Reports
The Commissioner produces reports based on projects linked to key focus areas of her work as set out in her Strategic Framework (2022+). The reports below all relate to children’s education. They reflect what South Australian children and young people have told the Commissioner matters most to them about their education, including what changes they would like to see made. The Commissioner also produces a series of annual statutory publications which report on how South Australia is performing against international standards set out in the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights (UNCRC) of the Child, many of which relate to the right to a good education.
A 6-Point Plan to Make SA a Better Place for Kids
Whilst the full Things That Matter 5 report is a delightful read for those who want to drill down into responses to the questions children have supplied, this snapshot summary of what kids have told the Commissioner will make South Australia better from their point...
The Things That Matter 5
This fifth report from the Commissioner's Student Voice Postcards initiative reflects responses from 18,328 South Australian children who completed postcards in 2023 - up from 16,007 in 2022. Children told their Commissioner they want more time with the parents,...
Early Years Postcards
Being able to speak up and express their opinions is a core right of children, as stated in Article 12 in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. In 2023, the Commissioner extended her postcards initiative to be inclusive of preschool aged children so that...
Seen But Not Heard
Keeping young people engaged with their education is a priority. It requires investment by governments, communities and families to resource and support young people’s ongoing participation in school, and to ensure school is rewarding and inspiring for all children...
Teenagers and Work
Young people’s experiences of work impact their lives in many ways – not only in terms of their present and future workforce participation, but also in relation to their health, safety, wellbeing and education outcomes. For teenagers, having a paid job during high...
High Stakes High School: The experiences of South Australian Year 12 students
This report from 2022 recognises the range of attributes young people needto thrive in a changing world, including those gained from experiences outside the classroom. Beyond job prospects and security, educational attainment also influences behaviours and...
Keeping Kids Connected to Learning and Schooling Summit #2
The second Keeping Kids Connected to Learning and Schooling Summit took place on 6th May 2022, more than a year after the inaugural summit of the same name held in March 2021. The 2022 Summit changed focus, looking at disengagement and detachment from school and...
Stereotypes and Sexism in Schools
The purpose of this report from 2022 is to bring children and young people’s perspectives and experiences of sexism and gender stereotypes to the fore. Through face-to-face conversations and by exploring how children and young people perceive the differences...
No Exceptions | Creating safer schools for LGBTQIA+ Students
This report from 2021 captures the views of young people about their perceptions and experiences of discrimination against LGBTQIA+ students in religious schools. Obviously the negative experiences in this report do not reflect the environments in every religious...
Keeping Kids Connected to Learning and Schooling Summit | Feedback Report
This report from 2021 summarises what participants thought were key issues for the Department to consider in its response to the findings and recommendations of the Graham Inquiry and the Blame Game reports. The Summit offered the South Australian community a...
