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December 17: School Governance Weekly Wrap

16/12/15
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Australia

Dozens of NSW teachers investigated for alleged assaults

New data from the NSW Education Department shows that dozens of NSW government school teachers have been investigated for alleged assaults against students with autism. The ABC reports that the alleged assaults included children being sat on and placed in headlocks. Of the 37 alleged incidents, management action was only taken by the schools in eight of the cases.

Brisbane Grammar changes building’s name in apology to child abuse victims

Recent hearings before Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse included a former Brisbane Grammar School headmaster accused of turning a blind eye to years of child sexual abuse at the school. The Guardian reports that this week the school’s board of trustees has removed the former headmaster’s name from the school’s sports building, believing that ‘the removal of the name is fundamental to the school’s apology’ to the victims of abuse.

Student too scared to go to school after severe bullying incident

A Perth student has said that she’s too scared to return to school after being punched in the head and pulled to the floor by her hair, because the bullies involved remain ‘inadequately punished’. WA Today reports that the student had been bullied by three girls over a two-week period and the verbal threats and intimidation had not been sufficiently dealt with by the school. The violent physical attack resulted in the suspension of the three bullies, but has left the student too scared to return.

Senior teacher at elite school plays strip poker with students

The Courier Mail reports that parents at an elite Melbourne school have reported that a 60-year-old senior male teacher played strip poker with a group on eight year 7 boys on a school camp. The school has told the parents that it was a ‘lapse of judgment’ and that the teacher had ‘made an incorrect decision’. The teacher has since left the school, but remains a registered teacher in Victoria.

Underage private school students seen gambling in school uniform

Residents near an independent boys’ school in Victoria have alleged that students from the school are routinely seen gambling at a nearby TAB during lunchtime and after school. The Age reported that the school’s headmaster notified parents about the reports of ‘boys in uniform’ placing bets at the local TAB, explaining that the school’s proactive position on educating boys about the risks around gambling. Residents report that it is obvious the students are underage, and that ‘it’s a terrible look’ for the school.

Schools need better communication during bushfires, education department finds

Adelaide Now reports that the South Australian Education Department has conducted a review of the recent Pinery bushfire and its impact on schools, and has identified three key areas for the improvement of communication between the Education Department and schools threatened by bushfires. The Department has proposed improvements including additional communication measures for schools when regular phone services are down; deploying extra staff in times of need; and seeking local advice from principals, preschool directors and education directors on communications during bushfires.

International

All schools in LA closed due to online threat

Exactly three years since the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, all schools across Los Angeles closed for the day after a ‘credible threat’ of violence involving explosive devices, assault rifles, backpacks and packages, was sent to several school board members in the district. The Guardian reports that a similar threat was received in New York however authorities dismissed the threats as not credible and kept schools open. More than 700,000 children in LA, from more than 900 campuses, were sent home due to the threat.

Family of 13-year-old student who killed herself sues school

NBC News reports that one year after the tragic suicide of their 13-year-old daughter, the family of the year 7 student has filed a federal lawsuit against an Ohio school district for allegedly ignoring the bullying that led to the teenager’s death. The lawsuit names the school district, administrators, teachers and multiple students and claims that the school did little to control the abusive school environment that led to their daughter’s death.

Boarding school uses finger-vein scanners to monitor students

The Australian reports that an independent girls’ boarding school in England has introduced finger-vein scanners to keep tabs on its students. The scanners read the network of veins inside a finger, identifying the girl and verifying her identity to register her attendance in a classroom or the cafeteria. The school’s bursar said that the technology has not only improved administrative functions but also the school’s pastoral care.

Suspension notices sent to thousands of students demanding proof of vaccination

The health department in Ottawa, Canada has issued school suspension notices to 5000 children with missing or outdated records of vaccination after months of warning parents to provide proof their children have been vaccinated. The National Post reports that since the notices went out, the health department has been getting 600 calls a day and has assigned extra staff to direct parents to doctors and record updated vaccination details.

Nearly 100 New Zealand teachers investigated over ‘psychological state’ in six years

Stuff.co reported that 99 teachers in New Zealand have been investigated by their professional watchdog in the past six years for misconduct or incompetence in which their psychological state has been a factor. The reported incidents included aggressive, violent or threatening behaviour toward children, drug and alcohol use at work, theft, bullying, harassment and falsifying grades. The teachers were found to have a range of mental health issues including, depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.

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