Late last year, Matt Orchard from Apollo Bay P-12 College in regional Victoria was named winner of the 2022 Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award. In this article, he tells us about the music program he’s run for over 20 years.

‘[The start of the school year can] mean a challenging transition for those who struggle with stressors about returning to the classroom.’ Dr Tom Brunzell, Director of Education at Victoria’s Berry Street School, discusses lessons learned on student re-engagement and attendance that could be helpful to other schools.

Learning Specialist Angela Myler says an understanding of the complexities of twice-exceptional students is paramount to be able to cater to their diverse learning needs, so that both disability and gifts are given the attention they deserve.

The Australian National Survey of Secondary Students and Sexual Health explores young people’s experiences of sex, relationships, sexual health and school-based Relationships and Sexuality Education. Data from the seventh iteration, involving almost 7,000 participants, have just been released – in this infographic we look at some of the findings.

What are the personal challenges facing your students before they even make it to school? What are the national issues they are worried about? According to new research, the environment is now the number one concern for young people. Mental health remains high on the list and they’re also being impacted by financial concerns and housing instability.

Student storytelling can often give a glimpse into what’s happening in their lives, their interests and passions, and the issues that are on their mind. The latest instalment of the Australian Children’s Word of the Year reveals online safety is a top concern for students.

Research by eSafety tells us that 45% of Australian children said they were treated in a hurtful or nasty way online in the past year. This Safer Internet Day, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant is encouraging every Australian to moderate their own online behaviour to help stem the negativity and abuse that permeate many parts of the internet.

Six high schools from across the world have been named winners of the 2023 Zayed Sustainability Prize for their innovative solutions to sustainability issues and will take home their share of a US $600,000 prize pool to continue their work.

Researchers from the University of Queensland are determined to help teachers to improve the air quality in their classrooms, improve students’ cognitive performance and decrease the risk of contracting COVID-19 at the same time.

‘Teachers having space to discuss their emotions and the issues that evoke them leads to a higher probability of finding creative and collaborative ways to manage them,’ Dr Jean Hopman writes in her article on how to navigate the emotional work of teaching.