Recently, writes Sally Larsen, Australia woke up to a barrage of reports about the latest NAPLAN results. Media coverage described an “epic fail”, “plummeting” performances and a “bleak picture”. Education experts spoke of “grim reading”, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the results “alarming”. But many of these...
National Child Protection Week launched this week with a clear message that "every conversation matters" National Child Protection Week kicked off on September 1st with a powerful message: "Every Conversation Matters". Organized by NAPCAN, this week is all about engaging Australians to "Play a Part" in...
Despite your faults, you’re TV’s greatest dad, writes Ben McCann Step aside Bandit. With Father’s Day around the corner, it’s time to recognise Daddy Pig for the great father he is. The children’s show Peppa Pig, first screened in the United Kingdom in 2004, is now broadcast...
How ‘dad jokes’ may prepare your kids for a lifetime of embarrassment, write psychologists Shane Rogers and Marc Hye-Knudsen Shutterstock This Father’s Day you may be rolling out your best “dad jokes” and watching your children laugh (or groan). Maybe you’ll hear your own father, partner or...
The eight winners of the 2024 HESTA Excellence Awards were announced in Melbourne on August 30th. Selected from a record-breaking 400 nominations. These awards celebrate outstanding teams and individuals across Australia working in the Disability, Allied Health, Aged Care, and Community Services sectors. Among the winners are...
Linda McIver comes to the conclusion that sometimes, near enough is good enough. This morning, I picked a fight with my six-year-old, Chloe. I didn’t set out to fight, of course, but she was really pushing my buttons. Her claim that she had finished her writing...
Top Dog and Cat Breeds in Australia Revealed Australia's favourite pets have been unveiled by Bupa Pet Insurance, with the Cavoodle topping the list of dogs and the Domestic Short Hair named the top cat. The rankings, based on Bupa's policy data, highlight a diverse range...
For almost a decade, McCrindle has analysed the top baby names nationwide. Their report for 2024 makes really interesting reading for those who follow the trends or those who just want to make sure their little bundle of joy has his or her own unique name...
A new app is helping us find out, write Kate Anderson, Taleah Carson and Tasha Cole Australian children are among the healthiest in the world. However, First Nations children continue to be left behind. To break the cycle of disadvantage, we need to foster First Nations children’s well-being...
The federal government has only ‘noted’ a call to end special schools, reports Linda J. Graham. What does this mean for students with a disability? We have just received the long-awaited response from the Australian government to the disability royal commission’s final report. One of the most...
