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

Promoting Children's Mental Health: Insights and Initiatives during Children's Week in Australia

Children’s Week is being celebrated this week in Australia from 21 – 29 October with this year’s theme focusing on a child’s “right to relax, play and take part in activities they enjoy”. This week is considered hugely significant with the general consensus being more needs to be done to promote positive mental health for children.

As highlighted in an article by The Educator, South Australia’s Commissioner for Children and Young People has released a new resource called ‘The Missing Voices’. This booklet contains unedited quotes from students aged 8-12. When asked what worried them, their everyday experiences, including physical health issues, bullying, discrimination, and complex family dynamics were mentioned, all of which can impact their mental health. Some even reported that they feel unsafe at school.

The Educator delved into another study that further supports the concerning decline in student mental health and wellbeing. Parentshop, a leading professional development training organisation and parenting resource hub, is partnering with schools to address the decline in student mental health. Through their Resilience in Our Teens (RIOT) project, teachers are equipped with practical steps to build resilience and counter anxiety in teenagers. The project includes differentiated lessons tailored to different age groups and has shown positive results in increasing teachers' confidence in managing student anxiety. Parentshop also addresses anxiety in primary-aged children through The Anxiety Project, offering evidence-based training programs for schools and providing parents with strategies to support their children's emotional wellbeing. By fostering recognition of anxious behaviours and promoting resilience, Parentshop aims to improve student outcomes.

Australia Launches National Campaign to Help Prevent Child Sexual Abuse

The Australian Government has launched a new national campaign to prevent child sexual abuse. The ‘One Talk at a Time’ campaign, led by the Attorney-General's Department, aims to educate parents and caregivers on how to recognise signs of abuse and protect children from potential abusers with a key message being that “conversations have the power to prevent child sexual abuse”. It also includes resources for children to understand what is considered appropriate behaviour and how to speak up if they feel uncomfortable. The article highlights the importance of early intervention and emphasises the role that everyone plays in keeping children safe.

Student Trauma Exacting a Heavy Toll on Teachers' Wellbeing

A recent article published in Monash Lens highlights the alarming impact of student trauma on teachers' wellbeing, leading to burnout. The article cites research and interviews with educators who are overwhelmed by the emotional toll of supporting students through various traumatic experiences. One teacher described the experience as "draining and unrelenting." The study emphasises the importance of providing support and resources to teachers to address the increasing demand for mental health assistance in schools, especially when considering that only 38.7 per cent of teachers have completed trauma-informed professional development. The article calls on school leaders, policymakers and governments to create a supportive environment, implement trauma-informed programs and take a systemic approach to prioritise teacher self-care.

New Research Highlights the Necessity of Diversifying the Teacher Workforce

Diversifying Australia's teaching workforce may be the key to retaining teachers, The Educator states. A report by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) found that currently only 8 per cent of primary school teachers come from non-English speaking backgrounds, while only 2 per cent identify as Indigenous. Another study by The University of Melbourne concluded that Australia’s teaching workforce is “predominantly Australian-born, female and non-Indigenous.” Lead author Associate Professor Suzanne Rice emphasised the power that teachers from minority groups have over improving student learning outcomes as well as stating that they “are more likely to stay in hard-to-staff schools and build powerful connections with the community.” The article goes on to call for a more diverse representation of teachers to better reflect the student population and promote cultural understanding in schools. It suggests various strategies, such as targeted recruitment, teacher training pathways and support for teachers from underrepresented backgrounds, to address this issue.

Overhaul to Top-Level HSC English Course Proposed

The New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) is considering the most substantial overhaul in 25 years to the top-level HSC English course, known as Advanced English. According to an article by The Sydney Morning Herald, this change will see a significant reduction in the number of prescribed texts, more emphasis on analytical skills and added guidance for studying texts by Indigenous authors. The proposed changes aim to streamline the HSC English experience and allow students to delve deeper into fewer texts. It also aims to combat the rise in cheating cases, driven by students utilising new and emerging artificial intelligence chatbots, by introducing an exam for the subject.

AI Tutor Trial in Australian Schools Said to Alleviate Exam Stress

A new AI tutor is being trialled in Australian schools to help alleviate exam stress for students. According to IT Brief, this groundbreaking software uses artificial intelligence and natural language processing to assist students in studying and preparing for exams. It adapts to each student's learning style and provides personalised feedback, making it a valuable tool for both struggling and high-performing students. The trial has shown promising results, with students reporting reduced stress and improved academic performance. CEO and founder of Zookal, Ahmed Haider, said that the aim is to “increase access to quality education for Aussie students by making it an affordable, comprehensive and personalised learning experience.” The article goes on to state the potential for this technology to be used in other areas of education beyond exam preparation.

NSW Education Department Advocates for a Renewed Emphasis on Explicit Teaching in Schools

Murat Dizdar, head of the New South Wales Education Department, has called for a renewed focus on explicit teaching in schools, The Sydney Morning Herald reports. Dizdar emphasises the importance of teaching students’ specific skills and knowledge in order for them to succeed academically. He suggests that this approach has been overshadowed by a focus on inquiry-based learning and calls for a balance between the two, stating that "explicit teaching and quality teacher feedback are critical components of improving student learning outcomes." On Monday, the Department will unveil a new public education strategy, laying out six key objectives such as increasing the number of school staff, improving attendance rates, and enhancing the number of students who successfully complete Year 12.

Concerns Arise as South Australian High School Students are Found to Lack “Basic Tech Skills”

According to national testing, high school students in South Australia are lacking basic digital technology skills. The Advertiser has reported on the results of the National Assessment Program - ICT Literacy (NAP-ICTL), which found that only 8 per cent of Year 6 students and 3 per cent of Year 10 students had proficient digital literacy skills. The article raises concerns about the impact of these results on students' future employment and calls for more focus on digital literacy in the education curriculum. In an effort to improve maths education, the South Australian Government has announced plans to update the curriculum starting next year, including trialling a maths skills check for Year 3 and 4 students.

International

New Global Student Satisfaction Survey Released

A recent global satisfaction survey by Studyportals has found that the United States is leading in terms of international student satisfaction among popular study destinations such as Australia, Canada, and the UK. According to ICEF Monitor, this survey gathered responses from over 19,000 students worldwide and measured factors such as quality of education, cost of living, and career opportunities. While all four countries received high satisfaction scores, the US scored slightly higher than the global average compared to the other three. Studyportals CEO and Co-founder Edwin van Rest commented on the findings, stating, “we are seeing issues with the performance of the Big Four which they need to address”, after it was discovered that Hungary leads the pack with the highest average satisfaction score. The survey also found that international students in Canada were more likely to recommend their country of study to others compared to those in Australia and the UK.

New Bill Causes Controversy Over Gender-Related Consent in Canadian Schools

The Saskatchewan Government has recently passed a Parents' Bill of Rights, granting parents more control over their children's education and healthcare. Notably, Bill 137 mandates parental consent for a child under 16 to use an alternate gender-related name or pronoun at school, a CBC article explains. This decision has caused controversy as many have called this policy an “attack on gender diverse kids”, with protests continuing to erupt around the country.

Biden-Harris Administration's $14 Million Grant Program Promotes Diversity in Schools

The first-ever Fostering Diverse Schools Demonstration Grant Program has been launched by the Biden-Harris administration, awarding $14 million to support diversity and inclusion in schools. According to the U.S. Department of Education, this grant aims to create more diverse learning environments and promote equal opportunities for all students. The grants will fund projects that focus on increasing racial and socioeconomic diversity in schools and addressing issues of access and equity. This initiative aligns with the administration's efforts to promote racial justice and education equity, as well as their goal of creating a more diverse education system.