Australia

Head of Curriculum Review says corporal punishment 'was very effective' in response to increased suspensions report 

Dr Kevin Donnolly, one of the heads of the national review of the Australian curriculum, has told 2UE radio that corporal punishment in schools was 'very effective'. His comments, reported in the Sydney Morning Herald, were made in the context of reports of a 35% rise in students being sent home for misbehaviour (reported below). He qualified his statement, saying '[i]f the school community is in favour of it then I have got no problem if it's done properly'.

Schools in NSW facing increase in suspensions

Also in the Sydney Morning Herald are reports that the latest NSW Department of Education statistics show that more students are being sent home or suspended from school. The report states that 'the most recent Department of Education figures show there were 18,186 long suspensions in 2012, 1300 more than in 2011 and 4780 more than in 2007. In 2012, there were 12,922 students sent home for more than four days'. The article also reports that the National Children's Commissioner has said that excluding students from school causes more harm than good.

Report calls for 100 new schools in QLD

In Queensland, a report of the Schools Planning Commission has found that 100 new schools will probably be needed to meet Queensland's educational needs. The Brisbane Times also reports that already, 10 new schools are being built under public-private partnerships. A funding model for the new schools is still to be worked out.

An anti-bullying app to prevent unwise social media posts by students

An anti-bullying app is being developed to teach students about poor choices when using social media. The Starshell Student App will ask students to think twice by filtering new social medias posts then quarantining them whilst prompting the student to reconsider. The principal of Matraville High School, where the application will be trialled, told the Sydney Morning Herald that she hopes that it will cause her students to pause and think. The developer is currently working with schools and sporting clubs.

VIC principal 'scapegoated' by the Department of Education

The Age has reported that there are accusations of a principal being scapegoated by the VIC Department of Education over an asbestos scare, after it was announced that he would not be returning to school. The incident involves concerns about asbestos contamination in a renovated classroom, which was cleared, then found to be contaminated again. The Minister for Education has also said that 'this process has dragged on for too long and I have told my department I want it resolved as soon as possible in term three'. The principal, Mr Chris Sexton, is reported as being well liked by the parents of the school.

VIC Government says graduate teachers are inadequately skilled

The VIC Government has stated that graduate teachers from universities across Australia are not up to the standards of VIC schools. The report, in the Age, concerns a submission to the Teacher Education Ministerial Advisory Group. The VIC Government's submissions raised concerns that teachers were not being properly equipped in the areas of literacy, maths, science, and teaching students with special needs. The submission has called for a reduction in the amount of universities and colleges offering teaching degrees in order to improve quality.

International

UK couple convicted after taking their child out of school for a holiday

A couple in the UK have been given 'good behaviour' (conditional discharge) sentence after being convicted of failing to secure the attendance of their child at school. ITV reports that the offence arose from a 13 day holiday to Australia that the couple took with their child. They did not gain permission from the school. The couple now have a criminal record.

Schools and parents pay in NZ court cases

In a tale of two court cases, one school will pay $24,000 in court costs whilst another will be paid $25,000 by a parent. In each case respectively, one student successfully challenged a ruling over hair whilst in another, a mother failed in her challenge to her son's expulsion for smoking cannabis during school hours. The cases have raised the issue of the expensive costs of going to court to overturn school decisions.

UK teacher banned over sexually suggestive posts on student's Facebook

A UK teacher has been banned by a disciplinary body after he commented on a younger pupil's Facebook page 'Beautiful! I wish I was 34 years younger :-)xxxxx'. 10 allegations involving misuse of social media were proven against the teacher. The teacher admitted that he had breached the school's policy by contacting the students by social media. It was stated in the Daily Mail that other inappropriate actions were also alleged.

Court to decide how Canadian abuse commission is to handle victims' records

The issue of record retention has come to the fore in Canada in a court action to preserve the testimony of victims of abuse at residential schools. CTV Canada writes that the Court is to decide how the Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Commission is to retain or destroy the records. The Commission is examining sexual, physical and psychological abuse in schools. The hearing continues at the time of publication.

Rise in ADHD diagnoses in the US questioned by therapist

The Washington Post has featured an article which questions the rise in Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnoses. Acknowledging that factors in the trend include more awareness and changed diagnostic criteria, Angela Hanscom, a paediatric occupational therapist questions whether there are really more cases or whether changes in children's exercise rates are to blame for overactivity. She argues that students are 'unable to sit still' because they spend too little time being active - leading to a potential misdiagnosis of ADHD.