What's newMeeting of Australian education ministers, SydneyAustralia's education ministers met in Sydney on 1 February 2013. For details and commentary on their discussions and decisions see statement by Australian Minister for School Education, Peter Garrett, statement by Victorian Minister for Education, Martin Dixon, and report on ABC News, all 1 February 2013. Discussion of school funding and the National Plan for School ImprovementThe Australian Government's National Plan for School Improvement, and related issues regarding school funding, are discussed in a range of recent media releases from Australian Minister for School Education, Peter Garrett. See also article in The Canberra Times 7 February and article in the Daily Telegraph 8 February 2013. Teachers' Information and Ideas ExchangeEducation Services Australia is seeking teachers to act as teacher champions throughout 2013 for a new Australian teacher-focused social media information hub. The hub enables sharing of ideas, access to curriculum information and resources, teaching ideas, and opportunities to collaborate within a framework that is scaffolded, pedagogically relevant, curriculum-linked, practical and inspirational. It supports teachers to collaborate with teaching colleagues across Australia to share ideas for implementing Australian Curriculum and National Professional Standards. Between 50 and 70 teachers will be selected from all educational jurisdictions in Australia and from a range of subject specialists/class room teachers from all levels of education. Register your interest here by 14 February 2013. Future of school laptops scheme discussedAs part of the Digital Education Revolution the Australian Government has funded a laptop program for students in years 9 to 12. The future of the program is discussed in a report on ABC News, an article in The Canberra Times and an editorial in The Age, all 3 February 2013. Closing the gap on Indigenous disadvantage: Prime Minister's reportThe Closing the Gap Prime Minister's Report 2013 shows strong progress in year 12 attainment for Indigenous students. It also reports that there are now more Indigenous children than ever before with access to preschool or kindergarten programs. See ministerial statement 6 February 2013. Tax, super + you: take controlThe Tax, super + you: take control website is an educational resource provided free of charge for use by individuals, students and teachers to help improve understanding of the Australian tax and super systems. Safe Schools are Smart Schools CompetitionThe Safe Schools are Smart Schools Competition aims to find and share the best safe school activities in Australia. Activities can be based on dealing with bullying, cyberbullying, violence, discrimination, harassment or mental health. The competition is open to all Government, Catholic and independent primary and secondary schools in Australia. See website for details. Victorian teachers' industrial campaignVictorian teachers' current industrial campaign and the State Government's response are discussed in an article in The Australian 5 February and an earlier article in The Age 1 February 2013. Male teachers 'a vanishing species'Male teachers in Australia and elsewhere in the world are 'a vanishing species', according to an opinion piece by ex-principal, Henry Gray, in the NT News 4 February 2013. Follow CL journal on TwitterFor news updates between editions of the journal, follow Curriculum Leadership on Twitter. |