--- title: "September 7: School Governance Weekly Wrap" description: "September 7: School Governance Weekly Wrap" image: https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/WWbanner_1-Feb-09-2022-10-51-18-46-AM.png --- Latest Guide | Transform how you manage policies with our interactive guide [![Ideagen School Governance Horizontal 2024](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/hubfs/Ideagen%20School%20Governance%20Horizontal%202024.svg "Ideagen School Governance Horizontal 2024")](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au) * * Search ** Search [![Subscribe](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3786587/5eb7c708-5720-4c0c-874c-53f035b1dac7.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3786587/5eb7c708-5720-4c0c-874c-53f035b1dac7) - [ Boarding Schools ](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/tag/boarding-schools) - [ COVID-19/Coronavirus ](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/tag/covid-19-coronavirus) - [ Child Protection ](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/tag/child-protection) - [ Early Learning ](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/tag/early-learning) - [ Excursions ](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/tag/excursions) - [ Gov, Risk and Compliance ](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/tag/governance-risk-compliance) - [ Human Resources ](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/tag/human-resources) - [ Overseas Students ](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/tag/overseas-students) - [ Privacy & Complaints Handling ](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/tag/privacy-complaints-handling) - [ School Gov & Executives ](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/tag/school-governance-executives) - [ School Registration ](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/tag/school-registration) - [ Social Media ](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/tag/social-media) - [ Student Wellbeing ](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/tag/student-wellbeing) - [ Workplace Safety ](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/tag/workplace-safety) - [ Weekly Wrap ](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/tag/weekly-wrap) ## September 7: School Governance Weekly Wrap 6/09/17 ![Resources](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/WWbanner_1-Feb-09-2022-10-51-18-46-AM.png) ## **AUSTRALIA** **State government scheme to fix woeful maths results by increasing specialist teachers has failed **The Daily Telegraph [reported](http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/state-government-scheme-to-fix-woeful-maths-results-by-increasing-specialist-teachers-has-failed/news-story/2421e32a4e714eb8232bd9244a64ffb1) about a failed NSW Government plan to increase the number of specialist math teachers in public schools after only scoring 11 per cent of its target.  The plan was to lift NSW science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) by training 320 ordinary primary school teachers to become STEM specialists.  After 18 months, only 11 teachers have completed the STEM course to become specialists. **Perth teacher jailed over sexual relationship with 15-year-old student **ABC News [reported](http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-01/perth-female-teacher-convicted-of-sexual-assault/8864056) about a former teacher who was sentenced to two and a half years jail for having a sexual relationship with one of her students.  The former teacher, who was 25 at the time of offending, pleaded guilty to two counts of repeated sexual offending.  During sentencing, Judge Schoombie of the West Australian District Court said that the teacher’s crimes were particularly serious as the offender was in a position of authority and trust at the time.  Judge Schoombie explained further that if a teacher became sexually involved with a student, jail must be the consequence, to ensure parents could be confident their children were being properly cared for while they are at school. **Victorian schools ahead of rest when it comes to being SunSmart **According to the [Leader](http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/inner-south/victorian-schools-ahead-of-rest-when-it-comes-to-being-sunsmart/news-story/46490d235a5a8aba9c12b799c62970f9), a Cancer Council survey shows that Victorian primary schools have the best sun protection in Australia.  Every school surveyed ensured broad-brimmed, legionnaires or bucket hats were worn outside during warmer months, compared to 95 per cent of other schools in other states and territories. **Queensland school allows Sikh parent to carry ceremonial sword on to grounds **The Courier Mail [wrote](http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-school-allows-sikh-parent-to-carry-ceremonial-sword-on-to-grounds/news-story/6225a582d6fb84fa434bf27ebcf7c54f) about how the Queensland Department of Education back flipped on comments made about religious daggers being allowed in Queensland schools. The comes after the Courier Mail revealed that the father and son, of Sikh faith, was allowed to bring a kirpan (a religious ceremonial sword) to school, only if he covered it up.  However, the Queensland Department of Education said it was the wrong decision, as a kirpan is classified as a knife under the Weapons Act 1990 (Qld) and therefore illegal on school grounds. **Perth girl wins campaign for all students to be able to wear shorts **According to [9 news](http://honey.nine.com.au/2017/09/04/16/36/wa-girl-wins-campaign-to-be-able-to-wear-shorts-to-school), an 11-year-old girl has won her campaign for female students to have the right to wear the same the same shorts to school as her male counterparts.  The girl wrote letter to the WA Education Minister, which led to an overhaul which will ensure the state's government schools now have "non-discriminatory" dress codes for students.  Government schools in WA will no longer be able to limit female students to wear dresses, skirts or skorts. **Male teachers still the minority in Canberra schools **The Canberra Times [wrote](http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/male-teachers-still-the-minority-in-canberra-schools-20170904-gyaa3e.html) about how male teachers are in the minority in Canberra schools.  The number of men in Canberra Government schools is around 22 per cent since 2012.  The figure is marginally higher in non-government schools, sitting around 30 per cent. The ACT Education Directorate could soon be organising a recruitment drive aimed at getting more men teaching in Canberra schools. ## ** INTERNATIONAL** **New Zealand: Teacher struck off for swearing at pupils **The [Otago Daily Times](https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/teacher-struck-swearing-pupils) reported about a teacher who was struck off after repeatedly swearing at students. Complaints from students and their parents from 2010.  Last year a student recorded her on video belittling a student.  The teacher appeared in front of the Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal, was struck off and was ordered to pay $4733 in costs. ###### Share this [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/2017/09/07/september-7-school-governance-weekly-school-wrap%20&body=Check%20out%20https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/2017/09/07/september-7-school-governance-weekly-school-wrap](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/2017/09/07/september-7-school-governance-weekly-school-wrap%20&body=Check%20out%20https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/2017/09/07/september-7-school-governance-weekly-school-wrap) ##### About the Author ![](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(24).png) **Ideagen CompliSpace** ## Resources you may like ###### Article ##### Setting your boarding staff up for success: why policy clarity matters Boarding governance touches on child safety, complaints handling, student health, and much more.... [Read More **](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/setting-your-boarding-staff-up-for-success-why-policy-clarity-matters) ###### Article ##### Strengthening child safety recruitment: what schools must do to ensure robust recruitment practices [Read More **](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/strengthening-child-safety-recruitment-what-schools-must-do-to-ensure-robust-recruitment-practices) ###### Article ##### Legislative and regulatory changes to be aware of in 2026 [Read More **](https://www.schoolgovernance.net.au/news/legislative-and-regulatory-changes-to-be-aware-of-in-2026) ## Want School Governance delivered to your inbox weekly? ##### Sign up today! [![Subscribe](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3786587/806f864b-0ad3-4492-a3e9-b7af27aca769.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3786587/806f864b-0ad3-4492-a3e9-b7af27aca769)