Parents Voice in Government School Education

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New phonics test: PV media comment

The Age reports today on a new statewide phonics test for Year 1 students, which is much faster to complete than the previously-used test. According to the article: The new 10-minute assessment, part of the state’s move toward an “explicit instruction” model of literacy learning, will replace the contentious English Online Interview (EOI), which the

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School size: PV media comment

The Herald-Sun published an article today about large schools and how they rate academically. The article begins: NAPLAN results for Australia’s largest schools show that bigger isn’t always better, with a key parents’ group urging greater investment to make low-enrolment schools more attractive. Of the top 100 largest secondary schools by enrolment last year, 25

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School canteens: PV media comment

An article in today’s Herald-Sun looks at the issue of prices in Victoria’s school canteens. According to the article: Victorian parents are forking out for the most expensive tuckshop bills in the country, as new data reveals the price of a school canteen lunch in the state is $1.55 higher than the national average. With

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Attempted child abductions: PV media comment

Parents Victoria CEO Gail McHardy is quoted in a recent news.com.au article about a spate of attempted child abductions on Melbourne streets late last year. The article points out that child abductions are “extremely rare” according to police, but reports on four attempted child abductions in the final weeks of Term 4 2024. Gail is

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School toilet upgrades: PV media comment

The Herald-Sun has published an article about the cost of school toilet upgrades across the state. The article begins: “More than $3.3 million has been contracted by the state government for school toilet upgrades, in what one MP is calling a questionable use of taxpayer funds.” The article lists some planned toilet upgrades at Victorian

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School Saving Bonus – PV media comment

The Age published an article today about problems with the roll-out of the School Saving Bonus. The article begins: “Parents struggling to claim the state government’s $400 school saving bonus fear they could miss out after technical glitches marred the rollout, while others are frustrated over restrictions on how they can spend the money.” Parents

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