This year, the ACT Government and the Canberra community celebrates the 50th anniversary of the public school system.
“As part of our celebrations, we are calling on past and present ACT public school staff, students, administrators, and community members to share your memories and experiences of ACT public schooling,” Yvette Berry, ACT Minister for Education and Youth Affairs, said.
“Our ACT public school system has gone on to teach hundreds of thousands of students over the past 50 years – and we want to hear your stories.
“The ACT Education Directorate will curate the information to create a chronicle on its website and a physical exhibition of ACT public school history.”
You can visit our YourSay page to share your story at https://yoursayconversations.act.gov.au/50-years-act-public-education.
A program of events will be held throughout the year to recognise the public education system’s rich history, celebrate its successes, and look forward to the next 50 years.
The appointment of the Interim ACT Schools Authority Council on 8 October 1973 led to the creation of a public school system independent of the NSW Education Department – a system radically different in structure, governance, and curriculum to any other school system in Australia.
This includes a unique secondary education structure of year 7-10 high schools and year 11 and 12 colleges in which continuous assessment replaces external final exams.
