AUSTRALIA 

Greystanes High School forcing ‘voluntary’ fee on parents

The Daily Telegraph reports that Year 12 students from a western Sydney school have been pressured into paying voluntary fees. Angry parents have voiced their concern at Greystanes High School after it refused to let students leave the premises as they had not paid 'voluntary contributions'. According to one parent, some students were told they owed the school $700.

Palm Beach Currumbin State high school attempts to shut down ‘end of year’ student parties

The Gold Coast Bulletin reports that Palm Beach Currumbin State High School is cracking down on end-of-year celebrations for senior students. The school has threatened expulsions and graduation bans if students flout the rules. The limelight is not new for the school that received media attention after a 20-person pornography ring was uncovered in August. In another incident, a scuffle at the school led to one boy fighting for life. Executive principal Stephen Loggie refused to answer questions regarding these punishments.

How robots could soon be teaching your kids

The Age reports that robots could soon be  front and centre in the classroom. The article introduces Nao, a 58-centimetre robot who has skills. Such technology costs between $13,000 and $25,000. Last year Bialik College in Victoria, invested in a robot and its students have already named it, or rather, her – Rosie. Romy Smulewicz considers Rosie a friend and spends time coding and programming her. But the student also knows her limitations. Some teachers are concerned that one day these plastic machines will take their jobs.

NSW neglected schools revealed as maintenance backlog blows out

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that a NSW school, Great Lakes College, needs over $3 million in repairs, while another school requires over $2.8 million in work. New figures show that the NSW State Government has seen the backlog increase by $40 million in 2016. The most needed repairs and fixes required were for toilets and sewerage, as well as leaks, carpet, painting, guttering and broken windows.

INTERNATIONAL

White teacher is suspended from school for wearing Michael Jordan costume 

The Daily Mail reports that a white teacher from Seattle has been suspended by his school for wearing a Michael Jordan costume to school. Mr Colino, of Ingraham High School, wore Jordan's Chicago Bulls jersey but paired this with a rubber mask and black gloves. A video featuring Colino went viral at the school after being shared on Snapchat. However, a parent also contacted the Principal. The teacher has since apologised to students for what some have called cultural appropriation.

Spanish parents urged to put children on weekend homework strike

The Guardian reports that parents in Spain are being encouraged to put their children on a homework strike in order to send a message to schools for the alarming amount of after-school work students are pressured to complete. According to a 2012 OECD study, Spanish children are required to do over six hours of study compared to under the average of just under five hours. The Spanish Confederation of Associations of Mothers and Fathers of Students has called on parents whose children attend Spanish state schools to boycott weekend homework in November.

Leicester RE teacher banned over anti-Islamic views

BBC reports that an RE teacher from Leicester has been banned from teaching indefinitely at any school in England. Nicholas Hall, 53, was accused of a string of misbehaviours while employed at Soar Valley College. At the centre of the allegations, was the suggestion that he had slurred Islam in a series of online posts. The professional conduct panel called his posts a 'vociferous attack on the Islamic faith.'  He also admitted to attending a rally organised by extremist right wing group, Britain First.