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April 13: School Governance Weekly Wrap

12/04/17
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AUSTRALIA

'Brotherly' bond or grooming? Historic case challenges new grooming law
The Age reported a case which challenges the new grooming laws in Victoria.  The case involves a teacher who took a disruptive student under his wing.  The teacher reportedly struck a deal with the child, that if the child did not get suspended, then he would take him bowling.  There were several times when the child and the teacher went to the movies or arcades together.  There were even times when the child spent time at the teachers house and even slept over.  The teacher claimed there was nothing inappropriate occurring between him and the child.

Adelaide special school teacher Jemima Raymond falsely accused of assaulting disabled girl by ‘reprehensible’ colleagues
The Advertiser reported about a South Australian Magistrate who “blasted” the prosecution and the Department of Education over the failed prosecution of a special needs school teacher who was wrongly accused of assaulting a disabled child by “reprehensible" and "jealous former colleagues."  The special needs teacher was suspended without pay after she insisted she protect a non-verbal, vulnerable and “extremely fragile” girl from danger after pulling her away from a swing.  The special needs teacher said that she lost career, job and house over the case.

Confidential student details published in Education Department blunder
The Age reported about the Victorian Department of Education publishing confidential information that identifies children who have self-harmed, bullying victims and students’ medical conditions.  115 families have been effected by the unauthorised disclosure of document.  The information in these documents not only include details about children, but include parent’s addresses and even mobile phone numbers.  The Victorian Education Minister has ordered an independent inquiry into the incident.

Tasmanian schools bully victims put on part-time timetables so teachers can maintain control of classes
According to The Mercury, some Tasmanian students who are victims of bullying and disruptive student with special needs are being put on part-time timetables as early as kindergarten. Tasmanian Council of Social Services has expressed concerns for teachers capacity to maintain “discipline in classrooms and provide dedicated assistance to those students that needed more support.”

India Australia's next big education export market
The Illawarra Mercury reported about Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull flying to India to try and capitalise on Australia’s fastest-growing education market; international students, racially motivated attacks in 2011.  The number of Indian students studying in Australia has tripled since 2011, which contributes roughly $2.3 billion into the Australian economy.

The Australian students bypassing local unis for an ivy league deal
The Age reported Australian students are now considering ivy league schools in the USA instead of local universities here in Australia.  There is a company in Australia that allows students to apply for US college applications.  This has now opened the door to a whole new world.

INTERNATIONAL

New Zealand: New Zealand school apologises to students who had throats cut in Sweeney Todd production
ABC News reported of a New Zealand school’s production of Sweeny Todd coming to life, when two students had their throats slashed with a real razor during a scene.  The boys were rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries and further performances of the production cancelled. The school ignored warnings against using real razor blades in the production. WorkSafe New Zealand has found the school breached the Health and Safety Work Act 2015 (NZ).  The school has since apologised for causing "emotional and physical harm" to the families involved.

New Zealand:Primary schools at 'breaking point' over violent childrens at 'breaking point' over violent children
According to Radio NZ, violent behaviour is on the rise and teachers are enduring assaults which have included kicks to the groin and pencils to the eye.  The Principals Federation and the New Zealand Education Institute are reporting problems caused by deprivation and family dysfunction.

Canada: Toronto-area mother called 'N-word' launches human rights complaint against York school board
CBC News reported about a Toronto mother who was humiliated by a school board trustee who referred to her using the “N-word”.  The mother is now commencing a human rights complaint against the school board.  The complaint specifically names the director and the trustee, who have since stepped down over mounting pressure over the slur.

UK: Court Upholds Fine for Dad Who Took Child From School for Disney Trip
The New York times reported of the UK Supreme Court’s decision to uphold £120 fine for a father who took his child on trip to Disney World during the school term.  The Supreme Court ruled that the father did not have the right to take his daughter out of school without a valid reason and upheld the £120 fine.

UK:  One in six schools admit asking parents for money due to budget cuts, survey reveals
According to The Telegraph, three quarters of schools have been forced to make budget cuts this year forcing principals to ask parents to donate money.  This comes after a survey was conducted by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers reveals the cuts have lead schools advertising on their grounds for donations and sending letters to parents asking to donate £20 or more to help with the schools finances.

USA: New principal resigns after students investigate her credentials
News.com.au reported about a group of Kansas high school students researching their principal for their school publication, when they started noticing a few discrepancies.  One of the major discrepancies was that the principal went to a University that did not exist, but was actually a diploma mill where fake qualifications are sold online.  When students were interviewing her inconsistent dates started to arise.  Within a month of the principal being at the high school, she resigned.

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