As Australian families prepare for the start of a new school year, many parents are asking a quiet but important question: will this classroom really work for my child? For families of children with disability, developmental delay, autism or additional learning needs, inclusion is about more...
Australia introduced new rules on December 10th, 2025 requiring social media platforms to stop children under 16 from creating or maintaining accounts. This extract is from Screen Smart Children, which answers many of the burning questions parents might have. One reason for the new social media...
Teachers play a vital role in every community, a fact widely acknowledged by the public. Yet recent research shows a looming shortage, especially in rural areas, as many teachers leave – or at least consider leaving – the profession. Why is this happening? A new study, Perceptions...
Education experts say flexible school models could curb teacher burnout and boost student success — it’s time to rethink the school day. Reimagining the School Day The traditional 8:30 am to 3:15 pm school day was designed for another era — and it’s no longer serving modern...
Marian Mahat, Toby Greany and Chris Bradbeer look at education systems across the world facing the same urgent problem: how to attract and keep teachers in the profession. In Australia, England, Sweden and the United States, schools are grappling with shortages that undermine learning and put...
The ARA Historical Novel Prize is the richest individual literary prize in Australasia. Inspiring the Next Generation of Readers and Writers The ARA Historical Novel Prize has announced its 2025 Children and Young Adult (CYA) longlist. The award shines a light on books that transport young readers back...
Ask their teacher these questions instead, writes Jonathan Heard, Australian Council for Educational Research As school wraps up, families around Australia will be receiving their children’s school reports for the second half of 2024. This is the key way schools communicate with parents about how students are...
Two of her former students teach Martha Wegner a bit about what is important in life. I had dinner last night with some old friends. Actually, I was the old one, they were the friends. I am now old enough to have dinner with my former...
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...
Karen Eriksen was not prepared for the train of events set in motion by her son’s school report. It was Year 2 school report time. Our son had never been an easy child, but we were relaxed. We’d had frequent positive updates from his teacher and...
