CYBER-BULLYING

School expels girls over cyber bullying

David Mark, ABC “Lateline” 7 May 200

Two adolescent girls have been forced out of one of Sydney's elite private schools because of cyber bullying.  The girls were taken out of Ascham school after they published material about their classmates on the MySpace social networking site.  The material included rumours about the girl's sexual activity and their drug and alcohol use.

A parent of one the girls targeted says his daughter was horrified when strange boys began approaching her in public.

The post on the social networking site MySpace goes well beyond school-ground teasing. Some entries set out in explicit detail claims of sexual behaviour and drug and alcohol use.  In each case the names of girls and in many instances those of their sexual partners were published.

In a statement to Lateline, the school wrote: "We were shocked and deeply concerned about this incident and acted as swiftly as we became aware of it last Friday."

Dr Marilyn Campbell, Qld University of Technology said: “We actually think cyber bullying could be more damaging than face-to-face bullying because of the wider audience, because of the power of the written word, because of the 24-7 nature, and because of the ‘disinhibition’ that some students feel.”

Ascham does have measures in place to try to stop cyber bullying. The school bans its students from using social networking websites on school computers and has held presentations on the subject.  Several students also take part in a Federal Government cyber-bullying program, but Ascham acknowledges there's a limit to what schools can do to stop children using social networking sites, and experts agree.

“It is very difficult to stop them,” said Dr Campbell. “In fact, what we actually need to do is more about educating them of why this is so harmful and why it's so hurtful.”

Read entire transcript: http://tinyurl.com/p4jaug

What can we do about cyber-bullying?

Marilyn Campbell, ABC Radio “Unleashed” 16 April 2009

If we are all going to work towards reducing bullying and especially cyber-bullying then we all have to know what it is and what it is not.

Not only do many adults confuse fighting and bullying but they also confuse cyber-bullying and paedophilia. They think that anything bad which happens via technology like paedophilia, pornography, Internet addiction and cyber-bullying are the same. They are not and that is important because the solutions for different problems are different.

Even if we all agree on what bullying and cyber-bullying is there is no easy and quick-fix solution. Bullying and cyber-bullying are historical, deeply embedded, complex social relationship problems.

Technological solutions are not going to significantly reduce cyber-bullying. Blocking and deleting bullying comments is like being told to ignore the bullying. Like, just ignore the pain and humiliation and don't complain.

So is there anything positive that we can do?

Yes there are things that we can do to reduce bullying and cyber-bullying. But if we agree bullying is a complex pattern of social relationships modelled in our society, then everybody has to be involved - parents, schools, governments and students.

Read entire transcript: http://tinyurl.com/cjsl7m  

Fighting back at cyber-bullying

Canberra Times 16 May 2009 (AAP)

Deborah Brown from the Child Health Promotion Research Centre at Edith Cowan University in Western Australia says studies show up to 25% of young Australians have been bullied online.  Cyber-bullying can have various definitions but it often refers to the use of mobile phones or the internet to send abusive or degrading messages or images. 

A study by the centre called Friendly Schools Bullying Intervention Project found early intervention and education involving an entire school reduced reported bullying behaviours.  Dr Brown directs the Cyber Friendly Schools project, which aims to engage parents, students and the wider community to develop strategies to reduce cyber-bullying.  She says it is reasonable to hope bullying can be stamped out.

“The more people communicate about this problem, the more young people are encouraged to talk to other people, the less it’s going to happen,” she said.

Read more about the Friendly Schools Bullying Intervention project, including the publications from the research: http://tinyurl.com/patd2p  

Read about the next step, Friendly Schools & Friendly Families: The bullying intervention program that really works at: http://tinyurl.com/pu9g8g  

NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Bullying of Children & Young People

NSW Commissioner for Children and Young People Gillian Calvert told the Inquiry  - which commenced in December 2008 and will report later this year, “There is a lot of bullying and competition in our world, which kids observe and model themselves on.”

She said technology shouldn’t be blamed for online harassment. 

“It’s a new platform which has some particular features about it which can make the impact of the bullying much greater than it might be if it was confined to a sports area or the schoolyard.”

Ms Calvert hopes bullying can become a rare event through early intervention.

“One of the most critical things we can do is to help our children to learn how to control their impulses and regulate their feelings.  What happens in those early years really sets them up for the rest of their lives.”

Source: AAP article (above)  published in Canberra Times 16 May 2009

Find out more about the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry, including dates and transcripts of public hearings and read submissions online: http://tinyurl.com/p4aclw

Are You a Cyber-smart Parent?

How You And Your Family Can Make The Most Of The Internet, While Protecting Your Children From The Worst.

The internet offers a fantastic new world of experience for your kids. It can be fun, educational and rewarding. But, like the real world, the internet also has its dangers.

Just as we encourage kids to behave in certain ways when dealing with strangers, watching television, or buying magazines in the real world, we also need to guide them how to act appropriately online.

Cyber-smart Kids Online offers a host of tips to help you and your family get the most out of the net safely:

From the Website http://www.cybersmartkids.com.au – an information resource for children, parents and teachers developed by the Australian Communications Authority – including an array of online teaching and learning resources for schools at: http://tinyurl.com/pnh36u  

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AMTA: Working with parents and children to cope with cyber-bullying

Randal Markey, Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA)

Children these days use mobile phones as if they were second nature. They have mastered the technology and can use a wide range of applications, including social networking and accessing the internet. They are short on life skills and experience, but in the technology stakes they know it all.  But with this facility goes a capacity for misuse which leads to unacceptable things like cyber-bullying.

Parents, on the other hand, struggle to keep up with their children when it comes to technology, including mobile phones.  However, they know a thing or two about how the world works and what is acceptable behaviour and what is not.

The mobile telecommunications industry in Australia aims to achieve an economically successful industry. The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) is the industry's peak body. Its role and charter is much broader than just the bottom line.

People everywhere use mobile telecommunications technologies as an important part of their lifestyles and the way they interact with family, friends, work and the community.  We know parents value mobile phones as a way of staying in touch with their children.  We believe that the positive aspects of mobiles far outweigh the negative.

However, we are committed to providing practical advice to help prevent the misuse and promote the safe, responsible and affordable use of mobile telecommunications.

Read more at http://www.acsso.org.au/amta090519.pdf

PARENTAL INTERNET CONTROL

Internet Filtering and Monitoring Software

In January 2008 Choice, the magazine of the Australian Consumers Association, tested 15 internet filtering products: Cyber Patrol, CYBERsitter, Cyber Sentinel, Filterpak, Integard, iProtect You, K9 Web Protection, NetMop, NetNanny 5, Optenet Web Filter, ParentalControl Bar, Parental Filter, Safe Eyes (Mac), Safe Eyes (PC) and We-Blocker.

While viewing the full results of the test requires paid access to Choice online (http://www.choice.com.au/), the following points in summary were made available free:

• Net filtering can help prevent children from accessing undesirable web content.
• Net filters aren’t foolproof and may not block all types of content.
• They can mistakenly filter out 'safe' content and sites.
• They’re not a substitute for proper parental supervision.
• Some free software can perform as well as commercial programs.

Since then, a number of products have emerged that focus on positively managing the relationship between parents, children and the web. Bearing in mind the advice of the Australian Consumers Association, newer filtering and monitoring systems worth exploring include:

Kidswatch

KidsWatch parental control software is your fastest and easiest solution to safeguard your children's' Internet experience and maximize the efficiency of the time they spend on the computer.

Parents can set computer usage time limits, by child; ensuring homework is a priority over:

• Internet chats, including Instant Messaging.
• YouTube, FaceBook and MySpace Web Visits.
• Online Gaming, Gaming Software Downloads, Music Downloads, and more.

Read more at http://www.kidswatch.com

SCHOOL PERFORMANCE

Devil in the detail: the fear behind league tables

Anna Patty, Sydney Morning Herald, May 11, 2009

Not since January 1997, when a newspaper branded Mount Druitt High School the "class we failed", have NSW parents seen comprehensive school league tables.

In NSW legislation has prevented the publication of school rankings based on raw test results from the HSC and the literacy and numeracy tests given to primary school children.

Until 1997 the university entrance rank for all students was published, providing a single measure for schools to be compared.

In the case of Mount Druitt High School the media discovered that all its year 12 students received a university entrance rank below 45.

The only HSC results the government makes public now are scores of 90 per cent and above. The NSW Board of Studies does not make public any information about middle-ranking or low-performing students.

Read entire article: http://tinyurl.com/ocy2an

LANGUAGES EDUCATION

Endeavour Language Teacher Fellowships

The 2010 Endeavour Language Teacher Fellowships for Practising and Trainee Languages Teachers (ELTF) are part of the broader Australian Government’s Endeavour Awards which offer opportunities to practising and trainee (pre-service) languages teachers to improve their language proficiency and cultural knowledge through intensive, short-term study programs. 

The Asia Education Foundation manages the ELTF program on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment, and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).

The 2010 ELTF study programs will take place over a three-week period from late December 2009. Programs will be offered for practising teachers of Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Bahasa Indonesia in Jordan, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Spain, and Darwin respectively.

Trainee teachers are eligible to apply for the study programs in Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Bahasa Indonesia.
 
Applications close on Friday 29 May 2009.

Read more at  http://tinyurl.com/osv3d5

ELTF Group Leaders

In conjunction to ELTF Awards applications, the AEF is seeking 'Expressions of Interest’ for Group Leaders for the 2010 ELTF study programs, specifically:

Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Bahasa Indonesia in Jordan, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Spain, and Darwin respectively. 

Information on these roles and how to apply is available upon request from:

Ms Sophie Howlett, Project Manager, Endeavour Language Teachers Fellowships, Asia Education Foundation, mailto:s.howlett@asialink.unimelb.edu.au.

HOMEWORK

Conclusions About Homework

Robert J Marzano, “The Art and Science of Teaching”

One conclusion that can be supported is that research over the years has demonstrated an overall positive effect of homework on student achievement. Witness the effect sizes for the synthesis studies reported in Figure 3.3 and Cooper, Robinson, and Patall's (2006) statement that it would not be imprudent to conclude that homework causes improved achievement. Noting these findings, many issues still remain. The following cautions and recommendations seem appropriate given the current research on homework:

• Homework should be structured to ensure high completion rates.
• The amount of time assigned for homework should be carefully considered as well as the grade levels at which homework is assigned. The research on the differential effects at different grade levels and the diminishing returns for homework when time becomes excessive are compelling. No clear rules have emerged from that research, other than these: 
  • The younger the student, the less homework teachers should assign. 
  • The amount of homework that is assigned should not present a burden to parents or students. 
• Homework should have a well-articulated purpose. Epstein (Epstein, 2001; Epstein & Van Voorhis, 2001) identifies a number of reasons why homework is commonly assigned and discusses the legitimacy of each. She emphasizes that homework assigned for punishment or to demonstrate to the public that a school is a serious place of study is not very defensible. Commenting on Epstein's work, Good and Brophy (2003) note that they believe that the most defensible purposes for homework are practice, preparation, and parent–child relations (p. 395). 
• Homework should relate directly to identified learning goals. As discussed in Chapter 1, every unit of instruction should have a small set of clear learning goals. Each homework assignment should be directly and explicitly tied to these learning goals. 
• Homework should be designed so that students can perform it independently. By definition homework is meant to be done by students without the help of a teacher overseeing the process. 
• Homework should involve parents and guardians in appropriate ways. Operationally, this means that parents and guardians should be provided with guidelines regarding how to help with homework. Roderique and colleagues (1994) report that only 35 percent of school districts have written homework policies that provide even general guidelines.

Quoted ASCD Inservice Blog 12 May 2009.  Read complete chapter of Marzano’s 2007 book online at: http://tinyurl.com/rayuaq  

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Early childhood education 'increasingly unaffordable'

ABC News, 12 May 2009

A new report has found pre-school education in New South Wales is becoming increasingly unaffordable for parents because of inadequate state Government funding.

The New South Wales Children Services Forum report found pre-school fees had jumped by about 18 per cent over the past three years.

The Forum says community based pre-schools in New South Wales receive less Government funding than those in other states.

Alison Peters from the Council of Social Service of New South Wales, which convenes the Forum, says the state Government needs to provide more funding.

Read entire article: http://tinyurl.com/o2hrqw  

ABC2 Group child care centres update

Hon Julia Gillard MP, Minister for Education, 15 May 2009

The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard today welcomed the confirmation provided by the Court Appointed Receivers (CAR) for the ABC2 Group, Stephen Parbery and Daniel Bryant of PPB that the transfer of ABC2 centres to new operators is continuing.

It is expected that more than 210 centres will continue with new operators.  The Government will continue to support these centres while the sales process is completed to ensure continuity of care for children and provide some certainty for parents and employees.

PPB now expects that only around 16 centres will close, down from the expectation on 15 April 2009 that 19 centres would need to close.  For those centres that will close, sufficient alternative long day care places have been found in nearby centres to ensure all of the affected families have had the option of care in their local area.

Read entire release: http://tinyurl.com/oeshz3  

IMPROVING TEACHER QUALITY

Relief loans for teacher grads

Justine Ferrari, The Australian, May 13, 2009

TEACHER training will be boosted by $108 million over the next four years by increasing student fees, but graduates who pursue a career in the classroom will have their loan repayments offset as part of a suite of measures to improve the quality of teaching.

The cost of teaching courses will increase by about $1000 a year, but to encourage students into the profession, the repayments graduates make under the Higher Education Loan Program will be reduced by an annual $1536 for a maximum of five years.

From next year, teaching students will be charged the maximum student contribution, rising from $4162 to $5201, in response to lobbying from universities that education degrees were underfunded, creating a disincentive to invest in the courses.

Combined with reforms removing the quota on students who could be enrolled in each course to make universities compete for enrolments, the Government hopes the extra money for teaching will make universities provide better-quality teaching courses.

Read entire article: http://tinyurl.com/osto8n  

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TERTIARY EDUCATION

Unis say they'll still rely on foreign student fees

Farrah Tomazin & Dan Harrison, The Age, May 14, 2009

UNIVERSITY chiefs warn they will still have to rely on international student fees and teaching funds to cross-subsidise research because of delays in changes to the Government's education budget.

As part of Tuesday's budget, the Government promised an extra $813 million for university research, and $578 million to improve the indexation of government grants.

But while the changes have been welcomed, vice-chancellors say the fact they do not begin for several years means universities will continue to rely on international student income and other revenue to fill shortfalls.

The funding to cover indirect research costs (such as equipment and salaries) will not rise from 20 cents to 50 cents in the dollar until 2014, while improved indexation will not phase in for another three years.

Read entire article: http://tinyurl.com/ourzzj  

Higher education budget a flop: Pyne

Sydney Morning Herald, May 13, 2009 (AAP)

The federal coalition says university funding announced in the budget is only a third of what the government's own Bradley review recommended.

Opposition education spokesman Christopher Pyne said Labor had promised a revolution in higher education but failed to deliver.

"They have failed to seriously address the concerns held by the sector," Mr. Pyne said in a statement.

"The government's claim that they are planting the seeds of future growth by supporting world-class universities is ridiculous."

Mr. Pyne said the new funding was "about a third of what the Bradley review recommended".

Read entire article: http://tinyurl.com/peh9u9  

AROUND THE STATES & TERRITORIES

ACT: ACT teacher pay 'uncompetitive'

ABC News, 18 May 2009

ACT teachers say they are prepared to fight the Territory Government over wages.

The ACT Education Union has condemned the Budget's provision for teacher salaries saying it represents wage restraint.

Secretary Penny Gilmour says the Government had agreed to a 3 per cent salary increase - but the Budget only accommodates a 2 per cent rise in the first year and 2.5 per cent in later years of the agreement.

She says it increases the pay gap between both their interstate counterparts and ACT non-government teachers.

"It maintains a competitive salary at the beginning of the teacher's pay scale in the ACT but currently today at the top of the scale, ACT teachers are 4.9 per cent behind their un-promoted counterparts in NSW," she said.

"And when the next round of increases come in in schools in the non-government sector in the ACT in July this year, there will be an 8 per cent gap in the congregational schools and as high as 10 per cent in the Anglican schools in the ACT."

Read entire article: http://tinyurl.com/r7p69u  

NSW: Premier Nathan Rees takes cash from public schools

Bruce McDougall, Daily Telegraph, May 11, 2009

PRINCIPALS are accusing the Rees Government of a "grubby grab" for more than $12 million in unspent funds sitting in school bank accounts.

The taxpayer money is earmarked for special needs and disabled students and those from poor families in public primary and high schools. School heads are furious they will not be allowed to keep the unspent funds, saying the money is desperately needed.

Data obtained under Freedom of Information by the NSW Opposition shows that schools such as Ingleburn High in Sydney's southwest have up to $80,000 of unspent special grants money sitting in the bank.

In disability funding alone, Morisset High has $75,000 unspent, Mount View High at Cessnock $67,000, Casino High $67,000, Lithgow Public $64,000 and Blacktown West Public $55,000.

The Department of Education and Training has told principals unspent money will be "taken into account" when deciding the amount of funding they will receive this year.

Read entire article:  http://tinyurl.com/odhhna  

NSW: Rise in young teachers leaving profession

ABC News, May 17, 2009

New figures have revealed a large increase in the number of young teachers in New South Wales leaving the profession.

The figures obtained under freedom of information laws by the Opposition show that the number of teachers resigning after four years in the job has increased by almost 20 per cent since 2006.

It is a similar increase for teachers with up to nine years experience.

Opposition education spokesman Adrian Piccoli says young teachers need more support from the Government.

"The figures published today are of great concern because not only are we losing teachers who are retiring but we're losing teachers who've only been in for a few years," he said.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/p8tz9f  

NT: Improving Early Childhood Outcomes

Paul Henderson, Education Minister, 14 May, 2009

A national survey that will help strengthen services and resources for the early childhood sector is being conducted in the Northern Territory.

The Education Minister Paul Henderson visited Karama Primary School today where transition teachers have completed the Australian Early Development Index (AEDI).

He said the survey is about measuring the services provided to our children that help mould them before they enter school.

“Building a solid foundation provides our children with the best chance of educational success, health and well being,” Mr Henderson said.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/o77l67

QLD: Education faces up to testing times

Editorial comment, Courier Mail, May 11, 2009

Queensland parents will be especially interested in the results of the National Assessment Program's Literacy and Numeracy diagnostic tests.

Late last year, the Bligh Government was embarrassed by earlier NAPLAN scores - and by the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study - that placed Queensland children almost at the bottom of the Australian scholarly pile. Of the eight states and territories, only children in the Northern Territory performed worse.

Queensland students emerged seventh in reading and writing in Years 3, 5 and 9; seventh in spelling, punctuation and grammar for Years 3 and 5; seventh in mathematics for Years 3, 4 and 5; and last in science, placing Year 4 Queensland children lower than kids in Kazakhstan.

It was such an appalling outcome for the Smart State that Premier Anna Bligh last December commissioned Professor Geoff Masters to inquire into our deficiencies. It was a report received with great fanfare, with a sense that, this time, bureaucrats wouldn't sit on their hands but act with haste and zeal to improve Queensland schools.

But, since Professor Masters delivered his report 10 days ago, the Government has gone silent, with not so much as a press release to keep public interest alive in what is undoubtedly Queensland's most intractable development crisis after the global financial meltdown.

Read entire article: http://tinyurl.com/p47sua 

QLD: Private school teachers support state colleagues' strike

ABC News, 18 May 2009

About 14,000 independent school teachers will hold meetings in Queensland today in support of their state school counterparts.

State school teachers will strike tomorrow, after rejecting the Government's 12.5 per cent wage rise offer.

Terry Burke from the Queensland Independent Education Union says members will hold lunchtime meetings at 550 schools across the state.

He says public school wages set a benchmark for their pay.

"It's absolutely essential that the Queensland Government responds to the QTU claim for professional rates of pay," he said.

"In the absence of those rates of pay Queensland teachers will remain amongst the lowest paid in the country and we just can't have that."

Source: http://tinyurl.com/ogrhnt  

SA: Regions 'pressured' to support super schools

ABC News, May 14, 2009

The South Australian branch of the Education Union says the Government is pressuring country communities to support the amalgamation of 44 regional schools and pre-schools.

The union is touring regional areas to gauge community opinion on the plan to build nine super schools before the June 30 deadline for community submissions.

Union president Correna Haythorpe says the Education Department is incorrectly telling parents and teachers that federal building funding will be available to them if they support the amalgamations.

"They're saying that if schools don't sign up in the next six weeks, they'll miss out on the opportunity to use this funding to achieve something great for their communities," she said.

Read entire article: http://tinyurl.com/pjl72u  

SA: Students guided to a world of opportunities

Hon Jane Lomax Smith MP, SA Minister for Education, 12 May 2009

Flinders University students are mentoring a group of Christies Beach High School students to help them become the first in their family to go to university.  The initiative is part of a Rann Government program called First Generation, being run in partnership with the State’s three major universities at 23 schools this year.

First Generation is one of four School to Work programs receiving a total of $5.7m in funds over three years as part of the new South Australian Certificate of Education.

Education Minister Jane Lomax-Smith says any initiative that encourages young people to strive for their absolute best is worthwhile.

“We are proud to have introduced the First Generation program which aims to break down the preconceived ideas some students may have about their ability to attend university.  Many students don’t know anyone who has studied at university and may think it is out of their reach. This program helps to change those perceptions.

“As well as raising students’ aspirations, the First Generation program is an innovative way of also involving tertiary students in career development and contributing back to the community.”

Read entire release: http://tinyurl.com/qm3wlx  

SA: Annual Report shows school retention improvement

Hon Jane Lomax-Smith MP, SA Minister for Education, 15 May 2009

South Australia’s increasing school retention rates have overtaken the national average – and the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous student retention is narrowing.

Education Minister Jane Lomax-Smith says the State’s 2008 full time equivalent retention rate of 75.3% is at a 13-year high and is tracking at four percentage points above the national average.

“It’s great that more young South Australians are choosing to stay in school and take advantage of the more flexible opportunities on offer,” Dr Lomax-Smith says.  “This includes school-based apprenticeships through our 10 Trade Schools for the Future where students can learn academic skills and hands on work qualifications.

“The Social Inclusion Board’s successful ICAN programs are giving new opportunities to students most at risk of leaving school early.

“This year we raised the compulsory education age to 17 and started the new SACE for Year 10 students with a compulsory new subject called the Personal Learning Plan.

“I’m particularly pleased that, in the past 10 years, the gap between the retention of Aboriginal students and all students has reduced from 45% to 27% percentage points.

Read entire release: http://tinyurl.com/p6zxe9

TAS: University of Tasmania welcomes research windfall

ABC News, May 13, 2009

The University of Tasmania is celebrating a $90 million windfall from the Federal Budget.

Vice-Chancellor Daryl LeGrew says the funds will help build the university's research profile.

He says $45 million will go towards the Menzies Research Institute, to fund the second phase of the new Research Institute and School of Medicine building in Hobart.

Professor LeGrew says another $45 million will be spent on the university's new Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/pry7nt  

VIC: Education Week Helping Your Child to Shine

Education Minister Bronwyn Pike and Children and Early Childhood Development Minister Maxine Morand, 15 May 2009

Education is taking centre stage across the state this week as Victoria showcases the great work happening in kindergartens and schools during Education Week celebrations from May 17-23.

Education Minister Bronwyn Pike and Children and Early Childhood Development Minister Maxine Morand said the week was a great chance for the community to connect with local schools and kindergartens and see the very best in modern education.

Thousands of students and children throughout Victoria will enjoy a calendar of free activities including gallery tours, circus workshops, science demonstrations and environmental activities.

“Education is the Brumby Government’s number one priority and there has never been a bigger effort or investment in the Victorian education system than there is right now to give young people every opportunity to shine,” Ms Pike said.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/pycgjv

WA: Parents and schools embrace healthy eating policy

Education Minister Liz Constable, 18 May 2009

A quarter of parents of school-aged children in Western Australia are buying healthier foods as a result of the State Government’s strict standards for public school canteen menus.

Education Minister Liz Constable said a major new study of attitudes towards the ‘Healthy Food and Drink Policy’ also showed overwhelming parent support, with 91 per cent saying it was a good opportunity to teach their children healthy eating habits.

Dr Constable said The University of Western Australia study, funded by Healthway and the Department of Education and Training, vindicated the strong commitment in WA to tackling childhood obesity and poor nutrition.

“WA public schools have the strictest guidelines in Australia with deep-fried foods, confectionery and soft drinks all banned from canteen menus,” she said.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/oyws4f

WA: State Budget 2009-10: Education and Training

Education Minister Liz Constable, 14 May 2009

A record $4.1billion will be spent on education and training services in Western Australia over the coming year, an 11.4 per cent increase on the previous year.

Education Minister Liz Constable said that despite the tough economic climate, the State Government had given priority to education and training in this year’s Budget.

She said the Budget included the most comprehensive schools asset improvement program in WA’s history, totalling $1.066billion.

Dr Constable said there had also been increased spending in key areas of behaviour improvement, pastoral care and numeracy and literacy.

“Behaviour improvement has become a real issue of concern in our schools over the past decade and it is clear that more needs to be done in this area,” she said.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/os2vc7

CONFERENCES & EVENTS

Education, Policy and Research Forum

Signposts: Research points to how Victorian government schools have improved student performance

5 June 2009, Sofitel Melbourne

How do some Victorian schools improve student success and sustain high performance, regardless of student characteristics?

How are these practices transferable?

What are the starting points for schools wishing to implement, strengthen and sustain the practices that lead to success?

Take this opportunity to hear from schools that participated in recent DEECD research, and engage in discussion which will assist in school improvement. The Signposts Forum and publications will include
a range of evidence and details of the behaviours and practices in schools that really make a difference.

RSVP by Monday, 25 May 2009 to Larissa Staszko mailto:staszko.larissa.c@edumail.vic.gov.au.

The report Signposts: Research points to how Victorian government schools have improved student performance will be available on the Research website mid May.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/ob36xs

REMINDERS

March-May - Teaching Australia Workshops and Masterclasses - locations around Australia - http://www.teachingaustralia.edu.au

18-24 May - National Online Conference for Parents - http://www.parentsvictoria.asn.au

21 May - Education 09 - London, UK - http://www.govnet.co.uk/education/

25 May - Boys & Learning Conference - Parramatta, NSW - https://aben-2009.schoolevent.org

26 May - Boys & Learning Conference - Melbourne, VIC - https://aben-2009.schoolevent.org

31 May - Australian Rural Education Awards nominations close - http://www.spera.edu.au

15-16 June - Communities in Control Conference - Melbourne, VIC - http://www.ourcommunity.com.au/cic2009

19 June - Nominations close for Australian Awards for Teaching Excellence - http://www.teachingaustralia.edu.au

4-7 July - Contasta Science Education Conference - Launceston, TAS - http://www.cdesign.com.au/conasta58

5-8 July - World Conference on Higher Education - Paris, France - http://portal.unesco.org/education/en/ev.php-URL_ID=56642&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

5-10 July - Youth ANZAAS 2009 - Melbourne, Victoria - http://www.anzaas.org.au/youth.html

8-10 July - SPERA National Conference - Flinders University, SA - http://www.spera.edu.au//conferences/callforpapers.pdf

9 July - Registration closes for Environmental Song for Australia Contest - http://www.imex.net.au/envsoncont.html

13-16 July - Conference of the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers - Fremantle, WA - http://www.aamt.edu.au/2009-conference

31 July - Nominations close for ASG Inspirational Teacher Awards - http://www.neita.com

31 July-1 August - NSW Federation of Parents' & Citizens' Associations Annual Conference - Penrith, NSW - http://www.pandc.org.au/annual-conference.seo

6-7 August - Professional Development Network School Leaders' Conference - Gold Coast, QLD - http://www.griffith.edu.au/conference/professional-development-network-leadership-conference-2009

13-14 August - Isolated Children's Parents' Assoc. of Australia Federal Conference - Longreach, QLD - http://www.icpa.com.au

2-4 September - ARACY Conference - Melbourne, VIC - http://www.aracyconference.org.au

26-28 September - ACEL International Conference - Darwin, NT - http://www.acel.org.au/index.php?id=858

2-4 October - Australian Curriculum Studies Association Biennial Conference - Canberra, ACT - http://www.acsa.edu.au

12-13 October - ACSSO National Conference - Hobart, Tasmania - http://www.acsso.org.au/natconf09/

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ACSSO EMAIL NEWSLETTERS

• Australian Education Digest : http://www.acsso.org.au/aed.htm (weekly)
• International News Roundup : http://www.acsso.org.au/international-news-roundup (monthly)
• Values Education : http://www.valuesineducation.org.au/news.htm (monthly)
• Languages Education : http://www.languageseducation.com/news.htm (monthly)
• Ensemble - Music Education : http://www.ensemble.org.au/news.htm (monthly)
• Family School Partners : http://www.familyschool.org.au/?page_id=6 (quarterly)
• Public Education Voice : http://www.acsso.org.au/pev.htm (quarterly)

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