What's newAnnual reports released: National Partnership agreement on Early Childhood EducationThe Australian Minister for School Education, Peter Garrett, has released state and territory annual reports for 2010 on the National Partnership agreement on Early Childhood Education. See Minister's statements 10 November 2011. Peter Garrett live Q&A 14 November 2011The Minister for School Education, Peter Garrett, will have a conversation with parents about school reforms with a live and online audience on 14 November 2011. Report predicts skills shortage in educationThe recently published Clarius Skills Index report (7.9MB) predicts a shortage of trained professionals in the education and health sectors in the forthcoming decade. See article in the Sydney Morning Herald, 8 November 2011. Further discussion of NSW school autonomy planThe school autonomy trial scheme in NSW has received support from Australian School Education Minister, Peter Garrett, but has been challenged by the NSW Teachers Federation. See report on ABC News and article in the Sydney Morning Herald, both 4 November 2011. Implementation of a proposed NSW Record of SchoolThe NSW Board of Studies has released a document outlining proposals for the implementation of a new credential for students who leave school prior to receiving their Higher School Certificate. Public comment is invited via an online survey. See also article in the Sydney Morning Herald, 8 November 2011. Nominations open for 2011 Australian Vocational Student PrizeSchools are invited to nominate year 12 students who have demonstrated outstanding vocational and employability skills while undertaking a Vocational Education and Training in Schools program or an Australian School-based Apprenticeship as part of their senior secondary certificate. Up to 500 prizes are awarded each year and winners receive a certificate and $2000. The highest achieving prize winners are also eligible for the Prime Minister's Award for Skills Excellence in School, with an additional $2000 for the winners. For more information visit www.deewr.gov.au/avsp and get your nominations in by 2 December 2011. Grants available for National Youth Week 2012 eventsThe Victorian Coalition Government has invited young people to apply for grants to help celebrate next year's National Youth Week, held from 13–22 April 2012. The grants, available for young people aged 12–25, will help young people plan and stage workshops, events or local projects for youth. Victorian Government offers grants for languages teachingIn 2012 the Victorian Government will offer Languages Start-up grants to government schools to help them introduce languages programs. It will also offer scholarships of up to $20,000 for undergraduate teachers and $50,000 for government school teachers to become qualified languages teachers, and offer a Certificate IV in Community Languages Teaching at Victoria's TAFE institutes. See also article in The Age, 8 November 2011. Flipped classrooms discussedAn article in the Canberra Times, 7 November 2011, discusses the learning models value collectively known as 'flipping' the classroom. NSW calls for Sydney to 'embrace Asia'The NSW Premier, Barry O'Farrell, has called for greater focus on the teaching of Asian culture and languages in schools. See article in the Sydney Morning Herald, 7 November 2011. New Zealand Education SummitIn New Zealand an education summit representing the broad education sector has recommended a set of principles to underpin education policy making. See statement by the New Zealand Principals Federation (scoop.co.nz), 3 November 2011. Change to Google search command impacts on search strategiesAn article in Wired UK, 26 October 2011, describes a change in Google search commands, which impacts on strategies used to narrow search results. The article also suggests alternative ways to undertake precise searches via free online search services. |