Student violence directed at school staff is a common issue. In this episode of The Research Files, we look at the results of a new study which analysed the frequency and impact of occupational violence perpetrated by students towards teachers working in the P-6 sector. We also discuss the prevention and coping strategies staff use and find effective.

Teachers do their best to support student wellbeing, and often this can mean supporting a student who may be showing signs of posttraumatic stress at school. In this article, Dr Emily Berger shares trauma-informed strategies that teachers can use in the classroom to support both student and teacher wellbeing.

‘PD needs to be well-designed, selected, and implemented so that the investment is used well.’ In our latest reader submission, Hannah Matthews and Susannah Schoeffel from Evidence for Learning share the mechanisms of professional development, and how schools can consider the overall quality of PD programs for their school setting.

Lots of researchers have been capturing the impact of the pandemic in relation to school education and, as these studies come to fruition, we’re starting to gain new insights about what happened and the lessons we can learn for the future. One new study is from the perspective of Australian teachers.

Research analysing data on 1.3 million students and 50,000 teachers in the United States has demonstrated a positive impact on student academic achievement and behavioural outcomes when they are taught by the same teacher twice. Dr Leigh Wedenoja shares more details with Teacher in this article.

While teaching is a highly rewarding career, it can also be very stressful. In this Q&A, Claire Goodall, Young People and Education Manager at R U OK? shares how schools can build a positive help seeking culture, how staff can support their colleagues, and how to ask for help if you need it, in the lead up to R U OK?Day this week.

Student welfare has come sharply into focus over the past few years as the pandemic poses unprecedented challenges for students and teachers alike. There’s a lot to explore around student welfare in the Teacher archives, and this month we’re bringing you some recent examples.

New research assesses the nature and consequences of student vaping in primary and secondary schools in Australia. In this infographic, we explore the responses from a national sample of 196 school staff, surveyed about their perceptions of students’ e-cigarette use.

‘Ultimately, our pilot … has transformed the way we meet the needs of our students and staff, particularly in a post-pandemic landscape.’ In this reader submission, Bridget Garing shares the details of a pilot Pittwater House in New South Wales undertook earlier this year to encourage staff to work collaboratively to support students.

Recent research has shown that participants in a cooking class have experienced not only an increase in their cooking confidence, but also improved mental health. Here, we speak to a member of the research team, Jo Rees from Edith Cowan University, to find out more.