AUSTRALIA

NSW students told to write letters to convicted paedophile

The Daily Telegraph reported about a Catholic school teacher in a NSW country town telling her class to write letters and draw pictures for a convicted paedophile in jail.  The school immediately sacked the teacher after they were alerted by prison staff.  The NSW Catholic Education Commission was able to confirm that the teacher was no longer working in the Catholic education system.  The teacher launched legal proceedings against the school claiming unfair dismissal but a settlement was reached after mediation.

SA Catholic schools reveal $15 million merger designs

The Messenger wrote about two South Australian Catholic colleges publicly releasing their $15 million merger plans with new buildings as their main masterpiece. The new buildings will include 18 co-educational classrooms as well as state of the art facilities for students to use. The new facilities will be ready for students to use by Term 1, 2019.

Year 7 students caught dealing drugs at Melbourne Girls’ College

The Herald Sun reported about how year 7 school girls have been busted dealing marijuana at a Victorian government school. Police were called to investigate the incident after two year 7 students were found dealing marijuana. The two students have not been suspended or expelled, with the school deciding to provide support to the students and their parents.

Questions raised about proposed school suspension laws

The Sydney Morning Herald reportedabout the NSW Government proposing new suspension laws to prohibit student who pose a threat to safety be prohibited from attending school until the risk posed by the student can be assessed. The new law will apply to students who have committed violent or other serious crimes, including cyber bullying, supporting terrorism or students who are deemed to be a potential risk to students or staff.  These new laws will even include conduct that is assessed outside of class.

Two Canberra school to be partially demolished due to asbestos

According to the Canberra Times, five buildings across two Canberra schools will be demolished due to asbestos contamination.  The ACT Education Directorate said friable asbestos was present on the schools’ grounds, meaning the ageing infrastructure could not be safely upgraded and demolition of the school buildings was the only option.

INTERNATIONAL

New Zealand: Auckland primary teacher shortage worst in 30 years

According to Newshub, Auckland primary schools are facing the worst teacher shortage in 30 years.  With 287 teaching roles unfilled across the Auckland region, some schools have been forced to combine classes to a point where 70-80 pupils are being taught by two qualified teachers.  One of the biggest issues facing the New Zealand education sector, is that there are more opportunities and occupations that earn more than teachers, and for young people these days teaching is not an option they consider.

Canada: Poor security blamed after school surveillance images broadcast on Russian site

CBC News reported on a Canadian school’s surveillance camera footage being streamed on Russian websites due to the school’s inadequate internal security.  The Nova Scotia Privacy Commissioner said, “security problems arise constantly, they change, people hack things in different ways, so you have to be nimble, you have to adjust your technology to adapt to those risks, and they can no longer do that with the existing cameras.”

USA: Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak launches his own online tech education platform

The Verge wrote about Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, launching his new online tech education platform Woz U.  Woz U is designed to promote technology jobs and the skills required to enter the IT industry. Wozniak hopes to expand his initiative to include 30 physical locations around the world and develop technology enabled solution, such as apps, so students can access course material whenever they need to.