Labor settled the ‘funding wars’ just before the election. Here are 4 big issues schools still face
Days before Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the federal election, the Labor government settled a long-running argument with the states over school funding. This locked in a new 25%–75% split on federal and state funding for schools. It also committed to “fully funding” public schools by 2034, according to the requirements recommended by the Gonski […]
Schools today also teach social and emotional skills. Why is this important? And what’s involved?
DGLImages/Shutterstock The school curriculum has changed a lot from when many parents and grandparents were at school. Alongside new approaches to learning maths and increasing attention on technology, there is a compulsory focus on social and emotional skills. Children start developing these skills by watching and observing others as babies. But they also need to […]
Is your child anxious about going on school camp? Here are 4 ways to prepare
Nitinai Thabthong/Shutterstock One of the highlights of the school year is an overnight excursion or school camp. These can happen as early as Year 3. While many students are very excited about the chance to go away with their classmates, some may experience anxiety and even fear about being away from home and their usual […]
Parents delay sending kids to school for social reasons and physical size. It’s not about academic advantage
If you have a child born at the start of the year, you may be faced with a tricky and stressful decision. Do you send them to school “early”, in the year they turn five? Or do you “hold them back” and send them in the year they turn six? Media reports refer to parents […]
A survey of Australian uni students suggests more than half are worried about food or don’t have enough to eat
StoryTime Studio/ Shutterstock Being a university student has long been associated with eating instant noodles, taking advantage of pub meal deals and generally living frugally. But for several years, researchers have been tracking how students are not getting enough food to eat. This can have an impact on their mental and physical health as well […]
‘We get bucketloads of homework’: young people speak about what it’s like to start high school
Rawpixel.com Starting high school is one of the most significant transitions young people make in their education. Many different changes happen at once – from making new friends to getting used to a new school environment and different behaviour and academic expectations. What do young people think about this crucial time in their lives? In […]
Students are neither left nor right brained: how some early childhood educators get this ‘neuromyth’ and others wrong
MalikNalik/ Shutterstock Many teachers and parents know neuroscience, the study of how the brain functions and develops, is important for children’s education. Brain development is recommended as part of teacher education in universities. Neuroscience is even mentioned in Australia’s “early years framework”, which guides early childhood programs. Previous research has shown there are misunderstandings about […]
Top unis have imposed new restrictions on campus protests. What does this mean for students, staff and democracy?
A wave of restrictions on protesting has been rippling through Australia’s top universities. Over the past year, all of Australia’s eight top research universities (the Group of Eight) have individually increased restrictions on campus protests. The changes include bans on indoor protests and restrictions on banners, posters and student announcements. At some campuses, groups need […]
Tripped at the first hurdle: fees-free changes could put some students off tertiary study altogether
skynesher/Getty Images The door to tertiary education will likely close for some students now changes have kicked in for the fees-free policy. In 2017, the Labour government introduced a fee holiday for students’ first year of academic study, or two years of training in a work-based setting. This was meant to help those who had […]
New research shows digital technology is linked to reduced wellbeing in young kids. So what can parents do?
Alex Segre/ Shutterstock Once upon a time, children fought for control of the remote to the sole family television. Now the choice of screen-based content available to kids seems endless. There are computers, tablets, phones and gaming consoles offering streaming services, online content and apps. Children also use devices at school, with digital literacy part […]