Australia

Lightning strikes school oval; 24 students treated

Two teenage girls have been hospitalised after lighting struck their school oval. The entire class of 24 was treated for static electricity shock, according to ABC News. The parents were advised to monitor their children's health.

TAS to review school laws by 2016

Tasmania has announced a review of its Education Act to look at school starting ages.  The review will mean that children could start school as young as four and a half and be required to stay in school until the age of 18. ABC News has reported that the changes will not be made until at least 2016.

Bondi school builds bomb-proof wall

A Jewish school in Bondi, NSW, is building a bomb-proof wall that was designed with expertise from Israel. According to the Daily Telegraph, the wall was built with a combination of donations and public grants.

Federal Government extends school funding review. 

Amid accusations of a biased review, the Federal Government has announced that its review into the Low Socio-Economic Status Loading in school funding will be extended until the end of the month. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that only 9 of the 47 consulted groups represented government schools, compared with 30 groups representing private and Catholic schools.

Principals call to end publishing NAPLAN results

The Australian Primary Principals Association has released a discussion paper which argues that the publication of NAPLAN results is leading to 'fear and anxiety' amongst children, and should be stopped. The Sydney Morning Herald reports concerns about the way these results can be ranked and compared on the My School website.

Push to make VIC government schools independent

In VIC, the Sydney Morning Herald reports that there is a push by the Federal Government to make government schools more independent. The program champions self-governing councils for public schools, and follows the model of independent schools in WA.

International

NZ student found 'comatose drunk'

Three students will face 'serious consequences' after one of them was found 'comatose drunk' following a lunchtime drinking session, according tostuff.co.nz. The student was taken to a medical centre to detox.

UK school to use fingerprint system

According to the Express and Star, a school in the UK will implement a fingerprint system which will allow students to pay for lunch without cash, but also allow parents to monitor what they are eating. The law requires schools to consult with parents before bringing such a program in, and the plan has already drawn mixed responses.

UK headteacher to stand down because he is not Roman Cathlolic

A UK headteacher who, according to the Telegraph, turned round a failing school, is set to lose his position because he is not Roman Catholic. The school rules at Annecy Catholic Primary School dictate that the head must be recruited from within the faith.

Father reported bullying multiple times before his son took his own life

The father of a bullied boy who took his own life has said that he reported his son being bullied to the school multiple times. The NY Daily News reports that the sheriff did not uncover any evidence of these reports to the US school.

US students hospitalised after taking mystery medicine

Five students at a US school were hospitalised after ingesting unknown medication. According to Chron, the students received the pills from a fellow student and took them before a gym class. The school is continuing investigations to discover what the pills were.