What's new

APPA proposes new model for school funding

The Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA), representing all education sectors, has launched a paper proposing new principles for school funding. See APPA statement March 2010 and article in The Sydney Morning Herald 19 March 2010.

New inquiry to examine roles of school libraries and teacher librarians in Australian schools

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education and Training is to inquire into the role, adequacy and resourcing of school libraries and teacher librarians in Australia's public and private schools. The Committee invites interested organisations and individuals to make written submissions to the inquiry by 16 April 2010. See Committee's media release 18 March 2010.

Julia Gillard speaks on Australian Government education agenda

This week Australian Minister for Education Julia Gillard has delivered a speech to a forum of the Independent Education Union, addressing a range of items on the Government's agenda for change in school education. See transcript of her speech, 17 March 2010.

University of Sydney considers new approach to tertiary entry requirements

The University of Sydney is considering changes to its undergraduate entry requirements. The changes, included in a Green Paper strategy document, would 'increase the number of disadvantaged and regional students, and make greater use of aptitude tests, references and general interviews when admitting students', according to an article in The Sydney Morning Herald 19 March 2010.

Ministers describe economic impact of school construction in NSW

Online schools portal goes live in Victoria

Victorian Education Minister Bronwyn Pike has announced the rollout of the Ultranet, an online portal and 'virtual classroom' designed to improve communication within and between schools, and between schools and families. See article in The Age 16 March 2010.

Qld teachers urged to guide social networking usage

Experts at a Queensland forum have called for teachers to help guide students through the appropriate use of online social networking technologies. See article in The Sydney Morning Herald 10 March 2010.

Indigenous Teaching Scholarship applications now open

Possible social networking reprieve for NSW students

The NSW Government may relax its rules against allowing secondary students to access social networking sites on their government-issued laptops. Minister for Education and Training Verity Firth noted that the government had been involved in a series of roundtables related to current social networking policy. See article on ITWire 15 March 2010. 

Primary school in Victoria bans knives in woodwork classes

A Melbourne primary school has banned the use of sharp cutting implements in classes such as woodwork after a student threatened his classmates with a knife. A spokesperson from the Victorian Department of Education notes that knife incidents remain uncommon in schools across the state. See article in The Herald Sun 11 March 2010.

Fitness may boost grades

A study has found a correlation between students' fitness and their academic achievement. Almost 1,200 students were assessed in terms of their fitness and academic achievement over a two-year period, with results indicating that those who maintained high fitness levels achieved at higher rates than their peers. See article in BusinessWeek 3 March 2010.

Microsoft recommends parents filter the internet

Microsoft Australia has recently published research which found that parents are not adequately monitoring their children's internet use. An article in iTnews 17 March 2010 suggests that the research may be used to support the Australian Government's proposal for mandatory internet filtering.

Soft drink sales drop in US schools

A report has found that sales of full-sugar soft drinks in secondary schools in the USA have fallen by 95% since 2004. See article in The Wall Street Journal 8 March 2010.