--- title: "October 1: School Governance Weekly Wrap" description: "October 1: School Governance Weekly Wrap" image: https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/WWbanner_1-Feb-09-2022-10-38-16-25-PM.png --- Latest Guide | Transform how you manage policies with our interactive guide [![Ideagen School Governance Horizontal 2024](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/hubfs/Ideagen%20School%20Governance%20Horizontal%202024.svg "Ideagen School Governance Horizontal 2024")](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au) * * Search ** Search [![Subscribe](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3786587/5eb7c708-5720-4c0c-874c-53f035b1dac7.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3786587/5eb7c708-5720-4c0c-874c-53f035b1dac7) - [ Boarding Schools ](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/tag/boarding-schools) - [ COVID-19/Coronavirus ](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/tag/covid-19-coronavirus) - [ Child Protection ](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/tag/child-protection) - [ Early Learning ](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/tag/early-learning) - [ Excursions ](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/tag/excursions) - [ Gov, Risk and Compliance ](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/tag/governance-risk-compliance) - [ Human Resources ](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/tag/human-resources) - [ Overseas Students ](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/tag/overseas-students) - [ Privacy & Complaints Handling ](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/tag/privacy-complaints-handling) - [ School Gov & Executives ](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/tag/school-governance-executives) - [ School Registration ](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/tag/school-registration) - [ Social Media ](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/tag/social-media) - [ Student Wellbeing ](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/tag/student-wellbeing) - [ Workplace Safety ](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/tag/workplace-safety) - [ Weekly Wrap ](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/tag/weekly-wrap) ## October 1: School Governance Weekly Wrap 30/09/15 ![Resources](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/WWbanner_1-Feb-09-2022-10-38-16-25-PM.png) ## Australia ### Child sex abuse: States, Territories challenge George Brandis on redress scheme Following the Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse’s final report on redress and civil litigation, the SMH [reports ](http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/child-sex-abuse-states-territories-challenge-george-brandis-on-redress-scheme-20150925-gjv2oj.html)that the State and Territory governments are pressuring the Attorney-General George Brandis to say whether the Federal Government intends to commit to a national redress scheme. The $4 billion proposed scheme is designed to compensate approximately 60,000 survivors of child sexual abuse. The Federal Government has previously rejected the idea based on the cost and legal difficulties of a national scheme. ### Anti-radicalisation kit for schools causes controversy The Federal Government’s anti-radicalisation guide for use in schools has been met with criticism and ridicule from parents and political groups. The Guardian [reports](http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/sep/25/anti-radicalisation-awareness-kit-never-meant-for-use-in-schools-says-key-author) that one of the key authors of the guide, Emeritus Professor Gary Bouma, believes that it is not suitable for use in schools, and instead should have been given to community leaders alongside training on how to best use it. Although Prof. Bouma stands by the research used in the guide, he stated that the controversial case studies were not helpful. ### Less than 1 per cent of Canberra school assaults reported to police ACT Education Minister Joy Burch has said that of the 176 incidents of assault in Canberra schools in 2015, only nine had been reported to police. The Canberra Times [reports](http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/less-than-1-per-cent-of-canberra-school-assaults-reported-to-police-says-education-minister-joy-burch-20150927-gjvs7j.html) that only intentional conduct was the subject of reports, and that the majority of the assaults were against female members of staff. ### Minister calls for probe into claims of autistic child left alone in classroom The ABC [reports](http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-28/minister-wants-probe-into-claims-autistic-student-left-alone/6808598) that the Tasmanian Government will investigate claims that an autistic primary school student was left unsupervised and isolated in a classroom for several days. The student was put in an empty classroom to prevent other students bullying her. Tasmanian Disability Education Reform Lobby founder Kristen Desmond has [said ](http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-26/claims-autistic-child-left-unsupervised-at-tasmanian-school/6807292)‘situations like this are completely unacceptable and if it doesn’t point to the fact that we need active reform of the system right now, this minute, I don’t know what does.’ ### Mentorship program introduced for maths and science teachers The Canberra Times [reports ](http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/mentors-support-maths-and-science-teachers-20150928-gjwac7.html)that The University of Canberra has introduced a new program that will see 35 new maths and science teachers will be paired with mentors as part of a program that aims to provide support and encourage interest in these areas. Project director Professor Michael Gaffney stated that the importance of these fields and the declining number of teachers has made the mentorship program essential in promoting interest in maths and science. ### South Australian Government considering database for records of all children The SA Government is considering establishing a central database for all South Australian children, the Advertiser [reports](http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/state-government-considering-central-database-to-track-health-education-welfare-records-of-every-south-australian-child/story-fni6uo1m-1227548190593). This database would contain the health, educational and welfare records of every child and would be available to authorised persons to help authorities identify and assist at-risk children. ### Queensland teacher who slept with ex-pupil banned A Queensland teacher who targeted vulnerable students has been banned from teaching until 2018. The Brisbane Times [reports](http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/queensland-teacher-who-slept-with-expupil-banned-20150928-gjwtk7.html) that the teacher used social media to begin inappropriate relationships with three students over a four year period, one of which developed into a sexual relationship. The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal in its decision stated that the teacher ‘crossed the appropriate and community-expected boundaries’. ### Google to offer free virtual reality classroom system to schools Google has announced that it will make a field-trip simulator software called ‘Expeditions’ free to schools. The virtual reality kits will include headsets made of cardboard and software that can be controlled by the teacher from a tablet, the New York Times [reports](http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/29/technology/google-virtual-reality-system-aims-to-enliven-education.html?smid=tw-nytimestech&smtyp=cur&_r=1). The program will be introduced in the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil and will allow virtual expeditions including tours of coral reefs, Macchu Picchu, Manhattan and space. ## International ### Sex education overhaul at elite US school to prevent sexual assault Following a high profile [trial ](http://edition.cnn.com/2015/08/28/us/new-hampshire-prep-rape-trial/)involving an incident of underage sexual assault at an elite New Hampshire school, the school Principal has written to parents describing an overhaul of the school’s sex education program. The ABC [reports](http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-26/sex-education-revamp-at-elite-us-schools-to-prevent-assault/6807456) that the school is clarifying its policies to better communicate the consequences of breaches, as well as engaging guest speakers on topics such as masculinity to address the school’s culture. ### English primary school introduces daily mile run, other schools to follow The Guardian [reports](http://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/sep/28/daily-mile-school-st-ninians-stirling-scotland) that a primary school’s introduction of a daily mile run has been so successful that the Principal receives two emails daily from other schools asking for advice on how to implement a similar practice. The teachers have reported increased concentration and improved behaviour and fitness amongst students since the daily exercise began. ### Games of tag banned in US schools for ‘emotional, physical wellbeing’ of students A school district in the US has banned the game of tag as part of a review of playground rules that has emphasised the importance of students keeping their hands to themselves. Fox News [reports](http://q13fox.com/2015/09/23/game-of-tag-banned-to-ensure-physical-emotional-safety-of-students/) that other alternative games will be offered, but the game was seen to pose a risk to the students’ emotional and physical wellbeing. A number of parents have complained about the ban. ###### Share this [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/2015/10/01/october-1-school-governance-weekly-news-wrap%20&body=Check%20out%20https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/2015/10/01/october-1-school-governance-weekly-news-wrap](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/2015/10/01/october-1-school-governance-weekly-news-wrap%20&body=Check%20out%20https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/2015/10/01/october-1-school-governance-weekly-news-wrap) ##### About the Author ![](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(24).png) **Ideagen CompliSpace** ## Resources you may like ###### Article ##### Setting your boarding staff up for success: why policy clarity matters Boarding governance touches on child safety, complaints handling, student health, and much more.... [Read More **](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/setting-your-boarding-staff-up-for-success-why-policy-clarity-matters) ###### Article ##### Strengthening child safety recruitment: what schools must do to ensure robust recruitment practices [Read More **](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/strengthening-child-safety-recruitment-what-schools-must-do-to-ensure-robust-recruitment-practices) ###### Article ##### Legislative and regulatory changes to be aware of in 2026 [Read More **](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/legislative-and-regulatory-changes-to-be-aware-of-in-2026) ## Want School Governance delivered to your inbox weekly? ##### Sign up today! [![Subscribe](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3786587/806f864b-0ad3-4492-a3e9-b7af27aca769.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3786587/806f864b-0ad3-4492-a3e9-b7af27aca769)