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August 24: School Governance Weekly Wrap

23/08/17
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AUSTRALIA

Students studied incorrect maths HSC syllabus for seven months
ABC News reported about how students at a school in regional NSW were taught the incorrect HSC Math syllabus for seven months, leaving them only two months to prepare for this year's HSC exams.  Students and their parents were reportedly distressed after being told they would have to learn the correct syllabus in just two months. The NSW Education Minister is annoyed about the whole situation and said telling the students to cram for the exam over the next eight weeks, before and after school and on holidays, was "not acceptable."

Calls for compulsory sex education in Queensland schools

According to the Brisbane Times, not-for-profit community organisation, Protect All Children Today (PACT), who provide support for child victims and witnesses in court, has argued that education about sex and respectful relationships should be compulsory in all Queensland schools. In Queensland, sex education  and respectful relationship classes are electives within the school curriculum.  PACT said lessons about sex and respectful relationships should be compulsory and added the curriculum, providing they were age appropriate, relevant meaningful, accurate and engaging.

Mobile devices drive student suspensions
The West reported about public school students who were handed over 2000 suspensions last year for offences such as cyber bullying, using mobile phones to film fights or sharing hateful or inappropriate material online.  The latest figures released by the Department of Education WA reveals that they include a new category called “e-breaches” for the first time.  The data shows that more than 12,598 students were suspended for offences ranging from breaking school rules to physical assault.  Over 250 suspensions were issued on pre-primary students and 29 on kindergarten pupils.

Literacy wars: the proposed reading test dividing schools
The Age writes about the new Federal Government phonics test that is being used to test grade 1 students. The Federal Government has endorsed research by the Centre of Independent Studies' Jennifer Buckingham which recommends rolling out the UK's year 1 phonics screening check to Australian schools.  The UK test involves students reading 40 real and pseudo words with teachers administering the four to seven minute test.

Primary school play on the stolen generation leaves parents horrified
According to News.com.au, parents were horrified after a primary school presented a play featuring students dressed as nuns to abuse Aboriginal children.  The play focused on the stolen generation and the school said in the newsletter it was pleased to teach students about Australia’s discovery by Captain Cook and the “truth” about the treatment of the stolen generation.

White supremacist posters targeting students placed at Melbourne high schools
The Guardian reported about a Melbourne schools targeted by white supremacists, who placed racist posters around high schools carrying the message “Keep Australia White.”  Victoria’s Education Minister has labelled the posters “vile and disgusting”, and an investigation has been launched by Victoria Police.  The white supremacy group Antipodean Resistance has claimed responsibility.

Cairns teacher facing child exploitation material charge back in court
The Cairns Post reported about how more charges have been laid against a Cairns teacher accused of possessing child exploitation material.  The Cairns Magistrates' Court was told that the teacher faces two more counts of possessing child exploitation material.  The teacher has been stood down from his role following his arrest. One of the charges allegedly relates to an image on his personal computer. There is no allegation the material had a link to any student at the school.  The matter has is due for further mention in October.


INTERNATIONAL

Canada: Vancouver teacher suspended after profanity-laced tirade in classroom
The Vancouver Sun wrote about a Vancouver teacher who was suspended for three days after delivered a profanity-laced tirade whilst teaching a year 12 a class when he noticed five female students were playing cards.  Students said they were shocked and embarrassed by the incident which occurred in front of the entire class, even reducing one student to tears.

New Zealand: School slammed for holding 'slave auction'
Newshub.co.nz reported about an Auckland school who wanted a fun way of raising money for charity so they decided to host a slave auction. The slave auction was designed so that junior students could bid on teachers and senior students to do chores for them for a day, with all money raised going to the cancer society.  The school has responded saying there has "never been a complaint from anyone" about the name, but they're open to changing it "if the school community thought it was time".

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