Public school students surveyed on learning and wellbeing
Student voices are being heard across the state, thanks to the new NSW Public Schools Survey. Kerrie O’Connor reports.
12 June 2025
NSW public school students are encouraged to have a say on their learning experiences and wellbeing at school, via a statewide survey underway this term.
The NSW Department of Education is urging all public schools to take part in the 15-minute survey in Term 2, 2025.
The department’s Centre for Education Statistics and Evaluation (CESE) has designed the NSW Public Schools Student Survey for Years 3 to 12 to be short, accessible and aligned to student and school priorities.
Schools such as The Rock Central School in the Riverina, on Wiradjuri Country, have embraced the opportunity to ask students about teaching experiences, their engagement and their sense of belonging at school.
Principal Nim Weerakoon said the process was simple and streamlined.
“The questions were student friendly and will provide schools with insightful information into student engagement and wellbeing at school,” Ms Weerakoon said.
CESE Executive Director (Policy and Evidence) Dr Jennifer Buckingham is proud to offer the first stage of the survey to students this year, with parents and school staff having their say in 2026.
“Built from the ground up and incorporating the voices of students, teachers and school leaders, the new survey is short in length and covers important aspects of students’ experiences of teaching, learning and wellbeing,” Dr Buckingham said.
“The themes covered align with Our Plan for NSW Public Education, which stresses the importance of student voice, and are evidence-based, drawing on the insights from CESE’s longstanding What Works Best resources.”
CESE’s co-director of Strategic Analysis and Research, Ian McCarthy, and his team are visiting schools across the state as they undertake the survey, including The Rock Central School, and said staff appreciated the efficient online survey.
“Schools tell us the new survey significantly minimises the administration time for school staff and they appreciated the support CESE is providing them through professional learning and step-by-step how-to guides,” Mr McCarthy said.
“One highlight for our students is watching a short video from representatives in the Minister’s Student Council (DOVES).
“The video is typically shown to students right before they start the survey and explains why it is important for students and schools.”
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