TasLearnNewsArchive

News for Tasmanian Teachers

 

Archive for September 2016

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STUDENT SUPPORT
Transgender students prompt training call
ABC News, 2 Oct 2016
IssuesFollowing a significant increase in the number of Tasmanian transgender students seeking assistance, support organisation Working It Out's spokeswoman Susan Ditter has called for increased teacher training on LGBTI issues.
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Bullet Tas primary school student's transition story (video), ABC News, 2 Oct 2016
Bullet How to avoid offending transgender people, ABC News, 2 Oct 2016

SPORT
Western Bulldogs win Grand Final
news.com.au, 1 Oct 2016
Western BulldogsThe Western Bulldogs have finally achieved their dream, defeating the Sydney Swans to win the 2016 AFL Grand Final, 13.11.89 to 10.7.67.
..

STUDENT HEALTH AND NUTRITION
Junk food supremos
The Examiner, 1 Oct 2016
fruitWith Tasmanians being named by the CSIRO's 2016 Healthy Diet Score as the highest consumers of junk foods in Australia, UTAS researcher Benjamin Schüz says better healthy choice education at school and at home is needed.
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WEATHER ALERT
Flood warnings continue
ABC News, 1 Oct 2016
TasmaniaThe worst of the rain is over but flood warnings remain.
.
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Bullet BoM warnings - including FLOOD warnings
Bullet Road closures (Tas Police)

WEATHER DAMAGE
No power in SA
ABC News, 28 Sep 2016
South AustraliaThe whole of South Australia was without power late this afternoon following lightning strikes and storm damage, with the initial spotlight of blame pointing to "interconnector issues" and South Australia's unique combination of energy sources.
However, as at 10.15pm power has been restored to many areas.
..

SA weather map

Max Walker (Image: ABC News)TASMANIAN LEGENDS
Max Walker dies
ABC News, 28 Sep 2016
Australian cricketer and well-known Tasmanian Max Walker has died at the age of 68.
.
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Bullet Max Walker dies after battle with cancer, The Mercury, 28 Sep 2016

TASMANIAN SCHOOLS
Building projects brought forward
The Examiner, 27 Sep 2016
Northern TasmaniaPlanned building works at several schools will be undertaken earlier under the state government's Northern Economic Stimulus Package:
- Riverside Primary
- St Marys District
- Queechy High
- East Devonport Primary.
.
..

STUDENT ATTENDANCE
Student attendance data released
Tas Govt media release, 27 Sep 2016
Tas GovtAs a result of a request from a Member of Parliament, the DoE has released student attendance data for Tasmanian high schools...
Bullet Student attendance document (DoE) [pdf]
Bullet DoE Right to Information web page
Bullet
School absence levels too high, The Examiner, 27 Sep 2016

Bill Mollison (Image: ABC News)TASMANIAN LEGENDS
Bill Mollison dies
ABC News, 26 Sep 2016
Bill Mollison, the Tasmanian who became world famous as the co-founder of permaculture, in which growers work in a sustainable way with nature instead of continually fighting natural processes, has died at the age of 88.
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SUPERANNUATION
Legislation bungle harming RBF members
The Mercury (opinion by Greg Barnes), 26 Sep 2016
RBFMany retired teachers and other public servants on low defined benefits pensions (the RBF system that closed to new members in 1999) are unfairly losing Commonwealth age pension benefits as a result of all three major parties apparently having misunderstood the full implications of a law they passed in the Federal Parliament to target "fat cat" superannuants, a well-known columnist writes.
..

STUDENT MANAGEMENT
All students had to walk with hands behind back
The Telegraph, 23 Sep 2016
UK flagFollowing outrage from parents, a British primary school has quietly abandoned its requirement that all students clasp their hands behind their backs when walking in corridors, a procedure which was introduced "to strengthen pupil safety, further raise the aspirations of pupils and to maximise learning time."   ...

NW TasmaniaTASMANIAN SCHOOLS
Parklands start
Tas Govt media release, 26 Sep 2016
Major reconstruction work worth $10.64 million has begun at Parklands High School, education minister Jeremy Rockliff said today.
..

Hillary ClintonUS ELECTION
Clinton's plan for education
NPR, 25 Sep 2016
Hillary Clinton has emphasised the link between investing in education and economic growth, and has made a point of outlining her policies for early childhood, K-12 schools and university levels.
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Donald TrumpUS ELECTION
Trump's plan for education
NPR, 25 Sep 2016
Donald Trump has so far issued no detailed educational policies but he has made many comments which this analysis groups under local control, Common Core, school choice, higher education and child care.
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Health and educationEDUCATION AND HEALTH
Education for health
The Mercury (opinion by Graham Bury), 24 Sep 2016
There needs to be greater understanding of the link between better education and improved health outcomes, a retired doctor and administrator writes.
..

EDUCATION FUNDING
Funding assurance
Tas Govt media release, 23 Sep 2016
Simon BirminghamFederal education minister Simon Birmingham has assured state minister Jeremy Rockliff that Tasmania will be no worse off under proposed education funding changes. However, negotiations have not yet been completed.
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Bullet Funding confusion, The Mercury (editorial), 24 Sep 2016
Bullet Positive funding discussions at Education Council; online NAPLAN testing also discussed, Press conference transcript issued by Simon Birmingham, 23 Sep 2016

LITERACY
Comics helped early readers
The Mercury (opinion by Ian Cole), 23 Sep 2016
PhantomThe oft-denounced comic book can be a great informal help for youngsters learning to read, a former teacher writes .
..

EDUCATION ACT
$2.5m for education and care services
Tas Govt media release, 22 Sep 2016
Tas GovtThe state government will provide more than $2.5 million for early childhood centres and to assist with university education and care qualifications, education minister Jeremy Rockliff said today in promoting the proposed new Education Act.
..

EDUCATION FUNDING
Gonski funding would have favoured Tasmania
The Conversation (opinion by Michelle Grattan), 22 Sep 2016
GonskiFederal education minister Simon Birmingham has vowed to avoid the kind of inequities in the Gonski funding model that would give 40 per cent more funding to Tasmanian disadvantaged schools than similar schools in Western Australia.
..

Bullet New education funding negotiations commence tomorrow, ABC AM interview with Simon Birmingham, 22 Sep 2916
Bullet Education ministers to meet over funding, The Examiner, 22 Sep 2016
Bullet Coalition pursuing a "less cash, more caveats" model, The Conversation (opinion by Glenn C. Savage and Steven Lewis), 23 Sep 2016
Bullet New funding agreement must cater for Tasmania's educational disadvantages, The Mercury (editorial), 23 Sep 2016
Bullet The battle is on, The Mercury, 23 Sep 2016

CHANGES TO THE EDUCATION ACT
Education Bill revealed
Tas Govt media release, 21 Sep 2016
Tas GovtThe Bill to change the Education Act was tabled this morning. It covers school starting and finishing ages and requirements, handling unexplained school absences, dual enrolment for students with a disability, partial enrolment of home-educated students, sharing student behaviour information, and the Schools Registration Board.
..

Bullet Reforms support the marginalised, Jacquie Petrusma, Minister for Human Services, 21 Sep 2016
Bullet Starting age lobbying begins, The Mercury, 21 Sep 2016
Bullet Home educators' concerns; wider range of student needs to be handled in a class, Andrea Dawkins, Greens education spokesperson, 21 Sep 2016
Bullet Non-government schools support lower starting ages, The Mercury, 22 Sep 2016
Bullet Govt's plan enables the system to fit the child, The Mercury (opinion by Frances Underwood), 22 Sep 2016
Bullet Starting age changes supported, The Mercury (Editorial), 22 Sep 2016

EXAMINATIONS
Maths teachers blamed for exam shock
nzherald.co.nz, 20 Sep 2016
New Zealand flagIn response to widespread complaints by New Zealand principals, students and teachers that a maths exam contained questions that were too hard and totally unexpected, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority says the teachers had not taught the students well enough.
..

STUDENT HEALTH AND NUTRITION
Healthy habits: $2m for Tas schools
Tas Govt media release, 20 Sep 2016
fruitTasmanian schools can partner with community organisations to apply for a share of $2 million to be made available through the state government's Student Health Initiative, education minister Jeremy Rockliff announced today...

Colin BarnettMAINLAND POLITICS
WA premier survives
ABC News, 20 Sep 2016
Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett has survived his party's leadership spill motion, 31 votes to 15...

TasmaniaEDUCATION AND THE TASMANIAN ECONOMY
Education key to plans
The Mercury (editorial), 20 Sep 2016
Adequate education funding and reforms to raise educational attainment are key to improving the local economy and the future well-being of all Tasmanians, according to the Mercury's editorial...

Dept of Education and TrainingCOMPUTER LITERACY
Digital literacy grants available
Aust Govt media release, 19 Sep 2016
Schools seeking funds to develop  new methods of teaching digital literacy have until Friday 28 October 2016 to apply, federal education minister Simon Birmingham said today ...

Teacher assistant (Image: ecertifiedlearning.co.uk)STUDENT SUPPORT
How to raise expectations
The Conversation (opinion by Misty Adoniou), 19 Sep 2016
Students with English as a second language and students with a disability need teacher assistants who are properly qualified, not just teacher assistants who are caring, an associate professor writes.
..

FacebookSOCIAL MEDIA
Photo-sharing test case?
news.com.au, 19 Sep 2016
An 18-year-old Austrian whose parents had shared potty-training and other childhood photos of her on Facebook is now suing them for violating her rights to a personal life.
..

Early learningEARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Play-based learning boost
Tas Govt media release, 19 Sep 2016
The state government will spend an additional $3 million on play-based early learning facilities, education minister Jeremy Rockliff announced today  ..
..

Frank MacDonaldWW1 COMMEMORATIONS
Frank MacDonald group meets
Tas Govt media release, 19 Sep 2016
The students who are taking part in this year's Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize Tour met the Governor today prior to their trip to Western Front sites that was delayed from April due to terrorism concerns..
..

FOMO emojiCYBERSAFETY
Anti-FOMO action needed
The Mercury, 18 Sep 2016
In order to overcome FOMO, the "fear of missing out" that is cementing so many young people to their digital devices, children need to be helped to find non-digital ways of connecting with others, a mental health expert warns..
..

CHANGES TO THE EDUCATION ACT
New Act this week
Tas Govt media release, 18 Sep 2016
Tas GovtA new Education Act for Tasmania will be tabled this week in a Bill that optionally lowers the school starting age and increases the Year 12 leaving requirements, education minister Jeremy Rockliff said today.
..

Bullet New Education Act to be tabled, The Examiner, 18 Sep 2016
Bullet Starting age debate returns this week, The Mercury, 19 Sep 2016
Bullet Confusion will result, say Labor and Greens, ABC, 20 Sep 2016

INTERNATIONAL COMPARISONS
Class sizes above average
SMH, 16 Sep 2016
OECDThe OECD's Education at a Glance report shows that for the latest years available Australian class sizes were above the OECD average (but falling), primary school funding was below the average, secondary school funding was above the average and early childhood enrolments were slightly below the average..
..

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Free accreditation
Tas Govt media release, 16 Sep 2016
Early learningEducation minister Jeremy Rockliff has announced that a new accreditation course for early childhood teachers, Teacher Development Initiative - Early Childhood Specialist, will be available free of fees and with release for experience placements.
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Bullet Child care sector left out of free courses, The Examiner, 18 Sep 2016

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Extended play
The Mercury (opinion by Elaine Stratford), 15 Sep 2016
Early learningTasmania's relatively high proportion of disadvantaged students will benefit handsomely from the government's current focus on reforming the provision of early learning programs, the Director of UTAS's Peter Underwood Centre writes.
..

Bullet Support for lower starting age welcomed, Jeremy Rockliff, Minister for Education and Training, 15 Sep 2016

WEATHER ALERT
Flood fears ease
ABC News, 15 Sep 2016
Rain
Bullet
Severe weather warning cancelled (BoM)
Bullet Flood warnings (BoM)

INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
Unions reject 2pc rise
ABC News, 14 Sep 2016
MoneyPublic sector unions have rejected the state government's 2 per cent pay rise offer, saying that as the state Budget is now in good shape there is no longer a need to continue the 2 per cent cap the unions originally showed goodwill in agreeing to.
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Bullet Treasurer's ultimatum could lead to "massive pre-election showdown", Bryan Green, Opposition leader, 14 Sep 2016
Bullet Offer of 2pc is almost double inflation of 1.2pc
, Peter Gutwein, Treasurer, 14 Sep 2016
Bullet Labor must specify a pay rise policy, Sarah Courtney, Liberal member for Bass, 14 Sep 2016

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
NZ kindy teachers revolting
stuff.co.nz, 13 Sep 2016
New Zealand flagNew Zealand school and kindergarten staff are embarking on industrial action over "bulk funding" which effectively favours the employment of unqualified staff in kindergartens.
..

TASMANIAN SCHOOLS
Glenorchy Primary safe
Tas Govt media release, 11 Sep 2016
Southern TasmaniaLandfill that originated from the Parliament Square construction site is not posing a safety issue at Glenorchy Primary School, DoE Deputy Secretary Rob Williams says (presumably in relation to earlier asbestos exposure at Parliament Square).
..

Bullet Construction work suspended at Glenorchy Primary, ABC News, 12 Sep 2016
Bullet Construction work to resume at Glenorchy Primary, ABC News, 13 Sep 2016
Bullet Tests undertaken as added precaution, Guy Barnett, Minister for Building and Construction, 13 Sep 2016
Bullet New Town High safe too, but second round of tests to be undertaken, ABC News, 19 Sep 2016

Early learningSCHOOL STARTING AGE
Australia itself is out of step
The Mercury (opinion by Steve Biddulph), 9 Sep 2016
Tasmania is moving in the wrong direction by aiming to align itself with other states through its optional lower Prep and Kinder starting ages, because the rest of the world recognises that a higher starting age is more effective in supporting children, a Tasmanian child psychologist writes.
..

Northern TasmaniaTASMANIAN SCHOOLS
Scottsdale kitchen
Tas Govt media release, 9 Sep 2016
A new commercial kitchen to be built at Scottsdale High's Trade Training Centre will enable hospitality courses to be taught there, education minister Jeremy Rockliff said today.
..

Hitler - Mein Kampf (Image: SBS)BOOK WEEK
Hitler for Book Week
SBS, 9 Sep 2016
An Alice Springs student was allowed to dress up as Adolf Hitler for Book Week, leading to embarrassment when his school was visited by students from a Melbourne Jewish School.
..

MathsMATHEMATICS
Maths teaching tips
The Conversation (opinion by Claire Brown), 9 Sep 2016
There is a decent amount of evidence-based advice for teachers who are required to teach mathematics.
..

Autism awarenessSTUDENT SUPPORT
Autism assistance
The Conversation (opinion by Beth Saggers), 8 Sep 2016
A university lecturer helps teachers understand the problems faced by students with autism and provides ideas for teachers to consider in supporting them.
..

Sam DastyariFEDERAL POLITICS
Sam Dastyari steps down
ABC News, 7 Sep 2016
Federal Opposition consumer affairs spokesperson Sam Dastyari has stepped down from the Labor frontbench following the controversy over his acceptance of foreign donations.
..

EDUCATION FUNDING
Factcheck over spending and student achievement
The Conversation (opinion by Sue Thomson and Peter Goss), 7 Sep 2016
MoneyThe Productivity Commission is correct in saying that despite increases in education spending over the past decade student achievement has shown little improvement. However, a substantial portion of the spending increase can be attributed to above-inflation teacher wage rises.
..

Bullet Productivity Commission calls for teaching shake-up, ABC News, 6 Sep 2016
Bullet Report is irrelevant to Gonski debate, says NSW Minister, The Guardian, 7 Sep 2016
Bullet But equitable funding has not increased, The Conversation (opinion by Emma Rowe and Laura Perry), 14 Sep 2016

CybersmartCYBERSAFETY
Be eSmart
Aust Govt media release, 6 Sep 2016
It is National eSmart Week and schools throughout Australia are promoting cybersafety and taking part in events to promote safe and responsible use of computer technology.
..

Southern TasmaniaTASMANIAN SCHOOLS
Rokeby STEM facilities
Tas Govt media release, 6 Sep 2016
Rokeby High School's new STEM (Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics) learning spaces were opened today by education minister Jeremy Rockliff.
..

Recycled bottle greenhouse (Image: ABC)THE ENVIRONMENT
Plastic bottle greenhouse
ABC News, 5 Sep 2016
Youngtown Primary School now has an outdoor classroom in the form of a greenhouse built using about 6,000 recycled plastic bottles.
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Bullet Glen Dhu, Riverside and Invermay primary schools also have My Pathway greenhouses, The Examiner, 10 Sep 2016

Learning stylesLEARNING STYLES
Learning styles should no longer be touched
The Conversation (opinion by Stephen Dinham), 5 Sep 2016
The time has come to recall the idea of learning style based teaching, just as manufacturers recall a faulty product, argues an education professor.
..

TASMANIAN SCHOOLS
Dunalley resumption on schedule
Tas Govt media release, 4 Sep 2016
Southern TasmaniaWork to rid Dunalley Primary School of mould is on track for a term 4 resumption and no advice of any students being withdrawn because of the mould problem has been received, DoE Deputy Secretary, Corporate Services Rob Williams says.
..

Bullet Parents consider removing children from Dunalley Primary, ABC News, 4 Sep 2016

SEX EDUCATION
Concern over sexual assaults by the very young
ABC News, 3 Sep 2016
GraphWith rising incidences of sexual offending by very young juveniles, calls are being made for sex education to incorporate the concepts of respect and consent before children reach Year 3.
..

Early learningEARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Kindy accreditation looms
The Mercury, 3 Sep 2016
Tasmanian government kindergartens will be assessed and made comparable from 2020 under the National Quality Standards framework, education minister Jeremy Rockliff says.
..

TeachingTEACHING PROFESSION
Better pay, fewer teachers
The Conversation (opinion by Barry McGaw), 2 Sep 2016
If the status of the teaching profession is to be raised, consideration could be given to making teacher education courses more selective, and having better qualified and better paid, but fewer, teachers, supported by more paraprofessionals, an academic suggests.
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CertificateTEACHING PROFESSION
Inspecting teachers a waste of time
The Conversation (opinion by John Fischetti), 1 Sep 2016
Rather than focus on testing and inspecting teachers, efforts to raise teacher quality should focus on further and relevant teacher learning, an education professor writes.
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Early learningEARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Expert visits Tas
Tas Govt media release, 1 Sep 2016
Early childhood education expert Professor Edward (Ted) Melhuish will give a free lunchtime lecture at Learning Services (South), Lindisfarne, tomorrow (Friday, 2 Sep 2016).
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Bullet Expert backs move to lower starting age, ABC News, 2 Sep 2016

Careers educationCAREERS EDUCATION
Montrose Bay interviews part of My Education
Tas Govt media release, 1 Sep 2016
Schools are using a variety of approaches in My Education, the state government's careers education program for schools, education minister Jeremy Rockliff says .
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Early learningSCHOOL STARTING AGE
Preschool for all three-year-olds?
The Conversation (opinion by Stacey Fox), 1 Sep 2016
Should Australia join the overseas trend to increased early childhood education and care, a policy fellow asks.
..

 

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