Careful planning and preparation lay the foundation for strong teaching and learning, positive school culture, and sustained improvement throughout the year. Anthony Hockey, Principal of St Mary's Catholic Primary School in Williamstown, Victoria, shares how his school prepares for a successful start to each new year. From welcoming new students, inducting staff and completing essential maintenance, to refining improvement priorities – the work begins well before the first bell rings.

In ‘Teaching Strategies in the 21st Century, Where to Now?’ Dr Loretta Bowshall-Freeman, Dr Rozi Binte Rahmat and Michael Colbung discuss the complex challenges faced by pre-service and early career teachers. This exclusive extract for Teacher readers shares strategies for preparing for a new teaching role.

Recorded live at the National Education Summit in Melbourne, Dominique Beech sits down with Professor Miriam Tanti from La Trobe University to find out about the research she and her colleagues have been conducting into the science of learning and Generative AI which has culminated in a free, practical guide for secondary school teachers. 

‘We are, as our staff and students say, building a culture of excellence where every learner can thrive, and this year we have the data to prove it.’ In today’s article, Jo Jolly – Principal at Parkhill Primary School in Melbourne, Victoria – shares details of the journey the school has been on for the past 3 years to shift culture and improve student outcomes. 

Recorded live at the National Education Summit in Melbourne, Teacher’s Deputy Editor Rebecca Vukovic is joined by Jonathan Heard, a Research Fellow at the Australian Council for Educational Research for this School Improvement episode. They discuss the importance of having a shared definition on what critical thinking is, the connection between critical thinking and information literacy, and provide some key takeaways for teachers, teacher librarians and school leaders.

To complement the widely adopted Driving School Improvement books by Pamela Macklin and Vic Zbar, the new Driving School Improvement Workbook offers school leaders a practical framework for turning improvement plans into action. This extract for Teacher readers is taken from a chapter on knowing you are making a difference.

Following the release of the PISA 2025 results last week, Dominique Beech is joined by Dr Jonas Bertling, Research Director of ACER Implementation and Reporting and co-author of the report sharing Australia’s PISA 2025 results, to unpack the 2025 findings and the implications for educators.

‘PILNA helps countries see not only whether students are meeting expected levels, but also the conditions that support or constrain learning.’ The latest results from the Pacific’s largest regional education assessment point to encouraging signs of recovery in student learning, while also identifying key areas where further improvement is needed.

‘Our research shows aspirations for school community engagement in the design of school outdoor spaces are high. … And yet, for many re-designs to schoolyards, engagement does not happen.’  In this article, Hannah Richardson from the University of Canberra shares 3 simple activities for engaging students in schoolyard design.  

Few classrooms can match the Great Barrier Reef. As one of the world’s most remarkable natural environments, it offers students the chance to learn through experience, discovery and connection. A new Australian Government program is subsidising school excursions to this iconic destination, making it possible for more students to visit the Reef and experience its educational benefits firsthand.