Australia:

New video game app to help children with autism

The ABC reports that a Brisbane researcher has developed a specially designed app aimed at helping children with autism learn in mainstream classes. The software uses a video game design and incorporates writing with strategies to reduce anxiety for children on the autism spectrum. In May, five schools will take part in trialling the app ahead of its launch in September this year.

Private training providers enrol high school students to access funding

The Age reports that, under an arrangement with the Victorian Education Department, private providers are able to enrol students at ‘host schools’ (which students never attend) to access government funding. These providers are also able to access additional government training subsidies for some of these students. While the providers say that they offer students an innovative alternative to traditional classroom learning, some principals have criticised the scheme saying that it is an abuse of much-needed funding for schools.

Sydney principal takes ‘Easter’ out of Easter hat parade

A principal from Bondi has outraged parents after controversially blanking out references to ‘Easter’ without consulting the school community. The Daily Telegraph reports that the word ‘Easter’ was dropped from the school’s annual Easter Hat Parade and that this is not the first time the principal has tried to distance the school’s celebrations from the religious holiday. The Department of Education will not force the principal to overturn his decision.

Cost aside, laptops can be a classroom curse: teachers’ union

The Australian reports that veteran headmaster John Vallance has banned laptops in the classroom at Sydney Grammar, one of Australia’s top academic schools, because they distracted students from classroom discussions and listening to the teacher. Australian Education Union president Correna Haythorpe has also raised concerns that many parents are required to pay $1500 for laptops for their children even though they are not essential in every class, and has particularly questioned the need for laptops in primary schools.

Truancy fines and prosecutions considered in South Australia

South Australian Education Minister Susan Close has announced that she wants to ‘crackdown’ on parents who do not take their child’s school attendance seriously. The ABC reports that parents of South Australian children who regularly miss school could be fined or prosecuted as the State considers reforming the Education Act to increase the success rate of the prosecution of parents for their child’s truancy.

WA student suspended after allegedly assaulting teacher

The ABC reports that a high school teacher in Western Australia has escaped serious injury after she was allegedly assaulted by a student. A WA Education Department spokeswoman has confirmed that a student at the school had ‘behaved violently’ towards a teacher and the teacher was treated by the school nurse before being taken to a nearby hospital for a further check-up. The teacher did not suffer serious injuries and the student has been suspended from the school.

International:

String of bomb threats prompt review of emergency procedures

Stuff.co.nz reports that in the past two months more than 30 schools in New Zealand have been targeted by bomb threats. The Ministry of Education has responded to the threats by offering support to the schools affected and providing the opportunity to review the schools’ emergency plans and their use and support from the Ministry’s Traumatic Incident Teams.

Looming changes to NZ safety laws cause principals to act

The new Health and Safety at Work Act comes into force in New Zealand early next month. The New Zealand Herald reports that the general response from principals has been one of fear with the new law imposing personal liability on principals for injuries at school, with one principal in Wairarapa temporarily banning students from climbing trees ‘until there is certainty’ regarding the new Act. New Zealand School Trustees Association president Lorraine Kerr has said that the Association has been ‘telling schools’ boards of trustees not to panic’ but to ensure robust health and safety policies were in place.

Principals install security cameras to deter vandalism

Principals in Auckland are resorting to installing security cameras in schools, including in toilet blocks, to cut the cost of vandalism. Stuff.co.nz reports that broken windows, damage and graffiti at schools in 2015 cost taxpayers $9.6 million. One school’s business manager has said that since they put cameras in the school, the annual vandalism bill has almost halved from $40,000 to $22,800 over the past year.