Several states have banned financial institutions from delivering banking and branded education programs in schools, paving the way for school-led programs free from commercial interests. In today’s reader submission Carly Sawatzki, Jill Brown, and Peter Saffin outline some guiding criteria to help schools consider ways to strengthen their financial education programs.

In a recent Teacher article, Ben Sacco from the MacKillop Institute discussed three elements that can directly support schools to improve teaching, learning and wellbeing – safety, relational trust, and shared language. In this follow-up, Sacco, and St Pius X Deputy Principal Stacey Atkins and Principal Joe Ewing share how the Catholic primary school has been putting these elements into action.

How does walking benefit our physical and mental health? How many steps do we need to do to see benefits to our overall wellbeing? In this article, Postdoctoral Research Fellow Matthew Ahmadi shares the origin of the 10 000 steps per day goal, and how we can still see substantial benefits from fewer steps.

As Australia marks World Teachers’ Day, a new survey report released to coincide with the celebrations shines a light on school educators’ passion for and dedication to the profession and lifelong learning. But it also reveals how the job is taking a toll on their wellbeing.

It’s believed up to 4.1 per cent of the global population are living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. As our awareness of IBS increases, talk about a promising dietary treatment for symptoms – a low FODMAP diet – has become increasingly frequent. So, how can IBS affect your wellbeing? And, what exactly is a low FODMAP diet?

‘Health and Physical Education (HPE) is fundamental for supporting young people to develop the skills and knowledge that will enable them to engage in lifelong health, movement and physical activity behaviours. Ensuring all young people have the opportunity to develop this knowledge is a crucial responsibility for all physical educators.’ Dr Laura Alfrey and Professor Ruth Jeanes share practical strategies for promoting inclusion in HPE.

What is excellence in Indigenous education? This is a topic that’s been widely explored on Teacher this month and in today’s episode, we run you through some of the highlights. This includes a podcast on delivering Indigenous content in the curriculum, and a submission that explores how Indigenous peoples, school leaders and educators conceptualise what excellence in Indigenous education is or could be.

‘Over the Christmas break last year, I decided to commit myself to being active every day for at least 28 days in a row so that I could develop a healthy habit.’ Tamara Smith from St Mary’s Memorial School in South Australia shares how she began walking every day and the positive effect it’s had.

Primary school educator Gary Romeo shares his book review of If You Build It…, a memoir by American actor Dwier Brown, which delves into themes of fate and family relationships.

We know what it means to be kind and compassionate towards others, but practicing self-compassion can be something that many people struggle with. So, what is self-compassion? And, what impact does it have on our overall health and wellbeing? We speak to Dr Judy Pickard from the University of Wollongong to find out more.