Student taken to hospital after incident involving knife at Namadgi School
The Canberra Times reports that a knife incident broke out at Namadgi School last week. One student was taken to the Canberra Hospital by the ACT Ambulance Service at about 1pm. The student was discharged from hospital on Friday afternoon. Parents have since been informed of the attack which allegedly involved, "a small number of students and a knife." Police have not confirmed whether one student stabbed another student as one parent reported to Fairfax Media. The matter is now being investigated by police. This comes after a break in at the school that occurred a week prior in which the school suffered up to $25,000 in damage.
Fraudsters target Queensland schools
The Brisbane Times reports that two Queensland schools have been scammed by fraudsters. Kate Jones, State Education Minister, has revealed that Helensvale State High School and Kenmore South State School both received fraudulent invoices for so-called "consultancy fees". The sums were $42,000 and $26,000 respectively. Ms Jones said the Department of Education and Training confirmed the two invoices were not paid because they were found to be fraudulent. The Minister has not initiated legal action against the perpetrators.
Girls gone wild: Top Adelaide school under fire
Seven News reports that a private school for girls in Adelaide is being criticised after its students created a shaming "hook-up wall" with pictures of boys they were linked to. Private school boys have since contacted the media to complain of what they call a double standard. According to one male student, the school knew of the wall for many months before removing it. The hook-up wall was accompanied by a social media campaign whereby boys were tagged in photographs and demeaning hashtags were used including, "#quantitynotquality". One boy complained, "If we did it, there'd be a massive outcry".
Strict classroom discipline improves student outcomes and work-ethic, studies find
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that education leaders continue to debate the value of strict classroom discipline on results. Two new studies have found evidence that discipline in the classroom produces better academic outcomes and a better work ethic. Chris Baumann of Macquarie University, the lead author of both studies believes the findings suggest Australian classrooms should return to a stricter approach that was denounced in the 1970s. The results show that high-discipline countries were the highest performing countries academically. Also, the study indicates that school uniforms result in stronger discipline and results. Professor Baumann says that discipline has been "overlooked a bit" with the move to a more laissez-faire classroom culture in the last 40 years.
Teacher ‘breaks’ student’s hand
The Indian Express reports that a teacher has allegedly broken the hand of a 10-year-old student at Valathungal Government HSS for misbehaviour. Syed Ali, the student, was assaulted last week with the story coming to light after the parents approached the media. Physical education teacher D Sheeja was suspended on Friday after the school filed a complaint. A GED official stated that the teacher punished the student for being impolite. According to her, the boy was running around the class and she attempted to put him back in his seat when she struck his hand, fracturing it.
History teacher suspended after comparing Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler
The Telegraph reports that a history teacher from California has been suspended with pay after comparing Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler during class. Frank Navarro, holocaust survivor and teacher at Mountain View High School for 40 years was asked to leave on Thursday after a parent reported his comparison to the principal. Mr Navarro has defended his actions, telling the San Fransisco Chronicle that he would never compare the two. He did, however, accept that it was appropriate to compare the two men because it is "historically factual" due to their dislike of foreigners and their desire to rebuild the country. He has approached the media with his concerns that his free speech has been impinged. A petition to reverse the teacher's suspension received over 10,000 signatures by Sunday night.
Soweto school principal stabbed, allegedly by former teacher
News 24 reports that a Principal has been allegedly repeatedly stabbed at a Soweto school on Monday. The accused attacked was fired from the school last year. According to Police he waited for the woman to arrive at Paul Mosaka Primary School and threw stones at the car. Following this, he pulled her from the car and stabbed her several times. The woman was left in a critical condition in hospital. The Police have charged him with attempted murder and malicious damage to property. His motive is unclear though it could be linked to his dismissal from his position at the school last year.