Australia

SA school to become bilingual

The South Australian Government is inviting metropolitan schools to apply to become the first state-owned bilingual school. Education HQ reports that from 2017 year three students at the new school will be taught half of their lessons in Mandarin. Education Minister Susan Close has said that there are ‘many advantages to becoming bilingual, which extend beyond cultural benefits and towards achieving cognitive, social and linguistic gains.’

Thousands of students’ personal information stolen in TAFE IT system hack

The ABC reported that thousands of Queensland TAFE students’ names and addresses were stolen in an IT system hack. The Queensland Government’s chief information officer Andrew Mills said that initial investigations have confirmed that information was illegally accessed and related to enquiries and feedback submitted on the TAFE website. The hack follows a number of recent cyber attacks on other agencies across the country.

Controversial religious program taught at Victorian preschools

Access Ministries who provide special religious instruction to Victorian schools is being criticised for offering a program called ‘Explore Christianity’ at an early learning centre in the State’s south-east. The Age reported that criticism of the program comes from the fact that only one religion is being taught at the centre. Access Ministries plans to expand the course to other childcare centres and kindergartens next year.

Two States support Royal Commission’s call for national redress scheme

NSW and Victorian Governments have become the first States to support the call from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse for a single, national redress scheme. The ABC reported that the NSW and Victorian Attorneys-General are looking forward to negotiating with the Commonwealth on the issue, and getting the other States and Territories on board. This comes just weeks after Bill Shorten announced Labor would contribute $33 million to a national scheme.

Teacher fails to overturn sacking for crossing professional boundaries

A West Australian teacher has failed in his claim for reinstatement after being fired for developing an inappropriate ‘close, personal relationship’ with a 16-year-old female student. The teacher claimed that he was unfairly dismissed and denied the physical and sexual contact alleged by the student. The WA Industrial Relations Commission found that the Education Department had acted reasonably to dismiss the teacher for a breach of professional boundaries and the code of conduct.

Sex tape of underage students shared among school children

The Northern Territory Police and Education Department are investigating the sharing of a sex video made by underage students. The ABC reports that the two students involved are aged 13 and 14 and at least one student who shared the video has been suspended from the school. Senior Constable Engels warned that anyone who shared the video could face serious charges and have their name being recorded on a register of sex offenders.

Asbestos scare at Victorian school ‘mishandled’ by Department

Channel Nine News reports that Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has apologised for the Education Department’s handling of the discovery of asbestos in a Melbourne government school playground, saying it was ‘not good enough’. A parent from the school has told Fairfax Media that after he found his son playing in soil that contained chunks of asbestos and reported it, the area was not cordoned off for two weeks.

International

US teachers are now training to take out school shooters

An organisation called ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate) now offers training for handling active shooter situations to US school teachers. In the training sessions a volunteer plays the part of the shooter while the other teachers are taught how to handle the situation. One school principal toldBusiness Insider that while it is unfortunate to have to train for these situations, they do have to be prepared.

Sexting at Colorado high school results in criminal investigation

The Toronto Sun reports that the widespread circulation of hundreds of sexually explicit photos among students at a Colorado high school via text messages has triggered a criminal investigation and multiple suspensions. Police Chief Shultz said that investigators had seized a number of phones and will attempt to identify the participants to determine if there have been any violations of law.