AUSTRALIA 

Moama Anglican Grammar student critical after falling 6 metres on Grampians school camp

The Age reports that a student from Moama Anglican Grammar is in a critical condition after falling down an embankment while on school camp in the Victorian bush. The 13-year-old was on grade 8 camp when she fell near Mt Zero Road at Laharum in the Grampians. A spokesperson from Ambulance Victoria has reported that 'she suffered a critical head injury.'

15yo student facing assault charges after allegedly punching a teacher

The Western Australian reports that a male teacher has been assaulted by a student at a public school on Thursday. Police have confirmed that they attended the school after an alleged altercation between the two at about 10am. Police allege that the boy pushed the teacher before punching him in the face. The Hamilton Hill student has been charged with assault and is due to appear in Fremantle Children's Court next month. The teacher required medical treatment for a split lip and minor bruising. The Education Department this year posted security guards at the same school after a brawl between students and parents erupted in the school's carpark.

Primary school principals call for nationally standardised school starting age

ABC News reports that a survey from the Primary Principals Association has revealed that the age cut-off for the first year of schooling varies around the country. Dennis Yarrington, Principals Association president said his members all want the window of variation narrowed and the age standardised around the country. He has directed a message to Education Minister Simon Birmingham, hoping that the Federal Education Department can work with state and territory counterparts to put this issue on the agenda.

Tough new penalties for schools leaking VCE results

The Courier reports that there are new penalties for schools who choose to disseminate VCE results early. It has been the practice for some schools to leak results to parents as part of a marketing strategy. The state's admissions centre has warned principals that if they break the rules they will be banned from accessing ATARs ahead of students for up to five years. The school will also be required to report the breach to the Australian Privacy Commissioner. At present, Victoria is the only state that releases ATARs to school career advisers a day before they are distributed to students.

Melbourne High School principal hits back over student’s scathing speech

News.com.au reports that a student from Melbourne High School has spoken out against the school in a gathering of students and teachers, saying he 'no longer believes' in the school. Reportedly, year 12 student leader Ben Qin decided to air his grievances after recent tensions between the school and students have come to the boil. The student cited unrealistic expectations of teachers and the school and claimed that, as teenagers, the students are also innately 'disrespectful', 'petulant' and 'volatile.' It is believed the inciting factors included the principal's ban of the senior social and the so-called 'house captain's strip' which was to be performed at the year 12 formal.

INTERNATIONAL

Students' safety at seclusion room schools questioned

Radio NZ reports that an investigation has been launched by the Ombudsman into the use of certain rooms in schools for seclusion purposes. This follows complaints about Miramar Central School  in Wellington and Ruru Specialist School in Invercargill. The Ministry of Education has responded to complaints from Miramar, accepting that it did not respond quickly enough when it became apprised of the facts. Paul Gibson, Disability Rights Commissioner has written to the Ministry with the hope that the issue would be promptly addressed, He said that potential abuse of disabled children 'should be condemned as seriously as the abuse of non-disabled children.'

UK: Almost a third of teachers quit state sector within five years of qualifying

The Guardian reports that teachers are rapidly leaving the profession after five years of qualification. The new government figures suggest that of the 21,400 who began as English teachers in state schools in 2010, 30% had quit by 2015. Nick Gibb, the school's minister confirmed this in a written parliamentary answer. Teachers' leaders have pointed the finger at the excessive workload, high-pressure assessment and the ongoing changes in the industry that present new teachers with an unsteady footing early in their career. The General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers has said that there has been a çonsistent shortfall in the numbers recruitment to training courses since 2010.'

USA: Student has leg amputated after teacher 'slammed him to the floor' multiple times

Yahoo7 News reports that an incident at Edgewood Student Services Center has resulted in a student being assaulted. The class, specifically for disruptive students who had been moved from regular schools was in progress when Thomas attempted to leave the classroom. According to attorney Renee Tucker, the teacher on duty, Bryant Mosley slammed the student to the floor. The incident was not reported and an ambulance wasn't called for the student. Instead, the student was carried to a school bus by the teacher and sent home. Later, Thomas found that his leg had become numb and he was airlifted to a hospital in Atlanta where he underwent surgery. On Sunday, the hospital informed his family that the leg would be amputated due to nerve damage and poor blood circulation. Mosley has not yet been charged.