I
hope you enjoy this issue of my quarterly e-news. Inside you'll find
links to my latest reports, briefs, submissions and other advocacy
resources.
Thursday 4 July
Issue 9
Dear Colleagues,
Second
Term has seen much activity from members of the 2024 SA SRC whose five
campaign groups have been working hard to progress their chosen advocacy
issues. There have been a number of important submissions made,
including one on the impact of endometriosis on young people's capacity
to participate in education and work. Following our submission to the
Federal Government's Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters,
which is tasked with inquiring into civics education, engagement and
participation young people from South Australia were invited to
participate in the public hearing to put forward their views and ideas
on ways to improve civics education.
I released two major reports this term - Seen But Not Heard which examines what young people in Years 9, 10 & 11 have to say about their education experiences, and Everyday Racism
examining the impacts racism has on SA refugee and migrant young people
who told me they are experiencing casual racism on an almost daily
basis. With the new vaping laws coming into effect this week, I'm
pleased my guide on ways to approach vaping at school has been
distributed. It emphasises the need for schools to see vaping as a
health concern rather than a disciplinary issue, and the need to focus
on addressing nicotine addiction and the health impacts of vaping on
children and young people. I'm pleased to announce the recipients of my
period justice grants for 2024. The range of project ideas on ways to
raise awareness and address issues of taboo around periods and
menstruation are inspiring. Happy NAIDOC week! I hope you have the
opportunity to enjoy some of the celebratory events that will be on.
Featured News
SA SRC Mid-Year Update
The
2024 SA SRC has had an exciting few months. Since the SA SRC Summit in
March, student reps have continued progressing existing Fitness for Free
and Free Fares for Our Future campaigns while launching three new ones:
Our Future Our Vote, Greening Our Canteens, and Seeing Ourselves. Read more
Students collaborate with council on reusable period products
Fifty
Year 10 students from Golden Grove High worked with staff from City of
Tea Tree Gully to co-create an awareness-raising campaign around the
advantages of reusable period hygiene products including the
environmental benefits they offer.
The
Commissioner wants to know when, where, and why young people feel safe
and unsafe in their daily lives, and how they think the community can be
made safe for everyone. Aimed at young people between the ages of 13
and 17 years. the survey will be open throughout the school holidays. Link to Survey
Commissioner's Runabout
Read
this term's 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 on issues relating to her
advocacy work. Read more
Submissions | Briefs | Reports
Seen But Not Heard
This
report brings the voices, experiences and perspectives pf school
students in years 8 to 10 to the fore. By examining their insights into
their experiences of school, and by listening to their ideas alongside
the challenges they face during these crucial teenage years, we can
begin to find ways to work with teenagers to build their feelings of
safety, trust, and wellbeing; essential to having a positive learning
experience while they are at school.
This
report examines the views and experiences of South Australian young
people from refugee and migrant backgrounds. Experiences of belonging
and inclusion are vital to healthy development. We must consider the
ideas young people have for preventing and actively challenging racism
across a range of settings.
Responding to vaping at school: approaches that work
Schools
need to view vaping as a health issue, rather than as a disciplinary
issue. International and domestic research over many years has found
that the most successful approaches at minimising or preventing
cigarette and vape use are those which take a whole-of-school approach.
This guide provides schools with practical advice on approaches that
work to address addiction and the impact vaping is having on children
and young people of all ages.
Submission to the Parliament of South Australia's Select Committee on Endometriosis Prepared
by the Commissioner in partnership with young people involved in the
Period Justice Working Group, this submission addresses the real issues
young people face in relation to menstrual health and the
little-considered impact that living with endometriosis has on young
people's capacity to participate consistently in work and school.
Submission to the Inquiry into Sharing the Benefits of Growth with All South Australians
The
Commissioner has written to the South Australian Productivity
Commission, urging them to consider the barriers that prevent children
and young people from sharing in the benefits of economic growth, and
the need for the state to address these barriers in education and
employment.
Submission about the Adelaide City Plan 2036 The
voices of children and young people will be critical to the success of
the Adelaide City Plan to understand how they want to live, work, learn,
play and connect with their capital city. Adelaide City Council must
meaningfully and appropriately engage with children and young people to
thoroughly understand their unique and diverse current needs, and their
valuable perspectives as the voice of future generations.
Commissioner's 2024 Student Voice Postcards - Term 3
Play
the short video: Commissioner for Children and Young People is once
again asking primary schoolchildren in years 2 - 6 to tell her what
matters to them most.
Grants | Initiatives
Period Justice grants announced
Recipients
of this years 2024 Period Justice grants were announced to coincide
with International Menstrual Health Day (Tuesday 28 May). Sports clubs,
arts organisations, community groups and local councils across South
Australia are amongst the grant recipients being supported
Packs
will be arriving at all SA primary schools in the first week of Term 3.
Last year more than 18,000 children in years 2-6 participated in this
student voice and agency initiative. This year the Commissioner hopes to
receive 20,000 postcards. Read more
What's On | Important Dates
Save The Date for CCYPs Second Youth Period Summit
CCYP
is hosting a second Youth Period Summit on Tuesday 3rd September, 2024.
Aimed at young people, educators, and community leaders, the Summit
will be run by the Period Justice Working Group - a group of young
people who are passionate about menstrual health and period justice.
More details to follow.
Big Ideas Challenge returning to Adelaide on 28 August
CCYP
has partnered with Future Anything to present a fast and fun hands-on
workshop designed to empower students in Years 7–9 to unpack the issues
they face in our increasingly challenging digital universe.Collaborating
with others to prototype and pitch innovative solutions, the day will
focus on designing ways to help themselves and their peers stay safe
while online. Register today!
Stay Up to Date
Commissioner for Children and Young People, 251 Morphett Street, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, +61 (08) 8226 3355
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