RESEARCH

Australia To Research Needs Of Child Care, Education And Training Sectors

Government Monitor, 22 April 2010

The Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Julia Gillard, and the Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry, today announced that the Productivity Commission will research factors impacting on the early childhood, schooling and vocational training workforces.

The Productivity Commission will look at current and future demand and supply within these sectors and investigate ways to structure and develop these workforces.

The study will consider factors that impact on each sector’s workforce, such as remuneration, working conditions, retention, training and support structures. It will also look at what level of skills and knowledge these workforces need to deliver quality education in these sectors.

The Productivity Commission will report on each workforce sector separately over the next two years, beginning with vocational training in mid 2011. Research on the early childhood sector will be available later in 2011 and the report into schooling is scheduled for release in 2012.

Read more at http://thegovmonitor.com/education_and_skills/australia-to-research-needs-of-child-care-education-and-training-sectors-28880.html

Read study details at: http://www.pc.gov.au/projects/study/education-workforce

Small classes a `costly mistake'

Justine Ferrari, The Australian, April 24, 2010

THE head of the Productivity Commission has attacked the emphasis on reducing class sizes in schools as "the most costly mistake" in education policy in recent years, stealing scarce resources from investment in teaching.

Productivity Commission chairman Gary Banks also pointed to the waste of money in highly bureaucratic state school systems, with NSW spending more money than Victoria per student to achieve similar results.

Mr Banks said the "performance of teachers appears not to have been a priority of education policy" and "if anything, attention to it seems to have been weakened over the years, at least until recently".

"Arguably the most costly mistake has been to spend scarce budgetary resources on smaller class sizes instead of better teachers, notwithstanding steadily accumulating evidence that smaller classes, in the ranges contemplated, were unlikely to achieve improved learning outcomes," Mr Banks said.

Read more at: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/politics/small-classes-a-costly-mistake/story-e6frgczf-1225857632748

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COMPARING SCHOOL PERFORMANCE

Julia Gillard agrees to talk to union over My School tests

Bonny Symons-Brown, AAP, April 24, 2010

Federal Education Minister Julia Gillard has offered to meet with a teachers' union in hopes of heading off a threatened boycott of national literacy and numeracy tests.

The Australian Education Union's (AEU) executive last week voted to boycott the tests, due to be handed out next month, which inform the Federal Government's My School website.

It compares schools' literacy and numeracy scores with the results of statistically similar institutions, and to the national average.

Representing thousands of public school teachers around the country, the AEU believes the website is being used to create league tables that unfairly stigmatise underperforming schools.

It also wants My School to publish more meaningful, accurate information, but in a letter to the union - obtained by AAP today - Ms Gillard refused to negotiate on the website's contents.

"I will however make myself available to speak with the full executive of the AEU to discuss why a ban on (the) tests would be destructive," she wrote earlier this week.

Read more at: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/julia-gillard-agrees-to-talk-to-union-over-my-school-tests/story-e6frfku0-1225857661742

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TOWARDS A NATIONAL CURRICULUM

Curriculum draft 'C grade'

Jewel Topsfield, The Age, April 26, 2010

A Victorian education chief has graded the draft national curriculum a "C", in a blunt assessment of the way schools will have to teach from next year.

In a critical appraisal, David Howes, general manager of curriculum at the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, warned of the risk of "overcrowding" in the national curriculum, saying there were already increasing expectations of what schools should teach.

A recent example was of a school in Melbourne's east whose year 9 students were learning table manners at a local TAFE, after the principal decided they had no idea how to conduct themselves at the table during a school camp.

The national curriculum, to be introduced from next year, will require indigenous perspectives, Australia's engagement with Asia and a commitment to sustainable living to be part of every subject.

Mr Howes warned this risked overcrowding the curriculum.

"The way in which this is being designed and included in the curriculum is not a helpful one," he told a seminar on Asian perspectives last week.

Read more at http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/curriculum-draft-c-grade-20100425-tlo9.html

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FUNDING

School funding unfairness continued into next four years

John Kaye MP, Media Release, 22 April 2010

Greens analysis of school funding figures identified a number of very wealthy NSW private schools that would continue to be funded above their formula amounts for up to five years.

“Federal Education Minister Julia Gillard has perpetuated her Coalition predecessors’ failure to deal with private schools that are over-funded.

“Since the introduction of the Socio-Economic Status funding scheme by the Howard government in 2001, no school has been allowed to see a reduction in its Commonwealth funding, even if the formula suggested that the wealth of the school community did not justify the continued high level of subsides.

“Less than half of all non-government schools are funded at their correct amounts.

“Ms Gillard’s promise to continue to protect wealthy schools from any reduction in their per-student subsidies will lock in the over-funding rorts beyond 2013.

Read entire release: http://www.johnkaye.org.au

Private schools will continue to be overfunded

Anna Patty, Sydney Morning Herald, 21 April 2010

PRIVATE schools that are "overfunded" under the government's funding model could take up to five years to return to correct levels under expected changes to the funding system.

The federal Education Minister, Julia Gillard, said last week that her review of federal funding for schools would at least freeze present levels of funding for schools. She said "no school will lose a dollar of funding in the sense that their school budget per student will not reduce in dollar terms".

Estimates show that schools such as Masada College in St Ives would receive its strict share of funding under the federal government formula by 2018 if its funding was frozen from next year. Calculations by the NSW Greens using federal government figures show that Masada will receive $925,850 next year in Commonwealth funding. 

However, under the funding formula that measures the socio-economic status of families based on census data, the school should receive $579,176.

Read entire article: http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/private-schools-will-continue-to-be-overfunded-20100420-srtw.html

Private school fees may jump under Gillard review

Natalie Craig, The Age, 25 April 2010

TOP Melbourne private schools fear a new Rudd government funding model could force them to make sharp increases in school fees, jeopardising enrolments.

Education Minister Julia Gillard has pledged that private schools will not lose funding, in terms of dollars per student, when a new model is introduced in 2013. But principals fear funding could be effectively "frozen", with no new money to cover inflation and soaring education costs. That would push up fees faster than usual, and push out "aspirational" parents...

...Federal funding to private schools is allocated according to the socio-economic status of its students, determined by the census collection district in which they live.

However, more than half of all private schools are receiving more than they are entitled to because of a "no losers" guarantee, introduced by the Howard government, which ruled schools would retain their funding if their socio-economic status entitlement was lower.

Read entire article: http://www.theage.com.au/national/private-school-fees-may-jump-under-gillard-review-20100424-tklh.html

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BUILDING THE EDUCATION REVOLUTION

Catholic schools way ahead on building

Milanda Rout, The Australian, April 23, 2010

CATHOLIC schools are getting their Building the Education Revolution projects up and running much faster than their public counterparts, with figures revealing 93 per cent of their projects are under construction, compared with 42 per cent in state schools.

The key difference between the two systems in Victoria is that Catholic school principals are in control of their BER projects, whereas state school principals claim they are being left out of the planning and site management process.

Principals have been highly critical of the way the Brumby government has implemented the BER, with the Education Department hiring project managers to co-ordinate it and refusing to release financial details and progress information to schools.

Education Minister Bronwyn Pike has also said she did not want her principals to "stand around and supervise concrete pours" and her department should manage construction projects, angering principals further.

Read more at: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/politics/state-politics/catholic-schools-way-ahead-on-building/story-e6frgczx-1225857163150

Primary school still waiting and hoping

Imre Salusinszky, The Australian, April 26, 2010

FOR the principal and parents at Hornsby North Public School, the Rudd government's education stimulus program has been a matter of: "Be careful what you ask for."

According to Parents and Citizens' Association vice-president Lynne Slevin, the school community in outer northern Sydney was thrilled when it learned that Hornsby North, which has more than 700 pupils, would receive $3 million under the Building the Education Revolution program.

Following several meetings with parents, the school asked for a new building with six classrooms and a covered outdoor learning area adjacent to the school hall.

"But when the principal took it to the asset management person at the NSW Education Department, she said: `Don't even ask for that, because you won't get it'," Ms Slevin said.

The school put in for three COLAs and a single classroom extension to an existing building instead. So imagine the school community's surprise when it learnt that it was getting . . . a new six-classroom brick building and a COLA.

Unfortunately, the joy at Hornsby North was to be short-lived.

Read more at http://www.theaustralian.com.au/in-depth/schools-watch/primary-school-still-waiting-and-hoping/story-fn56ulhe-1225858124177

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RELIGION & ETHICS

Teaching ethics in schools

Late Night Live, ABC Radio, 20 April 2010

Phillip Adams talks with Dr Simon Longstaff, Director of the St James Ethics Centre

In ten New South Wales primary schools from today, an ethics class will be trialled for ten weeks. The class is for those students who don't attend religious classes. Church leaders are concerned that teaching secular ethics in schools would jeopardise the future of religious education....

Listen online: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/latenightlive/stories/2010/2878188.htm

Ten Reasons the Ethics  Trial is Not a Good Idea

Gordon Moyes, personal blog, 23 April 2010

A trial of ethics classes in NSW schools is about to begin. Although suggestions like this have been made in the past, successive education ministers have not allowed it. The only reason it became reality this time was the personal intervention of Premier Nathan Rees, in the dying days of his incumbency.

Christians have been put onto the back foot, forced to answer the dual question, “What’s wrong with teaching kids ethics?” and “What’s wrong with giving non-SRE children something to occupy their time as they sit idle during SRE?”. Some Christians will not know how to address these questions. Many schools breach SRE guidelines anyway. We must educate ourselves on this vital topic.

Thousands of volunteers and supporters of SRE in local communities have worked tirelessly in schools and receive little recognition of their extremely positive work. On the other hand, the non-religious St James Ethics Centre (SJEC) has already received wide exposure. Why? I think their support has been boosted by those who see this as a chance to break SRE and remove all trace of religion from public life.

Read more at: http://www.gordonmoyes.com/2010/04/23/ten-reasons-the-ethics-trial-is-not-a-good-idea/

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EDUCATION & DISABILITY

Autistic kids under siege

Adam Todd, Eastern Courier Messenger, 21 April 2010

JEAN-Marie Hetu was forced to pull his nine-year-old autistic son out of an eastern suburbs school because his child was being bullied and teachers were struggling to support his disability. The Mitcham man said his son, Jean-Louis, has now been home-schooled for 12 months.

“He now produces art to the level of his age group, when upon leaving school all he could do is smother paint," Mr Hetu said. “… It is not blaming the other children, it is not blaming the school staff, but there needs to be more awareness and understanding of autism."

The family is the human face of Autism SA figures, released to the Eastern Courier Messenger last week, which show the state’s 3400 school children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are nearly four times more likely to be bullied at least once a week.

And at least 24 school children with an autism disorder were suspended or expelled from SA schools in Term 1, prompting calls for urgent support for students, teachers and parents.

Read entire article: http://eastern-courier-messenger.whereilive.com.au/news/story/kids-under-siege/

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STUDENT RETENTION

Jobless fears make teens stay in school

Stephanie Peatling, Sydney Morning Herald, April 25, 2010

Increasingly tough rules on youth support payments and high youth unemployment have led to a record number of people staying in school or training after year 10.

People aged 15 to 19 are more likely to be studying than working or undertaking apprenticeships than at any other time in Australia's history, with a 20 per cent jump in those staying in school in the past five years.

"We've seen in Australia that people who have not completed year 12 are three times more likely to be unemployed than someone who has completed year 12," Employment Participation Minister Mark Arbib said.

There are now 54,000 more 15- to 19-year-olds in school or training than there were in 2004.

The trend among 20- to 24-year-olds hitting the books is also pronounced, with a 5 per cent increase in the past five years, according to an analysis by the Department of Employment, Education and Workplace Relations for The Sun-Herald.

Read more at: http://www.smh.com.au/national/jobless-fears-make-teens-stay-in-school-20100424-tkhl.html

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HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION

Australia Outlines Education Initiatives To Enhance Human Rights

Government Monitor, 22 April 2010

Minister for Education Julia Gillard and Attorney-General Robert McClelland today outlined a comprehensive suite of education initiatives to ensure all Australians have access to information about human rights.

These measures form the centrepiece of Australia’s Human Rights Framework and reflect the key recommendation of the report by the National Human Rights Consultation Committee that education must be ‘the highest priority for improving and promoting human rights in Australia.’

“Enhancing our efforts to improve human rights education is critical as too many Australians are not informed about what human rights are or how they are currently protected,” Mr McClelland said.

The Framework outlines a number of practical, positive initiatives, to enhance human rights education including greater support for human rights education across the community, including primary and secondary schools.

Read more at: http://thegovmonitor.com/civil_society_and_democratic_renewal/australia-outlines-education-initiatives-to-enhance-human-rights-28746.html

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HEALTH & WELL-BEING

Airbrushed school photos a 'worrying trend'

Kristy Sexton-McGrath, ABC News, 22 April 2010

A Queensland child psychologist says digitally enhancing photographs of children in school portraits could be contributing to body image problems.  Some photography businesses now offer parents the optional extra of airbrushing out their children's cuts and bruises in school photographs for a fee.

Professor Matt Sanders from the University of Queensland says it is a worrying trend.

"I would be asking why, why, why?" he said.

"Why on Earth would you want your child's photo at this age touched up. We all look back on school photos and think 'gee, we're not looking brilliant there', but that's just part of the journey."

Read entire article: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/21/2879025.htm

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EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Study considers early education investment

Stephanie Fitzpatrick, ABC News, 21 April 2010

A $5 million study has begun that will track 300 children in Mount Isa, in north-west Queensland, and another 1,000 in Brisbane in an effort to improve the level of early childhood education in Australia.

The research is being conducted by the Queensland University of Technology to look at children's development in different learning environments and whether enough money is being invested in early childhood education.

Professor Karen Thorpe says Mount Isa is ideal for the study because of its remote location.

"There are a lot of working families because it's a mining town, so there's a lot of demand for things like child care and kindergarten, but there are not as much access so there are families who are wanting that sort of provision but not getting it," she said.  "We do know the waiting lists in Mount Isa for access to kindergartens and to childcare centres is very high."

Professor Thorpe says the research is trying to find out what impact early care and education factors have on a child's development and what needs improvement.  "Where should we put that fixed amount of money? Is it investing in more qualified teachers? Is it putting in more certificate-three people into childcare centres? Those sorts of questions," she said.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/21/2878526.htm?site=brisbane

Vacancy data gives first true picture of child care landscape

Hon Kate Ellis MP, Media Release, 22 April 2010

The new reports, Child Care Vacancies Quarterly Snapshot and the State of Child Care in Australia, clearly demonstrate the Australian Government’s progress in delivering affordable, accessible, stable and high quality care for Australian children and their parents.

The new Child Care Vacancies Quarterly Snapshot is the first of what will be a quarterly report providing accurate, aggregated vacancy data. It reveals that:

• 91% of reporting long day care services recorded vacancies, including 90% in major cities and 98% in very remote and remote areas
• Approximately three in ten long day care places are available each day 
• 65,780 long day care vacancies on average are available each day.

Also released today, the State of Child Care in Australia provides a statistical analysis of the Australian child care market over the last five years. The report demonstrates that there is now greater availability of child care than five years ago and that supply is largely keeping pace with demand.

The evidence tells us that an injection of more centres could threaten the viability of existing services and cause disruption for Australian families, just as the market is settling after the collapse of ABC Learning.  In order to support continued stability in the market, the Government has decided not to proceed with additional centres to the 38 centres already in train.

Read entire release: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Ellis/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_100422_132050.aspx

Read the reports at: http://www.deewr.gov.au/earlychildhood.

Rudd Government Abandons Families

Sharman Stone, Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education and Childcare, 22 April 2010

Australian families waiting for a suitable childcare place have been abandoned by the Rudd Government which has ditched plans to build most of the 260 centres it promised before the 2007 election.

“The Minister for Early Childhood Education and Child Care Kate Ellis today confirmed what was a badly kept secret,” said Dr Sharman Stone, Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education and Childcare.

“While homeowners were absorbing the news of the dumping of the Government’s home insulation program, Minister Ellis issued a media release proclaiming the Government’s achievements in the child care sector.

“Halfway through it she adds that by the way, the promise to build many of the 260 centres has been abandoned."

Read more at: http://www.liberal.org.au/Latest-News/2010/04/22/Rudd-Government-Abandons-Families.aspx

Government must prove it cares about childcare: give centres capital grants to boost infrastructure and services
 
Senator Hanson-Young, Media Release, 23 April 2010

The Federal Government must re-commit to investing in Australian childcare and early childhood education services by providing funding for capital grants for existing centres.

The Government's failure to proceed with 222 new centres cannot be allowed to stall progress on childcare.

"The Government said it would build new centres that would deliver holistic services for families, but now mums and dads will miss out on this much-needed help.”

So if Kevin Rudd is not going to fund new centres, then he must put more money into this key sector by opening up capital grants for existing centres to improve infrastructure and expand services.

"If this isn't about budget savings for the Government, or making kids and families carry the burden for its Budget blowout, then let's see the Government commit to capital grants, available to the community and not-for-profit providers that really need help."

Read entire release: http://sarah-hanson-young.greensmps.org.au/media-releases

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AWARDS & PRIZES

2010 Australian Museum Eureka Science Prizes

Online entry closes 7 May

Categories for schools include:

• Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prizes for Primary Schools – you must complete your Online Entry Form by Friday 7 May – and your actual entry must be received at the museum by Friday 14 May – further information & online entry see: http://eureka.australianmuseum.net.au/eureka-prize/sleek-geeks-science-prize-primary-school2
• Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prizes for Secondary Schools - you must complete your Online Entry Form by Friday 7 May – and your actual entry must be received at the museum by Friday 14 May – further information & online entry see: http://eureka.australianmuseum.net.au/eureka-prize/sleek-geeks-science-prize-secondary-school2 
• Eureka Prize for Science Teaching - Awarded to a secondary school science teacher who has motivated and inspired students to become involved in student-centred investigation and whose work impacts on the science participation and performance of students in their school.   Do you know someone who fits the bill? What better way to acknowledge a colleague, boss, mentor or friend then to nominate them for a national teaching award! Enter online by 7 May.  http://eureka.australianmuseum.net.au/eureka-prize/science-teaching3 

All other information – plus teacher resources for downloading – see the website at: http://eureka.australianmuseum.net.au/about

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CAMPAIGNS & CAUSES

1GOAL: Education For All

1GOAL is an international campaign seizing the power of football to ensure that education for all is a lasting impact of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

By bringing together footballers and fans, charities and organisations around the world, together we can call on world leaders to make education a reality for 72 million children by 2015.

We don’t ask for your money, all we ask is that you sign your name above for those who can’t, to get the message across to World Leaders like our own Kevin Rudd - that more needs to be done regarding the 72 million children worldwide who are denied access to a basic education.

Read more at: http://www.join1goal.org.au/join1goal_Australia/join1goal_Australia.html

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AROUND THE STATES & TERRITORIES

ACT: National Electoral Education Centre – Canberra

Australian Electoral Commission, 21 April 2010

Conveniently located in the heart of the Canberra parliamentary triangle, the National Electoral Education Centre (EEC) is a fun and interactive way to learn about Australia’s electoral system.

During a visit to the National EEC participants will have an opportunity to:

• Enjoy a spectacular multi-media presentation on the history of democracy and elections in Australia in a purpose-built theatrette
• Enhance their knowledge of the electoral process through hands-on activities in our Discovery Zone
• Vote in an election and experience first-hand the electoral process and allocation of preferences.

All programs are conducted by an experienced Electoral Educator and provide curriculum links to units on Democracy, Civics and Citizenship and courses in Australian Studies, Politics and Legal Studies.

Read more at: http://www.aec.gov.au/education/services/eec_canberra.htm

NSW: Healthy Harold is back: Life Education returns to Broken Hill

Annette Samojlowicz, ABC News, 21 April 2010

For the first time in over 12 years, Broken Hill students will get to experience Life Education's Mobile Learning Centre.   The mobile centre is being launched this morning at the Alma School and will spend several months in Broken Hill, teaching students about respecting their bodies and making good life choices.

The CEO of Life Education Australia, Jay Bacik, says the educational sessions are presented in a fun way and help supplement the curriculum taught at schools.

Read entire article: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/21/2878587.htm

• Audio: ABC Broken Hill's Annette Samojlowicz speaks with CEO of Life Education Australia Jay Bacik (ABC Broken Hill) 

NT: A Smart Territory: $886M Boost to Education

Dr Chris Burns, Minister for Education and Training; Paul Henderson, Chief Minister, 27 April 2010

The Chief Minister Paul Henderson and Minister for Education Chris Burns  announced today that more teachers and record funding would be a key part of budget 2010, with $886 million to boost education across the Territory.

Mr Henderson said the $886 million package will include $14.1 million for 60 new teachers, 20 support staff and start-up costs for the new Rosebery Primary and Middle Schools.

“Budget 2010 will deliver for Territory students and their families with a record $886 million in education and training,” Mr Henderson said.

“Education is a key priority for this Government and Budget 2010 is delivering now for families and investing in the future of the Territory."

Read more at http://newsroom.nt.gov.au/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewRelease&id=6827&d=5

Watch video at: http://www.youtube.com/?v=_MrrpZAv9aY

QLD: Union says teacher NAPLAN boycott stands despite ruling

ABC News, 21 April 2010 

The Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) yesterday directed the state's teachers to supervise the National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests after the State Government took the matter to the Commission.

AEU federal president Angelo Gavrielatos says it will consider the IRC decision, but the ban will continue.

...Meanwhile, parents are being warned not to supervise national literacy and numeracy tests even if Queensland teachers defy a direction to do so.  Garry Cislowski, from the Queensland Council of Parents and Citizens Association (QCPCA), says parents should not get involved.

"Our position still is that it's an industrial matter that the teachers have plenty of their own resources if they want to fight industrial action, but parents shouldn't be putting themselves in the middle of industrial action," he said.  "It's not about ideologies now - there's an industrial dispute ongoing and it's dangerous for parents to put themselves in the middle of that dispute."

Read entire article: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/21/2878441.htm?section=justin

SA: Primary students too young to be doing homework

Lucy Hood, The Advertiser, April 24, 2010

Homework should be banned until high school, a literacy expert says.

Flinders University lecturer in education Dr Barbara Nielsen said homework had no educational benefit for primary school-aged children.

Instead, younger children should spend their after-school hours socialising, playing and spending quality time with their parents, she said.

Her call defies a growing trend that started in the mid-90s to make primary students do homework.

Dr Nielsen said it was fuelled by misunderstanding parents and competition among schools to strive for educational excellence.

"It's very questionable in primary years and sad that schools don't step back and think, `we don't live our lives in academia'," she said. "During your childhood you develop social skills, join sporting clubs and make friends.

Read more at: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/primary-students-too-young-to-be-doing-homework/story-e6frea83-1225857618020

TAS: Schools urged to celebrate public education

Lin Thorp, MLC, Minister for Education and Skills, Thursday, 22 April 2010

The State Government and the Australian Education Union have joined forces to help celebrate public education in Tasmania.
The Minister for Education and Skills, Lin Thorp, said today that all Tasmanian Government schools are invited to take part in Public Education Day 2010.
 
“Public Education Day, which will be celebrated across the nation on Thursday 27 May, aims to lift the profile of public education in the community,” Ms Thorp said.
 
“Tasmanian Government schools have a lot to celebrate. It’s my passionate belief that we should be extremely proud of our State education system and what it offers our young people to see them through life.
 
“As a former teacher, I am committed to providing our students with the best possible education in Government schools.
 
“Our teachers are at the forefront of ensuring that we reach those goals and I applaud their commitment and innovation.”
 
Ms Thorp said that all Tasmanian Government students from schools, colleges, polytechnics, academy and skills campuses were encouraged to celebrate Public Education Day by entering the student t-shirt competition.
 
Read more at http://www.media.tas.gov.au/release.php?id=29445

VIC: $19m cost blow-out in education revolution

Bendigo Advertiser, 23 Apr 2010

THE cost of the revolutionary Bendigo Education Plan has ballooned by $19 million four years after the state government announced its commitment to updating local secondary schools.

But the state government has refused to blame increased building costs on the federal government’s Building the Education Revolution program.

Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan yesterday announced $27 million for the second stage of building at Weeroona and Bendigo South East colleges. It is the final funding commitment, ensuring the completion of four new year 7-10 schools and taking the total state government funding commitment to $91 million.

The state government committed $72 million during the 2006 election campaign to fund the BEP, but have had to provide more funding as building costs escalated.

Ms Allan said the BEP still represented value for money despite the cost blow-out, but refused to blame the escalating costs on pressures being put on the construction industry by the BER.

“We do acknowledge there has been an increase in building costs . . . but also, too, we wanted to make sure we had the best possible schools built for students here in Bendigo."

Read more at: http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/19m-cost-blowout-in-education-revolution/1810705.aspx

WA: Students to inject their own extraordinary experiences to WA tourism campaign

Education and Tourism Minister Liz Constable, 27 April 2010

Western Australia’s extraordinary experiences will be uncovered by primary school students as part of the State’s new tourism brand, Experience Extraordinary.

The ‘Experience Extraordinary Advertising Competition’, launched by Education and Tourism Minister Liz Constable today, will help Year Six students build local pride and knowledge of WA’s extraordinary locations and experiences.

Dr Constable said the initiative would encourage development of research, literacy and creativity skills, while introducing students to tourism and the fundamental elements of print advertising.

“Students will be asked to select an extraordinary location, attraction or event in their local area and then create a newspaper advertisement to promote it,” she said.

“Nearly 30,000 students in schools across WA will be involved in this campaign, as they develop a tourism advertisement for their local area and act as ambassadors for our State."

Read more at: http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=133394

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CONFERENCES & EVENTS

Dare to Lead National Indigenous Education Conference

3 June, The Sebel, Brisbane, QLD

This conference will bring together school leaders, teachers, community members, academics, students, consultants and system representatives.

"Across Australia we have experienced some amazing journeys in the Education of Aboriginal and Torres Strrait Islander students.

Classrooms have become live and vibrant places of exciting learning for students. In many other schools and on the Naplan scoreboard Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students don't engage in learning and suffer from less than expected outcomes. So what is the diffeerence, what happens in successful classrooms that make the difference."

This conference will explore the aspects of classroom practice that have made a difference for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Read more at http://www.daretolead.edu.au/servlet/Web?s=169694&action=downloadResource&resourceID=71060324

International Conference on Learning and Teaching

9-11 June, Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, Singapore

Hheld in conjunction with Temasek Polytechnic’s 20th anniversary celebrations, this three-day conference is a celebration of the learning community’s commitment to enhancing the quality of student learning through the continuing professional development of educators.

The keynote addresses are presented by:

Professor David Boud, University of Technology, Sydney
"A new assessment agenda: equipping students for the continuing challenges of learning and assessment"

Professor Stephen Brookfield, University of St. Thomas, Minneapolis
"Becoming a skillful teacher"

Professor Diana Laurillard, Institute of Education, University of London
"Can pedagogical creativity cross discipline boundaries? The role of learning technologies in collaborative innovation"

Associate Professor Gary Poole, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
"I Care and I Can: the importance of student attitudes toward course relevance and their ability to succeed"

Read more at: http://www.tp.edu.sg/events/intlconference/

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REMINDERS

29-30 April - 8th Annual Higher Education Summit - Adelaide, SA - http://www.highereducationsummit.com.au/

7 May - National Walk Safely to School Day - http://www.walk.com.au

7 May - Public consultation closes - draft National Professional Standards for Teachers - http://www.mceecdya.edu.au/mceecdya/npst2010-consultation-call_for_submissions,30532.html

7-8 May - Public Policy Forum - Melbourne, VIC - http://www.deakin.edu.au/arts-ed/efi/conferences/public-policy-forum/index.php

14 May - Modern Language Teachers' Association of Victoria Annual Conference - Melbourne, VIC - http://www.mltav.asn.au

16-22 May - Parents Victoria Annual Online Conference - http://www.cybertext.net.au/pv/

17 May - Tackling Underachievement: Engaging Boys and Girls - Sydney, NSW - http://conferences2010.schoolevent.org

17 May - The Tender Bridge, ACER - Adelaide, SA - http://www.acer.edu.au/1/index.php/seminar/the-tender-bridge/

18 May - Tackling Underachievement: Engaging Boys and Girls - Melbourne, VIC - http://conferences2010.schoolevent.org

23 May - Public consultation closes - draft K-10 Australian Curriculum English, mathematics, science and history - http://www.acara.edu.au/consultation.html

25-28 May - Inclusive Learning Technologies Conference - Gold Coast, QLD - http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/conference/

26-28 May - Council of Educational Facility Planners International Conference - Perth, WA - http://australasia.cefpi.org/

31 May - Costa’s Garden Odyssey Competition closes - http://www.sbs.com.au/shows/costa/about/page/i/2/h/Competition/

4-5 June - Early Childhood Education Conference - Melbourne, VIC - http://www.togetherwegrow.com.au/2010registration.html

17-18 June - National Conference of Australian Special Education Principals’ Association & Australian Association of Special Education - Darwin, NT - http://www.gemsevents.com.au/aase2010/

4-7 July - National Conference for Teachers of English & Literacy - Perth, WA - http://www.englishliteracyconference.com.au/index.php?id=46&year=10

6-9 July - 17th International Conference on Learning - Hong Kong - http://thelearner.com/Conference-2010/

7-9 July - Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference - Melbourne, VIC - http://www.aifs.gov.au/conference

21-24 July - Second Paris International Conference on Education, Economy & Society - Paris, France - http://education-conferences.org/default.aspx

29-31 July - International Conference on Teacher Education - Quezon City, Philippines - http://www.ictedphilippines.org/

26-27 August - Annual School Leaders' Conference - Gold Coast, QLD - http://www.griffith.edu.au/pdn-leadership-conference-2010

6-8 September - London International Conference on Education - London, UK - http://www.liceducation.org/

15-17 September - SPERA Conference, University of Sunshine Coast, Queensland - http://www.spera.asn.au/articles.php?req=list&root_id=13&sub_id=65

27-30 September - National Australian Association for Environmental Education Conference - Canberra, ACT - https://www.conferenceco.com.au/aaee

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