“I’ve packed for you,” he said. A line of garbage bags sat beside him. A failed attempt at counselling led to this moment. I wanted to leave him and he thought he could “get the counsellor to change my mind”. I told the counsellor, “He’s kicked...
To give schools real choice about secular school chaplains, the latest change needs to go further, writes Luke Beck New federal Education Minister Jason Clare has announced a change to the National School Chaplaincy Program to allow schools to “choose” between having a religious chaplain and...
Yes, says Kylie Soanes, you can make a difference, right in your own backyard The newly released State of the Environment report paints a predictably grim picture. Species are in decline, ecosystems are at breaking point, and threats abound. For many of us, it can feel...
The eminent annual awards continue to celebrate and honour quality Australian literature for young people and enjoyed a superb 6.8% growth trajectory, surpassing the successful 2021 awards. Entries across the six categories covered topics relevant to our complex world and the lived experience of our young...
One dad’s story of a camp that marked his son’s journey into manhood. As told to Melissa Cowan My son was 13 years old when we went on a camp on a site in Byron Bay hinterlands to mark his transition into manhood. He was starting...
There are plenty of wonderful books for kids that should pique their interest in things scientific! Here are just a few of the interesting ones. Backyard Buddies by Andy Geppert, pub. Hachette, Picture Book RRP$19.99 A beautifully illustrated somewhat factual introduction to the hoppy, crawly, wriggly, buzzy,...
You’re probably already encouraging STEM at home and don't realise it, writes Rebecca Kerr Children are naturally curious. They’re constantly engaging with their surroundings and observing the world around them. As a parent and role model, you may choose to lean into their exploration and encourage...
The fast pace of modern urban living can be mentally and physically draining. Add the strains of a pandemic, and these challenges can multiply. Imagine being a school student and having to focus on learning and studying during this time. Being an attentive student can be...
by physiotherapist and clinical pain neuroscientist, Sarah Wallwork Bang! A child trips and grazes their knee. Your toddler bumps his head on the table. Your niece stubs her toe. The tears flood in. Do you: (a) tell them to “brush-it-off”, (b) make a fuss and laboriously check...
Researchers Emma Sciberras, Anna Jackson, Glenn Melvin and Louise Brown asked parents who said these 3 strategies (and tips) can help COVID lockdowns and home schooling seemed never-ending for a lot of families. But there were some silver linings. Our new research published in two papers looked...
