Friday 30 September

Issue 2

Dear Colleagues,

I sincerely hope you enjoy the second edition of my quarterly e-news covering the range of initiatives my team and I have undertaken throughout School Term 3. We are working to help bring about system change for the benefit of SA children and young people. If you would like to read about my background and the personal approach I have taken to my systems advocacy role click here.

Featured News

Leigh Creek Students in Parliament

16 students from Leigh Creek Area School travelled more than 500kms to visit Parliament House as part of the Civics in the City program supporting kids from regional and remote areas. More

Kids are learning to speak robot at the City of PAE Libraries

Read how Port Adelaide Enfield Libraries brought Learn to Speak Robot to kids at the Lights Community and Sports Centre. More

Community Outreach |  Connections | Events

Does SA need school provided meals? Let the Citizens' Jury decide...

Commissioner Helen Connolly and Flinders University are co-hosting this FREE event as part of Anti-Poverty Week. Book your place today at Humanitix

Climate Justice and Climate Poverty COP 27 Submission by SA Young People 

Join this workshop held in Anti-Poverty Week (15-22 Oct) to contribute to the youth submission for the UNs COP 27 Conference in Egypt this Nov. Register

Commissioner's Runabout

A snapshot summary of what the Commissioner has been busy with over the last three months, connecting and engaging with SA children, young people, and adult stakeholders alike. Read More

Guide to Child Friendly Sports Clubs

This snapshot guide is designed to provide sports clubs with practical ideas and tips on how to build a child friendly sports club where kids feel safe and welcome. Read the full guide

Submissions | Reports

Issue Brief: South Australian children and young people’s experiences of living with chronic illness
Currently there is no systemic way to address the impact chronic illness has on the lives of SA children and young people. Without knowing the true extent, policymakers or support services cannot address the considerable barriers to planning and implementation of effective healthcare policies. Read the full Issue Brief

Submission on Review of the Mental Health Act

This submission is an opportunity to present the case for embedding a public health approach and a human rights-based approach to mental health and wellbeing in South Australian law. Such an approach would have particular regard to the rights and access of children and young tailored specifically to their needs. Read the full submission

Vaping Survey: Key Findings

Amid growing public concern about the prevalence and
impacts of vaping amongst SA teenagers, the Commissioner asked young people to share their thoughts on vaping, and how adults can best support young people who are vaping. The Commissioner's report was distributed to national counterparts by the Hon. Blair Boyer, Minister for Education. Read the full report here

Submission to the Social Development Committee Inquiry into NDIS participants with complex needs living in inappropriate accommodation

Focusing on NDIS participants in SA with complex needs who are unable, or are at risk of being unable, to live in the family home and who instead are forced to live in accommodation that does not adequately meet their needs. Read the full submission

The Things That Matter 3 - Views of 8-12 year olds on life, school and community

The third in this series of reports reflecting responses from more than 13,689 children who sent in a ‘Commissioner’s Postcard’ in 2021. Students in years 2-6 shared what matters most to them revealing there is much about their lives they enjoy, but also key issues they'd like to see adults address. Read the full report here

Young People Standing for Local Government Elections

Commissioner Connolly has been working with a group of young South Australians who have made the decision to stand for office in SA’s upcoming local council elections so they can make a difference to their communities in ways they believe will work. You can find out more about these young local government candidates and what they stand for here and then make your local council vote count this November.

Grants | Projects | Initiatives | Surveys

What's On

Thank you to 144 Government, Catholic and Independent primary and combined schools who have already returned their Student Voice Postcards for 2022! So far we have received more than 6,000 postcards from 8-12 year olds throughout SA and counting...There's still plenty of time for primary school students to participate in this important student voice and agency initiative with postcards able to be received up to end of Term 4. If you have students in Years 2-6 at your school, be sure to allocate time for them to tell their Commissioner what matters to them most! 

Commissioner's Digital Challenge Closes Today! Last chance to submit your Completion Form 

Today is the final day to submit your School's Completion Form to be eligible for great prizes, including a 3D Printer, licences for your entire school and much more...

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