School culture

Findings from a cross-sectional survey looking into young Australian women’s experiences of menstruation and dysmenorrhea indicate the need for better menstrual health education in Australian schools. Find out more about the survey responses in relation to menstrual health in Australian Health and Physical Education in today’s infographic.

For the past 7 months, Principal Ray Boyd and Associate Principal Rachael Lehr have been growing the school community for their new school, West Swan (Dayton) Primary School (planning name), as it’s built in Perth, Western Australia. In today’s photo story, we share some of the key moments from their journey so far.

‘They’re concerned that adults don’t listen to them … adults also tend to be dismissive of their ideas and insights.’ In this Q&A we speak to Helen Connolly, South Australian Commissioner for Children and Young People, about the Student Voice Postcard initiative.

Over 8,300 children aged between 8 and 12 answered the question, 'what would make things better for kids in South Australia?' as part of an engagement project by the state’s Commissioner for Children and Young People. Here, we share some of their responses related to school.

As a teacher, how has work impacted your wellbeing during the pandemic? What wellbeing initiatives are offered at your school, and how can they be improved to better support teachers? In this article, we outline five further readings which explore educator wellbeing in Australia and internationally.

Over the last four years, Aquinas College in Perth, Western Australia, has revamped its Student Leadership program, with the aim of increasing participation and strengthening student voice. Mark Weston – Director of Character Education and Leadership – shares details of how the program is structured and the impact it’s having.

The biennial Narragunnawali Awards recognise Australian schools and early learning services that are implementing outstanding reconciliation initiatives. The 2021 winner in the schools category was St Virgil’s College in Tasmania. In today’s article Bridget Jenkins, the college's Aboriginal Student Support Teacher, shares some of the significant moments in the school’s reconciliation journey.

A report released by the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment, addresses the unique challenges faced by school leaders in regional, rural and remote schools and outlines four key qualities of school leaders achieving high impact in these settings.

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.

In this episode of School Improvement, we’re taking you to Ireland where research has been conducted looking at engaging students in the school self-evaluation process in a meaningful way. Shivaun O’Brien from Dublin City University joins us to unpack the impetus for the research and to talk us through some of the findings.