Student Program

An interactive student program will run alongside the main conference program. This will include a social function with light refreshments and will be held at the end of the first day of the conference.

The student program will give students the opportunity to learn, share and reflect on how they could support schools to do things differently and better rather than more of the same to improve literacy, numeracy and engagement learning outcomes for students in low socio-economic status communities.

Students will be able to attend the conference as part of a school team. Supervision of students and duty of care will remain the responsibility of the school team. In addition there will be a group of conference delegates who will assist with supporting and supervising students during the student program and social function.

The state Student Equity Advisory Team (SEAT) will take an active role in supporting the conference program. State SEAT supports student voice and leadership in targeted equity groups. State SEAT members represent the diverse cultures, languages and interests of students in schools across New South Wales, including schools with high concentrations of students in low socio-economic communities.

 

Complimentary Student Registrations

36 complimentary student registrations will be offered to Priority Schools to support students attending the conference as part of school teams. Complimentary registrations are limited to a maximum of two students per school.

These complimentary registrations will be in addition to the complimentary registrations for state Student Equity Advisory Team (SEAT) members.

Schools are responsible for organising travel, accommodation and supervision for students attending the conference.

Schools that have students who receive complimentary registrations are eligible to claim rebates for expenses incurred for travel and accommodation. Schools must provide receipts and complete the rebate form provided at the conference. Rebates vary according to regions as follows:

• South Western Sydney, Sydney and Western Sydney – up to $100 per student
• Hunter Central Coast – up to $200 per student
• Illawarra and South East – up to $300 per student
• New England, North Coast and Riverina – up to $500 per student
• Western New South Wales – up to $600 per student.

The selection process will include:

• an initial offer of up to four complimentary student registrations for each of the nine regions with Priority Schools
• regions conducting a selection process involving state Student Equity Advisory Team (SEAT) representatives for the region, supported by the regional PSP consultancy team
• a possible second round of offers to regions that request additional registrations, taken from regions that cannot fill all four registrations by the nominated date.

Selection criteria:

Regions will be advised to select students from Priority Schools who:

• have not had opportunities to participate in conferences or other external events
• are enrolled in Priority Schools in Year 6 to Year 11
• are part of a school team of executive, teachers, parent/community and students attending the conference
• represent the diverse communities in Priority Schools across New South Wales
• show an interest in and commitment to issues of equity in education
• demonstrate leadership potential.

Key dates

• Closing date for Expressions of interest is Thursday 9 July, 2009
• Successful and unsuccessful students will be advised in early August 2009

An application form can be downloaded here.

Student registration

Please note there is a separate process for student registration. The three forms below must be downloaded, completed, signed and returned to Philip Hart on fax +61 2 9244 5139, email Philip.Hart@det.nsw.edu.au, or send to the address below before student registration can be completed online:

• Authority to publish
• Student profile
• Permission to attend the conference

Philip Hart
Coordinator, Student Focused Equity Initiatives
Priority Schools and Equity Coordination Unit
Level 14, 1 Oxford Street
DARLINGHURST NSW 2010

 

Address for correspondence

• Equity 2009 Conference Managers
• GPO Box 128, Sydney NSW 2001 Australia
• Ph: 61 2 9265 0700
• Fax: 61 2 9267 5443
• Email: equity2009@arinex.com.au

Call for abstracts!

Abstract submissions now open!

Click here for more information!

Timetable and deadlines

• Abstract submission opens: 22 April 2009
• Registration open: 25 May 2009
• Abstract submission due: Closed
• Abstract notification: 26 June 2009
• Early registration deadline: 15 July 2009
• Presenter registration deadline: 15 July 2009
• Accommodation: 7 August 2009
• Conference opens: 10 September 2009
• Conference closes: 11 September 2009

Sponsors

The Organising Committee for The 4th Biennial Equity Conference 2009 innovate-educate-celebrate hosted by NSW Priority Schools Programs acknowledges with gratitude the generous support received from the following sponsors:

Principal Sponsor

Major Sponsor - Silver Level

Host

Hosted by NSW Priority Schools Programs, NSW Department of Education and Training

Conference Managers

arinex pty limited
ABN 28 000 386 676

arinex pty limited has been appointed as the official PCO (Professional Conference Organiser). arinex is the largest total service provider for conferences, events, business travel and exhibitions in Australia. They are the only Australian partner of INCON, an exclusive international network of the world’s top conference organisers and event managers. They are ideally placed to combine international know how and local expertise to this Conference and look forward to working with the Australian Health Insurance Association and all its members to produce one of the best Conferences in its history.