AUSTRALIA

Primary school bans hugging in favour of caution

The Advertiser reports that a primary school in Victoria has told students to find ways, other than hugging, to show affection. The school’s principal has said that ‘nothing in particular’ prompted the ban on hugging at the school, ‘but in this current day and age we are really conscious about protecting kids and teaching them from a young age to be cautious’. A letter will be sent home to parents next week explaining the school’s new policy.

Student allegedly grabbed by man at Melbourne school

The Age reports that a young girl has been sexually assaulted by an unknown man within the grounds of a Melbourne primary school. Victorian police are searching for the man who exposed himself to the girl before fleeing the scene. The school’s principal has said that the school has enacted several interim safety measures and were taking the matter very seriously. Staff at the school immediately contacted the girl’s parents and a notice was sent to all parents.

Report shows Victorian schools are not inclusive for students with disabilities

A landmark review of the Victorian Government’s program for disabled students has highlighted a system plagued by a lack of transparency and consistency. The Age reports that the review, led by Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes, found of the 15 out of every 100 Victorian students who needed extra support, only about four were targeted by the Government’s program. A $22 million package to fill to gaps in the program is set to be announced next week in Victoria’s state budget.

Australia-wide survey shows principals siphoning money to help students with disabilities

The Australian reports that the Australian Education Union survey has revealed that nine out of 10 government schools are siphoning money from maintenance and library budgets to help students with disabilities. The survey results show that 84 per cent of surveyed principals with disabled students lack assistance for teachers in the classroom and 87 per cent used funds from other budgeted areas to assist students with disability.

Victorian girls’ school expels and suspends year 12 students over formal drug bust

The Herald Sun reports that one student has been expelled, and two suspended, following the discovery of illicit drugs in the students’ bags at their year 12 formal. Security at the formal raised concerns about suspicious activity in the bathroom at the formal, and the principal conducted the search. The school has not contacted police regarding the matter. However Victoria’s Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton is encouraging the school to contact the authorities even though it is not a mandatory reporting obligation. Commissioner Ashton added that expelling the students might not have been the most effective option and that ‘sometimes we can be too quick to suspend.’

Students share footage of a boy secretly filmed performing sex act

The Advertiser reports that students at a two private schools in Adelaide have been sharing footage of a boy secretly filmed performing a sex act. The South Australian police are involved in the matter, however have confirmed that it does not involve criminal offending. There are reports that parents at the school where the video originated are ‘livid’ at the school’s response and have accused the school of ‘covering up’ the incident. The school confirmed to the media that action has been taken in the form of disciplinary action and counselling, and that the school has comprehensive cyber safety policies and education programs in place.

International:

Principal makes remarks about female students’ ‘hefty’ bodies; parents furious

News.com reports that a head teacher in England has been subjected to harsh criticism from angry parents after making critical remarks about female pupils’ uniforms and bodies. The female principal reportedly turned away 29 girls at the school’s front gate for failing to meet the uniform standard due to ‘too-tight trousers’ or ‘too-tight skirts’. The principal’s comment that the tight clothing emphasised the ‘heftiness’ of some students in an ‘unflattering’ manner has left many parents furious.

MPs launch inquiry into sexual harassment and violence in schools

The Guardian reports that British MPs have launched an inquiry into sexual harassment and sexual violence in schools as a report has revealed that many incidents go unreported and others are ‘brushed off’ by teachers because of the relatively young age of the students involved. Preliminary research has shown that schools are failing to play their part in recognising the pressures on young people from sexual harassment and bullying.

School principal wins costs dispute for unjustified sacking

A former principal in New Zealand will not be forced to pay costs for the legal dispute against the school commissioner who unjustifiably dismissed her. The New Zealand Herald reports that the principal was stood down amid allegations of an unhealthy school environment, however was awarded $158,000 in lost salary, compensation and costs  but denied reinstatement by the New Zealand Employment Court.