The Minister's Student Council is the peak forum for interaction between NSW public school students, NSW Education and the NSW Minister for Education.

The council is officially known as the DOVES (Department of Student Voices in Education and Schools).

Read more about the DOVES Council on the about page.

How can I get involved?

Applications are open to public school students interested in joining the DOVES Minister’s Student Council.

The Minister's Student Council, known as the Department of Student Voices in Education and Schools (DOVES), is an initiative of Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell to ensure student voices are heard in developing education policy and addressing matters of concern to students.

It was created out of the Minister’s experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic which impacted heavily on students.

Ms Mitchell said the pandemic had shown that officials needed a student stakeholder group they could consult and work with.

In October 2020 a student steering committee was formed to help co-design the council.

The result is DOVES a 27-member council representing students from all Operational Directorates across NSW, including Connected Communities, who advocate on behalf of their school communities.

There are three students representing each operational directorate who bring their wider student community into the policy process by holding regular DOVES forums, where they hear from special interest groups.

This is the council’s third year and there are 15 places available for 2023.

Spots available per directorate:

• Metro North: 2
  
• Metro South: 2
• Metro South and West: 1
• Regional North: 3
• Regional South: 2
• Regional North and West: 2
• Rural North: 1
• Rural South and West: 1
• Connected Communities: 1

How do students apply?

Applications for the DOVES are open and will close at 5pm on Friday 23 December 2022 (Week 10, Term 4).

Students initial expressions of interest can be submitted via a video of up to 90 seconds or less in length and showcase you:

1. Tell us about yourself

2. Why would you be a good advocate and member of the DOVES Council?

3. Why are you passionate about helping NSW public education students? .

• Applications are open for students currently in Year 5 to Year 9.
• Each student will sit on the council for a 2-year term
• There are no Year 12 students on the council due to HSC commitments.
• If you are in Year 10 or Year 11 now you will be ineligable as your second year on the council will be in Year 12.

A selection panel will review all submissions and invite shortlisted applicants to join a short online video interview. The panel includes students currently on the DOVES Council as well as department representatives.

All students submitting will be contacted about their application.

Submit your application via the google form here.

Timeline

Date	Description
7 November 2022	Applications open
23 December 2022	Applications close
Week 1, Term 1 2023	Applications reviewed and shortlisted
Week 2, Term 1 2023	Shortlisted applicants invited to a short online interview
Mid Term 1 2023	Successful applicants announced and appointed to the DOVES Council