AUSTRALIA

Teacher still employed at NT school despite offensive Facebook post

The NT News has reported that a teacher involved in a gay slur controversy remains employed at the government school.  The NT Education Department confirmed that the teacher is still teaching Year 8 students. The teacher had posted on Facebook that gays were living an “inherently wrong” lifestyle.  An Education Department spokeswoman confirmed the teacher had not been suspended from duties while they investigated a complaint against the nature of the post.

Growing number of transgender students prompts call for more teacher training

ABC News reports that more resources and training for Tasmanian teachers is needed to manage an increase in transgender students seeking help. Support organisation Working it Out spokeswoman Susan Ditter said there had been a significant increase in young Tasmanians seeking assistance. Ms Ditter is calling for training and awareness around LGBTI issues to be incorporated into university studies, as it is with police recruits and medical practitioners.  The Tasmanian branch of the Australia Education Union agrees.

VicHealth launches Walk to School month

October is Walk to School month in Victoria. The VicHealth website states that Walk to School is an annual, high profile community event that encourages primary-school students across Victoria to walk, ride or scoot to and from school as often as possible during October.  The Walk to School campaign encourages regular physical activity in Victorian primary-school children by supporting them and their families to establish active routines, and by helping primary schools, local councils and communities to integrate active travel behaviours into their local settings.

Talented students neglected in schools

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that there has been a decline in the achievements of gifted and talented students in Australia.  Research suggests many gifted children do not learn anything new until midway through the school year.  The SMH attributes the decline to several factors including a lack of clarity on school responsibility towards such students and a national failure to a comprehensive research base into gifted and talented education programs.  Updating legislation to include the needs of the gifted and talented in schools' legal obligations help to benefit such students.

INTERNATIONAL

Michigan student suspended for taking photo of school's dirty water

CNet reports that a student was suspended for three days for taking a picture with her phone of dirty bathroom water.  The photo featured in a class newspaper and was posted to Twitter and other social media. The reason for the suspension from the school was: "Inappropriate use of electronics in the restroom."  Wayne-Westand Community Schools didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.  CNet queried why taking a "waterie" and not a "selfie" justified the suspension.

Canada school board wants cameras on buses to stop dangerous drivers

The Record reports that school boards are urging Waterloo regional council to put traffic cameras on school buses, to catch drivers who fail to stop for stopped buses. The Waterloo Region and Waterloo Catholic district school boards separately urged politicians to implement cameras. Last year police issued fewer than 500 tickets for failing to stop for a stopped school bus because the drivers see the police and slow down. This has led to a new tactic: hiding officers inside school buses to watch for drivers who don't stop. The officer then radios to other officers who pull the driver over for a $490 ticket.

Schools in England to shut one day per week to save money

The Daily Mail reports that schools across a swathe of the Home Counties may be forced to close for one day a week because of a looming financial crisis.  The move follows repeated complaints the area has been underfunded for years by the Government and urgently needs an emergency £20 million injection of cash.  More than 150 state primary and secondary school heads in West Sussex sent parents a letter last week warning they were considering drastic cost-cutting measures, including 'modifying school opening hours'. The Government has recognised that parts of the country have been unfairly treated with funding.

UK PM calls for grammar schools to genuinely reach out to poorer students

The Express & Star has reported that PM Teresa May has insisted grammar schools will have to show they are "genuinely reaching out" to pupils from poorer backgrounds. Ms May also said the Government is seeking to find new ways to identify "struggling" children rather than rely on information detailing who receives free school meals.  Ms May has previously committed to life a ban on new grammar schools and create new selective schools. Ms May wantsa new generation of grammar schools to be “inclusive and not exclusive”.