AUSTRALIA
Kys: bullying’s terrifying new shorthand
The Australian has reported that cyberbullying and bullying in general has received a new level of attention after the use of the shortened acronym Kys (“kill yourself”). Government statistics show cyberbullying, which often occurs in tandem with real-world bullying, is on the rise. Cyberbullies can be prosecuted under various state and territory stalking and harassment laws, or using a federal criminal law that prohibits the misuse of telecommunications and carries a maximum penalty of three years’ jail. In March, a Senate inquiry found that, although the existing laws were sufficient, they were not being adequately enforced and recommended police “appropriately investigate and prosecute serious cyberbullying complaints”. Every public and private school in Australia has a legal responsibility to provide students with a safe place to learn and it’s not enough simply to have an anti-bullying policy in place. Michael Carr-Gregg is routinely called upon to examine school bullying policies, and too often finds them woefully inadequate. The National Safe Schools Framework has clear guidelines about what they should contain, he says, including a recommendation they be developed in collaboration with parents and students.
High schools should overhaul careers guidance, say experts
The Australian Financial Review has reported that education experts and employment consultants say the careers advice at secondary schools is failing school students leading to high university dropout rates and low representation of regional and rural students at university. And the problem partly stems, they say, from the fact that high schools are being ranked solely on ATAR or other academic results and have little vested interest in whether they are preparing students for successful and fulfilling careers.
WA Education department criticises parents who take kids on holidays during term time
News.com.au reported on the Education Department in Western Australia which has warned parents that they are breaking the law if they take their children out of school during term to go on holidays. Figures, released ahead of the start of Term 3, show a rising number of students from wealthy families are being pulled out of class to go on holidays. According to The West Australian, Education Department figures show one in seven unexplained student absences in the first half of last year related to students going on holiday with their parents. Department director-general Sharyn O’Neill said there had been an effort by schools to communicate the legal requirement to parents about taking holidays during the school term.
Mandatory child abuse reporting for Victorian childcare workers
The Age has reported that childcare workers in Victoria will be legally obliged to report suspicions of sexual abuse of youngsters in their care as part of the state government's response to the Child Sex Abuse Royal Commission. The Andrews Government may also make it a crime for priests to keep the secrets of child abusers who disclose their crimes in the confession box. Victoria’s response includes new criminal offences to help prosecute adults who prey on children as well as those who protect offenders and changes to civil law to make it easier for victims to sue the institutions where they were abused. School counsellors, psychologists, youth justice workers and “people in religious ministry” would also be subject to mandatory reporting requirements, which the commission wanted as “a minimum” from all state and territory governments, and to which Victoria says it will adopt.
Victorian Coalition promises to back school principals who expel serial bullies
ABC News reported that school principals who expel serial bullies would receive the backing of a Victorian Coalition government, under a $15.3 million plan to be announced by Opposition Leader Matthew Guy. The Coalition describes its "zero tolerance" plan — which will replace Labor's Safe Schools program — as the biggest school anti-bullying program in Australia. It includes the Alannah and Madeline Foundation's anti-bullying program to be rolled out in all government schools, a Student Safety Unit to be set up within the Department of Education to oversee the program and serial bullies to be called before disciplinary hearings with the parents of their victim.
WA Teenager sentenced to detention for 'disgraceful' assault against Busselton Senior High School student
The ABC News has reported that a teenager has been sentenced to immediate detention after pleading guilty to a violent assault against a fellow high school student in March. The Busselton Senior High School student was sentenced to four months of juvenile detention during a lengthy sentencing in the Busselton Children's Court, in south-west Western Australia. During the proceedings the court was told the perpetrator, who cannot be named for legal reasons, punched the 16-year-old victim while he was playing basketball during recess at the school. The 15-year-old perpetrator then grabbed the victim in a headlock, pulled him to the ground and punched him a further 17 times. The assault was captured on a mobile phone and circulated on social media.
Revamped uniform policy gives girls more choice
According to a QLD Media Release, Education Minister Grace Grace has announced all Queensland state schools must offer more uniform choices for girls, including shorts and pants, from 2019. Ms Grace today released the Department of Education’s updated Student Dress Code procedure, following an extensive review and consultation with stakeholders. Executive Principal of Stretton State College Jan Maresca has already introduced changes to the school’s uniform policy to include greater choice for girls.
INTERNATIONAL
Vatican opens door to apology for Catholic Church’s role in residential schools
The Globe and Mail reported that the Vatican’s ambassador to Canada says Pope Francis is opening the door to an apology to the country’s Indigenous people for the abuse of children at Catholic-run Indian residential schools. A papal apology was one of the calls to action issued by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which spent years investigating the schools. And Canada’s Parliament has voted to ask Pope Francis to visit the country and make the requested statement of regret.
New Zealand Teacher disciplined for 'open-handed hit' to child's head
According to Stuff.Co.Nz, a kindergarten teacher who hit a child in the head in frustration has admitted it was "not an acceptable way for a professional person to respond". Nicholas Duval-Smith showed remorse for the incident, immediately apologising to the 5-year-old boy and reporting himself to his employer, Motueka Rudolf Steiner Kindergarten. He resigned three days after, a tribunal decision said. The New Zealand Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal said his "conduct and attitude following this incident persuades us that cancellation [of his teaching registration] is not necessary".
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