The Things that Matter to Gender Diverse Primary Students

Gender diverse children attend schools all across South Australia. This snapshot highlights the thoughts and feelings that are both unique to gender diverse children, and shared with many other children.

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Teenagers and Safety

This report examines survey responses from 908 South Australian teenagers and provides a rare and valuable insight into their understanding of what safety means and where teenagers feel safe.

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SA SRC Campaign Position Briefs

The South Australian Student Representative Council (SA SRC) have released campaign position briefs for each of the 2024 campaigns, which outline the goals and methodology of the campaigns.

Read the position briefs

Smacking and Physical Punishment

Australia is among the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child signatories that has not yet joined the 66 countries which have made it illegal for parents to smack their children. Approaches to discipline need to be positive and move beyond physical punishment.

Read the fact sheet

Listening to LGBTQIA+ Young People

Repeated reports of discrimination towards LGBTQIA+ young people have prompted the Commissioner to delve into the issues faced by these young people across many aspects of their lives because all young people have the right to live their lives free of discrimination.

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A Six Point Plan to Make SA Better for Kids

As experts in their own lives, the Commissioner prioritises listening to children. This snapshot summary provides an overview of six key things young people have said about their lives.

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Friendship & Belonging

Some practical ideas and suggestions from children and young people themselves, on ways they can be supported to be and to make good friends.

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The Things That Matter 5

Hear what primary school aged children aged 8 – 12 years have told their Commissioner matters to them most.

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Everyday Racism

Children and young people have frequently told the Commissioner about their experiences of overt racism in their lives and at their schools. The Commissioner says we need to be doing more to ensure the safety and wellbeing of these children and young people.

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Relationships and sexual health education

The Commissioner asked South Australian senior students what they needed to feel supported in their relationships and equipped to manage their sexual and mental health – essential knowledge for successfully navigating their personal lives. This is what they said.

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Responding to vaping at school: approaches that work.

Practical advice that takes a whole-of-school preventive health approach to addressing vaping amongst young people.

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Why we need an overarching vision for children and young people's health

The Commissioner wants decision makers to set a clear vision that will enable a joined-up approach to health care currently being provided to South Australia’s children and young people that is focused specifically on their health needs.

Read the Commissioner's Position

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Every right, for every child! On 20 November 1989 the United Nations adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child. More than 195 countries have ratified this document since, making it the most important human rights treaty in history! Do you know what rights it contains?  

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Earlier this year the Commissioner and her team selected postcards sent in by South Australian primary school aged children relating to the environment and climate change. The Commissioner wanted to see if the Australian Delegation to COP29 would be interested in displaying these postcards inside the Australian Pavilion for everyone to see so that the voices of children would be front and centre at this important annual conference. COP brings delegations from countries around the world together each year to discuss what action can be taken to ensure climate change can be addressed quickly, understanding that action taken now will minimise some of the impact on future generations. Hence why the Commissioner felt it was important to have young people's voices in the mix. You can find out all about COP29 here: https://cop29.az/en/conference/what-is-cop29 We are pleased to say that our CCYP application was successful and that postcards from South Australian primary school children were edited into a 6min video that is/has played on a loop inside the Australian Pavilion at COP29 for the duration of the Conference. This is the video.
On Friday March 22, approximately 130 (of 150) young people in Years 10, 11 & 12 selected for this year's SA SRC met at the Adelaide Festival Centre, Banquet Room. The SA SRC Summit takes place at the start of each year so new council members can meet each other in person and gain a clearer understanding of what being on the statewide student representative council entails. This year’s council members come from 44 state electorates and represent 80 Government, Catholic and Independent schools from across the state. Along with those from Adelaide metro and the Greater Adelaide and Hills regions, there were young people who travelled from Mount Gambier, Whyalla and Port Lincoln, Cummins, Grant and Millicent, as well as from Port Broughton, Berri, Keith, Gladstone, Kapunda, Penola, Cowell and Balaklava to attend. Many had their first opportunity to meet face-to-face with their State Member of Parliament and discuss the ideas they have for change. South Australia’s politicians have been very supportive of the Commissioner’s SA SRC with 20 state parliamentarians attending this year's Summit in person. A partnership between the Commissioner for Children and Young People and the Foundation for Young Australians (FYA) students spent the day participating in a range of workshops and activities that were designed to set them up for their representative role, which involves meeting with decision makers and campaigning around issues they are passionate about throughout the coming year. Campaigns for 2024 include sustainable school canteens, lowering the voting age for local government elections, offering free public transport to high school students, developing a diversity audit tool for schools, and offering free fitness to school students so they can maintain a healthy school-life balance.
“If anyone else has the opportunity to ever be a part of SA SRC, I highly recommend it. It’s an amazing experience.” Applications are now open for next year’s SA Student Representative Council (SRC). Are you a South Australian student in year 10, 11 or 12? Are you ready to connect with like-minded young people and have your say on a state level? Apply before midnight Sunday 11 February 2024 via the link below: https://ccypsa.wufoo.com/forms/rp5qnk50hcqmcm/
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