---
title: "Jan 15: School Governance Weekly Wrap"
description: "Jan 15: School Governance Weekly Wrap"
---

[School Governance ](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news)

# [Jan 15: School Governance Weekly Wrap](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/2015/01/15/jan-15-school-governance-weekly-news-wrap)

 Written by [Ideagen CompliSpace](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/author/complispace) | Jan 13, 2015 1:00:00 PM

## **Australia **

### School Shades seeks to roll out sunglasses as part of school uniform

A primary school teacher in NSW has founded School Shades, a company that will manufacture sunglasses for students as part of a school's uniform. According to the [Daily Telegraph](http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/west/playground-sunnies-could-become-norm-under-teacher-david-whettons-sun-safe-vision-for-schools/story-fngr8i5s-1227182189824), this initiative is designed to assist with sun-safe policies.

### Non-government schools dominate academic rankings in WA

[ABC News](http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-08/private-schools-dominate-top-ten-wa-results/6006746) reports that private schools dominate the top of academic rankings in WA. Nine of the top 10 schools were non-government schools.

### Qld school bus driver convicted of allowing 14-year-old to drive

A school bus driver in Qld has been convicted of the dangerous operation of a motor vehicle after he allowed a 14-year-old girl to take total control of the bus, according to the [Sunshine Coast Daily](http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/teen-steered-busa-school-bus-driver-who-let-a-stud/2504828/). Footage of the incident was apparently taken by a passenger.

### Vic teachers sue school over employment contracts

In a case brought in the Federal Court, teachers at the Australian International Academy are claiming that the Vic school hired teachers on illegal contracts and falsified paperwork. This was reported in [The Age](http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/teachers-at-islamic-school-claim-illegal-employment-20150113-12mygp.html). The case is currently continuing.

### Lecturer argues that spelling ability doesn't affect teaching

A senior lecturer at the University of Southern Queensland has written that a teacher's spelling ability does not affect their teaching ability. Writing on the website [The Conversation](http://theconversation.com/a-teachers-spelling-doesnt-necessarily-affect-their-teaching-36017), he writes that the proposition that a teacher's spelling affects their ability to each literacy is not supported by the evidence.

## **International**

### NZ principal convicted of slapping student

A NZ principal has admitting to slapping one of his students, according to the [NZ Herald News](http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11386002). Charges of common assault have been brought, and he is currently awaiting sentencing.

### Canadian small town school implements gender-neutral bathroom

A school, described by the [Toronto Sun](http://www.torontosun.com/2015/01/08/small-town-school-creates-gender-neutral-washroom-for-students) as small-town, has created gender-neutral toilets for its students. This was prompted by the needs of one student. A school official is quoted as saying 'it affords what I would call dignified options for everyone'.

### Allegations that US 4th graders planned to kill teacher with hand sanitiser

In the US, it is alleged that a group of 4th graders had planned to kill a teacher with hand sanitiser. According to [WGRZ](http://www.wgrz.com/story/news/local/2015/01/08/elba-fourth-graders-try-to-kill-teacher/21448207/), the police report indicated that the students knew that the teacher was highly allergic to the substance.

### US school boy killed by 50kg table

A boy in the US has been killed by a nearly 50kg bench, which collapsed on him [according to ABC News](http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/folding-table-attached-wall-collapses-school-boy-dies-28083544). Grief counsellors are attending the school and investigations are continuing.

[View full post](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/2015/01/15/jan-15-school-governance-weekly-news-wrap)

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