Australia

New privacy manual allows principals access to students' counselling files

A new national privacy manual for independent schools states that principals may access the confidential student files of school counsellors. The Australian Psychological Society has told the Sydney Morning Herald that this will lead to students not speaking frankly, or avoiding help at all. Although some principals have emphasised the need to access the student files to address things such as bullying, the NSW Parents' Council says that they do not need access to the confidential information to fulfil their student duty of care. School counsellors in NSW public schools cannot share their files with principals or teachers.

NSW school under investigation over potential mismanagement

A non-government Muslim school in NSW has been the subject of an independent review commissioned by the NSW BOSTES. The review found outstanding financial and management issues. The investigation in the Australian (restricted access) involves potentially improper property transactions and bonus payments by the school's chairman. Despite this, the school continues to operate as 'there have been no findings that demonstrate a breach (of the Education Act)'.

NSW Children’s Guardian speaks out about Working with Children Checks

In a piece published in the Sydney Morning Herald, Kerryn Boland, the NSW Children’s Guardian and Acting NSW Commissioner for Children and Young People has spoken out about the effectiveness of Working with Children Checks. She reports that of over 400,000 completed checks, 181 applicants have been barred from working with children. However, she has also warned about over-reliance on these checks, and has emphasised that the checks are a tool of risk management, and not an ultimate safeguard. The Royal Commission into Institutional Child Abuse is also holding roundtables and other discussions on the issue.

WA school forced to keep sexual assault victim from school ball

A private school in WA has excluded a former female student who was the victim of a sexual assault from the school ball because her male attacker currently attends the school. The West Australian reports that the two teenagers cannot be near each other as a result of a court order. The male student was convicted of a sexual assault but is still a student at the school forcing the school into the difficult position of not allowing her to attend the ball due to the effect of the court order.

One in five VIC students bullied.

In VIC, a study by the University of Melbourne has found that one in five students (both primary and high school) is the subject of daily racism, the Herald Sun reports. Dr Naomi Priest, one of the researchers, is developing a program to teach children who witness racism to step in. Incidents of bullying reported by students include being span on, pushed, hit, and being  told that they don't belong in Australia,

International

Schools react to NZ High Court ruling on student's long hair

The Wairarapa Times-Age has reported that schools in the area are reviewing their uniform policies after the recent High Court challenge to a NZ school's hair rules to ensure that they are clear. Whilst some schools have stated (on hair) that 'as long as it doesn't affect learning it's not an issue', others have cited their rules based on 'standards and traditions' in saying that it was a matter between the 'school and the school community'.

Canadian Education Minister breaches Privacy Act 

In Canada, the Alberta Education Minister reportedly broke privacy regulations in a mass email to teachers, according to the Edmonton Sun. The Alberta Privacy Commissioner launched an investigation over the Minister's use of an email distribution list that he obtained which included both the work and personal email addresses of teachers. The personal email addresses should not have been used. The Commissioner found that the Minister broke Alberta's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

UK Anglican leader calls for daily worship to be scrapped

The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Rev John Pritchard, has called for the legislative requirement for daily worship in assembly to be scrapped, according to the Telegraph. Although he also says that schools should make time for 'spiritual reflection', he says the practice of compulsory worship can put people off religion. The National Governors' Association has also called for the abolition of the rule for non-religious schools.

'Master Teachers' proposal for the UK

The Labour party (in opposition) in the UK has proposed the establishment of the grade of 'master teacher', according to the Guardian. The plan is designed to improve career structure and boost teacher retention. The grade is modelled on a system in Singapore, which was recommended to the UK Government in 2011. The standards would be set by an independent board, and the pay determined by head teachers.

UK students stage great escape

In a move inspired by the movie 'The Great Escape', students at a UK school have attempted to dig an escape tunnel under the school fence during lunchtimes. itv reports that the tunnel was dug using cutlery from the school canteen. The school has since filled the hole in and the daring and adventurous students have been spoken to. Staff have been asked to maintain watch for future digging activities.

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