Articles

ACARA presses on with NAPLAN Online preparations Schools across Australia have been taking part in school readiness testing to assess their ICT capacity for NAPLAN Online and to become familiar with administration and logistics

Susan Pascoe to oversee Certification Advisory Board Susan Pascoe AM has been appointed as independent Chair of the Australian Principal Certification Advisory Board. As Chair, she will work closely with Australian Principal Certification Advisory Board

Western Sydney Coding Club launched The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences has launched its 2018 Schools Program, aimed at inspiring a life-long engagement in STEAM subjects. Schools in Western Sydney will also have the opportunity to access free professional development and coding resources through the new Western Sydney Coding Club.

2015 National Report on schooling in Australia released The National Report on Schooling in Australia 2015 is the annual report on Australia’s school education sector. The report highlights progress in 2015 towards the Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians agreed by Australian education ministers in 2008.

I'm available… why don’t they call me? In general, casual teachers are outstanding in the provision of excellent education at short notice. But there are exceptions, and these are the casuals that wonder why schools don’t call them again. Having been a principal in schools over 10 years, I have experienced some puzzling and interesting behaviours and attitudes from casuals… and here are a few of my favourites.

Teenagers opposed to Fitbits as a way to increase levels of activity There is an increasing use of healthy lifestyle technologies but little in-depth empirical research on their impacts on young people. Fitbits have been used in schools to tackle rising levels of obesity and sedentary behaviour yet a study published in Sport, Education and Society shows that they might have longer-term negative impacts

NESLI Wellbeing Tookit has positive effect on mental Health in schools NESLI’s Staff Wellbeing Toolkit is having a profound impact on the mental health of Australia’s schools. After doing the 5 module program schools reported a marked improvement in understanding 

Ivanhoe Grammar School to open new University Campus at La Trobe Ivanhoe Grammar School and La Trobe University have entered into a partnership to establish a Year 9 campus to provide students with a university-school experience. The initiative will give Year 9 students an early taste of university learning

Victorian Education Excellence Awards finalists announced A school raising the career aspirations of young people and a primary teacher who is passionate about increasing women in STEM education and careers are among the finalists of this year’s Victorian Education Excellence Awards.  

$600,000 funding to enable an Australian-first telepresence robot pilot St.George Foundation and MissingSchool have announced funding of up to $600,000 over three years to enable an Australian-first telepresence robot pilot. Telepresence robots will be paced in schools to demonstrate that continuous two-way connection is possible between seriously sick children and their classrooms.

Wakakirri wraps up 2017 season on a high Wakakirri 2017 has been a brilliant eight-week show season with almost 250 schools shaking and grooving their hearts out to be in the running for the National Story of the Year Award. Recurring themes were homelessness, cyber bullying, the environment, technology and friendship.

NAO is the highlight of Cunnamulla Library Situated 910 km South West of Brisbane (three-hours by plane) is the remote town of Cunnamulla. With a population of only 1865, Cunnamulla is considered a low socio-economic area. However, the town boasts a diverse and passionate community, eager to develop skills relevant for the 21st century.