AUSTRALIA

Alleged Melbourne sex offender accused of faking mental illness to avoid extradition from Israel

ABC News reported about Israeli Police re-arresting a former Melbourne principal of an ultra-orthodox Jewish school who is wanted in Victoria on 74 charges of child sexual abuse, after allegedly faking a mental illness in order to avoid extradition back to Australia.  The former principal managed to avoid every single one of her extradition hearings in the last three years, claiming she suffered from panic attacks, anxiety and was too unwell to face the court.  A secret investigation conducted by Israeli Police found new evidence which shows that she capable to stand trial, in Australia, in the next couple of weeks and months.

National teacher registration review considers new ways to get tradies and nurses into schools

The Herald Sun reported about how tradesman and nurses could be given new pathways into schools to teach students new skills as part of a major review into teacher registration.  Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham said that a national review would also consider ways to improve the registration system to help people “from all walks of life” become teachers.

Melbourne teacher faces charges of kissing and engaging in sexual acts with student

The Herald Sun reported about a female high school teacher facing 27 criminal charges for kissing and engaging in sexual acts with a student.  Police allege that the offences occurred on nine separate occasions.  The teacher’s registration has been suspended by the Victorian Institute of Teaching and if found guilty of the offence, her registration will be cancelled.

Child sexual abuse survivors to receive formal apology: PM urges states to stop holding out on redress scheme

ABC News reported about how Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, will deliver an apology to survivors of child sexual abuse by the end of this year.  The Prime Minister is urging states and territories to join a redress scheme recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.  Survivors will be consulted to ensure they are comfortable with the way the apology process is handled.

Schoolgirl finds snake inside backpack during morning tea

The Sydney Morning Herald reported about a young Ipswich girl finding a red-bellied black snake in her backpack as she felt a snake slither across her hand.  A snake catcher was called to the school after the girl told her teacher there was a snake in her backpack. Once the teacher saw the snake, they gently zipped the bag closed and placed it in the staff-only area.  The two-foot-long sub-adult snake was released in a wildlife corridor two kilometres from the school.

Twelve Canberra public schools running well below capacity, others enrol too many

The Canberra Times wrote about twelve Canberra government schools that are running well below capacity. This number includes two schools with just 22 per cent of possible enrolments filled.  This has prompted a leading academic to call for the education system to collaborate to restore confidence in local schools. Figures from last year show that five government schools are almost at overcapacity at between 98 and 105 per cent capacity.

INTERNATIONAL

USA: Gay teacher fired after posting wedding pictures online

According to News.com.au, a gay primary school teacher has been fired after posting her wedding photos online.  By posting her wedding photos online, she allegedly broke her employment contract with the school. In a letter to the parents, the principal of the school said that it was a “difficult and necessary” but did not offer any further explanation.  Apparently about 20 parents gathered at the school to demand answers and protest about the teacher’s dismissal and said that the school administration had not offered a satisfactory explanation as to why she was fired.

Japan: Japanese school implements Armani-designed uniforms and parents are fuming

Elle Magazine reported about a state-funded school in Japan changing its uniforms for $929 Armani suits. The school decided to implement the Armani school uniforms to reflect the school’s status as a “landmark.” The Armani uniform cost three times the amount of the previous uniforms, and now includes a luxury hat and bag, leaving the students’ parents unimpressed.