February 2024 Newsletter

I trust this message finds you well and energized. As we step into the new year, I extend a heartfelt welcome back to each of you after what I hope was a rejuvenating holiday season.

The National AI Schools Taskforce has released a new framework to assist Australian schools in ethically and safely integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their systems. This framework responds to experts who have urged educational institutions to adapt to the rapid improvements in AI technology or risk becoming obsolete.

One Talk at a Time’ aims to help prevent child sexual abuse by encouraging adults to learn about the issue and have ongoing, proactive, preventative conversations with children, young people and other adults. The campaign is aimed at adults with children and young people in their lives.

In this edition of ACSSO eNews, we turn our focus to the crucial role of play and prosocial behaviours in supporting the well-being and development of children and adolescents. In this issue, we are excited to share a series of resources and insights, primarily sourced from the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS), highlighting the importance of engaging with local environments and communities for childhood wellbeing.

Join Andrew Fuller as he delves into the dynamic journey of parenting teenagers. Understanding the changing role of parents during the critical transition from adolescence to young adulthood is crucial. We will provide insightful guidance on what to say (and what not to say) to your teens, emphasising the power of effective communication and the art of listening. Discover how to genuinely connect and check in with your teens, supporting them as they navigate the complexities of growing up. This edition promises to be an invaluable resource for parents looking to foster strong, understanding relationships with their young adults. Stay tuned for tips and strategies that can make this journey smoother and more fulfilling for both you and your teen.

First Nations kids often struggle to express their cultural values in their schooling and employment, balancing their own values with those expected in their schools and the world of work.

Each year, national education non-profit Schools Plus with the support of some of Australia’s leading philanthropists chaired by David Gonski AC, and in partnership with Commonwealth Bank celebrates inspirational teachers who are making a transformative impact on children and school communities around Australia.

The Smith Family's Dr. Kirsten Hancock, Professor Patricia Graczyk from the University of Illinois and Caroline Fishpool from the South Australian Department for Education, will explore recent Australian and international declines in school attendance, discuss what's not working to address this, and highlight approaches to help students attend school. This discussion, moderated by The Smith Family's CEO Doug Taylor, will particularly offer insights on evidence-based strategies to get school attendance back on track.

School News is the definitive education industry portal providing a valuable and informative resource for decision-makers in Australia.

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Grace, Bella, Jehanne, Erin, Hannah (absent), Chloe, Charlotte and Modesty (absent) have all been successful in receiving a Harding Miller Education Foundation Scholarship.