Choosing a school holiday program can be tricky. Here’s how to identify a good one
Phynart Studio/ Getty Images When the bell rings at the end of each term, there is a happy buzz as kids leave school for the break. But for many parents, the start of the holidays brings a different feeling entirely: how are they going to keep their children engaged for two weeks and sometimes more? […]
I hate it when other adults ‘parent’ my kids. What can I do?
Suzanne Walstrom/ Getty Images Long weekends often bring family and friends together in a mix of generations. Somewhere between the egg hunt and hot cross buns this weekend, there might be a moment where another adult steps in to “parent” your child in ways that don’t sit well with you. Maybe they are too sharp […]
Does AI mean more uni students are plagiarising their work?
dusanpetkovic/ Getty images People using other peoples’ ideas, words and creations without acknowledgement is a widespread problem. Plagiarism occurs everywhere from restaurant menus to political speeches and music. Within academia, plagiarism is seen as a serious breach of integrity for scholars and students. It’s easy to find media articles claiming plagiarism is increasing among university […]
‘Mum and Dad both finished school in Year 10’ – how to help first-in-family students graduate from uni
Each year, about 30% of new undergraduates in Australia are the first in their families to go to university. This means their parents do not have a university-level qualification. Often, they also don’t have any siblings or relatives who have gone to uni as well. So these students must navigate a new and unfamiliar pathway. […]
We surveyed more than 8,000 principals – they face violence, threats and stress in their schools
Hill Street Studios/ Getty Images Almost half of surveyed Australia’s school principals face physical violence in their jobs. Almost 90% say they encounter offensive behaviour from students, parents and even colleagues, according to new survey results. The latest instalment in an annual survey of Australian principals shows how their exposure to aggression risks becoming normalised […]
Are you worried about your preschoolers’ anxiety? Here’s how to help
New research on a group of Australian preschoolers suggests more than 40% are dealing with an anxiety disorder. The study, led by Monash University and published in the journal of Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, was based on interviews with the mothers of 545 three- and four-year-olds. It found 48% of the group met criteria […]
Why are public schools asking parents to pay fees?
Pixdeluxe/ Getty Images At this time of the school year, many schools are asking families to pay fees. These are not private schools, but public schools. The fees are voluntary and go towards a range of items such as stationery, textbooks and excursions. The voluntary fees range from hundreds to thousands of dollars per child, […]
Victorian teachers are on strike for the first time in 13 years – it’s about more than pay
Victorian public school teachers are walking off the job today. Tens of thousands of school staff, including support staff and principals, are expected to strike. Teachers in Tasmania are also striking this week. Public schools will be closed in the state’s northwest on Tuesday, the north on Wednesday and the south on Thursday. Public debate […]
Some schools have stopped running camps as costs rise. What can we do instead?
Imgorthand/ Getty Images School camps have long been a rite of passage for many Australian students in both primary and high school. Typically, camps begin in primary school and continue into the secondary years, ranging from a single overnight stay to several days away. But the school is camp is under threat. Some schools have […]
Some kids stop swimming lessons too early. How well can your child actually swim?
As the weather starts to cool down and outdoor pools shut, are you thinking of pressing pause on your child’s swimming lessons, or even stopping altogether? If your child has reached a certain level, has stopped making progress or is no longer enjoying their swimming lessons, you may also be considering pulling the pin. But […]