What's newNational Plan for School Improvement ForumThe Australian Minister for School Education, Peter Garrett, and the Parliamentary Secretary for School Education, Jacinta Collins, are holding a National Plan for School Improvement Forum with live and online audiences at 7.30pm (AEST) on Thursday 1 November 2012. The MoneySmart Teaching Strategy and Financial Health for TeachersThe Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is rolling out its MoneySmart Teaching strategy, which is part of the Australian Government's $10 million Helping Our Kids Understand Finances (HOKUF) initiative to improve financial literacy in schools. ASIC has worked with the education sector to develop professional learning for teachers, and quality materials which incorporate consumer and financial literacy education as a context for learning within the Australian Curriculum. ASIC's strategy also aims to encourage teachers to take charge of their personal finances. Teachers are invited to subscribe to Financial Health for Teachers – a personal learning program that includes monthly videos, podcasts, three challenges and a newsletter. Topics include paying off a mortgage, living on one income and investing on a teacher's salary. Wider powers for NSW principals take effectA new system for appointing staff in NSW public schools has now come into effect. See article in The Sydney Morning Herald 8 October 2012. Victorian Government promotes languages educationThe Victorian Government has reaffirmed its support for languages education, with a commitment that all public P–10 school students will be learning a language by 2025, starting with preps in 2015. See also article in The Age 7 October 2012. Education authorities in Queensland discuss implementation of senior secondary curriculumEducation Queensland, Independent Schools Queensland, the Queensland Catholic Education Commission and the Queensland Studies Authority have written a joint report covering concerns over the implementation of the draft senior secondary curriculum in the state. See article in the Courier Mail 8 October 2012. Discussion paper released on senior secondary education in regional TasmaniaTasmania's Minister for Education and Skills, Nick McKim, has released a discussion paper canvassing ways to improve the future provision of years 11 and 12 education in regional Tasmania. See also report on ABC News 9 October 2012. More than 4000 South Australian teachers moving schools each yearOne third of South Australia's public school teachers move schools after one year or less, with fewer than half remaining for more than four years, according to an article in The Advertiser 8 October 2012. The turnover has been attributed to varied factors, including short-term employment contracts for teachers, and limited incentives for teachers to remain at country schools. Support for NZ teachers on social media and ethicsThe New Zealand Teachers Council has launched a website featuring guidelines and resources to help teachers identify and manage ethical dilemmas while using social media. The website also features animations that bring ethical dilemmas to life, a set of presentation frameworks for professional leaders to use in schools and ECE centres with staff, and positive stories from teachers who have used social media successfully. See statement 8 October 2012. Papua New Guinea faces acute teacher shortagePapua New Guinea's Teaching Commission Service says there's a nationwide shortage of teachers that urgently needs to be addressed. See report on ABC News 8 October 2012. Follow CL journal on TwitterFor news updates between editions of the journal follow Curriculum Leadership on Twitter. |