November 21, 2008 

Monday November 10 2008, saw CEFA conduct professional development for teachers from 10 Sydney primary and secondary schools. These schools are the latest schools to become a part of the national Parliamentary Club program which sees the mentorship of a member of the community nominating and donating funds to allow a school to participate without any financial obligation for a 12-month period.

Due to the generosity of members of the community, each school is able to access teacher relief, resources and 12 months of ongoing support from CEFA staff to enable them to successfully implement the project in their school. Sixteen teachers attended the one-day workshop conducted by CEFA’s Director of The Parliamentary Club National Initiative, Mr. Don Pena. The course is now endorsed by the NSW Institute of Teachers and participants can utilise hours in attendance towards professional accreditation with the institute.The response from participants was overwhelmingly positive and now they will take the strategies, concepts and resources attained on the day to their schools to implement this dynamic whole-of-school initiative.

Participating Schools:

Primary

Bronte Primary School
Barker College Junior School
Colyton Primary School
Rozelle Primary School 

Secondary

Normanhurst Boys High School
Knox Grammar School
Redeemer Baptist School
Barker College Senior School
SHORE School
St Edmund’s School

These schools will now join the list of 23 schools implementing the Parliamentary Club initiative across Australia. CEFA hopes to convene the first ever G20 schools summit in 2009 bringing together the Prime Ministers from our implementing schools and moving closer to CEFA’s goal of creating youth parliaments in every school in Australia.  CEFA is currently planning its next phase of training for schools in NSW, Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland in early 2009.

Check CEFA’s website for professional development program and contact CEFA on 1800 009 855 or Don Pena directly at