I would like to welcome you all back to the 2013 school year.

There is no year that is not an important one for an individual student and their family, or of course for their teacher. As the school year begins it seems to me that the acute significance of educational policy for the good of the community is increasingly apparent in public discussion also. Appreciation for the work of educators reflected in public debate can only be positive.

From the Board’s perspective, the increasing community awareness of the educational imperative will not alter our core responsibility to set and support standards of exceptional educational practice. It does mean however that the support that the Board relies on to achieve its work, that is, the advice and feedback of teachers, principals and parent organisations, is itself subject to more and varied demands.

It was apparent to me in 2012 that, in terms of participating in consultation processes, representatives and professional activists in peak educational bodies throughout the nation were subject to more time pressures than ever before. I’m reluctant to assume that in all circumstances this reflects a genuine desire to consult with educational practitioners. In some cases unfortunately consultation can become a matter of indifferent process.

The Board remains committed to the view that it is only possible to achieve quality in its work by working genuinely and closely with teachers, principals, parents and employers. As the year begins I take the opportunity to tell you all how much the Board of Studies appreciates your individual contributions to its work, on behalf of each student and the community generally.