What's newVictorian Ministers note Blueprint achievementsVictorian Minister for Education Bronwyn Pike and Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development Maxine Morand have described a wide range of successes achieved through the State's Blueprint for Education and Early Childhood Development since its introduction in September last year. See Ministers' statement 27 November 2009. Educators respond to changes in NT bilingual programA range of educators have expressed opposition to the Northern Territory Government's decision to mandate English as the lesson of instruction for Indigenous students. The policy, to operate from the start of the 2010 school year, requires lessons to be taught in English for the first four hours of every school day. See article, commentary and related report 27 November 2009, and earlier commentary 26 November 2009, all in The Sydney Morning Herald. Ethics classes to be run in NSW schoolsThe New South Wales Government has announced that ethics classes are to be introduced in public schools, as an alternative to religious studies. The classes, to be run by the St James Ethics Centre, will be trialled in up to 10 primary schools. See article in The Sydney Morning Herald 25 November 2009. The Anglican Church in New South Wales has called for the cancellation of the trial. See report on news.com.au also 25 November 2009. Push on student support planThe Parliament of Australia is to consider amendments to measures governing Commonwealth Scholarships and youth allowances. Concerns have been raised over the impact of these measures on students and families in rural areas. See article in Weekly Times Now 26 November 2009. SA school retention newsThe school retention rate in South Australia has risen, with almost eight in ten students staying on to Year 12. SA Education Minister Jane Lomax-Smith credits the State's emphasis on retention, as well as additional measures to support students to stay on at school, for the increase. See Minister's media release 25 November 2009. $100m SA school upgrade plan unveiledSouth Australian Education Minister Jane Lomax-Smith has announced a joint State and Australian Government funding initiative to support school projects. See Minister's media release 26 November 2009. New SA 'super schools' to be built through public/private partnershipSix new 'super schools' are to be built in South Australia through a public/private partnership. The schools will result from the merger of 20 existing schools. See article in AdelaideNow 27 November 2009. Expert outlines proposals to improve maths educationProfessor Anthony Dooley, Head of the School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of New South Wales, has called for the implementation of three strategies to enhance mathematics education in Australia: improving the quality of primary and secondary teaching; increasing tertiary funding to retain mathematics experts on Australian soil and nurture students; and building stronger relationships between the education and commercial sectors. See his opinion piece 3 November 2009. Maths coaching for teachersTo help combat declining interest in mathematics, 81 specialist maths coaches will be sent into low-SES primary schools in Victoria to offer support and professional development opportunities to teachers. See article in The Age 23 November 2009. Plan to merge Steiner and mainstream classesParents have raised concerns over a primary school's plans to merge its Steiner and mainstream classes at Year 6 level due to low enrolments. Some parents are concerned that mainstream students will be disadvantaged due to differences in the Steiner and mainstream curriculums. See article in The Australian 26 November 2009. Additional funding for literacy and numeracy education in WAThe Australian Government Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, has announced $4 million in additional funding to support literacy and numeracy projects in Western Australia. See Minister's statement 27 November 2009. Low school completion rates in TasmaniaAn article in The Mercury 25 November 2009 cites data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics that shows that one in three Tasmanians completed their schooling at Year 10 level. The article expresses concern at low completion rates for Year 12 and low numbers of university graduates in the State. Special entry plan for teaching education in QueenslandQueensland University of Technology has collaborated with local high schools in Queensland to offer students a head start to their teaching education programs. Students who complete the QUTeach@Redcliff program are guaranteed entry into their education program of choice. See QUT media release 2 November 2009. |