The information in the Weekly Wrap is aggregated from other news sources to provide you with news that is relevant to the education sector across Australia and worldwide. Each paragraph is a summary of the subject matter covered in the particular news article. The information does not necessarily reflect the views of Ideagen CompliSpace.

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Australia

NAB Study Reveals Australian Students’ “High Confidence” in Post-School Plans

A new study conducted by the National Australia Bank (NAB) has revealed students' post-school plans, with over 400 students and 500 parents surveyed across different states and territories. According to The Educator, the majority of students intend to pursue further education or training after high school (78 per cent), with half planning to enter the workforce directly. Peter Atanasovski, the Executive of NAB Business Bank, highlighted one particularly encouraging aspect – the overall optimism that Australian students are feeling about their lives after school. The study also highlights the impact of the pandemic on students' plans, with many reporting changes in their career goals and concerns about job prospects. The NAB emphasises the importance of supporting young people as they navigate these uncertain times and make important decisions about their future.

Australian Government Introduces Scholarships to Tackle Teacher Shortage Crisis

In an effort to address the teacher shortage in regional and remote areas of Australia, the Government has announced a new initiative that will provide Commonwealth Teaching Scholarships for aspiring teachers. According to the Ministers' Media Centre, these scholarships, worth up to $40,000, will cover tuition fees for students studying education degrees in exchange for a commitment to teach for four years as an undergraduate and two years as a postgraduate. The article discusses the benefits of this program, including the opportunity to attract and retain talented teachers in hard-to-staff areas. Minister for Education Alan Tudge said that he believes the program is a necessary step towards addressing staffing shortages and improving educational outcomes for students in more remote regions.

New Tech Study Commenced to Enhance Inclusive Education for Neurodiverse Learners

The University of Melbourne has launched a year-long research study in partnership with SMART Technologies, The Educator reports, to investigate the role of classroom technology in supporting neurodiverse learners. The study aims to understand the barriers faced by students with complex learning needs and how technology can promote inclusive access to education. This initiative comes after the recent findings from the Disability Royal Commission, which sparked discussions about phasing out segregated classrooms and special schools. Led by Dr Matthew Harrison, the project involves a team of researchers with lived experience of autism and ADHD. “The end goal in mind for us is to get real insights as to how teachers and students can make the most of technology in classrooms, and to remove any barriers so that everyone has access to learning,” Chief Commercial Officer Jeff Lowe stated.

New Study Set to Uncover the Impact of Fitness Tests on Children's Wellbeing

The University of South Australia is conducting a study to determine whether or not fitness tests are doing “more harm than good” for children. The research, published in the Journal of Physical Education and Sport Management, suggests that these tests have negative effects on students' self-esteem and body image. In addition, UniSA researcher and PhD candidate Daiki Kasai says that “the problem is that exhaustive tests like this may evoke unpleasant emotional responses. Negative responses during exercise can be a strong predictor of future exercise participation. So, it is important to consider the emotional responses to current fitness tests used in Australia.” According to the university's media release, this research sets to challenge the notion that fitness testing is an effective way to promote physical activity and aims to help young people enjoy exercise.

University of Sydney Reveals 2023 Student Innovation Award Winners

The University of Sydney has announced the winners of the 2023 Student Innovation Awards, which recognise students who have made significant contributions to their fields through innovative ideas and projects. According to the university's website, this year's winners include a diverse range of individuals from different disciplines, including engineering, architecture and medicine. The article goes on to highlight some of the winning projects, such as Algae Tech, with Unit Coordinator Jeff Naqvi stating, “it’s the differences in thinking which create solutions to the world's complex problems.”

NSW Government Allocates $2.5 Million for Research on Effects of Excessive Screen Time on Child Development

The New South Wales (NSW) Government has allocated $2.5 million towards research on the effects of excessive screen time on a child’s development. Funding of up to $500,000 will be available to successful applications for tender grants, and up to $200,000 will be offered to successful recipients of partnership grants. According to SBS News, the study aims to investigate the impact of prolonged screen use on children's mental health, learning, and behaviour. NSW Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car states, “Many parents I speak with are worried about the impact screen time is having on their children. Investing in research is vital so the Government can form evidence-based policies that we know will have a positive impact on our students.”

Intensifying Competition Leaves Boys Struggling for Spots in Victorian Private Schools

According to The Age, the competition for places in high-fee private schools in Victoria is intensifying, particularly for boys. The lack of boys’ schools creates a “massive imbalance of demand,” managing director at Regent Consulting Paul O’Shannassy states. “Girls have so many options that schools have to market and attract them. They don’t need boys because boys are trying to get in.” The article goes on to highlight the ripple effect this imbalance has had on public schools, making it challenging to enrol female students, particularly in regions with a significant concentration of all-girls schools.

WA Teachers’ Union Review Recommends Abolishing NAPLAN

A review conducted by the WA Teachers’ Union has recommended scrapping NAPLAN and implementing stricter regulations for independent schools. According to ABC News, this review was prompted by concerns about the impact of standardised testing on students and teachers, as well as the lack of oversight for independent schools. Key recommendations include replacing NAPLAN with more authentic and formative assessments, after the report found that "the benefits for teachers from NAPLAN have not materialised and many have experienced increased workload and a loss of professional standing as a result." The report also urges independent schools to follow the same curriculum and accountability measures as public schools and notes teacher feedback regarding the proposed increase in funding for children with developmental, behavioural or mental health issues.

International

New Zealand Youth Reluctant to Discuss Mental Health with Parents, Study Reveals

According to Stuff NZ, a recent study by Newsable has found that many young people in New Zealand are reluctant to open up to their parents about mental health issues, fearing that they will worry or not understand. The article discusses the findings from a survey of over 1,000 students aged 14-18 and highlights the impact of stress on their mental health, finding mental health to be the number one issue in 80 per cent of New Zealand secondary schools. The study highlights the need for better support and education and calls for more resources and funding to be allocated towards mental health services in schools to provide more options when it comes to accessing support.

New Research Explores the Relationship Between Independent Playtime and Children's Mental Health

According to an article by Psychology Today, there has been a rise in mental health problems among children in recent decades. Some researchers suggest that this could be linked to the decrease in independent playtime for children, as they are spending more time in structured activities and on screens. However, the article points out that this is not the only factor contributing to the increase in mental health issues and that other factors, such as the decline in social interactions and parents' own mental health, may also play a role. The article suggests that encouraging independent play for children, as well as leisure time for adults, could potentially have a positive impact on mental health for both parties. However, more research is needed to fully understand and address the growing mental health crisis among children.