Parents Voice in Government School Education

PV media comment

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Wearable devices in schools: PV media comment

You may remember that students were banned from having mobile phones in Victorian government schools in 2020. The Herald-Sun reported recently that “Teachers and education experts are calling for wearable devices to be included in the Victorian phone ban, as schools take drastic measures to stamp out poor concentration and anti-social behaviour. Schools are confiscating

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New expulsion powers for principals – PV media comment

Today’s Herald-Sun reports on new powers that will soon be available to school principals to suspend or expel students for misconduct outside of school. According to the article: …school leaders will soon have the authority to discipline pupils whose actions – both in person and online – outside school grounds risk the welfare of their peers and

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Defamation fines for parents?

There has been some media coverage of a suggestion that a system of fines for online defamation could be introduced. The suggestion was made by the Chair of the Independent Office of School Dispute Resolution, Frank Handy, as reported in this article in the Age. Frank Handy also spoke to Chris Bath on ABC Radio

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School uniform announcement

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and Education Minister, Ben Carroll jointly announced – along with Parents Victoria CEO Gail McHardy – new policy changes that will make school uniforms more affordable. As from next year students at Victorian public schools will be allowed to wear non logoed below the waist uniform items e.g. shorts, pants, skirts,

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Low parent satisfaction: PV media comment

The Age reported yesterday on the recent decline in parent satisfaction with public schools in Victoria. The article begins: “Parent satisfaction rates for Victorian public high schools have hit almost 15-year lows at the same time as students are feeling more disconnected, amid fears that ongoing teacher shortages and a reliance on technology in classrooms

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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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