At this time of the school year, many schools are asking families to pay fees. These are not private schools, but public schools, writes Emma Rowe. Why are public schools asking parents to pay fees? The fees are voluntary and go towards a range of items such...
Brendon Hyndman and Vaughan Cruickshank look at why some schools have stopped running camps as costs rise. What can we do instead? School camps have long been a rite of passage for many Australian students in both primary and high school. Typically, camps begin in primary school...
Australian students spend years learning handwriting, yet many receive little formal instruction in writing on computers. Researchers, Anabela Malpique and Deborah Pino Pasternak say digital writing skills are now essential for school, study and work — and classrooms need to catch up. Writing using computers is...
From smartwatches to AI-powered glasses, wearable tech is quietly entering classrooms. While these devices could support learning and wellbeing, experts warn they also raise big questions about privacy, pressure and fairness for students. AI wearables are already in classrooms—whether schools like it or not Could your child’s...
Active zones and mini retreats – Fatemeh Aminpour looks at how to build preschools suitable for neurodivergent kids An estimated 15–20% of children are neurodivergent, with diagnoses rising each year. They may have a neurodevelopmental condition such as autism or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. We know many neurodivergent children...
Families across Australia say children with disabilities are still being bullied, excluded and misunderstood at school. Some parents report teachers dismissing conditions such as ADHD, raising concerns about whether schools are truly equipped to support neurodivergent students, report Catherine Smith and Helen Dickinson One student was routinely...
Ever wondered what your kids might spot if they looked a little closer — from giant spider crabs while snorkelling to tiny clues left by native bees? Citizen science turns everyday moments outdoors into real discoveries, and more than a million Australians are already taking...
As AI tools and instant information reshape how students learn, schools are shifting focus – from catching plagiarism to teaching critical thinking, creativity and the ethical use of sources. From copying to critical thinking For years, plagiarism was treated as a discipline issue—something to catch and penalise....
With Google, YouTube and AI tools at their fingertips, today’s kids can access information instantly—but knowing what counts as their own work is becoming increasingly blurred. Here’s what parents need to understand about plagiarism now. The new reality: information everywhere For today’s students, information isn’t something they...
It’s hard to escape the news right now. From global conflict to political tension, distressing headlines and confronting images are never more than a swipe away — for us, and increasingly, for our children. As parents, we’re walking a delicate line. We want our kids to...
