About us

History ι Key Players ι Goals ι Scholarship

History, Growth and Infrastructure

The AECSSU was set up in the early 1990’s in direct response to the handing over of twelve ‘Save The Children Fund’ Preschools to community management. It was initially sponsored by Armidale TAFE then as it grew moved to sponsorship through Community Childcare and funding from ATSIC, then sponsorship from AECG Inc. and in 1993 funding was turned over from ATSIC to DEETYA.

In 1994 AECSSU’s service support contract was extended by DEETYA to include a further 6 preschool services and 9 Aboriginal workers in mainstream services with no additional funds. AECSSU’s funding remained historical with no increases even to cover increased wage costs due to CPI.

In 1995 DEETYA asked that AECSSU change sponsorship as AECG could no longer sponsor AECSSU, it was seen as a conflict of interest. AECSSU pursued incorporation of ATSIECSAG Inc.

For two years AECSSU had to take on extra projects to help support its costs that were not met by its core budget. At the end of 1996 AECG Inc., AECSSU and DEETYA representatives met. DEETYA discussed the funding of AECSSU for 1997 the new triennium. Representatives said that the project money that had previously been funded with these funds for many years and the state meeting funds should also be incorporated into the core budget. DEETYA representatives said that these funds could address the lack on infrastructure that AECSSU had in comparison to AECG Inc. eg: car, photocopier, fax, phones, finance officer, administration support etc. that were actual costs that had to be absorbed now that ATSIECSAG Inc. was to become the sponsoring body and assume all responsibilities for AECSSU. Therefore AECSSU put a new budget together incorporating these changes and funding was increased under the current agreement for the 1997 triennium.

AECSSU relocated from AECG Inc. in Stanmore in November 1996 to an office space above Wunanbiri Preschool located at Cleveland St High School, Alexandria. In late 2005 AECSSU moved back into newly renovated offices at the AECG Inc. where it is presently based.

ATSIECSAG Inc. Vision

ATSIECSAG Inc will be the recognised peak advisory body for Aboriginal Early Childhood Education and contribute to successful transition to school for Aboriginal children

In order to achieve its vision, the ATSIECSAG Inc. Management Committee has:

  • Identified its stakeholders and significant partners
  • Listened to and acknowledged the expectations of DEST as its chief funding body; the ATSIECSAG Inc. Management Committee; the AECSSU; and the independent early childhood education services sector
  • Established what is the legislative and policy framework ATSIECSAG Inc works within
  • Agreed on the roles of the ATSIECSAG Inc. Management Committee, the AECSSU and DEST
  • Set its goals for 2007 – 2008
  • Prioritized its key result areas for 2007 – 2008

Expectations of ATSIECSAG Inc.

1. ATSIECSAG Inc. Management Committee expects that:

  • It will operate smarter
  • Aboriginal children will get the maximum value from ATSIECSAG Inc. services
  • It will facilitate training opportunities for Early Childhood Education Services staff
  • Take a major advocacy role with funding bodies
  • It expects to change the role of the AECSSU through a restructure to reflect its new direction
  • There will be the development of models/templates/guides for submission writing that will be available to Early childhood Education Services
  • There will be the development of a policy to facilitate appropriate management and supervision of the AECSSU

History ι Key Players ι Goals ι Scholarship

Roles of Key Players

ATSIECSAG Inc. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The role of this committee lies in two areas of responsibility. Firstly, on an external level, the committee:

  • provides leadership to its stakeholders in the early childhood education sector
  • develops partnerships at state and federal level
  • is the peak advisory body on Aboriginal early childhood education in NSW
  • is an advocate for Aboriginal pre-school education in appropriate forums
  • is responsible for providing progress reports to DEST and other statutory bodies
  • undertakes its legal responsibilities as an incorporated body (eg keeps a register of members, ensures minutes are kept of all meetings, calls its Annual General Meeting etc)
  • regularly reviews, develops and maintains policy guidelines effecting its operations in the Aboriginal early childhood education sector (eg a communication policy linked to its advocacy role and including its publication Yarn Up)
  • Facilitates an annual conference catering to the Aboriginal early childhood education sector
  • Is responsible for the advertisement, judging and awarding of the Jo Pender Scholarship and for the fundraising necessary to maintain this activity on an annual basis

Secondly, the committee has an internal responsibility to the AECSSU and to its members to:

  • Provide leadership and direction to the AECSSU
  • Regularly monitor the AECSSU
  • Follow an active communication/feedback loop with the AECSSU
  • Ensure that the AECSSU is effectively staffed and to recruit staff as appropriate
  • Provide induction to new staff members and to new committee members
  • Provide opportunities for professional learning and appropriate training for AECSSU staff and for committee members
  • Be available to provide advice, a friendly ear and information in general either when referred by AECSSU staff or directly approached by stakeholders

The Role of the AECSSU

The responsibilities of the AECSSU include:

  • Providing a quality administrative service for ATSIECSAG Inc. and to be the delivery arm of ATSIECSAG Inc.
  • Ensuring the financial records of ATSIECSAG Inc. are accurate and up to date
  • Preparing regular reports to the Management Committee and facilitating the feedback loop between the AECSSU and the Management Committee
  • Regularly collecting and collating data on Aboriginal early childhood education and managing data bases to facilitate reporting responsibilities
  • Collaborating with the Management Committee on the implementation of the ATSIECSAG Inc strategic plan
  • Contributing to ATSIECSAG Inc.’s advocacy strategy including the production of its publication Yarn Up
  • Delivering presentations to stakeholders to promote ATSIECSAG Inc. and its services
  • Acting as a referral agency on issues raised by stakeholders
  • Develop and regularly update models for submission writing
  • Identify and develop appropriate resources for Aboriginal early childhood education and maintain a data base of these resources
  • Update and maintain the ATSIECSAG Inc. web site
  • Develop an induction package for new staff and new Management Committee members and provide induction to these people
  • Facilitating the ATSIECSAG Inc. annual conference

The Role of DEST

DEST is the major partner of ATSIECSAG Inc. and as such will actively work with its Management Committee and AECSSU to achieve quality outcomes for Aboriginal children in Early Childhood Education.

DEST has undertaken to:

  • Provide clear explanations of its expectations of ATSIECSAG Inc.
  • Support the ATSIECSAG Inc. Management Committee
  • Implement regular communication with the AECSSU on a monthly basis
  • Provide feedback to ATSIECSAG Inc. on their reports
  • Provide regular information to ATSIECSAG Inc. on DEST’s contract management role (funding)
  • Provide updates on the Indigenous Education Program services and other relevant information and, where appropriate, provide training workshops
  • Be an advocate for ATSIECSAG Inc. at national, state and local levels
  • Organise strategic directions meetings
  • Encourage DEST District Offices to increase their involvement in the Aboriginal early childhood education sector and subsequently their response to the needs of the sector
  • Help to identify “red light” pre-schools
  • Facilitate communication between ATSIECSAG Inc. and state and national bodies

History ι Key Players ι Goals ι Scholarship

ATSIECSAG Inc. Goals for 2007 – 2008

ATSIECSAG Inc. has set itself five goals to work toward in 2007 – 2008. These goals incorporate the future aspirations of the ATSIECSAG Inc. Management Committee and the funding agreement requirements of DEST.

The goals are:

  1. To position ATSIECSAG Inc. as the peak advisory body on Aboriginal early childhood education
  2. To help achieve compliance for all Indigenous Education Program (IEP) funded independent preschools
  3. To facilitate professional development and learning opportunities for IEP funded Indigenous preschools
  4. 4. To contribute to development opportunities for Aboriginal parents and communities that will lead to increased involvement in preschool management committees and on regional advisory committees in early childhood education
  5. Maintain and enhance the formal partnership between ATSIECSAG Inc. and the NSW AECG Inc. at all levels

ATSIECSAG Inc. Priorities for 2007 – 2008

To achieve the goals of ATSIECSAG Inc., seven key result areas were identified and prioritized. These are:

  1. Reporting to DEST
    To enable accurate and timely reporting to DEST the collection and collation of data is a high priority. Managing data bases to facilitate the reporting process will be a high priority for the AECSSU.
  2. Advocacy
    The creation of partnerships and relationships with key stakeholders is a high priority activity for the ATSIECSAG Inc. Management Committee and for the AECSSU. Promoting ATSIECSAG Inc. as the peak advisory body in Aboriginal early childhood education and the services the body can provide will complement the planned development of partnerships and relationships. Yarn Up will be a major tool for marketing ATSIECSAG Inc.
  3. Communication/Feedback
    The development of policies to ensure that ATSIECSAG Inc. and its Independent Aboriginal Preschool members and other DEST funded Early Childhood Education Services are compliant and meet their legal responsibilities is a high priority. The other high priority activity in this key result area is the development of a policy that sets out how the Management Committee and the AECSSU interact. This policy will set out how the Management Committee will provide direction to the AECSSU, how it will manage the AECSSU and how the unit will provide feedback to the Management Committee and report to it. To enhance this policy, an induction manual for both new AECSSU staff and new committee members will be developed. In collaboration with DEST, ATSIECSAG Inc. will develop a communication and protocol document.
  4. Training and Resource Development
    Undertaking appropriate professional learning or specific training was identified as a pathway to achieving the ATSIECSAG Inc. goals for all ATSIECSAG Inc. members and AECSSU staff. Research into the provision of professional learning and/or training opportunities is a key activity. The results of this project are planned to lead to the establishment of a data base that can be used as a referral tool for enquiries in this area. The information will also be published in Yarn Up and the results of the research will be posted on the ATSIECSAG Inc. web site. Similarly, a project to identify existing teaching resources and those that need to be updated or developed will run in parallel with the project described above. Resource development will be dependent on acquiring the necessary funding.
  5. ATSIECSAG Inc. Annual General Meeting and Conference
    ATSIECSAG Inc. will run one conference per year that caters for the Aboriginal Early Childhood Education Sector. The Annual General Meeting of the ATSIECSAG Inc. will be held in conjunction with the conference. This is a high priority activity and will have the oversight of the Management Committee and be facilitated by the AECSSU. Guidelines will be developed by the Management Committee to ensure that ATSIECSAG Inc. meets its legal responsibilities in relation to its Annual General Meeting.
  6. The Jo Pender Scholarship
    Every year ATSIECSAG Inc. will award the Jo Pender Scholarship and undertake fundraising activities in relation to the award. The Management Committee will review the guidelines for the Jo Pender Scholarship and the subsequent fundraising actions. The AECSSU will facilitate the process for fundraising, advertisement, judging and awarding in collaboration with the Management Committee.
  7. Recruitment and Employment of Staff
    Critical to the achievement of ATSIECSAG Inc. goals is the structure of the AECSSU. The restructure of the AECSSU is a high priority activity to be undertaken by the Management Committee. The development of job specifications with skills and experience and qualifications requirements to meet unit responsibilities is a key activity for the Management Committee. A policy or guidelines for recruitment will be developed prior to starting recruitment action. Appropriate induction for new staff is crucial so the development of an Induction Manual in conjunction with the new policy or guidelines is a priority.
History ι Key Players ι Goals ι Scholarship

Jo Pender Memorial Scholarship for Cultural

Perspectives and Management in Aboriginal Early Childhood Curriculum

Jo Pender died tragically in March 2000 at the age of 32. Jo was a Yuin woman whose people traditionally inhabited the south coast of NSW. Jo grew up in Sydney and as an adult over many years, worked tirelessly for Aboriginal children, advocating and promoting access in early childhood settings. Jo had particular interests and flair in developing resources suitable for use in early childhood programs which promoted Aboriginal perspective and assisted non-Aboriginal children and adults to understand Aboriginal people and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures of Australia.

Jo undertook the certificate in Childcare Studies at Petersham TAFE as part of her advocacy and sat on numerous committees, at local, state and national levels.

Jo had worked in a number of early childhood settings. The importance of the child was at the centres of all Jo’s undertakings.

Jo was the Director of the NSW Aboriginal Early Childhood Services Support Unit (AECSSU) at the time of her death. Her visions for Aboriginal children will always be part of our vision.

In acknowledgment of Jo’s contribution, Aboriginal Early Childhood Sector Advisory Group Inc. (ATSIECSAG) established a fund that aims to motivate and assist students enrolled in the Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Services), Indigenous Education, Macquarie University (Warawara).

First Award

Name of Award: The Jo Pender Memorial Award for Cultural Perspective in Aboriginal Early Childhood Curriculum – Year 2 Studies To be awarded to a NSW based student based on their year 2 studies.

Amount of Prize: $1000 (in 2 x $500 amounts paid in April and July)

Note: Will not be an annual award. Will be awarded only when a cohort completes second year studies. (ie every 2-3 years)

Criteria for Awarding the Prize: outstanding contribution to development of cultural perspectives in early childhood curriculum based on their work in the following units: ABEC 121 Young children and the Arts in ATSI Contexts and ABEC 230 Intro to Teaching ATSI Children

Procedures for Awarding the Prize

  1. Warawara to propose a short list of students with results above “pass” in the above units. Such report would include comments on the students achievements in Aboriginal curriculum perspectives from the lecturers in the units
  2. The report to be distributed to the “judging panel” which would consist of:
    i. President of ATSIECSAG or nominee
    ii. Representative of Warawara
    iii. A lecturer from either of the units
  3. A single recipient or two only to be selected from the shortlist.
  4. Presentation of the Award would be at the Welcome Dinner in February by:
    i. President of ATSIECSAG or nominee and
    ii. Maria Pender, mother of Jo Pender

Second Award

Name of Award: The Jo Pender Memorial Award for Management in Aboriginal Early Childhood Services – Year 5 Studies To be awarded to a NSW based student based on their studies in management in early childhood services.

Amount of Prize: $1000

Note: Will not be an annual award. Will be awarded only when a cohort completes fifth year studies. (ie every 2-3 years)

Criteria for Awarding the Prize: outstanding contribution to development of culturally perspective in early childhood curriculum based on their work in the following units: ABEC 340: Management in Early Childhood Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Contexts ABMG 140: Managing People

Procedures for Awarding the Prize: The student with the highest result in the Unit ABEC 340 will be identified by Warawara.

Financial Arrangements: Funding for both the awards are to be drawn from a trust fund in control of ATSIECSAG Inc., and the specific procedures for drawing on the funds to be negotiated between the University and ATSIECSAG.

Award Certificates: The certificates will be prepared with art works from the work of Jo Pender herself.

Award Recipients:

The Jo Pender Memorial Award for Cultural Perspectives in Aboriginal Early Childhood Curriculum – Year 2 Studies:

2003 Shirley Kelly - Kempsey.
2005 Kylie Hall

The Jo Pender Memorial Award for Management in Aboriginal Early Childhood Services – Year 5 Studies

2003 Maxine Mackay - Bourke.
2006 Jacqueline Smith - Wellington

Acknowledgment and special thanks to the following without which the Memorial Scholarship would not have been possible

  • The NSW Preschools, specifically those in receipt of Department Education Science & Training (DEST) funding.
  • AECA National Biennial Conference delegates and organisers, 2001
  • KU Children’s Services
  • Lady Gowrie Child Centre, Sydney
  • North Sydney Girl’s High School 2001
  • Warawara

And our special thanks to Maria, Jo’s gracious and inspiring mother who has given the AECSSU and ATSIECSAG Inc her time, energy and support – always.

To donate to the Scholarship:
Cheques payable to: Jo Pender Memorial Scholarship C/- AECSSU
PO Box 276, Enmore, NSW 2042
director@aecssu.org.au
Tel: 02 9516 4473 Fax: 02 9516 5495

Private Bag 501
Alexandria
NSW 2015
Tel: 02 9319 4800
Fax: 02 9319 6105
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