Minnis Journals

ET News Digest

Your Weekly Education Newsletter

2019 Commonwealth Bank Teaching Award Winners announced
From helping traumatised students to get a second chance at learning, to developing robotics programs that integrate Aboriginal language and culture, 12 inspiring teachers have been recognised for their work in creating long-term meaningful change for their pupils, schools and the wider community.
Now in their third year, the awards are one of Australia’s richest for educators, each recipient received a prize valued at $45,000 to assist with their professional development, roll out a new education project in their school, and take part in an overseas study tour to a high-performing education system. Read more

Time out is acceptable
There’s been some controversy about time out as a punishment but new research says that it does more good than harm.
The University of Sydney has found that the correct use of ‘time-out’ as a form of discipline does not harm a child’s mental health, but rather increases well-being and happiness.
The research conducted at the Child Behaviour Research Clinic counters claims in some quarters that time-out for kids can be dangerous. Read more

The art of brains
Primary school students around Australia are being encouraged to think about how amazing their brains are through a national art competition that will be judged by some of Australia’s leading brain researchers.
With prizes on offer, including up to $1000 in teaching aids for the winning students’ schools, the competition is a way for children to learn about brain science while using their imagination.
The annual competition is held by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function (Brain Function CoE), which is a national collaboration of brain researchers from universities around Australia. Read more

Economic disadvantage robs young of support
One of the many consequences of economic disadvantage is that it robs the young of the support that children of parents with work are able to give.
According to Mission Australia, nearly one in five (19.4%) economically disadvantaged young people reported feeling they did not have someone they could turn to if they were in trouble or facing a crisis. This was more than double the proportion of respondents with parents in paid work who felt the same (8.4%). Economically disadvantaged young people were less likely to report that they would seek support from others. Read more

Mark Grant appointed AITSL CEO
The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) has announced the appointment of Mark Grant as its new CEO, following a comprehensive national and international search. He will join AITSL from mid-April.
Grant succeeds Lisa Rodgers, who left AITSL in January 2019 to take up the position of Secretary at the Department of Education and Training in Western Australia.
He was previously Executive Director, Leadership and High Performance at the Department of Education, NSW. His career has included significant direct experience in schools as a teacher and leader Read more

Horses the right course for at-risk students
Horses are nice and being around them is therapeutic for people with mental health and behavioural problems.
Equine Insight in Romsey Victoria has been running equine therapy courses to great effect and their activity has caught the attention of Central Ranges Local Learning and Employment Network industry engagement manager Lena Way.
Way visited Equine Insight to undertake an equine therapy discovery session, with a view to promoting it to secondary schools as an alternative method to assist at-risk young people.
Read more

Bostik competition offers $5000 grants
You can’t do craft without a bit of Bostik and the makers of the sticky essential are launching their latest competition awarding the creativity of primary school children.
Beginning on April 22, the Bostik Smart Schools program provides primary schools across the country the chance to win a share in $21,000 worth of grants and prizes.
Smart Schools encourages kids to get creative and enter a unique craft project inspired by this year’s theme – environment and sustainability. Read more

Gifted and talented primary kids at Uni Qld Explorama
More than 200 gifted and talented primary school students will visit The University of Queensland for Explorama.
The educational event run by Kids College Queensland aims to expose high achievers to potential academic aspirations and other likeminded kids.
UQ school engagement manager Sebastion Marx said "Early career exploration is incredibly valuable for young people. It helps them make informed decisions when they start moving through to senior schooling." Read more