Armidale Secondary College Year 10 student Nicole Tarrant, centre, has been appointed to the Education Minister’s inaugural NSW Student Council. Nicole is congratulated on her appointment by Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, left, and Acting Principal Scott Breen.
Monday, 7 June 2021
INSPIRING Armidale Secondary College Year 10 student Nicole Tarrant has been named as one of 28 students from across the State selected to join the inaugural NSW Education Minister’s Student Council.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall today congratulated Nicole on her appointment to the new council, which will guide future education and school policy in NSW.
“The student council was born from the tumult of COVID-19 and a realisation by the State Government there was no formal avenue to access student views on the issue,” Mr Marshall said.
“As a result, the Education Minister set about establishing the Department of Student Voices in Education and Schools (DOVES), to enable students to have direct input and influence on educational issues which affect them.
“Nicole and her fellow students will represent a diverse range of views and advocate to improve education and innovation in the State’s schools.
“The first meeting of DOVES took place last month at Parliament House. Follow up meetings will take place virtually twice a term, with the Minister invited to participate in the final term meeting.
“Nicole is an impressive, mature young woman who will be an excellent ambassador for our region on the council and a strong representative voice country students.
“I wish her every success and look forward to seeing the outcomes from the new council.”
Nicole said she was very excited to be an advocate for students in rural areas and looked forward to bringing a unique perspective to the council.
“My trip to Parramatta in May was a life-changing experience,” Nicole said.
“It was really interesting to collaborate and share ideas with other keen students, communicating our passions and ideals.
“I was part of the ‘rural north’ directorate which focused on issues and advances/ improvements that are currently affecting government schools, especially in our area.
“I was honoured to bring a rural perspective to the intriguing discussions that took place. I cannot wait to see what the DOVES council has to offer for the future, and to be a voice for the millions of students throughout NSW.”
As required by the Minister, the DOVES may be asked for input into policy and current issues throughout the year.
DOVES forums will also be held at a regional/local level to ensure wider consultation on particular matters that are current and pertinent to the future of education and/or relevant to particular groups of students within schools.