Church launches bid for right to sideline gay students
The Presbyterian Church of Australia's call for the right to exclude gay pupils from being school captain sends a message they're not welcome, advocates say.
Education
More than one million students start NAPLAN testing
More than one million students have begun NAPLAN testing but education experts are critical of the assessment's earlier than usual term one schedule.
Newbie teachers perform just as well in the classroom as their veteran colleagues: Study
Research found no statistically significant differences in average teaching quality across the years of experience categories.
Two charges dropped against ultra-Orthodox principal
A former Melbourne ultra-Orthodox Jewish school principal on trial for alleged sexual abuse has had two of the 29 charges against her struck out.
Woman ‘distraught’ disclosing alleged Leifer abuse
One of three sisters who were allegedly sexually abused by ultra-Orthodox former principal Malka Leifer was distraught when exposing her, a social worker says.
Ultra-Orthodox teacher Leifer ‘teary’ after stood down
Former ultra-Orthodox Jewish teacher Malka Leifer was teary and claimed she'd done nothing wrong when stood down over sex abuse allegations, a court has heard.
Ex-teacher Leifer allegedly claimed accuser was needy
A woman allegedly sexually abused by former ultra-Orthodox teacher Malka Leifer told a counsellor she was told the abuse was to help get her over her neediness.
Ex-Orthodox teacher Leifer’s trial behind closed doors
The trial for former ultra-Orthodox Jewish school principal Malka Leifer has headed behind closed doors for the first of the complainant's evidence.
Ex-Orthodox principal Leifer denies raping sisters
A trial has begun for former ultra-Orthodox Jewish school principal Malka Leifer who is accused of raping three Melbourne sisters at the Adass Israel School.
Post-pandemic bounce temporary as rate rises threaten
Generous incentives have supported business investment in recent years but further interest rate rises could "unnecessarily" tip Australia into recession.
‘Win-win’ chance for China trade sanctions
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese won't rule out dropping action over China's $20 billion trade sanctions if a deal between the two countries can be reached.
Global hunt for violinist to play with Ray
Violin virtuoso Ray Chen hopes to inspire musicians by offering three amateur players the chance to perform onstage with him at the Sydney Opera House.
Disappointed with your year 12 exam result? Here’s some advice on what to do next
It’s not the end of the world and you’re definitely not the first student to have received a grade that was less than they were hoping for. Countless students have been in this position before you and have gone on to study, and succeed, in higher education
Privatisation: Australian indpendent and Catholic high school enrolments jumped 70% since 2012
Data shows an increasing number of students going to public schools over non-government (Catholic and other private) schools for primary years. But once students get to high school, the trend is significantly reversed.
Qld raises concerns about NAPLAN ‘washing’
Queensland Education Minister Grace Grace has raised concerns about how the scaling of NAPLAN results could be skewing the data.
NSW has new plan to attract top teachers
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has an ambitious plan to attract high achievers to work as NSW public school teachers to address a chronic staffing shortage.
Do all teachers deserve a pay rise?
Ministers are talking about “rewarding” high-performing teachers. International studies show unexpected things can happen when teachers strive for “excellence” to receive monetary bonuses.
Teenage NSW rapist called a ‘monster’
The victim of a teenage rapist found guilty of sexual assault and choking has called him a monster and said he belongs in jail.
Deal on table to end NSW rail dispute
The NSW government has agreed to spend $264 million on train safety modifications to end a dispute with unions, but industrial action by drivers will continue.
‘Gamechanger’ reform to NSW preschools
Every child in NSW will get free play-based learning in the year before they start school, in a major shake-up of the education system from 2030.
Fears pandemic education fallout not over
One in two Australian parents and carers feel the COVID-19 pandemic is still making learning difficult for their children, research shows.
Help hard to find amid mental health pinch
Seeking mental health support is a big step, but finding a psychologist is becoming harder and the situation is expected to get worse.
Leifer wants jury to decide abuse charges
Former Melbourne school principal Malka Leifer has elected to have 90 charges of child sexual abuse heard by a jury in a trial now expected to begin in August.
School kids climate strike targets PM
Australian school students will join a global day of climate action, demanding the federal government divert funding to clean, renewable energy.
Students fall behind in financial literacy
A new report is recommending a stand-alone financial literacy course for Australian students.
Labor backs faith protections with caveats
Labor politicians have backed the coalition's religious discrimination bill, albeit with caveats, in two parliamentary inquiries into the contentious laws.
PM talks up protections for gay students
Two parliamentary committees are due to hand down reports into the Morrison government's bid to boost discrimination protections for religious Australians.
Australian year 12 completion rates drop
Average year 12 completion rates dropped by more than 100,000 students and childcare costs rose, the productivity watchdog's latest report has found.
Rapid test concern as schools return
As school students return for the start of the year, a new survey has shown nearly one in three parents won't follow rapid testing requirements.
Qld govt plan unclear on boarding schools
Queensland boarding schools want more information about how COVID-19 cases and contacts will be managed as they wait for rapid antigen tests to arrive.
Qld records 13 deaths, details school plan
Queensland has recorded 13 virus-related deaths and 8580 new cases as details are released about its back to school plan just over a week before classes return.