Hunter students to return to the classroom a week earlier

BY JARROD MELMETH

The state government has announced Hunter students will return to the classroom a week earlier, thanks to the state wide vaccination rollout.

A staggered return will still take place on the following dates.

• October 18: Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 12
• October 25: Year 2, 6 and 11
• November 1: Year 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10

The bringing forward of the return to school plan comes as the Teacher's Federation voices its concerns that schools aren't ready to open. This move has angered many parents who say there has been ample time.

When the original return to school plan was announced, teachers were given until November 8 to receive both doses of a COVID vaccine, this requirement remains and will not be brought forward along with the return date.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the return to school plan was always linked to the vaccination rates of the community, and thanks to faster vaccination rates than expected, students will be able to return to the classroom sooner.

“We have been clear that a return to school should begin once the state passed 70 per cent fully vaccinated, and thanks to the incredible efforts from the people of NSW, we will reach that milestone sooner than expected.

“Managing a return in a school system the size of NSW’s is not a small task. Keeping the staged approach, but moving it all one week earlier, allows schools to shift their plans forward and still provides time for staff and eligible students to get vaccinated," Ms Berejiklian said.

Schools are expected to announce their COVID safe plans to families from next week.

Areas of the Hunter where stay-at-home orders have been lifted including in Singleton, Upper Hunter and Dungog will continue learning face-to-face from Day 1, Term 4.

Hunter students heading to Canberra virtually this year

BY JARROD MELMETH

Hunter school students are heading to Canberra in a different way this year.

Due to the ongoing statewide lockdowns, the rite of passage trip will be undertaken virtually, visiting some of the biggest museums, galleries and institutes over five days.

It's expected 320,00 students across the country will be participating as they study aeronautics at Questacon, learn about the sacrifice of ANZACS at the Australian War Memorial, discuss coin production at the mint and learn about democracy at Old Parliament House.

Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell says its fantastic to see technology created for regional and remote students now benefiting thousands of students during a pandemic.

"The pandemic has caused students to miss out on a lot, a trip to Canberra is a staple for students.

"I'm so happy NSW is in a position to use technology to transport students from their homes to Canberra for a week of learning and fun.

Registration for the event can be done here.

Image: Visit Canberra

Legal Loophole Saves Port Stephens Teacher from Punishment

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The NSW Attorney-General is considering changes state laws after a Port Stephens school teacher used a legal loophole to escape punishment for having sex with a 17-year-old student.

The Daily Telegraph reports the Court of Criminal Appeal ruled the 49-year-old did not break the law because the student was not in his class, and therefore not under his supervision when they started their sexual relationship.

The District Court Judge ruled in favour of the defence because she said she agreed the student would have to have been under the "sporting instruction" of the teacher at the time for a crime to have occurred.

It's alleged the teacher was initially charged with three counts of having sex with a person between 17-18 who was under his "special care". The incidents occurred in 2015 when the girl was in year 12.

Mark Speakman said he'll consult with stakeholder groups over the next couple of weeks on how the law can be changed.

"No child should ever be taken advantage of in a student teacher environment when that teacher is currently responsible for the student or has been in the past. When parents send their children to school they trust it is a safe place. Any changes I bring forward will better protect students."

Attorney-General Mark Speakman. Image dailytelegraph.com.au

Our schools are still safe

BY RACHEL STORER

abc.net.au

New data from the Department of Education shows there were 200 more incidents in Hunter and Central Coast schools in 2016 than in 2015.

524 total issues were reported in our schools with violent incidents topping the list at 204.

Other incidents related to drugs, welfare and weapons.

There has also been a steady increase in student aggression towards teachers and principals.

NSW Secondary Principals' Association president Chris Presland said the recent spike in incidents can partly be explained by changed to reporting measures, which sees even minor incidents reported.

Mr Presland also said that schools remain the safest place in our community and believes the problem is more widespread.

"I think there is a broader societal issue and we all need to have a think about how we approach frustration and unfortunately there seems to be an increasing tendency for people to approach that in an aggressive matter and that's not ok."

Mr Presland assures that schools are dealing with the issue of violence to the best of their ability but are unfortunately facing a constant battle with what students are exposed to in the community.

Hunter Sports High redevelopment pushed back. Again.

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

Staff and students at Hunter Sports High at Gateshead will have to wait another two years for a promised major upgrade of their school.

In 2014, $20 million was allocated to the school in the state budget to demolish ageing and dilapidated classrooms with the government promising to have the work completed by January this year.

Demolition work did begin this year but in February, with the project's completion date blowing out to 2019.

Back in June 2014, the then Education Minister Adrian Picolli proudly boasted the government was getting on with the job of fixing the school.

"Now we're investing in this highschool, it's about getting on with the job making sure that we've got world-class facilities, budgets are always tight but we've made sure we've found the money to do this well overdue project"

But now three years later, Charlestown MP Jodie Harrison is extremely disappointed at just another demonstration of the government's disinterest in the region.

"This is another demonstration of this government's disinterest in the Hunter and in a school that is educating students from one of the most socio-economically disadvantaged suburbs in the State."

Hunter Sports High Image metrobc.com.au

Hunter schools at the tipping point

BY JESSICA ROUSE

High Schools in the Hunter are at their tipping point - overflowing and over capacity by 41 per cent.

The latest NSW Auditor General's report has revealed high schools in the Hunter top the list for being the state's most overcrowded, and also shows the region at the top of the list of regions expected to have the highest growth of students after the Metropolitan areas of Sydney.

With student growth only expected to increase, the Department of Education estimates just over 3,500 additional high school classrooms will be needed across NSW by 2031.

In the Hunter alone, the number of students is expected to grow to 4,350.

A number of schools including Rutherford High and Belmont Highschool are relying on demountable classrooms to accommodate the growing populations.

Shadow Minister for the Hunter Kate Washington believes the government clearly has their priories wrong, and they can't seem to get them right.

"The government has entirely failed to plan for the future. It's apparent now and it's just going to get worse as we go forward and the population of students will increase, so while the Premier spent billions of dollars on stadiums and roads in Sydney, she's allowing our students to learn in over crowded classrooms."

Primary schools aren't much better, with most over capacity by 35 per cent, with the number of primary students expected to increase in the Hunter by nearly 6,000 between now and 2031.

Kate Washington says the schools have been neglected and starved of funds with students the ones suffering the most having to learn in overcrowded classes.

"I don't hold high hopes given what we've already learnt about the federal government's intention's around education funding - they should be fully funding the Gonski reforms and that's not happening and that's going to put additional stresses on our schools."

Sun Safety Warning as Hunter Students Head Back to School

BY MARISSA ALEXIOU

As Hunter children head back to school this week, parents are being encouraged to consider the safety of their children outside the classroom. 

A statement released by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) warns parents and schools need to ensure their children's eyes are properly protected. 

The College is encouraging a 'no hat, no sunglasses. no play' policy to maintain the safety of students whilst at school. 

To ensure maximum protection children should be wearing sunglasses that meet the Australian Standards for UV protection. 

A number of young children are showing the first signs of eye damage from ultraviolet light according to eye surgeons Dr Shanel Sharma and Dr Alina Zeldovich. 

Ophthalmologist Dr Shanel Sharma said that UV light effects eyes differently to how it affects the skin, with younger children at increased risk due to the development of their eyes. 

It is thought that schools have resisted introducing sunglasses as part of the uniform due to the lack of awareness and potential management issues such as loss and damage. 

Children need to be wearing a hat and sunglasses not only at school but during sport and other outdoor activities outside of school to be protected from the sun. 

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/

School zones get flashing updates

BY GARY-JON LYSAGHT

SAFE: The upgrades will finish in March [Picture: NRMA]

The school year is kicking off for most of the Hunter’s schools and safety is once again a top concern for everyone.

And that is why four Newcastle schools will be having school zone flashing lights installed to help warm motorists that learning is afoot again

Beresfield, Maryland and Wallsend public schools and St Phillips Christian College Waratah have had flashing lights greenlit for

their zones, with works expected to be completed by early March.

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery has welcomed the decision, saying it is a “great outcome” for the local schools.

“Some of the schools have been battling for the lights to be installed, as the roads they will be put on are major roads,” she said.

Anderson Drive, which is nearby Beresfield Public School was singled out by Ms Horenry as being a place where parents “have been pushing hard” to get flashing lights.

“There are more school zones that need flashing lights and I will continue to work hard to have those sites included,” Ms Hornery said.

As a former school teacher, Ms Hornery has used the announcement as a “timely reminder that school zones are back in place”.

“Please make sure you slow down around school zones during school zone times,” she said.