Month: September 2021

Teachers and students at schools across regional NSW will benefit from a complete overhaul of how the government attracts and retains teachers in the bush.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the NSW Government commissioned the Review of Rural and Remote Incentives in NSW Public Schools, which focused on improving the benefits for regional teachers by ensuring they are fair and flexible.
“We are already investing record amounts in school infrastructure and technology in regional parts of the State, so it’s time our incentives program is upgraded to attract top quality teachers to the bush,” Mr Barilaro said.
“At the heart of these investments are our regional kids who deserve the best teachers and best education no matter where they live.”
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said she commissioned the review in response to conversations and feedback from teachers working in regional, rural and remote areas.
“The government is accepting all recommendations put forward by the review, and we will immediately begin implementing reforms to attract and retain teachers in regional NSW,” Ms Mitchell said.
“We have the most generous incentive system in Australia, however over time it has grown in complexity. This is the first time we have inspected all aspects of the system to make it fair and flexible, allowing teachers to create a package that works best for them and their circumstances.
“We will create a smarter transfer point system and an easier-to-understand benefits package for teachers, ranging from additional salary, better professional development opportunities, rent assistance and family support.”
The NSW Government has committed $15 million to action initiatives immediately in response to the Incentives Review, including:

• Increasing the value of targeted recruitment bonuses from $10,000 to up to $20,000, making schools located in the hardest-to-staff parts of the State more attractive for prospective employees;
• Giving more employees the opportunity to experience regional NSW by doubling the number of teach.Rural scholarships to 120 per year, and expanding the investment in the Rural Experience Program to fund up to 50 places from 2022;
• Expanding eligibility so temporary teachers can receive incentives like the Rural Teacher Incentive, Retention Bonus, and Experienced Teacher Bonus, enabling a greater number of employees to be attracted to the regions; and,
• Working alongside the Teacher Housing Authority NSW to upgrade, repair and build new accommodation for teachers in areas of high demand.

Principals, teachers, key education stakeholders and experts will be consulted with and help co-design longer-term initiatives, including:

• The revamping and simplification of the transfer point system to reduce inequity, better communication on what is available for teachers in the regions, and allowing employees to work on a bespoke package which suits their individual circumstances;
• The creation of a more holistic approach to regional relocation which focuses on ‘families’ rather than just individuals; and,
• The establishment of a centralised team to oversee regional staffing.

“Regional NSW is an incredibly attractive place to live and work. I want to see more people experience teaching in Regional NSW and I want to remove barriers for anyone wanting a teaching career in the bush,” Ms Mitchell said.
The review recommendations support the initiatives included in the Teacher Supply Strategy due for release later this year.
The full report can be downloaded here: https://education.nsw.gov.au/about-us/strategies-and-reports/review-of-rural-remote-incentives-report

A woman has been charged after allegedly breaching the Public Health Order by travelling on a train from Sydney to the state’s Mid North Coast earlier this month.
On Thursday 9 September 2021, officers from Mid North Coast Police District received reports that a 22-year-old woman had failed to isolate after a positive COVID-19 test and was travelling by train from Strathfield to Coffs Harbour with her three children.
About 10.40pm, police stopped the train at Kempsey and removed the woman and her children from the train.
They were taken by NSW Ambulance paramedics to a special health hotel at Port Macquarie to quarantine.
Following further inquiries, the 17 passengers and six crew on board the train at the time were also taken to the quarantine hotel, under the care of NSW Health.
Other passengers who alighted the train at stations throughout the journey, were also contacted by NSW Health.
The police officers involved were managed in line with requirements in the Public Health Orders.
Following further investigations, the woman was issued a court attendance notice (CAN) for fail to comply with self-isolation direction, upon her release from hotel quarantine about 10.10am yesterday (Saturday 25 September 2021).
The woman is due to appear at Port Macquarie Local Court on Wednesday 10 November 2021.

Raptor Squad have charged four men for allegedly breaching the state’s Public Health Orders, including one man who was stopped by police in Western Sydney twice in just three hours.
Officers from the Raptor Squad were conducting proactive patrols targeting known associates of organised crime networks when they observed a man leaning in the passenger window of a Volkswagen SUV talking with another man – neither of whom were wearing masks – on Woodstock Street, Guildford, about 1pm on Thursday (23 September 2021).
As police approached, the man moved away from the SUV and attempted to walk onto a nearby property.
Officers stopped and spoke with both men – aged 28 and 46 – and it was established that neither had a reasonable excuse for leaving their home.
Both men were arrested and taken to Granville Police Station.
The 28-year-old Guildford man was charged with not comply with noticed direction re s7/8/9 – COVID-19 and fail to comply with carry face covering directive.
The 46-year-old Westmead man was charged with not comply with noticed direction re s7/8/9 – COVID-19.
They are due to appear at Fairfield Local Court on Tuesday 26 October 2021.
About 8pm that night, Raptor Squad officers were conducting proactive patrols in Fairmount Street, Merrylands, when they observed two men in a Toyota Corolla suddenly leave as police approached.
Officers stopped the car and spoke with both men – aged 30 and 19 – and it was established that neither had a reasonable excuse for leaving their home or travelling in the same vehicle.
During a subsequent search of the men and the vehicle, police located prescription drugs.
The 30-year-old passenger was arrested and taken to taken to Granville Police Station, where he was charged possess prescribed restricted substance, breach of bail and not comply with noticed direction re s7/8/9 – COVID-19.
The man was refused bail and appeared at Fairfield Local Court yesterday (Friday 24 September 2021).
Meanwhile, the driver was issued with two traffic infringements for minor car defects and inquiries into further Public Health Order breaches are ongoing.
About 11pm (Thursday 23 September 2021), officers from Cumberland Police Area Command stopped a black Toyota Corolla on Clyde Street, Granville, for the purpose of a random breath test.
Further inquiries revealed the 19-year-old driver had been directed by Raptor Squad officers to return to his residence from Merrylands just three hours prior.
The man was arrested and taken to Parramatta Police Station, where he was charged with not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19.
He was granted conditional bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday 6 October 2021.
Strike Force Raptor was established in 2009, before becoming a standalone squad in 2021. Raptor Squad conducts proactive investigations and intelligence-based, high-impact policing operations to prevent and disrupt conflicts, and dismantle any network engaged in serious organised criminal activity.
Anyone with information, including relevant photos and videos, that may assist the Raptor Squad can report it directly to investigators via their online reporting page: https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/Default.aspx?id=49 or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Information provided to investigators will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

The Berejiklian Government is putting out the call for local tradies to install smart LED lights in NSW public schools, improving the quality of classrooms and cutting power bills.
The $157.8 million LED Lighting Upgrade Program was launched last year as a stimulus response to the COVID-19 pandemic and is targeted at replacing old inefficient lights in NSW public schools with smart LED lights. Now in its third tranche, the program will see more than 800 schools upgraded across the state.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, Industry and Trade John Barilaro said this is an exciting opportunity for local tradies right across NSW.
“As a former chippy I appreciate the ongoing impacts of this virus on local businesses, and the NSW Government is committed to supporting jobs and providing opportunities for tradies throughout the State,” Mr Barilaro Said.
“Under this program, All LED lights will be manufactured here in NSW and installed by NSW tradies and this commitment by the NSW Government has the added benefit of improving facilities at our schools, ensuring our students get the best possible start in life.”
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said that improved lighting will have a positive impact on students’ education.
“A high quality classroom and learning environment has a positive impact on students and that is why this government is investing record amounts on improving our classrooms, libraries, halls and administration areas,” Ms Mitchell said.
“The smart LED lights mimic natural light which can help students’ education by improving their attentiveness and comprehension.
“This  program is a great way for schools to reduce their power and maintenance bills, while also providing work for local tradies.
Local tradies will be able to tender for lighting upgrade opportunities via the Local Trades Scheme, an online platform where small businesses can engage directly with the Department of Education to bid for work at public schools in their local communities.
Already hundreds of tender opportunities have been published via the Local Trades Scheme with more to come in the following weeks.
The LED Lighting Upgrade Program will bring savings on electricity bills and also improve the sustainability of schools and take steps towards the NSW Government’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
The NSW Government is investing $7.9 billion over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 215 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This is the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW.

TAFE NSW nursing and healthcare students across the State are rolling up their sleeves working on the COVID-19 vaccination frontlines.
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said TAFE NSW was training a pipeline of skilled workers who were supporting vaccination efforts in GP clinics, pharmacies, and healthcare centres around the State.
“TAFE NSW delivers more than 1,000 new nursing and healthcare graduates annually into our health system and we have more than 250 students currently on work placement around the state and ready to help,” Mr Lee said.
“It’s reassuring to see students contribute to the enormous effort of the health sector, as they assess patient eligibility, take bookings, provide administrative support, and assist registered nurses with pre and post vaccination patient care.”
TAFE’s Narrendera campus is also being used as a vaccination clinic for the Aboriginal community.
TAFE NSW Managing Director Steffen Faurby said he was proud to see TAFE students using their clinical training to help the communities in which they live and work.
“Our students are trained to be job-ready when they graduate from TAFE NSW and there is no better time for them to put that real-world training to use than now,” Mr Faurby said.
“Our TAFE NSW students are providing vital additional support to our healthcare system at a critical time and gaining invaluable first-hand experience of the pressures and realities of working in our healthcare industry.”

Children from vulnerable backgrounds or whose parents work as frontline workers are the focus of a pilot program aimed at providing better access to quality vacation care.
More than $840,000 will be used to support vacation care programs at 79 facilities across NSW as part of the pilot program.
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said it is important children have access to great vacation care.
“Vacation care services play a vital role in meeting the needs of our local communities. Grants of up to $30,000 will assist services to provide engaging opportunities like sports and nutrition programs, excursions, cooking and art workshops,” Ms Mitchell said.
“This service is crucial for parents and carers who may not be able to get time off work to look after their children during school holidays.
“We want children to be excited to walk through the doors of their vacation care and look forward to spending time there.
“The funding will support programs, running workshops with local sports stars or writers, and provide enriching opportunities for students in vacation care.”
The funding will allow services to provide experiences for students through incursions, as well as upgrades to equipment, resources and transport.
The grants will also be used to assist vacation care services to remain available to essential workers and vulnerable children throughout unprecedented COVID-19 events.
“This government has continued to support families and workers through the pandemic,” Ms Mitchell said.
“It is important children of frontline workers enjoy a great vacation care experience while their parents keep the community safe.”