Commissioner for Children and Young People launched her Message to the Commissioner (‘Tell Helen’) Postcard project today. It is aimed at encouraging South Australian children aged 8 – 12 years to let the Commissioner know what is important to them.
They are invited to do this by completing the ‘Tell Helen’ postcard, which lists six questions the Commissioner asks children aged 8 – 12 years to respond to, including what they would do if they were the boss of South Australia?
The work of the Commissioner for Children and Young People is directly informed by listening to the views and opinions of children and young people throughout South Australia. She has heard that the voices of 8 – 12 year olds are often not heard. In guiding the work of her office in 2020, she is keen to ensure that 8 – 12 year olds are well and truly heard.
The postcards are being distributed to all primary and independent schools with assistance sought from teachers to encourage their students in this age range to complete the postcards and return them to the Commissioner by Friday 13 December, 2019 (ie end of Term 4)
Completion of the postcards need take no more than a few minutes. Responses are anonymous. Nothing is asked that would identify any individual student.
The artwork for the postcard is available for download below, along with instructions for teachers who may require additional copies of the postcard, and or parents and carers who know children 8 – 12 years of age who they would like to support to participate.
Click on the images below to download the Tell Helen postcard:
Click on the links to download the Tell Helen – Post Card Artwork
Click on the link to download the Tell Helen – Instructions for Teachers, Parents and Carers
Click on the link to download the Tell Helen – School or Community Newsletter e-Notice
Project Aims:
- To significantly bolster student agency and civic participation for 8 – 12 year old children.
- To encourage children aged 8 – 12 years to identify and share what aspects of their lives are most important to them.
- To provide children aged 8 – 12 years with greater awareness of the Commissioner and her work.
- To provide children aged 8 – 12 years with an opportunity to have their voices heard by sending a message to the Commissioner who will advocate on their behalf policy and decision makers on matters impacting on them on their behalf.
