The Indigenous Boarding Hostels Partnerships program will provide Indigenous secondary school students from remote areas the opportunity to live at boarding facilities in major regional centres in order to access educational opportunities not otherwise available to them. The boarding facilities will provide safe environments that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to fulfil their educational and personal potential.
The program was announced as part of A Better Future for Indigenous Australians - opportunities for education funding package in the 2007-08 Budget. The Indigenous Boarding Hostels Partnerships program is part of the Australian Government's commitment to providing quality education opportunities for Indigenous students, and closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students' education outcomes.
The Australian Government provided $3 million for an expansion of the Wiltja facility in Northgate, South Australia as part of the Minister's announcement in May 2008 Protecting Children on the APY Lands.
The Wiltja facility provides boarding for secondary students from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands who are studying at the Woodville High School. This initiative increased safe student accommodation at Wiltja to 105 places in total. The expansion of the Wiltja Residential Program was opened in June 2010.
The Western Cape Residential Campus (previously known as the Weipa Boarding Hostel) will be a 120-bed facility to assist Indigenous children from remote and isolated communities in Far North Queensland to attend the state-run Western Cape College at Weipa, Queensland. The facility is expected to be completed for occupancy in 2012.
FaHCSIA will be running a process to select, an organisation to enter into a service agreement to operate the Western Cape Residential Campus (WCRC).
An information session to provide general information about this process was held in December 2010 and interested organisations are asked to e-mail any questions about the role of the operator or the selection process to WCRCoperatorselection@fahcsia.gov.au.
Questions and Answers - Western Cape Residential Campus - Process for the selection of an Operator
17 December 2010
- Does the Commonwealth have a preferred model for an operator for the facility? For example is it a fee for service operation where the operator provides a service at an agreed cost? Or is the operator expected to run the facility as a stand-alone operation, generating its own income to meet costs?
The operator is expected to run the facility as a stand-alone operation.
Funding for the facility is expected to be sourced from ABSTUDY payments and philanthropic donations sourced by the operator.
The operator will be responsible for the financial operation of the campus and will be responsible for meeting all operational costs including any payments associated with the lease agreement with the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC).
The Queensland Department of Education and Training has committed to providing school-based resources of a principal class position, along with three Full Time Equivalent staff members for the benefit of campus children.
- Will the facility be eligible for the U16 Abstudy boarding supplement that is currently not available to hostels?
Hostels are not eligible for payment of the ABSTUDY Under-16 Boarding Supplement
- Have other sources of funding been identified in addition to Abstudy?
It has always been the expectation that the operator would source philanthropic donations from relevant organisations.
FaHCSIA will work with the operator to assist it in facilitating the identification of any additional government assistance that may be available and pursuing applications in relation to any assistance of this nature. For instance, FaHCSIA has already commenced discussions with Queensland Health and the Department for Health and Ageing to investigate what resources may be available from both departments that will be of benefit to the campus' health facilities.
The Queensland Department of Education and Training has committed to providing school-based resources of a principal class position, along with three Full Time Equivalent staff members for the benefit of Western Cape Residential Campus children. These three positions will be for curricula-related activity and work in the Western Cape College in line with Education Queensland's standard hours and conditions and at the direction of the principal class position.
- Who will be responsible for the day to day running of the facility - the manager or the EQ-appointed Principal?
The manager of the campus will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the facility. The manager will also be responsible for working jointly with the Principal of the Western Cape Residential Campus on a daily basis to ensure there are strong links between the campus and the school, ensuring each child's academic needs are being addressed.
- What is now the expected timetable and process for appointment of an operator?
FaHCSIA currently expects to advertise for an operator by the end of February 2011. An appointment would then be expected by mid-April to late April 2011.
14 June 2011
- Could you let me know whether there is an opportunity to tour the site prior to the end of the tender process?
Construction commenced in late May and to date the site has been cleared and earthworks started. As the site is currently under construction, visits to the site are restricted to those arranged by appointment only and would require:
- a white card as required by the National Code of Practice for the Construction Industry;
- appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE); and
- a site induction course.
Alternatively, the site can be viewed from the adjacent roads as the fencing is not solid and can be easily seen through.
The Application Information for the Selection of a Service Provider to Operate the Western Cape Residential Campus (available to interested organisations on request to wcrcoperatorselection@fahcsia.gov.au) document refers to the Stages of the build and the expected delivery dates of each stage.
Any queries regarding site visits should be directed to the wcrcoperatorselection@fahcsia.gov.au e-mail address.
22 June 2011
- Is there a stated purpose or agenda for this meeting [27 June 2011 Information Session] or is it just intended as a question and answer meeting? For those who cannot attend the meeting will a transcript or summary of outcomes be available afterwards?
The session is expected to be more of a question and answer session, given the application documents have now been released and we expect that organisations will have questions regarding the documentation/application process.
FaHCSIA will be able to update organisations on the final design of the buildings as construction is now underway.
A summary of all questions and answers from the session on 27 June 2011 will be posted on the FaHCSIA website in line with what has been provided previously.
24 June 2011
- What would be an approximate, reasonable figure for the subsidy for set up?
FaHCSIA has included in the selection criteria a request for organisations applying to operate the Western Cape Residential Campus to provide advice on the subsidy amount they would require. For this reason, we are unable to provide a dollar value for any possible subsidy.
28 June 2011
- Is there any scope to extend the application process for a service provider?
FaHCSIA will not be extending the Western Cape Residential Campus Operator selection application period for a range of reasons, including time pressures and the additional cost involved. The normal application period is only four weeks. FaHCSIA already extended the period in this instance to five weeks to allow additional time for organisations to respond, given the nature of the applications.
28 June 2011
(Questions and answers 9 to 36 represent a transcript from the WCRC Information Session held on 27 June 2011).
- Will the construction impact the students living at the facility?
The construction is being carried out in separable portions and as such, the students will not have any access to the construction area. The separable portions are highlighted in the attached plan.
- Will it be the service provider's responsibility to ensure construction contractors are cleared to work with children?
Construction contractors will not have access to the areas occupied by the children. If it was necessary for the contractors to access the occupied areas then that would need to be discussed with the operator.
- Can supervisors stay overnight?
Yes. There are sleep rooms available outside each of the dorms - two on each level. The facility has been designed to be flexible on the sleep rooms as there are various models in use for supervision and it would depend on the delivery model of the Operator.
- What then is the ratio of student dorms to sleeping rooms?
This depends on the age of students as the junior dorms have four beds to a room, while the senior dorms have two beds to a room.
- Is there crimsafe in the buildings?
Yes.
- Is there a perimeter fence around the facility?
Yes. In addition there is a security system in the dorms whereby an alarm triggers if the doors are opened.
- How is it activated and how secure is it?
It is based on a system already used in the Wiltja facility. See details of elements below.
Radio Pager System
Design, supply, install, test, commission, document and provide warranty service and comprehensive maintenance of Radio Pager system. The Radio Paging System will provide for sending automatic signals to hand held personal pagers to inform the staff of predetermined events.
System functionality
On the activation of a security device a signal is to be sent to the paging system which will then broadcast notification of the event to the personal pagers. The security system will identify the event and the pager system will provide a text description of the event on the pager. The system will have transmitters and repeater transmitters throughout the site to enable the page to receive the signal anywhere on the site, including the staff accommodation buildings areas.
Typical events are:
- a dorm corridor beam detector detecting movement
- opening of a dorm entrance door
- opening of a dorm sleep out door
- opening of an external access door.
Equipment specification
- i. the system is to be based on the Orbit equipment
- ii. Orbit Machine Server 2010 software
- iii. Orbit transmitters, number as required to cover all of the site
- iv. four No 4 line alphanumeric pagers
- v. software
- vi. training.
Schedule of outputs
Schedule of initial output to the pagers, allow for 25 per cent additional outputs to be connected and programmed at the client's discretion.
CCTV System
A Closed Circuit Television System is to be provided to generally:
- monitor the entrances into the site
- monitor the entrances to the children safe areas
- monitor the actions of the students within and around the buildings.
Images are to be displayed on local monitors. Three monitors are to be provided, one in each reception. The pictures shown on each monitor will be controlled from the central communications room.
The system is to be connected to the computer system to allow image viewing from any network PC. Allow to install the required software on ten PCs.
Extent of work
The works comprise the design, supply, delivery, installation, commissioning, testing, placing into service and maintenance of the CCTV system and includes, but is not limited to:
- i. colour cameras
- ii. internal and external camera housings
- iii. main controller
- iv. digital recording and storage
- v. kvm switch
- vi. lcd spot monitors
- vii. camera power supplies
- viii. ups power supply for recorder
- ix. 39ru rack
- x. programming of the system
- xi. interconnecting wiring
- xii. test and commissioning
- xiii. maintenance
- xiv. reticulation of 240v ac as required and additional to that documented under electrical services works.
Access control and intruder detection system
An electronic access control system is to be provided. The system shall generally comprise of electronically activated locks controlled by local proximity card readers. The system shall provide controlled and monitored access to:
- the student secure areas
- the dormitories.
Each door lock will be connected to a central station. The central station will monitor the status of the door and record each time the lock is activated.
The doors will be able to be unlocked by, depending on the individual door requirements:
- local key
- the central system on a time schedule
- the fire alarm system
- a remote push in the local reception.
Intercom system
Design, supply, install, test, commission, set to work, document and provide twelve months warranty service and comprehensive maintenance of the door entry intercom systems.
The system shall provide intercommunication and control of doors in conjunction with the access control system.
- What maintenance would be involved in the security systems?
Obviously it depends on what quotes are provided to the operator at the time, but it has been estimated that maintenance costs across all security systems would be in the order of between $4,000 and $5,000 per annum.
- What is the security regarding access to the campus?
Access will be through the administration reception. Doors from the administration area to the rest of the facility are on electronic locks. There is also CCTV (see above).
- Is the manager's residence fenced off?
Yes. This allows for privacy for the manager.
- Is Wiltja the closest similar project to the Western Cape Residential Campus?
The facility has been modelled on other operating facilities but would be most similar to that operating at Wiltja in South Australia. The goal is for a fairly holistic and active facility.
- Is there another facility, apart from Wiltja, that this facility is based on?
We have based a lot of our research on advice provided by industry organisations such as the National Association of Remote Student Accommodation (NARSA). The Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA) is another organisation in this field. Both of these organisations would have further advice on models and operators.
- Are the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) leasing the land or do they own it?
The ILC owns the land freehold.
- Is it a peppercorn lease?
Yes. It is expected the operator will be responsible for annual repairs and maintenance costs and an ILC sinking fund will cover the capital expenditure.
- Where does the money for the principal class position and the three full time equivalent (FTE) staff go?
The extra positions are provided by the Queensland Department of Education and Training and are provided for the school in Weipa. The school receives resources depending on the number of students. The principal class position and the three FTE staff are additional investments on top of those resources. They are specifically to support the educational needs of the residential campus' students.
- How are these resources an inducement for any service provider looking to operate the facility?
We see them as being critical as we want to see the education system supporting the education of these children. And the operator obviously needs to work in with that as well. We believe the principal class officer is very important to ensure that the link is made with the operator so there is definitely benefit to the operator from this approach. The Operator would play the parent role and the core of the educational needs would be met by the school. The students will come with various educational needs, so the principal class position will interact with the residential campus to ensure the connection is very strong. The resources around the three FTE positions are for the educational needs of the students. There will be some negotiation around how it will work - whether it will be three full time teachers or equivalent.
- Will the service provider have a say?
That could certainly be put to the Queensland Department of Education and Training and is up to them to agree, but the roles will be geared around education.
- Some of the reporting relating to education seems onerous and places the operator in the position of being accountable for education.
The Service Agreement has been drafted with enough flexibility to allow for information to be received and the school-ready information is information already being provided. FaHCSIA is willing to negotiate on this issue.
- What is the role of the Local Management Board?
The Board is not seen as a strict governance board but rather a stakeholder reference group, chaired and convened by the Operator. It will be an advisory body only. The Group will also have representatives from the P&C, Weipa and the catchment communities.
- The application documentation talks about an agreed selection policy being a requirement of services - that will obviously not be agreed before the application process finishes.
The application asks for the approach in developing policies and procedures. The full development of all policies and procedures will be undertaken with the selected organisation.
- Is the Service Provider responsible for enrolling the students or the WCC?
Yes. The Service Provider is responsible for undertaking the role of the parent.
- Are there funds within the WCC for promotion of the facility and how can these funds assist in the facility being promoted to students?
Will need to check on that, but the principal class position is already very active in this area, along with the principals on the ground. Additionally there is the FaHCSIA network on the ground providing advice to communities about the facility.
- What will be the availability of the principal class officer at the critical time during the end of year?
The principal class officer is very committed to the project but we would have to work with the Queensland Department of Education and Training on this issue. Additionally the current students from the existing hostel will transfer to the facility and the principal class officer is already working with these students to transition them across to the new facility.
- Is there an expectation the Service Provider will provide supervision of the students while they are at the WCC?
No. The WCC will be responsible for the students during school hours. The students are the responsibility of the operator pre- and post-school hours and of course on weekends. Obviously if children are at the residential campus during the school day because of sickness or behavioural issues then the operator is responsible for them at that time also.
- Is there any facility or resources at the WCC to assist the school with behaviour issues?
There will be clear parameters around how behaviour is managed. Part of the role of the three FTEs committed by the Queensland Department of Education and Training is to assist with behaviour issues. The whole point of this facility is to have the children in the education system, so if there were suspensions for example in place that would need to be controlled.
- How dedicated will the staff be to the students from the campus? Is there the potential for the positions to be used to assist other school children?
The Department of Education and Training positions are additional positions for residential campus children. The commitment from the Queensland Department of Education and Training is very specific about that.
- Is there potential for the service provider to be involved with the selection of the three FTE positions?
FaHCSIA cannot commit on behalf of the Queensland Department of Education and Training but will certainly commit to raising it as an issue with the Queensland Department.
- Would it be possible for the service provider to have a say or attend some of the meetings of the WCC to avoid an 'us and them' mentality?
There would be pathways. There is a very active P&C with the very strong expectation that the operator would be involved in that forum. It would be very surprising for the operator not to have some active involvement with the school. This is one of the reasons FaHCSIA wants the operator on board as soon as possible to ensure that these links and relationships have been established.
28 June 2011
- Is there any scope to extend the application process for a service provider?
FaHCSIA will not be extending the Western Cape Residential Campus Operator selection application period for a range of reasons, including time pressures and the additional cost involved. The normal application period is only four weeks. FaHCSIA already extended the period in this instance to five weeks to allow additional time for organisations to respond, given the nature of the applications.
- Would it be possible for us to have copies of the job descriptions of the "principal class officer specifically dedicated to WCRC" and the three "full time equivalent officers?"
These positions will provide the key school-based supports to the WCRC students and will ensure that the links between the WCRC and the WCC are formed and maintained. In particular these resources will be responsible for:
- participating in ongoing case management
- supporting a transition program
- daily handovers between the school and the residential campus
- assisting families with student enrolment
- undertaking joint selection of students with the WCRC operator
- managing behaviour incidents and reporting
- liaising with residential campus and other student support services regarding behaviour issues
- managing between-class truancy
- developing and implementing behaviour management support programs
- providing one-on-one, and small group academic support for ESL, and 'high needs' students
- developing, coordinating and supporting a WCRC based homework program
- liaising with class teachers on homework, assessment and ESL
- assisting during study blocks
- support school staff to access parents for student progress interviews
- maximising opportunities for linking residential campus students with Weipa Campus extra-curricular activities
- supporting culture and inclusivity programs.
The exact roles of these three FTEs will be finalised between the WCRC operator and the WCC, depending on need.
29 June 2011
- Have you had any luck with the electronic copies plans? We need to see an A3 size copy of the plans as soon as possible.
Links to plans below.
- Does WCC have buses? Are they available for WCRC students on weekends? Who pays for the bus drivers, fuel etc when driven in WCRC hours?
FaHCSIA expects to provide the operator with two Coaster buses or similar for the use of the campus. Any and all costs associated with the buses will be borne by the operator.
- Is there public transport between WCC and WCRC?
No.
- The Service Provider is required to ensure students "...are provided wrap-around services such as tutoring that support educational achievement." Unless there has been a policy change my understanding is that funds for tutors would have to be accessed through WCC. Do you know if this is still the case?
The reference to tutoring refers to additional support provided to the students after hours to support their educational needs. The Department of Education and Training resources will be available at the Western Cape College. However, there may be some scope for negotiation with the Department of Education and Training.
5 July 2011
- Will the Service Provider be able to attach utilities at Stage One and Stage Two of the construction of the Western Cape Residential College? Stage One is due to be opened at the end of September. Are utilities able to be connected by the Service Provider in the lead up to the opening, say mid/end August?
I am trying to get a grip on just when the Service Provider will have access to the facility with services up and running, e.g. power, gas, phone/internet, security system.
Stage One of the facility is a prototype room. It will not be possible to connect utilities to this room as the area around it will still be under construction. Stage Two is scheduled for completion in December 2011.
FaHCSIA expects that most of the Transition In activities (detailed in the Schedule of the draft Service Agreement) will not require access to the Western Cape Residential Campus (WCRC). However, as some of those activities will require access by the Operator to the WCRC (eg the requirement that the Operator ensure that all necessary utilities are connected and are functioning) we are intending to vary the Service Agreement to make provision for the "Transition In Period" to be extended to run to 7 days after the Date of Practical Completion.
Accordingly, it is intended that the Operator will have access to the WCRC from the Date of Practical Completion and will be required to complete the Transition In activities by the date which is 7 days after the Date of Practical Completion.