AUSTRALIA

Meet Mabel Force — the military-style school program drilling kids in discipline
ABC News reported about an experimental program at a Queensland high school, where they use military style tactics to teach students life skills.  The students are put through physical and emotional exercises to learn military procedures.  They do teamwork drills, dress in uniform and mimic other Australian Defence Force training which cadets experience.

Teacher flaws stifle students, say principals
The Australian reported how teachers who fail to meet the needs of the students, resist change or are unprepared for lessons are hindering learning in Australian classrooms.  According to research conducted by the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) results show a range of factors thwarting students in classrooms.

NT School endorses tree-climbing, getting outside
NT News reported how Northern Territory schools are encouraging students to get outdoors by endorsing tree-climbing and gymnastics during lunchtime.  This has caused some community concern, but the Australian Education Union NT (AEUNT) does not see any point in banning these activities. The AEUNT president said, “there just has to be an assessment made on if that behaviour constitutes a risk. I don’t think a blanket ban on everything like cartwheels is necessary or useful.”

Private schools push for separate Indigenous campuses
According to the Herald, the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA) and some non-government schools pushing to create "satellite" indigenous campuses.  This initiative sought by AHISA would allow non-government schools to establish satellite campuses without registering as a separate school, which requires schools to appoint a separate board and principal.

All Australian states abandon online NAPLAN due to glitches
The Sydney Morning Herald reported how all Australian states and territories are abandoning the trial of the online NAPLAN testing this year due to technical glitches that could disadvantage students. During the initial trial, power failures, freezing, browser issues and broken internet connections plagued the online NAPLAN tests.  The Victorian Education Minister stated that "recent testing indicates that this could affect students' ability to complete the tests.  The last thing we want is students being unable to demonstrate their numeracy and literacy skills because of technological faults."

INTERNATIONAL

UK: Stressed teachers are becoming reliant on caffeine, alcohol and prescription drugs, poll suggests
According to The Telegraph, British teachers are consuming more caffeine, alcohol and prescription drugs to help cope with increased stress and workload. This has raised the concern for teachers' physical and mental health and wellbeing.

Canada: Class act: For kids in Montreal hospital, teachers come to them
CTV News Canada reported about teachers who go to hospitals and teach students while they are receiving regular treatment in hospitals.  This has allowed students to maintain steady learning and allowed teachers to specifically tailor lessons.

Ireland: Schools could save thousands 'by opting for gender-neutral toilets'
The Irish News reported how Irish schools could save thousands of pounds opting for unisex toilets.  Ulster Teachers' Union heard how the toilets could replace male and female toilets in schools to accommodate for transgender children while at the same time saving money for schools at a time when education funding is being reduced.

New Zealand: Teachers don't want to be "food police" of children's lunchboxes: report
The New Zealand Herald reported how teachers are reluctant to be "food police" due to the challenges when unhealthy food was place into lunchboxes.  New Zealand's Education Review Office issued a report on good nutrition and physical fitness at schools and found the challenges ranged from competitive parents on the sidelines to the food parents gave children to bring to school. One major concern raised amongst  primary and secondary schools is the proximity of take-away stores near schools and the unhealthy food provided by parents.