School starting time: PV comment
The issue of sleep deprivation among young people is in the news again. One solution that has been advanced is for secondary schools to start later, to better match the 'body clocks' of teenagers. This issue is covered in today's article in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. PV's Executive Office Gail McHardy is quoted in the article. Gail said any change to school starting times would be a big ask. "Any change in school hours would have a huge domino effect on teachers' hours, traffic and employment, and would need to worked out among schools, families and government," she said.
The article also quotes adolescent-health researchers and Australian Principals Federation president Julie Podbury.
Mobile phone ban: Parents Victoria comment
The Herald-Sun reports today that schools are gearing up for the statewide ban on mobile phones, due to be implemented next year. PV has voiced concerns about the ban, and our Executive Officer Gail McHardy is quoted in this article.
The government has allocated a $12.4 million budget for the implementation of the ban, and many schools have accessed a share of that funding to upgrade or buy lockers to store students’ phones. Some schools have already implemented the ban and others are developing their own policies for 2020.
'Helicopter parents' - Parents Victoria comment
The Herald-Sun published an article today headed "Helicopter parents told to stop interfering in class allocations for 2020".
The article by Claire Heaney begins,"Helicopter parents throwing tantrums over their kids not being put in the same class as their friends or demanding they be taught by a certain teacher are being told to buzz off by fed-up schools."
Conference report 2019
Speaker presentations
- Sue Karzis, State Schools Relief
- Monique Toohey, Nasihah Consulting
- Jac Van Velsen, WISA
-
Andrew Fuller, Clinical Psychologist
(Presentation not available, this document covers many of the same topics) -
John Hendry
(John did not use a presentation but this booklet covers the topics he discussed)
Conference notes
We took detailed notes of all the Conference proceedings.
Download the Conference notes.
Photos
Panel discussions
These panel discussions, representing the views of educators, parents and students, were held at our Annual Conference in 2019. They attempt to answer the question: How do we kindly and constructively deal with difference and conflict in schools?
The discussions focus on two conflict scenarios and how to deal with them.
The Way Forward: Scenario 1.
The Way Forward: Scenario 2
Dealing with difference and conflict in schools
These panel discussions, representing the views of educators, parents and students, were held at our Annual Conference in 2019. They attempt to answer the question: How do we kindly and constructively deal with difference and conflict in schools?
The discussions focus on two conflict scenarios and how to deal with them.
The Way Forward: Scenario 1.
The Way Forward: Scenario 2
Education Excellence Awards finalists
The Department of Education and Training is excited to announce that the 2019 finalists for the Victorian Education Excellence Awards (VEEA) have been released by the Acting Minister for Education Gayle Tierney.
The finalists include a primary school teacher passionate about raising literacy standards, a school supporting and promoting Koorie culture and a principal who has advocated for strong student voice and leadership
- See the Minister's media release
- Read more on the Victorian Education Excellence Awards website
Gender neutral toilets: PV comment
The Herald-Sun recently reported on the installation of gender-neutral toilets at Brunswick East Primary School. (The article 
is behind a paywall, you can read it if you're a Herald-Sun subscriber.)
The article reports,
"Brunswick East Primary School says smelly urinals and safety and privacy fears have pushed it to choose gender neutral toilets. They are just one of the Melbourne schools embracing all gender restrooms. In a just completed maintenance upgrade, Brunswick East Primary School decided to embrace unisex toilets for a range of reasons including safety, privacy and hygiene. The Brunswick East school is among a number of schools choosing gender neutral toilets, often as part of an upgrade of existing facilities. Princes Hill Secondary College has committed to install the toilets. Carey Grammar has gender neutral toilets and uniforms... the lobby group Parents Victoria welcomed the toilets. “Some schools are realistic and sensible. We all have gender neutral bathrooms in our homes why not schools?” president Gail McHardy said."
(Note: Gail is actually PV's Executive Officer; our President is Sharron Healy).
PV Conference - save the date
18 & 19 November, 2019
Pullman Melbourne on the Park
Keynote speaker: Andrew Fuller
Brochure and program available soon - keep an eye on the website
Expert: we must fix inequity in education
Interesting article on the ABC website from Pasi Sahlberg, a Finnish education expert who now lives in Australia. He explains why equity is so important in an education system, why competition between schools delivers bad outcomes, and why his kids go to their local public school.
Australia must fix school inequity to create a top education system
About a year ago my life turned upside down, literally.
My wife and I, with our two school-aged children, moved to Sydney from Helsinki.
We soon realised that Australians do not walk upside down. But there were some things that we were not prepared for.
Ever since we arrived in our new hometown, people were curious to know how we chose a school for our sons.
For us it was no-brainer — the neighbourhood public school.
'Diverge' career workshops for Year 9/10 students
Provided by the Reach Foundation, Diverge comprises 2 workshops with an Interview Project in between them. During the two full-day workshops, the awesome Reach crew will help your Year 9/10 uncover their passions and start planning for life after school. The workshops are fun, interactive and full of activities designed to get them thinking about themselves and the things they care about. These leaders will shed some light on how they got to where they are and give advice about how you can turn your passions into an awesome career! Even better, these workshops are free of charge.
Victorian workshops are on 27 Aug and 10 Sep in Collingwood.
Download a PDF flyer with more information.
