Australia

Parents complain about daughter's armpits being shaved in VIC class

The parents of a special needs student at a Victorian school have complained about a class where her armpits were shaved by a teacher. The parents told the Herald Sun that they were never presented with a permission slip for the exercise, which was part of a broader independent living skills program. The principal has defended the teacher, stating that the student's consent was obtained, and that the student had asked for help.

NSW introduces literacy and numeracy tests for student teachers 

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the NSW Department of Education is to introduce 'tough' literacy and numeracy tests for new teaching graduates. The online tests will delivered in the style of a 'driving test', where student teachers can take the test at any time during their studies, as many times as they want until they pass. The president of the NSW BOSTES anticipated that some teachers would not pass, saying that 'if history and commonsense about tests apply, there will be students who find that they are not suited to teaching'.

WA School pays cleaner $80,000 for no work

For three years, the Department of Education paid a Western Australian teacher close to $80,000 for no work. The West Australian reports that the Department was successful in obtaining an order for repayment from the District Court. The Court also rejected the cleaner's claims that she was entitled to compensation from the Department.

Religious education provider in VIC breaches Department guidelines

A provider of 'special religious instruction' in Victoria has been barred from school functions after distributing evangelical magazines. ABC News writes that a report commissioned by the Department found that the distribution of the magazine was inconsistent with the Volunteer Agreement and Team Leader's Guide, the Education and Training Reform Act 2006, and the Department's Schools Policy and Advisory Guide, the Supporting Sexual Diversity in Schools Policy and the Human Resources Policy on Same-sex Attracted Employees. The Department is revising the consent form for this class with a link to the materials of the special religious instruction provider.

International

The ‘friend making machine’: a Canadian school’s ‘buddy bench’ initiative

In Canada, a primary school has introduced a ‘buddy bench’ where kids can go to let others know that they are feeling lonely. Assistant Principal Rebekah Graham said to the Calgary Herald ‘other students who see a student on the buddy bench will go and invite them into a game or just go chat with them’. The school community has adorned the bench with peace signs, rainbows and linked hands.

US school edits female students' photos to make them 'less sexy'

A high school in Utah, USA has been criticised for photoshopping its students' yearbooks to make them appear 'less sexy'. The alterations included changing clothes to make them less revealing, and removing tattoos. The Daily Mail reports that the school only altered the photos of female students, who were also aggrieved by the school's inconsistent approach to different students.

Canadian school closed after financial irregularities

An audit of a Canadian school has lead to its closure, with revelations that the administrators at the school were paid $55,000 from a fundraising society in the community. The Calgary Herald also reported its investigation that the school's pupils were performing poorly, and that there had been financial irregularities in the past two years. The Education Minister has asked police to investigate further.

Student in the US suspended for poisoning teacher

In the US, a student has been suspended for the school year after he allegedly poisoned a teacher's drink with eye drops. USA Today reports that school authorities could not determine the student's motivations, but he may have been inspired by a scene from a movie.

US private school spends over $3 million of taxpayer funds on gifts and indulgences

An investigation in the NY Daily News has revealed how a publicly funded private school has splurged on staff parties, alcohol, gifts and a student surfing trip. The school, which receives about 90% of its funding from public sources, is said to believe that the money is theirs to spend as they wish. The school teaches many of the children of New York's famous and wealthy parents.