 2009

Indigenous students from around the Territory have participated in the Indigenous Students' Leadership and Mentorship Program (ISLMP) program this year. The initiative aims to improve leadership opportunities for Indigenous secondary students. The program includes leadership activities, team building and organising activities for Indigenous Literacy Day in September. Students are encouraged to reflect on how their future actions may be influenced by their learning from this program. The final Indigenous Students' Leadership and Mentorship Program (ISLMP) camp for 2009 was held at Lake Bennett over the weekend.

NT schools are making an impact 25 Sep 2009
Two Northern Territory schools have been awarded $50,000 each as part of the Schools First Impact Awards.

Karama Primary School was recognised for their partnership with the Smith Family, which includes a music program, Indigenous sports trainees, a swimming program, and the Tata Family Centre which engages the whole community.

Katherine Group School was recognised for their partnership with Ian Thorpes Foundation for Youth, which provides a literacy backpacks to 13 remote communities in the Katherine region.

The Schools First awards are support by NAB in partnership with the Foundation for Young Australians and the Australian Council for Educational Research.

Both schools are eligible for a further $50,000 in the State Impact Awards, which will be announced at the end of October. Nationally, one school will be awarded up to $1 million in recognition of a truly exceptional school-community partnership.

Territory students Try’a Trade 16 Sep 2009
This year over 700 Year 9 students across the Territory are trying out new skills as part of Trya Trade events held in Darwin, Alice Springs and Katherine. Skills coaches from local Territory businesses showed students new skills in a variety of trades including mechanical, electrical, carpentry, cookery, hairdressing, horticulture, plumbing and welding. Alice Springs and Darwin events are being held this week. Students from the Katherine region had their event earlier this year. Media release

Student leaders meet about new middle school 09 Sep 2009
The Centralian Middle School Student Leaders group had its first meeting this week. The group has representatives from Anzac Hill High School, Alice Springs High School and each of the Alice Springs primary schools. The Students Leaders group will discuss the new school uniforms, school values and behavior guidelines.

A competition to design the schools new logo was won by Year 7 Alice Springs High School student Terazita Turner. Terazita describes the logo as: "Sunrise, the MacDonnell Ranges, Anzac Hill and the Todd River. When ASHS kids look outside we see the MacDonnell Ranges and when the Anzac kids look out they see Anzac Hill and we are under one sun and near one river: the Todd River." Media release

Ti Tree School celebrates 40 years 09 Sep 2009
This week Ti Tree School will celebrate its 40^th birthday with a sports day, history displays, tree planting, unearthing of the time capsule and a school concert. The School opened on the 9 September 1969 with one teacher and four silver bullet classroom vans. The Schools first two principals, Ian Read and Noel Coutts, will be guests of honour at the birthday celebrations. Ti-Tree School media release | Ministerial media release

Nominations now for Teacher Excellence 08 Sep 2009
Nominations for the Northern Territory Teacher Excellence Awards are now open for 2009. The awards recognise government school teachers, teams, principals, support staff and schools that have made a significant contribution to quality student learning in the Northern Territory. Last year the Bees Creek school community nominated Glynis Winsdale who won the Teacher of the Year Award. Who do you think should be recognized this year? Nominations close on Wednesday 23 September. More | Media release

Education Week 02 Sep 2009
This week schools throughout the Northern Territory are celebrating Education Week with reading days, maths games and a range of other activities. Many have also invited their local community back to school to share student work. Wulagi Primary School teacher Virginia White shared a story with her Transition-Year 1 class to celebrate receiving the ALEA Excellence in Literacy Teaching Award as part of Education Week. National Literacy and Numeracy Week celebrations are also being held this week, including National Reading Day on Wednesday. More

$71 million boost for Territory schools 28 Aug 2009
Sixty five Territory schools will share $71 million in funding for major infrastructure projects under the Primary Schools for the 21st Century program. The Australian Government has announced that 71 projects had received approval under the third and final funding round, bringing the Territory total to $151.9 million. Construction or refurbishment of classrooms, libraries, assembly halls, resource centres and other round three projects will begin immediately in order to meet the completion deadline of 31 March 2011. In Katherine, work is underway on an Early Years Outdoor Learning Centre at Casuarina Street Primary School. The school received a $125,000 grant under round two of the Primary Schools for the 21st Century program. And on Groote Eylandt, a national school pride project is almost complete at Umbakumba School. The $75,000 project, which includes landscaping, new signage and several wall murals, will be one of the first projects completed under the Building the Education Revolution. More | Media release - More funding for Territory schools

DET Careers Expo for Territory students  25 Aug 2009
Hundreds of Territory students attended Careers Expos held in Darwin, Nhulunbuy, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs this month. Students, teachers, employers, universities and training organisations came together to discuss the jobs market. Students had the opportunity to build networks and identify career options. Media release

Milingimbi musicians do themselves proud 25 Aug 2009
Senior student musicians from Milingimbi have done themselves proud in the past two weeks. Under the expert tutelage of Scott Trenwith and Keith Lapulung, the six members of the East Storm Band won the School Band of the Year category at the Indigenous Music Awards. That followed a superb performance in front of a huge crowd at the Garma Festivals opening ceremony. While at Garma, the band members also made the most of their opportunity to work with Australian music legends Jon Butler and Nicky Bomba.

NT Library online education resources 25 Aug 2009
August update now available.

2010 User Choice Funding 20 Aug 2009
Registered Training Organisations are invited to apply for funding under the User Choice Program to deliver training services to Apprentices and Trainees (including School Based) in the Northern Territory in 2010. Applications close on Friday 25 September 2009.

Clontarf expansion for NT schools 17 Aug 2009
The Chief Minister visited Dripstone Middle School to announce the expansion of the successful Clontarf program into Dripstone Middle School and Tennant Creek High School later this year. The existing Clontarf academies cover seven Territory schools, and have delivered impressive outcomes with improvements in school attendance, retention and student behaviour. The Tennant Creek Clontarf will become part of a new sports science centre, being built as part of the Federal Government's Building the Education Revolution initiative. More than 250 students were in Katherine this week, for the Clontarf annual football carnival, including teams from Alice Springs, the Top End, Katherine, Halls Creek, Kununurra and Broome. Media release - Expanding the link between boot and book

VET in Schools Worldskills cookery competition 17 Aug 2009
12 Darwin High School and 2 Taminmin High students competed in the VET in Schools Worldskills cookery competition. The commercial cookery students pitted their skills against each other in a bid to represent the Territory at the national competition held in May next year. The national winner will represent Australia at the Worldskills International competition in London in 2011. Under the watchful eyes of chefs from SkyCity Casino and Malukas Bistro, the students created an inspired three-course menu using set ingredients. Media release | More

ERA partners with Jabiru and Gunbalanya 14 Aug 2009
The Jabiru Area School and Gunbalanya School will partner with Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) to provide employment and training pathways for their students. More | Media release - Partnership delivers jobs

Darwin High part of the Digital Education Revolution 11 Aug 2009
Schools across the Territory are beginning to receive large deliveries of computers as part of the Digital Education Revolution program. Darwin High School received 282 computers during school holidays as part of the Australian Government's $6.5 million National Secondary Schools Computer Fund. Sanderson Middle School and Katherine High School also received 129 and 160 computers respectively. Over the next four years, computers will be delivered to 52 NTG schools - 13 urban middle and secondary schools and 49 remote schools. The program aims to provide all students in Years 9-12 with computer access, with the ultimate aim of one computer for every student by the end of the four-year roll-out.

Families as First Teachers regional grants 28 Jul 2009
The Families as First Teachers Program is a Northern Territory Government initiative aimed at giving remote Indigenous children the best start in life and increasing families participation in the learning and developmental process. Applications for grants may be made by schools, agencies and service providers supporting children aged 0-3 years and their families. More | Media release - $1.5 Million For Families As First Teachers

A boost for science and languages in schools 08 Jul 2009
Eight Northern Territory government schools have been awarded $1.97 million each to build remote science and languages centres by 30 June 2010 under the federal government's Nation building Economic Stimulus Plan. The centres will be flexible and cater for different science fields including chemistry, physics and environmental studies. The language centres will deliver programs to help students who are learning English as a second language. The learning areas will have the latest technology to facilitate distance learning and multimedia. Media release - Improving Territory Schools | List of schools awarded funding

2009 Adult Learners' Week grants 08 Jul 2009
Adult Learners' Week (ALW) is a time to celebrate, promote and advance all forms of adult learning; from recreation to career opportunities. The Department of Education and Training is offering four $5000 grants to Northern Territory organisations to develop a new, or expand an existing, adult learning activity during 2009 Adult Learners Week. Applications close on Thursday 30 July 2009. More about ALW

VET ambassadors in training 06 Jul 2009
Student finalists for the 2009 NT Training Awards have attended a weekend of professional development and networking in Darwin. The Student Finalist Weekend has helped prepare the students to act as ambassadors for the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system and mentor future students. More

Construction well under way at Rosebery Schools 26 Jun 2009
Construction of the new primary and middle school complex is well under way at Rosebery. Building is already 10 per cent complete and work is on track for the schools to open in 2011. 50-60 workers are onsite daily, including apprentices and trainees. For more information about the schools and a image gallery of the buildings progress, visit the Rosebery Schools website.

Batchelor graduates gain DET awards 26 Jun 2009
Congratulations to Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education graduates Leah Leaman and Greg Hauser, who have received DET-sponsored awards for VET Student of the Year and the Higher Education award respectively. Leah completed a Certificate III in Indigenous Education Work, while Greg achieved his Bachelor of Education (Primary). The Higher Education Award recognises outstanding academic achievement by a graduate who has completed a Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Degree in Teaching. Leah's VET award recognises outstanding achievement in a VET program by a student of any faculty.

Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training 15 Jun 2009
Chief Minister Paul Henderson encouraged Territorians to have their say on the proposed recognition of VET in the NT Certificate in Education and Training. Have your say

2009 WorldSkills NT Regional Competitions 12 Jun 2009
WorldSkills is a competition for young Territorians interested in challenging their skills and abilities against other young skilled people in their area, the nation and the world! Regional competitions are on now in the Territory in a range of categories including commercial cookery, hairdressing, agriculture, welding, tourism, food and beverage and more.

Clontarf wins 12 Jun 2009
Casuarina Senior College hosted the Clontarf Territory Carnival this week. More than 100 AFL players from Clontarf Academies in Yirara, Centralian, Casuarina, Palmerston and Katherine played in the competition. Overall victors were the side from Centralian Senior Secondary College. Congratulations to all involved for a fantastic display of sportsmanship and determination.

$56 million for schools 12 Jun 2009
Government primary schools in the NT have been allocated more than $56 million for capital works. 49 schools were successful in receiving grants of between $250,000 and $2.5 million under the Federal Government's Primary Schools for the 21st Century program as part of Building the Education Revolution. More

Building the Education Revolution - National Schools Pride 22 May 2009
The second and final round of the National Schools Pride Program (NSP) of the Building the Education Revolution has been announced by Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard. NSP round two sees 51 NT schools receive a combined total of $5.125M for construction of small scale infrastructure and/or refurbishments. Many of the NSP Round One projects are already underway and as we enter the implementation phase of NSP, there is no doubt we will see some dramatic and exciting changes happening in our schools. Media release

2009 NT Training Awards - nominations open 19 May 2009
Individuals, organisations and schools are invited to submit nominations for this year's NT Training Awards by 2pm on Friday 29 May. The awards are an important way of officially recognising high standards in vocational education and training and also the merit of individual students. Winners will be announced at the NT Training Awards at the Darwin Convention Centre on 12 September. More

Building Education Revolution money for NT schools  19 May 2009
More than $74 million has been allocated to 37 Territory schools as part of the Australian Government's Building Education Revolution economic stimulus plan. Schools will use the funding to build of upgrade libraries, multipurpose halls and classrooms. Students at Stuart Park Primary School celebrated the announcement that their school would receive $3 million for a new assembly hall. More | Media release - Territory Shares in Education Revolution

Early Development for Transition Kids 14 May 2009
During May all transition students throughout the Northern Territory will be involved in the Australian Early Development Index. Teachers will be supported to complete a survey for each transition students about their health, well being, social competence, emotional maturity, general knowledge, language, cognitive and communication skills. More | Media release - Improving Early Childhood Outcomes

NAPLAN testing for Territory students 08 May 2009
All year 3, 5, 7 and 9 students in the Northern Territory will participate in National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) testing from 12 to 14 May. The tests will provide an important measure of how students are performing in numeracy, reading, writing and language conventions (including spelling, grammar and punctuation). These skills are taught in Territory schools every day. The NAPLAN testing provides an indication of progress for students across Australia. NAPLAN was introduced into all Australian schools last year. This years students will be sitting the tests for the first time because students are tested every second year. Schools and teachers support students throughout the year and encourage them to feel comfortable with the testing process. Parents can help their children by being positive and reassuring about the tests. More information about the NAPLAN is available on the DET website or parents can get more information by contacting their school directly. Media release - Schools Prepare for National Testing

Road Safety in practice 27 Apr 2009
Students from Manunda Terrace Primary School had the honour of being the first to use the newly re-opened Parap Road Safety Centre. The centre is designed to assist children develop road awareness in a safe environment. Media release - Students Learn Road Safety Skills

Australian of the Year visits NT schools 20 Apr 2009
Millner Primary School students welcomed Australian of the Year Mick Dodson and Chief Minister Paul Henderson for a school tour. Professor Mick Dodson will visit several Top End schools this week as part of his national tour, including Sanderson Middle School, Ngukurr School and Katherine High School.
Media release - Australian of the Year Visits Successful NT Schools

Scholarships awarded  16 Apr 2009
More than 100 Territorians have received government scholarships, grants, bursaries and cadetships to assist with further education and training. The awards recognise pursuits in both higher and vocational education and training. Media release - Finding Job Paths for More Territorians | More

NT Training Awards launched 09 Apr 2009
The 2009 NT Training Awards are now officialy open for nominations. The awards, now in their 54th year, recognise excellence in vocational and educational training (VET) across the Territory. Some 22 000 Territorians are currently participating in VET programs. More

Leaders confer  08 Apr 2009
More than 200 NT school principals and assistant principals are spending a good portion of the school holidays attending a conference in Darwin. The school leaders' conference provides networking and professional learning opportunities to leaders of urban, regional and remote schools.

New childcare centre for Palmerston 01 Apr 2009
More than 50 childcare places will be created in a new early learning and child care facility to be built in Palmerston. The Federal Government is providing $2.1 Million for the centre's construction next to the health precinct. The new centre is expected to be operational by the end of 2010. Media release

Exit Art now open 20 Mar 2009
The 15th annual Exit Art exhibition is now open at the Museum and Art Gallery Northern Territory. Exit Art: Contemporary youth art of Northern Territory Year 12 students 2008 is a showcase of the best works produced by NT Stage 2 visual arts students last year. Works on display includes painting, sculpture, handcrafts and digital installations. Congratulations to all art students who were selected to participate in this exhibition, which is open to the public until 12 July.

Learning to lead the way 18 Mar 2009
Young Indigenous leaders honed their skills and identified opportunities to show the way for their peers at an Indigenous Students Leadership and Mentorship Program Seminar on the weekend. The 50 participants from across the Territory took part in an intensive agenda including sessions on team building and mentoring. Students also heard from speakers including NT Indigenous Education Council chair Mark Mortlop, Mentoring NT Group Training's Tanyah Nasir and David Guy from the Indigenous Capacity Unit. Students received a $1000 grant per semester to assist with their studies.

Have your say on new childcare regulations 18 Mar 2009
The Department of Education and Training is consulting with children's services providers and the community to create the most effective possible regulations to support the new Care and Protection of Children Act. The aim is to develop new regulations that are flexible, clear and focus on the best outcomes for children.

All the world's a stage 03 Mar 2009
Teachers gathered in Darwin yesterday for a Bell Shakespeare teacher forum. The forums give teachers an opportunity to see new ideas and innovative ways to educate and inspire primary and secondary students when teaching Shakespeare. Bell Shakespeare will return to the NT in May to hold regional student workshops and perform The Taming of the Shrew in Alice Springs and Darwin. More

Building work begins this month at Rosebery schools 03 Mar 2009
Chief Minister and Education Minister Paul Henderson announced that local company Halikos won the tender to build the new schools in Rosebery and that work will commence this month. Ready for the 2011 school year, this will create an additional 1450 educational places for children. The Rosebery campus will include a middle school and a primary school. Media release - Local Company to Build Rosebery Schools

Feedback sought on MCEETYA Action Plan 2009-2012 03 Mar 2009
You are invited to provide comments and feedback on the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA) Action Plan 2009-2012. The closing date for all submissions is 6 March 2009. Please email your feedback to Mceetyaplan.DET@nt.gov.au or directly to the Australian Government for national-level submissions. The MCEETYA Action Plan 2009-2012 supports the Melbourne declaration on educational goals for young Australians and outlines the key strategies and initiatives Australian governments will undertake in eight inter-related areas in order to support the achievement of these goals. Please see the MCEETYA website for details.

Students voice their views 26 Feb 2009
Senior secondary students met with executives from the Department of Education and Training today to express their views about the future of education in the Territory. The 13 senior students from across the Territory comprise the Chief Executive's Student Forum. Participants were selected to represent government secondary school students and provide a direct link between students and the DET executive. Media release

Bombing of Darwin commemoration 23 Feb 2009
Sirens wailed and guns roared before a minute's silent reflection at the 67th Commemoration of the bombing of Darwin on Thursday 19 February. Hundreds of Northern Territory students attended the ceremony at the Cenotaph with representatives from many schools laying wreaths in honour of the fallen.

Crazy hair to show you care 17 Feb 2009
The United States Pacific Air Force Band is in Darwin for the anniversary of the city's bombing, and performed at Millner Primary School today. The school invited seniors from the local community to its newly-opened environmentally-friendly assembly hall for the concert. The concert coincided with Millner's uniform-free crazy hair day to raise funds for the victims of Victoria's bushfires, and the community paused to acknowledge past and present events.

Top students honoured 16 Feb 2009
The Territory's top senior secondary students have been rewarded for their achievements during 2008 at the Northern Territory Board of Studies (NTBOS) Awards nights in Alice Springs and Darwin. More

Charles Darwin 200 12 Feb 2009
Today is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin. The NT's newest school has taken much inspiration from its namesake. The Darwin Middle School logo reflects Darwin's studies in natural sciences and the school has three state-of-the-art science laboratories to inspire many more forward thinkers. A number of activities are planned for 2009 to commemorate the bicententary and Darwin's achievements. These events aim to raise awareness of Charles Darwin and how his legacy is relevant to the present-day Northern Territory. More about Darwin 200

Infrastructure announcement 12 Feb 2009
Every primary school in the Northern Territory is set to benefit from a massive infrastructure initiative, announced today by the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister announced 'Operation Stimulus' while visiting Moulden Park Primary School, one of the schools to benefit from the $146 million the Territory has secured for building works in our schools, which will create an estimated 650 direct and indirect jobs. Media release - Operation Stimulus

Cyber-safe students 10 Feb 2009
Today is Safer Internet Day. In a world of rapidly-evolving technologies, online awareness is an essential tool for young people. Schools are working with students to develop safe internet and cyber skills, and free internet awareness training is also available to teachers and parents. More

International Women's Day VET Study Grants 2009 04 Feb 2009
Do you know a Territory woman who is studying a VET course that will assist them in returning to work after a period of absence? She may be eligible for a $1000 study grant! More

Teacher-author shortlisted 04 Feb 2009
Students at Nightcliff Middle School gathered to congratulate their former teacher, author Barry Jonsberg, on being shortlisted for the Territory Read award. The winner will be announced on 5 February. Mr Jonsberg's fiction for older children has garnered him numerous awards and nominations. More

Renewed focus on literacy and numeracy 02 Feb 2009
New measures for improving literacy and numeracy outcomes in Territory schools were announced today. These include whole of school approaches to numeracy and literacy, and performance management processes for teachers. Media release - Focus on Better Literacy and Numeracy Across the Territory

Back to School 28 Jan 2009
School has started for 2009. For some 3000 pre-schoolers it is their first classroom experience. Joining them in Northern Territory classrooms for the first time are almost 150 newly-recruited teachers. Motorists are reminded that the 40km school zone speed limits are in place 7am-5pm on school days. Pictured are Malak students practising their road safety skills with Hector the Cat. Students who ride their bikes to school are reminded to wear their helmets, while bus transport to and from school is free on the NT's public transport system and designated school buses. Back to School vouchers for every student from Transition to Year 12 are available from the schools' offices, for parents and guardians to redeem in school for essential supplies. Media release - School Infrastructure Investment as Students Back to School

Welcome to new teachers 23 Jan 2009
Almost 150 new teachers have been appointed by the Department of Education and Training (DET) to schools throughout the Northern Territory. Of these, 53 are local recruits and 26 teachers have been appointed to fill Indigenous Education Agreement positions under the Australian Government 200 Additional Teacher initiative. The teachers have been undertaking orientation in Darwin and Alice Springs this week ahead of the commencement of the 2009 school year. Media release

Free bus services for Territory students  22 Jan 2009
Students from primary school to university are now able to use the Territory's school and public bus network for free. Travel is available to all Australian students with student identification. Access to the free service will be available from Tuesday 27 January.

• Primary school students do not need to provide ID
• Middle school students should present their Student ID Card (if available) to the driver
• Senior school students MUST present their Student ID Card to the driver

Back to School 22 Jan 2009
Every primary and secondary student in the NT has been allocated a $75 voucher to be spent on school supplies. The vouchers can be redeemed in the students' schools for essential supplies such as uniforms and stationery. If you have not yet received your child's voucher, please contact your school directly. More

New Rosebery schools development: Frequently Asked Questions 15 Jan 2009
Do you have a question about the new Rosebery schools development? Need an explanation of terms; or just curious about the new schools? The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the Rosebery schools website is a great source of information. The FAQs address the design features, positioning and other questions that were raised at community information sessions in late 2008. The FAQs will be regularly updated as the project progresses.