AUSTRALIA

Victoria’s first vertical school rings in the academic year

ArchitectureAU reported about Victoria’s first bespoke vertical school.  It gained international attention in 2016 when it was named the Future Project of the Year at the World Architecture Festival in Berlin. The school is one of a number of educational high-rises springing up around Australia.

WA high school students as young as 14 argue ‘sex work’ in debating controversy

The West Australian reported about organisers of a WA high school debating competition defending the use of a controversial topic for students as young as 14.  Organisers decide to debate the topic of legalising sex work.  Concerns were raised by three teachers but it was decided to use the topic anyway.  Organisers said that “most schools are perfectly comfortable (with the topic) and we’ve set similar topics in the past and they’ve always gone quite well.”

New anti-terrorism law will give principals power to ban cyber bullies

According to The Daily Telegraph, students who commit serious acts of cyber-bullying outside of school hours will face suspension under tough new laws to combat growing concerns online threats. The legislation was originally designed as an anti-terror measure but will also be used as a tool to give principals in NSW the authority to ban any student if there is a "significant risk" they could be violent or seriously threatening towards other students, teachers or parents.

INTERNATIONAL

USA: Florida senate passes safety bill to restrict rifle sales and allow teachers to carry guns in schools

ITV has reported about Florida’s Senate passing a school safety bill that will place new restrictions on rifle sales and allow some teachers to carry guns in schools.  The introduction of the new bill came in response to the fatal shooting at a Florida school that took the lives of 17 people.

USA: Science teacher, 26, sent nudes, had sex romps with teen boy student, cops say

News.com.au reported about a Florida teacher who has been arrested after she was accused of sending nude photos and having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old male student. The teacher has been charged with two counts of lewd or lascivious battery and one count of transmission of harmful materials to a minor.

USA: Public schoolteacher reportedly ran a white nationalist podcast

News.com.au reported about a Florida schoolteacher leading a double life as the host of a white supremacist podcast, where she boasted about spreading hate-filled views in the classroom.  The teacher apparently argued that “science” has proven some races are more intelligent than others.  The executive director of educational services for the school could not confirm if the teacher made these comments and will be investigating the statements made by the teacher as well as “checking the validity to see if they violate our code of ethics and policy.”

Ghana: Ghana man goes viral for teaching computer technology on a blackboard

According to ABC News, a photo of a teacher explaining how computers work (without using a computer) has gone viral.  Everything about technology is taught on a blackboard.  This has resulted in a promise by Microsoft to send the teacher new computer equipment.