Australia

WA primary school grants permission for student to carry a ceremonial Sikh Kirpan

A Kirpan is a ceremonial Sikh dagger, carried as an article of faith by those adhering to Sikh religious practices. A school in WA has granted permission for a primary school student to carry a blunt Kirpan, with a blade of less than 5cm (about the size of a pen lid). The family has told Perth Now that the Kirpan 'poses no safety risk to any children or staff in the school'. Parents who have raised concerns about the blade 'falling into the wrong hands' have had their comments labelled as 'irrational' by the WA Primary Principals Association, who also said '[w]e respect the student’s culture and children, funnily enough, would accept it a lot more than many adults'.

High Court decision leaves School Chaplains in unsupervised legal limbo

Following on from the High Court decision that de-funds the National School Chaplaincy Program, the Sydney Morning Herald writes that the chaplains will continue to work in schools without supervision or regulation. The consequence of the decision is that there is no federal government body to administer and supervise chaplains who have already been granted funding. A Federal Education spokesperson has said that any complaints should be referred to the schools in question.

Outbreaks of diseases puts spotlight on vaccinations

In QLD, the Brisbane Times has reported on an outbreak of meningococcal, and in NSW, the Sydney Morning Herald has reported on an increase in the incidence of measles picked up whilst on holiday. According to the Australian Department of Health, there are vaccinations available for some strains of meningococcal, and measles are a vaccine preventable disease. Health authorities are concerned about lowered rates of vaccinations, given that meningococcal and measles vaccines are part of childhood vaccination programs.

QLD Safety House program to end 

The Safety House Association in QLD will, as of 1 July 2014, be wound up. A lack of volunteers has meant that the program is no longer sustainable. Safety House is, according to ABC News,  'a network of houses to act as havens for hundreds of children, teenagers and adults if they were followed, approached, lost, bullied or otherwise felt in danger'. Hundreds of schools participated in the program. A Safety House representative was sorry that the program was being shut down, stating 'I think it saved lives'.

QLD students and teachers allegedly assaulted

A group of QLD secondary school students and two teachers were allegedly assaulted whilst waiting for a bus. According to the Courier Mail, one of the two men involved have been charged with counts of common assault, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle for committing an indictable offence using violence, whilst the other has been charged with counts of common assault, wilful damage and assault occasioning bodily harm. The school stated that the students 'diffused what could have been a really bad situation by using common sense and looking out for each other and the teachers were superb as well'.

International

Measles outbreak in NZ forces five schools to change plans

In New Zealand, an outbreak of measles has affected five schools, with one stating that it has 'cancelled or postponed all sporting, cultural and academic trips for the remainder of term two', according to an article in the New Zealand Herald. Schools have been forced to change their plans for sporting events, excursions, a school ball, a talent show and a school disco. Currently, 84 cases of measles have been confirmed by NZ Health authorities.

UK school bans lunchtime football as punishment for misbehaviour

A primary school in the UK has banned football during lunch. BBC News obtained the letter sent to parents explaining the decision, which stated 'unfortunately this term there have been a number of incidents where some pupils have not adhered to the game rules, used inappropriate language and have been rude and disrespectful to members of staff'. The 'adult led' lunchtime football will be reinstated at a later date, contingent on the students behaving.

Canadian study finds more stringent concussion treatment is needed

A Canadian study has found that children who suffer concussions need more time to recover than adults, and has suggested that up to 30 days of 'no physical activity, no television viewing or electronic gaming' may be required in some cases. The Globe and Mail summarises the report, which adds to discussions around the concerns concussions are causing unknown damage to children. The article references a set of new concussion guidelines that have been released for Canada.

School in NZ allegedly ignored complaint before stabbing 

A woman, who is in a same sex relationship, has said that a NZ school has refused to listen to a complaint she made about her 11 year old brother being bullied. The Morning Bulletin reports that she stated that she was told in a meeting with the school, that her relationship was 'not of god'. The complaint follows an incident in which her 11 year old brother allegedly stabbed another classmate in the head with scissors. The incident is now a police matter.