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2015 National Report on schooling in Australia released The National Report on Schooling in Australia 2015 is the annual report on Australia’s school education sector. The report highlights progress in 2015 towards the Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians agreed by Australian education ministers in 2008.

Parents worry about too much screen time... and not enough outdoor play: Gallup Survey Just one in five Australian parents (23%) strongly agree it’s good for children to have to figure out how to entertain themselves from time to time… without the aid of an electronic device or a structured extracurricular activity. That’s the takeaway finding from research by Gallup and toymaker Melissa & Doug

Mission 360 Virtual reality launched by Catholic Mission Walking in the shoes of the other has long been a quintessential part of Catholic Mission’s formation experience, but now it is set to take on a whole new meaning. Mission in 360 utilises virtual reality technology with footage shot in communities around the world.

Susan Pascoe to oversee Certification Advisory Board Susan Pascoe AM has been appointed as independent Chair of the Australian Principal Certification Advisory Board. As Chair, she will work closely with Australian Principal Certification Advisory Board

ACARA presses on with NAPLAN Online preparations Schools across Australia have been taking part in school readiness testing to assess their ICT capacity for NAPLAN Online and to become familiar with administration and logistics

Western Sydney Coding Club launched The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences has launched its 2018 Schools Program, aimed at inspiring a life-long engagement in STEAM subjects. Schools in Western Sydney will also have the opportunity to access free professional development and coding resources through the new Western Sydney Coding Club.

Nominations for Teacher Fellowship Awards close on 12 October Time is running out to nominate outstanding teachers in the 2018 Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards with entries closing on 12 October. Now in its second year, the Awards will offer 12 Fellowships worth $45,000 for teachers and school leaders who are inspiring and transforming the lives of Australian students.

I'm available… why don’t they call me? In general, casual teachers are outstanding in the provision of excellent education at short notice. But there are exceptions, and these are the casuals that wonder why schools don’t call them again. Having been a principal in schools over 10 years, I have experienced some puzzling and interesting behaviours and attitudes from casuals… and here are a few of my favourites.

$600,000 funding to enable an Australian-first telepresence robot pilot St.George Foundation and MissingSchool have announced funding of up to $600,000 over three years to enable an Australian-first telepresence robot pilot. Telepresence robots will be paced in schools to demonstrate that continuous two-way connection is possible between seriously sick children and their classrooms.

Teenagers opposed to Fitbits as a way to increase levels of activity There is an increasing use of healthy lifestyle technologies but little in-depth empirical research on their impacts on young people. Fitbits have been used in schools to tackle rising levels of obesity and sedentary behaviour yet a study published in Sport, Education and Society shows that they might have longer-term negative impacts

NESLI Wellbeing Tookit has positive effect on mental Health in schools NESLI’s Staff Wellbeing Toolkit is having a profound impact on the mental health of Australia’s schools. After doing the 5 module program schools reported a marked improvement in understanding 

Victorian Education Excellence Awards finalists announced A school raising the career aspirations of young people and a primary teacher who is passionate about increasing women in STEM education and careers are among the finalists of this year’s Victorian Education Excellence Awards.