Pupil-free days may be tricky for parents, write Ellen Larsen and Mia O'Brien, but they are vital for teachers and schools. Pupil-free or student-free days may seem like an extra holiday for students and an inconvenience for parents who are juggling work and family. This week, some...
With reports of students abusing peers in primary schools, what can a parent do? Ask Daryl Higgins and Gabrielle Hunt An ABC report recently revealed a concerning rise in peer-on-peer sexual abuse within Australian primary schools. Data on Victorian schools shows hundreds of such incidents were reported in...
Victorian students will get ‘anti-Tate’ lessons, report Stephanie Wescott, Alexandra Phelan, Naomi Pfitzner, Sarah McCook and Steven Roberts – but much more is needed The Victorian government has announced new teaching resources to tackle the influence of “manosphere” figures, such as Andrew Tate, in the state’s...
Sarah Jefferson looks at why Schools tend to discourage students from repeating and what choices parents have. We are in the last stretch of the school year and just weeks away from final reports. For some students, results may indicate serious gaps in skills or knowledge. This...
Kayla Mildren looks at the recent Queensland tribunal ruling that it is not discriminatory for a school to require girls to wear skirts at formal events. The private high school said girls needed to wear skirts for occasions including excursions, ceremonies and class photographs. A female student...
Australia has 53% of qualified teachers choosing not to teach and 20% of graduates who will never teach. What’s going on?...
A lunch that will please the vegie-loving kid at your house....
Sarah Jameson faces the first major challenge of her son’s school year: coming up with a costume for ‘colonial’ day. Our first child started school this year, and it has been the most wonderful experience. The first hurdle, however, presented itself on Tuesday in the form...
Reluctance turns to relief when Andrew Bartholomew finds that helping at his daughter’s school is actually quite enjoyable. “Don’t we pay fees?” I demanded. “We pay fees, go to meetings – I even do the occasional Saturday morning working bee!” My wife had just told me the...
School bullying is depressingly common, writes Andrew Trounson, but having a group of friends, not just a single “bestie”, may bolster a child’s resilience. Surviving school bullies may be a numbers game. Having a group of friends to rely on rather than a single “best” friend appears...
