Dangerous loophole that could 'open the door to paedophiles teaching' in NSW

The SMH reports that temporary teachers are subject to minimal background checks compared to applicants for permanent teaching roles in a dangerous loophole that could “open the door to paedophiles” teaching in government schools according to sources within the NSW Department of Education. The loophole comes from the comparative minimal background checking conducted before employing temporary teachers and the sole discretion of the school’s principal to convert these temporary teachers to permanent after they have worked at the school for more than two years.

Priest accused of paedophilia loses the right to work with children, again

In what has been deemed “a victory for children in NSW” by NSW Family and Community Services, a priest accused of paedophilia that had won the right to work with children has been banned again after new allegations of abuse surfaced. The Daily Telegraph reports that the now former priest was banned from working with children on an interim basis in 2014 after an investigation discovered “sustained” historical workplace allegations that he had abused two teenagers. The man has now been indefinitely banned from working with children following a failed appeal against the interim ban.

Anti-homosexuality sermons given on public school grounds

The SBS reports that evangelical groups are using NSW public school buildings to preach sermons stating homosexuality will send people to hell and that homosexual sex carries the death penalty according to the bible. The sermons are not delivered to students during school hours but to congregations on the weekends when the churches lease school buildings. After complaints made to schools about the content of the sermons being preached on their grounds, some schools have announced that they will review arrangements for use of their facilities by third parties.

Bullying in schools is falling, but remains ‘unacceptably high’

The SMH reports that new research reveals that the number of Australian school-aged children experiencing bullying has dropped by almost a quarter in the past seven years. However, the research report’s co-author Ken Rigby has said that bullying in schools still remains ‘unacceptably high’ and more needed to be done. Interestingly, the research found that cyberbullying was not as prevalent as it may seem and that in fact “children say they feel much safer at home from cyberbullying than they do in the playground”.

Old boy sues school after being left a paraplegic during a rugby training drill

A former non-government school student in Victoria is suing for damages expected to top $2 million after being left a paraplegic during a rugby drill gone wrong. The man claims that he was made to run into a number of students holding tackle pads while being pushed from behind and holding the ball. In doing so he suffered a spinal injury resulting in complete paraplegia, pain and shock, anxiety and depression. The Herald Sun reports that the former student is claiming that the school was negligent in the conduct of the drill.

Queensland teacher developed cancer from asbestos

News.com reports that a former Queensland science teacher was diagnosed with cancer after working with equipment made from asbestos. The man’s lawyers have said that the teacher spent each day “inadvertently breathing in the ticking time bomb” because the Bunsen burner safety mats that were made from asbestos were slowly disintegrating as they were moved around the classrooms. The former teacher’s claim was settled in May this year; however, his lawyers have said that this is not an isolated incident.

Exclusive Brethren school gets record funding

The SMH reports that an exclusive private school run by Protestant religious sect, the Exclusive Brethren, receives $800 more in public funding per student than 600 NSW state schools struggling with overcrowding and a lack of resources receive. The school has approximately 1000 students, 11 campuses and receives up to $10 million in gifts every year from parents and Brethren businesses. Its school funding platform has drawn criticism for more than a decade, but taxpayer payments have continued to increase at record levels.

Teacher censured and fined for kick up the butt to student

Stuff.co.nz reports that following a “fairly robust” kick from a New Zealand high school teacher directed at a student throwing potentially dangerous metal washers in the classroom, the teacher has been censured and told to pay the costs of the disciplinary tribunal hearing. The New Zealand Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal has ruled that the conduct constituted serious misconduct by the teacher, who is remorseful, well-regarded at the school and dobbed himself in after the incident.